How to Wash a Weighted Blanket

Overview

Getting a deep sound sleep after a busy day schedule is what individuals yearn for to end each hectic day. However, this doesn’t normally come by chance, it has to be intentional, and weighted blankets are one bedding accessory you should invest in because it does the magic.

Weighted blankets are commonly made with a special lining of materials like poly plastic pellets or glass micro beads, sometimes a combination of both.

Compared to other regular blankets, weighted blankets are practically heavier than the down quilt or average comforters kind of blankets you get to see everywhere. Typically, a blanket would be considered weighty if it weighs from 4 to 30 pounds. Suitable weighted blankets for small children are the ones with a few extra pounds but 20 or more extra pounds suits adults perfectly.

Its uniqueness springs from the “pressure therapy” that it adopts to bring one’s body to overall feelings of relaxation and calmness, that kind of warm feeling that you get when swaddled, held or hugged.

To unravel the mystery behind a sound and cozy sleep, weighted blankets have in recent times become a bedding accessory that one cannot do without. Apart from the fact that an individual gets a good sleep under it, it has also become a gift to give to beloved ones in cold weather.

For sleepers (adults and children inclusive) research has it that this bedding accessory reveals that a lot of people depend on it to manage various medical conditions that could result in sleeping difficulty or disorder. Not only does the accessory provides safe alternatives to medication or other types of treatment but they are also considered useable to complement existing therapies to manage and reduce symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, autism, insomnia or attention difficulties. Weighted blankets have proven to also help to encourage restful sleep, reduce stress and enhance mood.

Keep your weighted blanket as clean as the day you bought it

The possibility that your blankets would look dull and unattractive after sleeping under them every night is not something that you should be caught up with unaware. Like every clothing, laundry is required every time they are used, there is no exemption to bed cover. Your blanket won’t remain clean forever, that’s what it means!

Nevertheless, blankets cannot be washed the same way you do your regular laundry, far from it. A couple of factors should be considered, which ranges from the nature of materials that they are made with to their bulkiness. If owning a blanket is important as it looks then learning how best to keep it clean is as important as owning one.

There are different opinions on how to wash a weighted blanket but the best way to get it done is what you will get to learn here.

Typically, you can start the washing procedure by paying attention to the following salient details;

• Adherence to care label instructions especially when it has to do with separating the cover from the inner blanket
• The separated cover and inner blanket should not be washed together but separately
• Mild detergent should be used always
• Use cold water where possible and warm water when required
• Locate spots where stains are and treat accordingly
• Decide on whether to hand-wash or make use of machine after which you might have discovered the nature of material your blanket is made with
• Conclude whether to tumble dry or air dry, considering the material

Although purchasing weighted blankets is considered an investment in quality rest and comfort but washing them is a different kettle of fish entirely. An intentional effort is needed periodically to keep them fresh and so clean for years of blissful night rest.

Weighted Blankets on Sale

Concise Procedure For Washing Weighted Blankets

Fillings, cover material and the weight of a blanket have a great influence on how best the blanket is to be washed.

Filling Material

As described earlier, a filling is what makes blankets bulky. The filling is evenly distributed in tiny pockets across the blanket which as a result distribute weight across sleeper’s body when they lay under them, giving that sensation of a huge hug or cuddle. Different filling materials require a specific method of washing.

Micro glass beads

Blankets having micro glass beads filler are safe to wash in the machine, but ensure you check the care label properly before any attempt.

• You are free to wash with any water temperature of your choice
• A mild detergent is strictly required for washing
• After washing, you can air dry or better still dry with a tumbler on a low heat

It would be unnecessary to iron blanket with glass beads, you should save yourself of such trouble.

Smooth Small Pebbles

Do you care to know the most comfortable filling option? Your guess is as good as mine, smooth small pebbles! Practically, it’s the perfect DIY choice for heavy blankets.

• Do not wash in machine, not only can the pebbles tossing here and there wreck havoc on your machine, but they can also damage your blanket. Generally, hand-washing is the best way to get rid of dirt and stain.
• Wash with mild detergent
• A thorough air drying is appropriate to prevent rocks from being moldy.

Organic Materials

It’s hilarious to hear that food substances can also be used as filler in our beddings, right?

Organic substances like beans, rice, corn, among others are affordable options for a bulk blanket but, it’s disappointing to know that they are not washable. You know how food gets soaked and decomposes when in contact with water, you sure don’t want to see your blanket gets unnecessarily irritating.

• You can only use organic material and food for short term solution to a situation that warrants its use
• Avoid contact with water

It’s not commonly recommended as blanket fillers.

Steel Short Beads

Do you desire to have a heavier blanket? If yes then, blanket with steel short beads filling is what you should go for but, you’ve got to prepare because washing it is not a joke at all.

• It logically sounds impossible throwing such a hefty blanket in a washing machine, therefore, hand wash only
• Wash in your preferred water temperature, even at high-temperature steel beads cannot melt.
• Ensure to be extra careful when hand washing because the fabric can get easily damaged by the steel beads allowing the beads to escape.
• You can spread it out under the sun to dry.

For a durable weighted blanket, this is the best option you got. Its durability is rooted in the fact that their smooth surface gives no room for dirt to accumulate, leaving the inner part of your blanket as clean as new.

Plastic Poly Pellets

Plastic poly pellets are said to be a common filler.

• Cold water Is strictly required for washing as high temperature can melt plastic
• Spread over a surface like a bannister to air dry because heat from dryer will ruin them.

Ensure you check to turn over frequently so as to achieve the best result after sunset.

Cover Material

Below is a compilation of the most common blanket cover materials used for weighted blankets, alongside are specific instructions that would help you in no small way to care for them. Nevertheless, specific fabric requires a different approach to cleaning.

Cotton

For the records, cotton is one of the most popular fabrics everywhere, you can use them in any kind of weather plus, they are easy to maintain.

• Fabrics sometimes get easily agitated when washed in a load of themselves, therefore, ensure you wash cotton blankets separately using cold water.
• Opt for a standard mild and bleach-free detergent for cotton
• To preserve blanket colour, apply vinegar to water. Half a cup of vinegar would do.
• If you decide on washing your fabrics using your washing machine ensure you run it through a light wash setting and if you decide to hand wash, rinse repeatedly until the water is free of soap traces.
• You can either air dry or put in a dryer on low heat.

Rayon-Linen Blends

The fabric originated from wood, it is considered a semisynthetic fabric after being pulp-treated with chemicals. The fabrics are majorly selected for their durability. Its medium weight attribute makes it desirable in making a weighted blanket.

• Carefully check care label instruction before cleaning
• The fabric typically requires to be dry-cleaned because the colour sometimes bleeds and can easily shrink.
• You can as well hand wash but remember to wash separately in water
• Lay flat to air dry

Fleece

Before washing a fleece blanket, ensure you inspect for stain and soak in the washing machine for about 45 minutes before washing.

• It is preferable to wash separately in warm water
• Use a standard gentle detergent for fleece
• The fabric can tolerate softener but skep softener before use
• It’s best to air dry

Flannel

• Wash separately in either warm or cold water
• Use gentle detergent
• Tumble dry on low heat
• It can also easily dry naturally with no hassle if water has been removed properly by ringer

Flannel fabrics wear out quickly when hot water is used on them.

Don’t allow it to stay for too long in the dryer, remove immediately after the cycle to prevent over-drying.

Minky

Minky weighted blanket is one of the best selling blankets. This is because of its soft and lush texture, durable, and very easy to wash and maintain.

• Wash separately in water temperature of your choice but, hot water is not an option
• Use mild detergent
• You can either hand wash or make use of a washing machine
• Scrubbing with a toothbrush and a few drops of detergent is the best way to remove stain If you spot one
• Hand fabrics to air dry

Keep fabric away from hot water and high heat because it’s a polyester blend and cannot tolerate high temperature.

The Bulkiness of Your Blanket

The weight of your blanket also spells out how best to handle it while cleaning or washing. Where and how you will wash a 15 pounds blanket would be different from how you’ll handle that of a 30 pounds, moreover, all washing machine has specific capacity they can take at a goal. It’s wise to carefully check the care label to see if your blanket would be safe in a washing machine or not.

For Blankets under 15 pounds

You can wash blanket of this weight in your home machine on a gentle cycle following the guidelines below

• Ensure you wash separately as this helps to reduce load weight in the machine
• Wash on a gentle cycle
• Use gentle and bleach-free detergent to wash
• You can either tumble dry on low or air, as required by filling and cover material

For blanket Over 15 pounds

Blanket over 15 pounds is advised not to be washed in home washing machines to prevent the machine from wear and tear. Hefty blankets of this weight are better washed in a commercial-size machine. Blanket above 15 pounds have three alternative way of washing;

• A trip to a laundromat where there are commercial-grade washer
• Hand wash in cool water in the bathtub
• A bigger capacity washing machine

Ask for help when hand-washing because blankets are heavier when wet. And read care label instruction thoroughly.

How To Get Rid of Stain on Blanket

Breakfast in bed is one amazing moment you wouldn’t want to miss every morning. Your cup of coffee might accidentally spill on your blanket in the heat of the moment. How would you tackle the stain will likely be the first question that pops into your head. You don’t have to get worked up, just follow this procedure;

To remove coffee stain

• Get one-ounce of refined white vinegar, one-ounce of liquid laundry detergent and dilute with 10 ounces of water and mix properly
• Apply on stain by rubbing the mixture gently into the stain with a toothbrush or better still, a washcloth
• Allow the solution to seep through stain for at least 10 minutes
• Rinse with cool water
• Repeat the process until there are no traces of the stain

To remove a greasy stain

• Dilute one-ounce of dish soap in water
• Gently rub in the solution with a washcloth
• Leave for a couple of minutes
• Blot with a dry towel

To remove urine stain

• Treat stain with an enzyme stain remover
• Wash on gentle cycle
• Inspect if traces and the pungent stench are gone
• If not, repeat the process until for disappears
• Air dry

To remove red wine stain

• Apply 1-2 ounces of distilled white vinegar to the stain
• Allow to sit for about 10 minutes
• Smudge the stain with a dry towel afterwards, with a dry towel
• If you still have traces of the stain, apply enzyme stain remover.
• Leave for about 25-30 minutes, blot the stain with a towel
• If you notice stain dissipation, rinse in cold water

It is necessary to inspect blankets for stain before washing and give specific stain the required special treatment.

How Often Should Weighted blankets Be Washed?

You wouldn’t envisage washing your weighted blanket every single time you get your laundry done, would you? Remember they are heavy!

You use it almost every time you get on the bed, if not every night, then there has to be a time when it should be cleaned up.

Since washing it frequently is not an option, you just have to get it washed periodically. Two or three times annually would do, even if it still looks clean. You should as well air frequently in between washings to prevent bacteria.

Conclusion

Remember, the weight, filling and cover material of a blanket has a way of influencing its washing procedure.

No matter how rumpled your blanket looks, do not iron, just save yourself that headache already.

Always remember to refer back to the manufacturer’s instructions whenever you decide on washing your blanket.