Weighted blankets provide gentle pressure intended to improve sleep by reducing stress. They can weigh anywhere from 5 to 30 pounds to accommodate individuals of different ages and body types.
While many sleepers enjoy using weighted blankets, cleaning them can be tricky. Bedding absorbs your sweat, body oils, and dead skin cells. It can also harbor dust mites, pollen, and other allergens. Just as you wash your sheets, regularly cleaning your weighted blanket can improve your sleep experience.
We will provide step-by-step directions for washing your weighted blanket. We’ll also look at how often to wash your weighted blanket.
Step by Step: How to Wash a Weighted Blanket
Step One: Determine What Level of Cleaning Your Weighted Blanket Needs
There’s a big difference between spot cleaning and washing. Choosing the appropriate amount of cleaning can save you time and energy. It can also prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
Step Two: Read the Manufacturer’s Care Instructions
Weighted blankets are not as easy to wash as most throw blankets and comforters. The care instructions ultimately depend on the blanket’s materials, so they often vary between models. It’s important to read the label and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to get the best results and avoid damage.
Step Three: Spot Cleaning
If your weighted blanket is stained, spot cleaning might be your best option. Depending on the blanket’s care instructions and the type of stain, you may be able to use stain removers, gentle detergents, or dish soap with cold water.
While precise instructions vary between weighted blanket models, you can spot clean most using the following process:
- Add a small amount of your chosen cleaning solution to a clean cloth or sponge.
- Carefully blot the stain.
- Using a different clean cloth with cold or warm water, gently blot the area.
- Repeat until you’re satisfied with the results.
- Allow the blanket to air dry.
Try to clean stains as soon as possible to prevent them from setting.
If your blanket has a removable cover, you may be able to skip spot cleaning and simply machine wash the cover according to the manufacturer’s care instructions.
Step Four: Deep Cleaning
If the stains are set or you want to freshen up the entire blanket, you may need to wash it.
Some weighted blankets are hand-wash only. Given their size, it’s usually easiest to do this in a bathtub. In some cases, a large sink may suffice.
If your weighted blanket is machine-washable, follow the care instructions carefully. Keep in mind that the blanket may be too heavy for your washer, so you might need to use commercial equipment at a laundromat.
In either case, use a mild detergent with warm or cold water, rinse thoroughly, and allow the blanket to air dry. Follow the care instructions on the manufacturer’s label to avoid damaging your weighted blanket.
Shop the Best Weighted Blankets
How Often Should You Wash Your Weighted Blanket?
How often you wash your blanket depends primarily on how often you use it. If you use it every day, then you should aim to wash it every few weeks. This can prevent the buildup of dead skin cells, body oils, and sweat. Irregular use can mean less frequent washing.
Additional considerations for how often to wash your weighted blanket include pets, climate, and skin or hair conditions. Pet fur and dander can build up on your blanket quickly, especially if your pet shares the bed with you. Sleepers in warm climates may sweat more, making it necessary to wash the blanket more frequently. Certain skin and hair conditions can also lead to more shedding, which makes regular washing more important.
Washing your weighted blanket can affect its performance and durability. Frequent washing can lead to more wear and tear. However, taking proper care of it can help your weighted blanket last longer. On average, a weighted blanket should be replaced every 5 years or so.
About The Author
Certified Sleep Science Coach, Director of Product Testing
David is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with a lifelong passion for well-being and health optimization. His interest in sleep developed with the arrival of his son, when sleep suddenly became a precious commodity.
- POSITION: Side Sleeper
- TEMPERATURE: Hot Sleeper
- CHRONOTYPE: Lion
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