Weighted blankets for bed have many benefits from easing off body pains to improving the quality of your sleep while keeping the time on your bed cosy and comfortable. As comfortable as it is, it is not going to stay as fresh and clean as you bought it. With time it will get dirty and you have to wash it on a regular basis. It might seem to be a hectic task, but with proper steps, you can do it. So, here are some things to keep in mind while washing tour weighted blankets.
The Washing
First things first, while washing a weighted blanket in a washing machine, wash it alone with cold water. If your washing machine can hold a queen-sized or queen-sized comforter, it can very well accommodate a weighted blanket which is less than 20 pounds.
You can also reach out for washing machines in a laundromat, as the washing machines there are larger than the household ones and are more conducive in cleaning these heavy blankets that weigh more than 25 pounds as household washing machines can not do the job.
The detergent you choose for washing your blanket is very much important. Use a detergent that is free of bleach and fabric softener. Do not use any detergent that claims to be “tough”, rather use a gentle, dye-free detergent. You can also make your own natural detergent at your home.
Carefully dry your weighted blanket, you can dry the freshly laundered blanket or line dry it naturally. Weighted blankets are mostly designed to withstand moderate dryer heat without melting. Hang-drying the blanket will extend the life of the blanket as well as the filler.
Air-Drying
For longer durability of the blanket, it is better to air dry it and take good care. Air drying is the option, while you completely skip the dryer and hence proper precautions should be made. While air drying, drape your blanket evenly, so that the weight is equally distributed around the blanket and it does not lose its shape. You can dry the weighted blanket by draping it over a drying rack, the edge of a tub or even a chair.
Household washing machines squeeze out extra water by spinning, in which almost all the excess water comes out. However, for bulky materials like a weighted blanket, you have to spin it twice to get rid of the water. It is important to have a quality blanket in the first place. Gary Barnier has a detailed blog post on choosing a quality blanket.
The weighted blanket will be heavier than usual while taking it out of the washing machine as there will be some amount of water left that would have been trapped in. So carefully take it out of the washing machine. You can squeeze out the trapped water inside the weighted blanket before air-drying it.
At The Laundromat
Just as mentioned before, weighted blankets that weigh more than 25 pounds are to be washed in a local laundromat where there are commercial size washing machines for public use, large enough to wash a heavy blanket.
Keenly watch out for washing machines that are bigger than the one in your house to wash a weighted blanket weighing 25 pounds or more.
If the laundromat is not accessible or far from the place you live, you can cover your weighted blanket with a duvet cover. A weighted blanket-covered with a duvet cover needs to be washed a minimum of four times a year and at the four times you can reach out for the laundromat.
The duvet cover can be removed and washed separately as per the instructions. Also while washing the duvet cover, the weighted blanket should be put under the sun, as the UV rays naturally clean the blanket. This process of washing the duvet cover and exposing the weighted blanket should be done periodically for proper maintenance and cleanliness of the blanket.
Things To Avoid
There are quite a few things that are to be avoided while washing a weighted blanket. Stay away from detergents that have a strong fragrance, bleach and fabric softeners. These things in detergent can make the blanket scratchy or stiff based on how the fabric softener reacts to the fabric of the blanket. And this is exactly the opposite of what a fabric softener is used for.
When it comes to bleach and chlorine, even in diluted form can damage the fibers of the fabric and break it down. Washing a weighted blanket in diluted chlorine or bleach will shorten the lifespan of the blanket as these will cause the blanket to wear out and become old faster.
The chemicals in fabric softeners may also affect the filling in a weighted blanket as they make it to breakdown or clump together.
Each fabric is different and so is a weighted blanket, just remember that these blankets are unique and need unique care.
Ironing Weighted Blankets
Ironing a weighted blanket is a big no, many people iron their bed sheets and beddings to make everything look neat, wrinkle-free and well done. And may also tend to iron weighted blankets, however do not iron it. This temptation of ironing the weighted blanket should be controlled, as the outer fabric of the blanket may be safe to iron, but the filling will not be so.
Most commonly, the fillings in the blanket will melt and ruin if iron heat is applied to them. Glass beads inside the blanket may not be damaged, but to put the blanket on an ironing table or board will be very difficult though the blanket is iron safe.
The duvet covering of the weighted blanket can be ironed for that neat look depending upon the material it is made up of. Cotton blends can be ironed but not the duvet covers made up of polyester, Minky, or fleece.
Washing a duvet cover with fabric softeners can be done but not advisable. It is better to go with instructions given by the manufacturer to wash the duvet cover.
Now that you know how to take care of a weighted blanket the right way, follow the above-mentioned directions to wash your weighted blanket the next time. Enjoy using the blanket and follow the instructions to make your blanket last longer.
