How to wash a weighted blanket, step by step
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- Removable duvet cover sized to your blanket. Best for: Anyone whose weighted blanket has ties or loops for a cover. See options on Amazon
- Mild, bleach-free liquid detergent. Best for: Machine or hand washing the blanket itself. See options on Amazon
- Machine-washable cotton weighted blanket. Best for: People who want to wash the whole blanket at home. See options on Amazon
- Large drying rack or mesh flat dryer. Best for: Air drying a heavy blanket evenly. See options on Amazon
First, figure out what kind of blanket you have
The Sleep Foundation stresses that care depends on fill type and fabric, so start with the tag or the maker's website. Then sort your blanket into one of these groups:
| Blanket type | Usual approach | Maker example |
|---|---|---|
| Removable cover over a weighted insert | Wash the cover often; wash the insert rarely and as the label says | Gravity: machine wash the cover cold; its product details say hand wash and air dry the inner blanket |
| One-piece machine-washable blanket | Whole blanket in the washer, cold and gentle | Baloo: cold water, gentle cycle, one blanket at a time, tumble dry low |
| Labeled dry clean only | Professional cleaning or an at-home dry cleaning kit | Per the Sleep Foundation |
If a label and a website disagree, follow the more cautious instruction.
Washing the whole blanket in a machine
- Check your washer's capacity. A weighted blanket gets heavier when wet. Baloo says to check capacity first and recommends a commercial washer for its king size; the Sleep Foundation says a laundromat machine may be needed depending on your washer's weight limit.
- Shake it out and check seams. Look for open stitching or leaking beads before washing, so you do not lose fill or clog the drain.
- Wash it alone. Baloo specifies one blanket at a time.
- Use cold water and a gentle cycle. The Sleep Foundation says to use cold or warm water, noting many weighted blankets cannot take hot water.
- Use a mild detergent without bleach, and skip fabric softener. Baloo also says no bleach, no dry cleaning and no ironing for its blanket.
- Rinse thoroughly so no detergent is left in the fabric.
Drying without clumping
The Sleep Foundation says air drying is generally best: lay the blanket flat and shake it now and then so the fill spreads evenly. If the label allows a dryer, use a low or medium setting and take the blanket out as soon as it is dry. Baloo, whose blanket is dryer safe, says to dry on low heat and check after about 20 minutes because it dries quickly.
Whatever the method, make sure the blanket is completely dry inside before you use or store it. A damp core can turn musty.
Washing by hand or spot cleaning
For a blanket that cannot go in a washer, the Sleep Foundation describes hand washing in a bathtub or large sink: lukewarm or cold water, a gentle detergent, a slow swish, then a thorough rinse and flat drying. For small stains, treat them early with a gentle soap or stain remover and cold or warm water, working it in with your fingers or a soft brush or sponge, then rinse.
Spot cleaning between full washes keeps the blanket fresh and reduces wear.
How often to wash it
- Nightly use: about once every few weeks, per the Sleep Foundation.
- Occasional use, such as a lap blanket: three to four times a year.
- With a removable cover: wash the cover on your normal bedding schedule and the insert far less often.
The Sleep Foundation notes that frequent washing can affect feel and durability, and that a removable, washable cover can help a blanket last. It suggests replacing a weighted blanket roughly every 5 years. If yours has no cover, see our guide to a weighted blanket cover.
What to look for when you buy
Removable duvet cover sized to your blanket
Best for: Anyone whose weighted blanket has ties or loops for a cover
The Sleep Foundation says washing just the cover is often enough and that a washable cover can help the blanket last longer.
Watch out: Measure your blanket; a loose cover lets the insert shift.
See options on AmazonMild, bleach-free liquid detergent
Best for: Machine or hand washing the blanket itself
The Sleep Foundation recommends a mild detergent without bleach and no fabric softener for weighted blankets.
Watch out: Use a small amount; extra suds are hard to rinse from a dense blanket.
See options on AmazonMachine-washable cotton weighted blanket
Best for: People who want to wash the whole blanket at home
Some makers design the whole blanket for the washer. Baloo's cotton blanket, for example, is listed as machine washable and dryer safe on low heat.
Watch out: Larger sizes may need a commercial washer.
See options on AmazonLarge drying rack or mesh flat dryer
Best for: Air drying a heavy blanket evenly
Laying the blanket flat and shaking it occasionally helps the fill dry evenly, as the Sleep Foundation advises.
Watch out: Check the rack's weight limit against your wet blanket.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Can you put a weighted blanket in the washing machine?
- Many, but not all. Check the label; if it is machine washable, use cold water and a gentle cycle and make sure your washer can handle the wet weight.
- Can you put a weighted blanket in the dryer?
- Only if the label allows it. Use low heat, remove it promptly, and make sure it is fully dry. Air drying flat is generally best.
- How do you clean a weighted blanket with glass beads?
- Follow the maker's label. Glass bead blankets are often washable on cold and gentle, but some, like Gravity's inner blanket, are listed as hand wash only.
- How often should you wash a weighted blanket?
- About every few weeks with nightly use, or three to four times a year for occasional use, according to the Sleep Foundation.
- Can I wash a 20 lb weighted blanket at home?
- Possibly, if your washer's capacity allows for the extra wet weight. If not, use a commercial machine at a laundromat.
Sources
- How to Wash a Weighted Blanket (www.sleepfoundation.org/bedding-information/how-to-wash-a-weighted-blanket), Sleep Foundation
- Care and Use Instructions (balooliving.com), Baloo Living
- Weighted Blanket (balooliving.com), Baloo Living
- The Original Weighted Blanket (gravityblankets.com), Gravity Blankets