Weighted blanket covers: fit, fabric and care
We research products from makers' specs and health sources; we do not run hands-on tests. Links to Amazon may earn us a commission at no cost to you. How this works.
- Zippered cotton cover with corner ties. Best for: Year-round use on most weighted blankets. See options on Amazon
- Linen weighted blanket cover. Best for: Hot sleepers and summer. See options on Amazon
- Minky or plush cover. Best for: Cold bedrooms and winter use. See options on Amazon
- Bamboo-derived cooling cover. Best for: Warm sleepers who want a smooth, cool-touch fabric. See options on Amazon
Why a cover is worth having
Washing a weighted blanket is a chore. It is heavy, gets heavier when wet, and may be hand wash only. The Sleep Foundation notes that if your blanket has a removable cover you can wash just the cover, and that frequent washing of the blanket itself can affect its feel and durability. A washable cover, it says, can help a weighted blanket last. Gravity's own care instructions follow this split: machine wash the duvet cover, while its product details list the inner weighted blanket as hand wash only and air dry.
A cover also lets you change the feel of your blanket by season without buying a new one.
Getting the fit right
- Measure your insert flat, edge to edge, not the size on the box. Covers sold as 60 x 80 may run slightly different from your blanket.
- Match the insert as closely as you can. A cover that is too large lets the insert slide and bunch to one side; one that is too small strains the seams and zipper.
- Count and locate the tabs. Many inserts have loops at the corners and sometimes along the edges. The cover's inside ties should line up with them.
- Prefer a zipper over buttons or an envelope opening, so the heavy insert cannot slide out.
| Insert size from makers | Cover to look for |
|---|---|
| 48 x 72 in (Gravity single-person) | 48 x 72 in cover with corner ties |
| 60 x 80 in (Full/Queen, for example Baloo) | 60 x 80 in cover |
| 80 x 87 in or 90 x 90 in (king and bed sizes) | Exact match; generic king duvet covers are often larger |
Choosing a fabric
| Fabric | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton percale or sateen | Smooth, light, breathable | Year-round use, warm sleepers |
| Linen | Textured, airy | Hot climates and summer |
| Bamboo-derived viscose or lyocell | Silky and cool to the touch | Warm sleepers who want a smooth feel |
| Minky or micro-plush | Soft, fuzzy, warm | Cold rooms and winter |
Gravity's own cover, for example, is a micro-plush in cotton-velvet fabric. Hot sleepers can swap to a thinner cover in summer; see our cooling weighted blanket guide.
Putting a cover on a heavy insert
- Turn the cover inside out and lay it flat on the bed.
- Lay the insert flat on top, lined up with the corners.
- Tie each corner of the cover to the matching loop on the insert.
- Reach inside the cover from the opening, grab two far corners, and roll or flip the cover right side out over the insert.
- Shake it out from the foot end, tie any middle loops, and zip it closed.
With a heavy insert, two people make this much easier.
Washing the cover
Always follow the cover's own label. Two maker examples: Gravity says to remove its duvet cover before washing, machine wash in cold water with similar colors using non-chlorine bleach, tumble dry low and cool iron if needed. Baloo says its linen duvet covers can be machine washed cold and are dryer safe. The Sleep Foundation's general advice for weighted bedding is a mild detergent and no fabric softener.
Wash the cover on your normal bedding schedule. The insert can then go much longer between washes; see how to wash a weighted blanket for that job.
What to look for when you buy
Zippered cotton cover with corner ties
Best for: Year-round use on most weighted blankets
Smooth cotton breathes, and a zipper plus ties stop the heavy insert from shifting or sliding out.
Watch out: Measure first; size labels vary between brands.
See options on AmazonLinen weighted blanket cover
Best for: Hot sleepers and summer
Linen has an airy weave, and makers such as Baloo list linen duvet covers as machine washable on cold and dryer safe.
Watch out: Linen wrinkles and feels textured rather than silky.
See options on AmazonMinky or plush cover
Best for: Cold bedrooms and winter use
Plush fabric adds warmth and a soft feel, and Gravity's own cover uses a micro-plush.
Watch out: Too warm for many people in summer.
See options on AmazonBamboo-derived cooling cover
Best for: Warm sleepers who want a smooth, cool-touch fabric
Silky viscose or lyocell fabrics feel cool on contact and suit people who find cotton plush too warm.
Watch out: Check the care label; some need gentle washing and low heat.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Do I need a cover for my weighted blanket?
- Not always, but it makes care much easier. The Sleep Foundation says washing only a removable cover is often enough and can help the blanket last.
- Can I use a regular duvet cover on a weighted blanket?
- Only if the size is close and it has inside ties. Regular duvet covers are often larger, letting the heavy insert slide around.
- How do I keep my weighted blanket from shifting in the cover?
- Tie every loop on the insert to the cover's ties, choose a cover that closely matches the insert size, and use a zipper closure.
- How often should I wash a weighted blanket cover?
- On your normal bedding schedule. The blanket insert itself needs washing much less often.
Sources
- How to Wash a Weighted Blanket (www.sleepfoundation.org/bedding-information/how-to-wash-a-weighted-blanket), Sleep Foundation
- The Original Weighted Blanket (gravityblankets.com), Gravity Blankets
- Care and Use Instructions (balooliving.com), Baloo Living
- Weighted Blanket (balooliving.com), Baloo Living