Weighted blankets have become a staple in many bedrooms and living rooms — but their size and weight (most range from 10–25 lbs) make washing them a bit more involved than a regular blanket. Using the wrong machine, water temperature, or dryer setting can damage the filling, shrink the outer fabric, or leave the blanket unevenly distributed. Here's the right way to clean a weighted blanket.
Check the Care Label First
Before washing, read the care label on your specific blanket. The instructions vary depending on the fill material:
- Glass beads or plastic pellets: Machine washable in most cases. Use a large-capacity front-load washer on a gentle/delicate cycle with cold or warm water.
- Steel shot beads: These are heavy and can damage home washers — go to a laundromat with commercial front-load machines.
- Natural fill (sand, rice): These are rarely machine washable and are often dry-clean only or hand-wash only.
What You'll Need
- Large-capacity front-load washing machine (8 kg+ capacity)
- Mild liquid detergent — no fabric softener
- Large commercial dryer or outdoor drying space
Step 1: Pre-Treat Any Spots
Before washing, spot-treat visible stains with a small amount of mild detergent and water. Gently rub with a soft cloth and let it sit for 10–15 minutes before washing. This prevents the need for a hot water cycle, which can shrink many outer fabrics.
Step 2: Use the Right Machine
Standard home top-load washers with an agitator should not be used for weighted blankets — the central agitator can break seams and damage the fill pockets. Use a front-load machine. If your home machine is under 7–8 kg capacity, go to a laundromat with large commercial front-loaders. The blanket needs room to move in the drum.
Step 3: Wash on Gentle with Cold or Warm Water
Use a gentle or delicate cycle with cold or warm water (never hot). Add a small amount of mild liquid detergent — do not use fabric softener, as it can coat the fill and reduce the blanket's weight distribution over time. For fragrant blankets, a cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle eliminates odours without leaving a scent.
Step 4: Dry Carefully
Drying a weighted blanket takes longer than washing it. Use a large commercial dryer on low heat. Add two or three clean tennis balls or dryer balls to help redistribute the fill as it dries. Stop every 30–45 minutes to shake and re-distribute the filling, checking that no clumps have formed. Full drying can take 2–3 cycles in a standard dryer.
Alternatively, air-dry outdoors on a flat surface or hanging rack on a sunny day — this takes longer but is gentler on the fabric and fill.
How Often Should You Wash a Weighted Blanket?
Unless used without a cover, a weighted blanket only needs washing every 1–2 months. Using a removable duvet cover extends the time between full washes significantly — just wash the cover weekly like normal bedding.
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Maidless handles bedroom cleaning — including mattresses, pillows, and bedding — as part of every deep clean across the GTA. Book at maidless.ca.