The benefits of weighted blankets are vast. Weighted blankets have been used to help alleviate symptoms associated with PTSD, and many parents believe in the power of using a weighted blanket for kids to promote calmness, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep quality. They also make a comfortable couch blanket!
Unfortunately, all that time you spend with your new blanket means it won’t stay clean forever. We’re not judging you for leaving crumbs behind, we’re just saying: if you sleep with your weighted blanket every night, it’s bound to get dirty. After all, everyone sweats in their sleep. Additionally, while you sleep, little dead skin cells come off onto your sheets and blankets, which can eventually attract dust mites that feed on these skin cells. Washing your weighted blanket will ensure it’s in perfect condition all year long so you can use it every night.
But, can you wash a weighted blanket? The simple answer is yes, but how to wash a weighted blanket depends on the care instructions on the tag.
Learning how to wash a weighted blanket is an important part of owning one. This article will discuss how to clean a weighted blanket, including machine washing and handwashing, how to dry your weighted blanket to prevent mildew, and how often you should wash your weighted blanket.
- Key Takeaways: How to Wash a Weighted Blanket
- What Items Are Needed to Wash a Weighted Blanket?
- How to Machine Wash a Weighted Blanket
- How to Hand Wash a Weighted Blanket
- How to Dry a Weighted Blanket
- How Often Should Weighted Blankets Be Washed?
- Should You Iron a Weighted Blanket?
- How to Remove Wine From a Weighted Blanket
- FAQs: Washing a Weighted Blanket
- Let’s Talk About the Layla Weighted Blanket
Key Takeaways: How to Wash a Weighted Blanket
If you’re looking for a quick answer, we’ll break down how to wash the Layla Weighted Blanket for adults right now. Even though our blanket has a different fabric on each side and is filled with 100% glass beads, it’s simple to care for. Learning how to wash a weighted blanket with glass beads is easy; the basic instructions for washing a Layla Weighted Blanket are:
Wash on a gentle cycle in warm or cold water, do not bleach, then tumble dry on low.
What Items Are Needed to Wash a Weighted Blanket?
Learning how to wash your weighted blanket is the same as how to wash a down comforter; you just need the right tools. Here’s what you need to wash a weighted blanket:
- A washing machine: Many weighted blankets are machine-washable, making them easy to care for. All you have to do is follow the care instructions on your blanket’s tag. Be careful, though. If your washing machine is too small for the blanket, you won’t be able to wash it effectively. Putting your weighted blanket in a machine that’s too small can also result in rips in the fabric.
- Bathtub: If you’re handwashing your weighted blanket, you’ll need a large enough tub, such as your bathtub, to ensure you can clean the entire blanket without making too big of a mess.
- Drying rack: It’s always best practice to pull blankets out of the dryer before they’re completely dry to avoid shrinkage. Depending on the care instructions, your weighted blanket may not be designed to go in the dryer.
- Tarp: If you’ll be drying your weighted blanket outside, it’s best practice to put a tarp down to protect it from dirt and debris.
- Laundry detergent: Just like when you’re washing your comforter, you’ll need to use detergent on your weighted blanket.
- Stain remover: If your weighted blanket gets stains, stain remover can help you pre-treat it before it goes into the wash for your best chance of removing stains.
How to Machine Wash a Weighted Blanket
Yes, most weighted blankets can go in a washing machine, but checking with the blanket manufacturer first is a good idea. You may want to go to the laundromat if you don’t have a large front-loading washer, though, as the weight of a weighted blanket can be too much for top loading machines. If you plan to wash your weighted blanket at home, make sure the load is balanced. Blanket size may also affect your ability to adequately clean your weighted blanket at home using a washing machine. For blankets over 10 pounds, a commercial washer may be able to handle the job better than your at-home washer.
Enough about Layla for now. We know we’re not the only weighted blanket in the game, and we want to help you out no matter whose blanket you’re sleeping under.
Figuring out how to wash a weighted blanket is different based on the materials that were used in making it (and the filler can also play a role).
Here are some basic weighted blanket washing instructions, as informed by the type of materials used in weighted blankets:
Cotton Blankets
Cotton weighted blankets are the easiest to wash. A cotton T-shirt is easy to wash, similarly, your cotton blanket can withstand quite a few washes before it starts to show any wear and tear. To wash a cotton weighted blanket, stick with cold or warm water during the wash cycle.
You may also want to throw in a cup of salt or vinegar on the first wash to lock in the colors and avoid dye bleeding. Most cotton blankets should be washed in small loads or by themselves to avoid any extra agitation to the fabric.
Minky Fur Blankets
Despite how soft and luxurious they are, washing a weighted blanket made of minky material is quite easy. They’re more low maintenance than they appear. Just wash them on a cold or warm gentle cycle, use non-chlorine bleach, and be gentle with your scrubbing for stain removal.
Minky fur blankets are best washed alone, where they won’t experience friction with other articles during the wash cycle.
Fleece Blankets
If you love fleece PJs, we understand why you’d be drawn to a fleece blanket. Learning how to clean a weighted blanket with a fleece cover is as easy as deciding to sleep in on Saturday morning. Fleece can handle a warm-water wash and low-heat dry. It’s also one of the few anxiety blankets that can tolerate fabric softener in the dryer.
Linen Blend Blankets
Some weighted blankets are made of linen blends. If you have a linen-rayon blend, you may want to stick to dry cleaning. Other linen blends can be washed on a cold cycle and handle diluted bleaches (or oxygen bleach) for stain removal.
To learn more about the different types of weighted blankets, check out the weighted blanket buying guide.
How to Hand Wash a Weighted Blanket
Some weighted blankets should not be washed in a washing machine; in some cases, you’ll have to handwash your weighted blanket to remove stains and odors. Here’s how to clean your blanket by hand:
- Read the label for washing instructions
- Fill your bathtub with cold or lukewarm water
- Add non-chlorine detergent to the water
- Submerge the blanket and gently squeeze through it
- Let the blanket soak for 15 minutes
- Rinse the blanket by lifting it and draining the tub. Next, fill the tub with cool water and squeeze the water through the blanket to rise.
- Repeat the rinsing process until the detergent is depleted.
How to Dry a Weighted Blanket
After washing your weighted blanket, what’s the situation with drying it? Some weighted blankets are filled with metallic pellets, some use plastic beads, and others (like the Layla Weighted Blanket) are full of glass beads. In most cases, you have a few options. Let’s explore them.
- Machine dry on low heat: Most weighted blankets call for this type of drying. The low heat on a gentle tumble setting allows for even drying and it’s safe for most blanket fillers. You don’t want to use high heat, because it could interfere with the integrity of the weighted beads. When you use a regular dryer to dry your weighted blanket, make sure it has enough room to get good circulation. In other words, dry your weighted blanket by itself or head to the laundromat for a commercial dryer.
- Air dry: You can also air dry your weighted blanket. This method ensures that the filler won’t melt and provides the most even drying. If your weighted blanket has metal beads, chains, or other fillers, air drying is the safest way to go. Air drying also reduces peeling on certain fabrics, including fleece. There are a few tips to follow if you plan to do this, though. If you hang your blanket up by one side, all of the filler may fall down to the bottom. Instead, lay the blanket flat or hang it evenly for equal weight distribution (clip it from all corners).
- Dry cleaning: Some materials are good candidates for dry cleaning, but most weighted blankets are better washed at home. If your weighted blanket is made of wool, rayon, or linen, you can explore dry cleaning.
How Often Should Weighted Blankets Be Washed?
How often you wash your weighted blanket will depend on how often you use it. Some people might only use their weighted blanket a few times a week, while others sleep with theirs every single night. If you sleep with your blanket every night, you might choose to wash your weighted blanket as often as you would your comforter. How often to wash a comforter depends on a number of factors, but it’s typically best to wash it at least once every few weeks. The same is true for your weighted blanket.
Additionally, if you constantly spill on your weighted blanket or if you share it with a pet, you might want to wash it more often.
Should You Iron a Weighted Blanket?
You’re probably not too worried about ironing out your new blanket (you’re not exactly wearing it to prom), but just in case you were, it’s not a great idea.
Ironing a weighted blanket can harm the filler. Also, it just doesn’t do the body of your blanket any good. Avoid ironing your weighted blanket unless the manufacturer specifically gives you the thumbs up. The Layla Weighted Blanket should not be ironed (not even on low heat).
How to Remove Wine From a Weighted Blanket
Stains happen. Soda, tea, coffee, wine, or any other drink. If you sleep beneath your weighted blanket every night, it’s bound to need some spot cleaning.
If you have a washable weighted blanket, you have a few options for getting tough stains out. Let’s discuss, shall we?
- Pre-soak: Most fabrics used to create weighted blankets can benefit from pre-treating for stains. If you have a large stain, you can soak your blanket in gentle detergent and warm water for about 45 minutes to loosen the stain. The Layla Weighted Blanket is made of cotton and polyester, so it’s okay to pre-soak for at least 30 minutes prior to running it through a regular wash cycle.
- Bleach: Some forms of bleach are okay for darks. For more unhygienic stains (or red wine), go with a non-chlorine bleach to ensure the blanket comes out of the wash clean as a whistle. If you’re not sure what we mean, look for a bleach that says it’s safe for colors.
- Spot cleaning: If you just have a small stain, you may not need to go for the full pre-soak treatment. Sometimes a quick spot cleaning is all you need. With a gentle detergent and cold water, use a soft bristle toothbrush or a soft rag to rub the stain out using a circular motion. This might be all you need to loosen the stain before running it through a regular wash! Don’t give yourself carpal tunnel: scrubbing for a couple of minutes is good enough.
FAQs: Washing a Weighted Blanket
How do you wash a weighted blanket with beads?
If you’re washing a weighted blanket with bead fill, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which vary depending on the blanket’s material and construction. In many cases, spot cleaning with a gentle detergent and cloth can preserve the integrity of the beads and keep your blanket in good condition.
Layla weighted blankets are made with glass beads and designed to be machine washable for convenient care—just make sure you follow the instructions on the tag to protect your blanket and washing machine.
Can a weighted blanket go in the dryer?
In many cases, weighted blankets should be air-dried in a well-ventilated area to preserve them, as the tumble dryer can potentially damage the materials. However, some brands, like Layla, offer the convenience of placing your weighted blanket in the dryer on low heat.
How do you maintain the weight distribution of your weighted blanket after washing?
Depending on the weighted blanket’s construction, washing it may cause an imbalance in the location of the weighted beads or fill, which can make it uneven when you’re using it. The easiest way to fix this is to shake the blanket or fluff it once it’s dry.
With Layla’s weighted blanket, you don’t have to worry about weight distribution. Our blanket is designed with baffle boxes containing small glass beads sewn between two layers of poly-fill batting, which helps to keep the blanket quiet while preventing the beads from shifting. The hexagonal quilting evenly spreads the weight across the entire blanket.
When should you replace a weighted blanket?
A quality weighted blanket is designed to last, but things happen, and sometimes you need to replace it. For instance, if a rip or tear causes the filling to spill out, it reduces the blanket’s effectiveness and becomes a potential safety hazard, so you should replace it.
Additionally, if the blanket develops an odor or stain that can’t be removed through cleaning, it may be time for a new one to maintain hygiene and overall comfort.
Over time, weighted blankets may also become less effective, with the weight distribution becoming uneven or the fabric losing its original texture and feel.
Let’s Talk About the Layla Weighted Blanket
While there are many benefits of weighted blankets, you won’t have to worry too much about how to wash a weighted blanket when you go with Layla. We always make things easy on you.
As we mentioned above, the instructions for cleaning a Layla Weighted Blanket are very clear and simple. Just to recap:
- Wash on cold gentle (maximum temp of 85F)
- Do not bleach
- Do not iron
- Tumble dry on low
That’s it! Wash your Layla Weighted Blanket as often as you’d like so it always smells so fresh and so clean when you crawl into bed. Did we mention the Layla Weighted Blanket has one soft, cotton side and another plush, minky side? Take your pick! The 100% glass beads are quiet as a mouse, too, so you won’t wake your partner up every time you roll over.
Once you’ve fallen in love with our blanket, why not try the rest of the Layla Sleep system to combat excessive daytime sleepiness by helping you get the quality sleep you deserve? From our two-sided copper mattresses to our memory foam topper and soft bamboo sheets, we have everything you need to earn a good night’s sleep. And when you sleep better, you live better.
