Can You Wash a Weighted Blanket in The Washing Machine?

Washing a weighted blanket isn’t as simple as tossing it in the machine. Do it wrong, and you could ruin your favorite cozy companion. 

But don’t worry, we’ll walk you through every step. From checking the label to drying it right, here’s everything you need to know to keep your blanket fresh and long-lasting.

• Check the care label first to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for washing.
  
  

• Use a gentle cycle and mild detergent to protect your blanket's fabric and filling.
  
  

• Avoid high heat when drying to preserve the blanket’s structure and softness.
  
  

• Wash separately to ensure even cleaning and prevent damage to your machine.
  
  

• Regular washing keeps your blanket fresh, hygienic, and long-lasting.

Weighted blankets collect sweat, oils, and skin cells, which can lead to bacteria buildup, odors, and health issues. 

Regular cleaning ensures a hygienic sleep environment and minimizes risks like respiratory problems or skin irritation.

Proper care, such as using gentle detergents and avoiding high heat, preserves the structure and filling of the blanket, helping it last longer and maintain its quality.

Wash on a gentle cycle using mild detergent and avoid fabric softeners, as they can break down natural fibers, cause fading, and affect the weighted fill, ultimately reducing the blanket's softness and comfort. Dry using low heat or air-dry flat to retain softness and prevent clumping.

Routine washing removes allergens like dust and pet dander, which is essential for people with allergies or asthma, promoting better air quality and health.

Follow manufacturer instructions and avoid harsh chemicals or heat. A duvet cover can also help protect the blanket from daily stress and extend its lifespan.

Wash regularly to eliminate odors from sweat and bacteria. Air drying in a well-ventilated area or using fabric-safe sprays can maintain freshness, and for best results, try airing out your blanket at least twice a week, this helps remove trapped moisture before it causes unpleasant smells.

• Reading the care label is the first and most important step: Always read the care label to find out how your blanket should be cleaned. This small step tells you whether you can use the washing machine or if you need to wash it by hand or take it to the dry cleaner.

• The label tells you exactly how to wash it safely: The instructions on the label are made for your specific blanket. Following these instructions helps avoid problems like damaging the fabric or ruining the inside filling.

• Checking the seams and edges can stop bigger damage later: Before tossing your weighted blanket in the washer, look over the seams and edges. If you spot loose threads or tiny holes, take note, these small issues can turn into major damage during a wash.

• Feeling for lumps helps catch hidden signs of wear: Run your hands gently across the blanket to check for any lumps or clumped-up beads. These could mean the filling inside has shifted, which is a sign your blanket might already be damaged or needs extra care.

• Fixing wear and tear before washing protects your blanket: If you find anything that looks worn or off, take a few minutes to patch it up. It’s a simple step that keeps the damage from getting worse and helps your blanket last longer.

• Cleaning stains first makes washing easier: Spot cleaning is a smart step before you wash your weighted blanket. Use a damp cloth and mild detergent to gently dab at any stains, especially fresh ones. This stops the stain from setting during the full wash.

• Blotting the stain helps protect your blanket: Instead of rubbing, gently blot the area. Rubbing can push the stain deeper into the fabric and make it harder to remove.

• Letting the cleaned area dry avoids bad smells: Once you’ve treated the spot, let it dry completely before tossing the blanket in the wash. A damp spot can trap moisture during the wash and lead to odors or mildew.

• Vinegar and water can remove tough stains: For tougher stains like coffee, sweat, or mildew, mix 1 cup of vinegar with 2 cups of water and spray it directly on the spot before blotting. This simple solution breaks down stubborn marks and makes them easier to lift.

• Fixing stains first keeps your blanket looking good: Cleaning stained areas before washing protects your blanket’s appearance and stops the stain from spreading to other parts during the wash.

• Fold the Blanket Loosely for a Proper Fit: When loading your blanket, fold it loosely to fit comfortably in the washer. This prevents the blanket from getting jammed and ensures proper cleaning.

• Distribute the Weight Evenly for Efficient Cleaning: Place the blanket in the washer with the weight evenly spread out. This balance helps the machine clean it properly and prevents any strain during the wash cycle.

• Use a Laundry Bag for Protection: Put the blanket in a laundry bag. It helps protect the fabric and keeps it secure, reducing wear and tear during the wash cycle.

• Use Gentle Cycle to Protect the Fabric: Select the gentle or delicate cycle on your washer to avoid damaging the fabric of your weighted blanket.

• Wash with Cold or Warm Water to Prevent Shrinkage: Cold or warm water is safest to prevent shrinkage or fabric damage, as hot water can cause harm.

• Choose Low Spin to Protect the Blanket’s Structure: Choose a low spin setting to reduce stress on the stitching and internal filling of the blanket.

• Select “Bulky” or “Heavy Load” for Better Balance: If available, use the “bulky” or “heavy load” option for better balance and thorough rinsing during the wash.

• Avoid High Heat to Preserve the Blanket’s Quality: Avoid harsh cycles or high heat settings, as they can cause the fabric to wear out quickly.

• Use Mild Detergent to Protect the Fabric: Always choose a gentle detergent when washing your weighted blanket. Harsh cleaners or bleach can harm the fabric fibers and damage the stitching or filling.
  
  
• Pick Hypoallergenic or Fragrance-Free Detergents: For sensitive fabrics like cotton, minky, or bamboo, it's best to use fragrance-free or hypoallergenic detergents to avoid any potential irritation or damage.
  
  
• Avoid Detergents That Can Cause Fading or Weakening: Strong detergents can cause fading, weaken the seams, or leave unwanted residue. This can lead to a shorter lifespan for your blanket.

• Set the Wash Cycle to Gentle or Delicate: Choose a gentle or delicate setting with cold or warm water to start the wash cycle without damaging the blanket.

• Use Low Spin Speed to Avoid Imbalance: Select a low spin speed to prevent your washer from becoming unbalanced and ensure a smoother washing process.

• Opt for a Bulky or Blanket Setting: If your washer has a “bulky” or “blanket” setting, use it to better handle heavy items like a weighted blanket.

• Wash Only the Blanket for Even Cleaning: Make sure to wash the blanket by itself to keep the load balanced and prevent uneven cleaning.

High heat can damage your weighted blanket by breaking down the fabric or causing shrinkage. 

Always dry on a low heat setting or, if possible, air dry. This helps maintain the blanket’s integrity and prevents materials like micro-glass beads or cotton fillers from deteriorating prematurely.

• Avoid Overloading for Even Drying: Overloading the dryer with a weighted blanket can cause uneven drying. If there isn't enough room for air to flow, some parts of the blanket will stay damp, making your work harder.

• Give the Blanket Space to Tumble: The blanket needs space to move around inside the dryer to dry evenly. When it tumbles freely, it gets the airflow it needs to dry every part properly.

• Dryer Balls Prevent Clumping in Weighted Blankets: Dryer balls are excellent for preventing clumping in weighted blankets. As they tumble in the dryer, they help evenly distribute the filling and keep it from bunching up. Tennis balls work similarly, breaking up clumps and ensuring the filling stays spread out.

• Use the Right Number of Dryer Balls for Best Results: For best results, stick with three dryer balls for standard blankets and use up to six if you're drying something larger or heavier.

• Dryer Balls Can Speed Up Drying and Save Energy: Along with keeping the filling even, dryer balls can also cut drying time by 30 to 50 percent, depending on your dryer. This reduces energy consumption, saving you both time and money.

• Air Drying Takes Longer But Keeps Your Blanket Safe: Air drying a weighted blanket indoors may take longer than using a dryer, but it’s a gentler method that helps protect the fabric and filling.

• Lay the Blanket Flat in a Ventilated Space: To avoid wrinkles and distortions, lay your blanket flat in a well-ventilated area while it dries.

• Using a Fan Can Speed Up Drying: If you need your blanket dry quickly, using a fan can help speed up the process without damaging it.

• Fully Dry Blankets Prevent Mold Growth: Ensuring your weighted blanket is fully dry is crucial in preventing mold growth. If left even slightly damp, mold can begin to develop, particularly in the filling or fabric creases.
  
  
• Check Seams and Folds for Moisture: It’s important to check thoroughly, especially in the seams, where moisture tends to linger. These areas are more likely to trap dampness, which could promote mold growth.
  
  
• Air Dry or Re-Dry if Dampness Remains: If you notice any dampness, air dry it for a little longer, or run it through another drying cycle. Double-checking that the blanket is completely dry ensures mold won’t have the chance to grow.
  
  
• Proper Ventilation Prevents Mold Growth: Mold growth can be prevented with proper drying and ventilation. Make sure to dry the blanket in a well-ventilated area to ensure it stays completely dry and free from moisture buildup.

• Delicate Fillings Need Hand Washing: Some weighted blankets have fillings that can’t handle the roughness of a washing machine. These materials need to be cleaned by hand to avoid damage.
  
  
• Microbeads and Shredded Foam Should Be Hand Washed: If your blanket feels heavier or crunchier than usual, it could be filled with microbeads or shredded foam, which are sensitive to machine washing and should be cleaned by hand.
  
  
• Glass Beads Need Gentle Hand Washing: Blankets with glass beads need a gentle hand wash with mild detergent to prevent the beads from losing their shape or making the fabric feel rough.
  
  
• Natural Fillings Like Rice or Beans Should Be Hand Washed: Blankets with natural fillings like rice or beans should never go in the washing machine. Hand washing is necessary to prevent clumping or damage to the filling.

• Delicate Fabrics Should Not Be Machine Washed: Certain fabrics like silk, velvet, or wool are too delicate for machine washing. The machine’s motion can easily tear, stretch, or damage these fabrics.

• Always Check the Care Label: It’s important to check the care label for special instructions if your blanket includes delicate materials. The label will guide you on the best care practices to avoid damage.

• Hand Washing Is Safer for Delicate Fabrics: For fabrics like wool or velvet, hand washing is often the safest option. If machine washing is necessary, use the gentlest cycle possible to protect the fabric.

• Lay Flat to Dry for Preservation: After washing delicate fabrics, lay them flat to dry in their natural shape. Hanging them can stretch or misshape the fabric, damaging its texture and fibers.

• Removable Covers Make Cleaning Easier: A removable cover on your weighted blanket makes it much easier to clean, especially when it’s made from machine-washable fabrics like cotton or polyester.

• Always Check the Care Label Before Washing: Before throwing the cover in the wash, make sure to check the care label for proper washing instructions to avoid any damage.

• Hand-Sewn Blankets Are More Delicate: Hand-sewn weighted blankets are often more delicate because their stitching is finer. This makes them prone to damage when machine washed.

• Look for Small, Tight Seams to Spot Fragile Stitching: You can easily spot fragile stitching by checking for small, tightly sewn seams. Loose or delicate stitching means the blanket may not survive a machine wash.

• Hand Washing Helps Preserve Fragile Stitching: Washing by hand helps keep delicate stitching intact, preserving the craftsmanship and extending the life of your blanket.

• Weighted Blankets with Electronics Should Never Be Machine Washed: Weighted blankets with electronic components should never be machine washed, as the electronics can be damaged by water.

• Machine Washing Can Lead to Electronic Malfunctions: The water from a machine wash can damage the delicate electronic parts in weighted blankets, leading to malfunctions or even complete failure of the electronics.

• Remove Detachable Electronics Before Washing: Before washing, make sure to remove any detachable electronics from the blanket to prevent damage and ensure the electronics stay safe.

• Check the Manufacturer’s Instructions for Waterproof Electronics: If your blanket’s electronics are labeled as waterproof, still check the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure you’re cleaning it safely.

• Hand Washing or Spot Cleaning is the Safest Option: The safest way to clean a weighted blanket with electronics is by hand washing or spot cleaning. This avoids the risk of water damage and keeps the electronic parts intact.

• A blanket that's too heavy on your body can make you feel worse, not better: If you are a 250-pound person and I throw a 25-pound blanket on you, it's going to be uncomfortable and hot,” says Dr. Michael Breus , a clinical psychologist and sleep specialist. He suggests starting with a 12-pound blanket to see how your body reacts before going heavier.

• Throwing an overweight blanket into your washer can damage it: Just like your body, your washing machine can also feel the weight. If a weighted blanket is too heavy, it can put pressure on the drum, possibly causing damage to both the machine and the blanket itself.

• Most home washing machines can’t handle very heavy blankets: Most standard washers are built to handle around 6 to 11 pounds. Some high-efficiency machines can take up to 21 pounds, but anything more may be risky for your washer.

• Always check the weight of your blanket before washing it: If you're not sure whether your blanket is too heavy, weigh it and compare it with your washing machine’s capacity. This small step can save your machine from serious damage.

• If the label says “do not wash,” trust it: A non-washable label clearly tells you the blanket isn't meant for a washing machine. Ignoring it can lead to big problems.

• These blankets need special cleaning, not shortcuts: Blankets with non-washable labels often require gentle hand washing or a trip to the dry cleaner to stay safe and clean.

• Putting them in the washer can damage everything inside: Washing a non-washable blanket can tear the fabric, mess up the weight inside, and ruin how it feels and works.

• A gentle cycle keeps your cotton weighted blanket safe: If your weighted blanket is made of cotton, washing it on a gentle or delicate cycle is the safest choice. It prevents damage while still getting the job done.

• Slow spin helps protect the glass beads inside: If your blanket is filled with tiny glass beads, choose a cycle with a slower spin speed. This avoids damaging the beads and keeps them evenly spread.

• Quick wash only works for light dirt and thin blankets: A quick wash is okay if your blanket is just a little dirty and not too thick. Don’t use it for heavier blankets—it won’t clean them properly and might cause damage.

• Using the right cycle helps your blanket last longer: By matching the wash cycle to your blanket’s fabric and filling, you protect it from damage and make sure it stays cozy for years.

• Wash your blanket every 1 to 3 months: You don’t need to wash your weighted blanket often. Ideally, wash it every 1 to 3 months , depending on how much you use it.

• Wash when it smells or has a spill: If your blanket starts to smell or you have a spill , it’s a clear sign it needs washing.

• Wash more often if you sweat or have allergies: If you sweat a lot at night or have allergies , you should wash your blanket more frequently to keep it fresh.

• Use a duvet cover to reduce washing: A machine-washable duvet cover helps protect the blanket from dirt and spills, meaning you don’t have to wash the blanket as often.

• Wash the duvet cover every few weeks: The duvet cover should be washed every few weeks or monthly to keep things fresh without over-washing the blanket itself.

• Frequent Washing Can Cause Fabric and Fill Damage: While machine washing won’t ruin your blanket right away, frequent washing can cause fabric and fill damage.

• Overwashing Affects Softness and Weight Distribution: Overwashing leads to loss of softness and uneven weight distribution. It’s better to wash your blanket less often.

• Use Gentle Washing Methods to Protect Your Blanket: Use cold or warm water, a mild detergent, and a delicate cycle to avoid harming the fabric and filling of your blanket.

• Drying on High Heat Can Cause Damage: Dry your blanket on low heat or air-dry it to avoid damage from high heat drying.

• Overloading Can Damage the Washer’s Motor: A blanket that’s too heavy for your washer can put a lot of stress on the motor, leading to potential damage and expensive repairs.

• Unbalanced Load Causes Shaking and Noises: If the washer is too small for the blanket, it can shake violently, make loud noises, and even move around, which can cause additional problems.

• The Drum Can Get Bent or Warped: A heavy blanket can bend or warp the drum, especially in older washers, which can damage the machine and affect its performance.

• Heavy Blankets Can Break the Washer: In extreme cases, trying to wash a very heavy blanket could break the drum or overheat the motor, making your washer unusable.

• Always Check Your Washer’s Weight Limit: To avoid these issues, always ensure your washer can handle the weight of your blanket before washing it. Checking the weight limit prevents costly damage.

• Cold Water Protects the Blanket: Using cold water protects your blanket by preventing shrinkage and fading. It also works best for protein stains like blood, as it stops them from setting in.
  
  
• Warm Water Cleans Safely and Effectively: Warm water is perfect for general cleaning, offering more cleaning power while still keeping the fabric safe. It's a good middle ground between cold and hot water.
  
  
• Hot Water Can Damage Your Blanket: Hot water can weaken the stitching and damage the blanket’s fabric, especially if it has glass beads or polypropylene pellets inside, which help keep the filling evenly spread.

• Check Your Washer's Weight Capacity: Before putting your weighted blanket into the washer, check if your machine can handle its weight. Most washers can hold about 15-20 pounds, so it's important to know your machine's weight limit.

• Top Loaders vs. Front Loaders: Different Weight Limits: Top-load washers usually handle 12-15 pounds, while front-load washers can manage around 18 pounds. Knowing the weight capacity of your washer helps prevent overloading.

• Signs Your Washer is Struggling with Heavy Blankets: If your 20 lb blanket barely fits or doesn’t move freely in the drum, it’s too heavy for your washer. This can strain the motor and potentially cause damage.

• Use a Commercial Washer for Heavier Blankets: For blankets over 20 pounds, it’s best to use a commercial washing machine at a laundromat. This helps avoid damage to your washer and ensures a proper clean without strain.

• Hand Washing Protects Fragile Fabrics: Hand washing your weighted blanket is a safer option, especially for fragile fabrics like bamboo and minky that can get damaged in the wash.
  
  
• Bamboo and Minky Fabrics Need Extra Care: Bamboo and minky fabrics are soft and breathable, but they’re prone to damage in a machine wash, which can affect their texture and appearance.
  
  
• Hand Washing Extends the Life of Your Blanket: By hand washing, you can protect the fabric’s softness and quality, helping to extend the life of your blanket without risking wear and tear.
  
  
• Hand Washing Is Gentler Than Machine Washing: While machine washing is faster, it can be too harsh, causing potential damage. Hand washing provides a safer, gentler cleaning process for your blanket.
  
  
• Hand Washing Prevents Shrinkage and Keeps the Fill Intact: Hand washing helps maintain the shape of the fabric, prevents shrinkage, and keeps the fill from shifting, which ensures the blanket stays intact.