How to Dry a Weighted Blanket?

Drying a weighted blanket the wrong way can ruin it. If you want it to last, you need to do it right. 

Don’t worry, we’ll walk you through the best dryer settings, faster air-drying tips, and how to handle different materials. Keep reading to make sure your blanket stays soft, comfy, and in great shape.

• Follow care instructions: Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines before drying.
  
  

• Use gentle heat: Low or no heat settings preserve fabric and fill integrity.
  
  

• Avoid high heat: Excessive heat can damage fillings like glass beads or shrink fabrics.
  
  

• Air dry carefully: Lay flat or use a rack to ensure even drying without distortion.
  
  

• Be patient: Weighted blankets take longer to dry, so avoid rushing the process.

• Always Check the Care Label Before Drying: Before drying your  weighted blanket  , always check the care label. Each blanket has specific drying needs based on its material and filling, so this step is crucial to prevent damage.

• Wash and Dry the Removable Cover Separately: If your blanket has a removable cover, wash and dry it separately from the main weighted part. This helps maintain the cover’s cleanliness without affecting the heavier inner part of the blanket.

• Use a Laundromat for Heavier Blankets: Due to their weight, drying a weighted blanket at home can be tricky. Laundromats offer oversized dryers that can handle the weight, ensuring an even dry without any damage.

• Follow Instructions to Avoid Damage: If you ignore the care instructions, your blanket could suffer from shrinkage or damage to the filling. If the label is missing, follow general guidelines for similar materials, but always prioritize the manufacturer’s advice.

• Use a Gentle Setting to Avoid Fabric Damage: The best dryer setting for a weighted blanket is a gentle or delicate cycle. High heat can damage the fabric and fillings, leading to shrinkage or even melting synthetic  materials  . A gentle cycle uses lower heat and slower spins, which helps preserve the blanket's structure.

• Tumble Dry Removable Covers on Low Heat: For removable covers, always tumble dry on a low heat setting. Avoid dryer sheets as they can leave a coating that affects the fabric’s breathability and feel.

Drying your weighted blanket on high heat can ruin its filling. Materials like glass beads or micro glass beads, which are dense and provide weight without bulk, can melt or shift when exposed to excessive heat , leaving the blanket uneven. 

Polyester or cotton fills are also sensitive, with high temperatures potentially breaking down the fabric or causing them to lose their insulating properties. 

• Lay the Blanket Flat to Prevent Stretching: When drying naturally, laying the blanket flat on a dry surface is the best choice to prevent stretching.

• Use a Rack for Even Drying: Placing the blanket flat on a rack or water-resistant surface helps distribute the weight evenly and ensures it dries evenly.

• Avoid Hanging to Prevent Uneven Drying: Avoid hanging a wet weighted blanket, as the filling may shift, leading to uneven weight distribution and drying.

• Dryer Balls Prevent Clumping and Speed Up Drying: Dryer balls work by improving airflow, which prevents the filling of your weighted blanket from clumping. This also speeds up the drying process.

• Dryer Balls Keep Your Blanket Fluffy and Soft: Using dryer balls helps keep your blanket fluffy by separating the filling and reducing overheating, so your blanket stays soft and comfortable.

To avoid uneven drying , make sure the weighted blanket is spread out in the dryer .

Fluffing the blanket during the drying cycle helps maintain balanced weight distribution, keeping the beads or fill from shifting.

• Weighted Blankets Need Extra Time to Dry Fully: Due to their thickness and heavy fill, weighted blankets require more time to dry fully compared to regular bedding.

• Avoid Cramming the Blanket into the Dryer: If you cram the blanket into the dryer, it can block airflow and prevent proper drying. Give it enough room to tumble freely for the best results.

• Flipping the Blanket or Using Dryer Balls Can Help Speed Up Drying: Flipping the blanket halfway through or adding dryer balls can help the drying process, but don’t rush it, patience is key to avoid damaging the blanket.

• Choose Low Heat to Protect Fabric and Filling: When drying your weighted blanket, choose a low heat setting to avoid damaging the fabric or filling.

• Select a Gentle or Low Heat Cycle: A gentle or low heat cycle helps protect the blanket’s structure and prevents harm to delicate fillings like glass beads.

• Flip the Blanket for Even Drying: To make sure the blanket dries evenly, flip it halfway through the cycle for better heat distribution.

• Drying Time Varies by Blanket Size and Fabric
  The drying time for a weighted blanket can vary. Typically, it takes 3 to 4 hours in a dryer, depending on the size and fabric. A larger, king-size blanket may take up to 5 hours to dry fully.

• Spinning Before Drying Helps Speed Up the Process: Spinning the blanket in the washing machine first removes most of the water, leaving it damp and cutting down the drying time in the dryer or for air drying.

• Dryer Balls Speed Up the Drying Process: To dry your blanket faster, add dryer balls to the load. These help separate the fabric, allowing air to circulate better and reducing drying time.

• Air Drying Takes Longer Than Using a Dryer: Air drying can take a day or two, particularly if you’re drying your blanket in the sun. However, it will always take longer than using a dryer.

• Ensure the Blanket is Fully Dry to Prevent Odors and Mold: Always check your blanket to make sure it’s fully dry before storing it. Damp blankets can develop a musty smell or even mold.

Placing a towel underneath the weighted blanket helps soak up moisture , speeding up the drying process. 

Placing the blanket flat on top of a few large towels can help soak up excess water during air drying. You can rotate the blanket and towels to improve airflow and reduce drying time.

Elevating the blanket helps air circulate around it, preventing moisture from getting trapped and speeding up drying. You can place it on a rack or clothesline in a space with natural airflow.

Turning the blanket every couple of hours helps ensure all sides are exposed to the air , speeding up the drying process and preventing lumps from forming. 

To keep the drying even, gently shake out the blanket after each turn to remove excess water and lay it flat again, allowing proper airflow for quicker and more consistent drying .

A fan helps circulate air around the blanket, reducing drying time. If the blanket is especially heavy, an air mover can push a larger amount of air across the blanket.

A dehumidifier helps remove excess moisture, improving the drying speed. If you don't have one, opening windows will help circulate the air and reduce humidity.

A dry, warm room encourages quicker evaporation of moisture. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature and use fans to help speed up drying. 

A space heater can also help speed up the process, as long as it’s positioned safely. Just make sure it’s not too close to the drying rack, and avoid water dripping into the heater. 

You’ll also want to keep an eye on your clothes to ensure they don’t overheat and risk catching fire.

When the blanket is wet, folding it can trap moisture , slowing down the drying process.

It also prevents proper airflow and can cause the filler material to clump together, making the blanket take even longer to dry. Keep the blanket unfolded to ensure air circulates freely and speeds up drying.

It’s generally safe to dry a weighted blanket with plastic beads in the dryer, but you need to be careful. 

High heat can damage the beads. Instead of using high heat, choose a low or no-heat dryer setting . Air drying is gentler , but it takes longer, usually 6-12 hours.

You should use a low heat setting to avoid damaging the beads. Air drying is safer, but it takes longer, typically 6-12 hours. High heat can crack or damage the beads, so always avoid it.

You can machine dry a weighted blanket with micro glass beads, but use caution. The delicate nature of micro glass beads requires a low-heat setting. Air drying can take up to 12 hours, but it is safer.

Cotton-filled blankets are typically safe for machine drying. Use a low or medium heat setting to avoid shrinking. 

Air drying is a good alternative , especially if you want to preserve the quality. High heat can shrink or damage the fabric and filling. 

• Use Low Heat in Tumble Dryer: If you must use a tumble dryer, keep it on the lowest heat setting to prevent shrinking.

• Restore Shape by Gently Tugging While Wet: If your wool blanket loses its shape after air drying, gently tug it while it’s still wet to help restore its form.

• Wool Care Products for Shrinkage Prevention: Using baby shampoo, hair conditioner, or specialist wool care products can help reverse shrinkage and bring the blanket back to its original condition.

Bamboo blankets are delicate, so it's better to air dry them . If you need to use a dryer, always choose the lowest heat setting to protect the fabric. 

Avoid direct sunlight , as it can cause fading and gradually weaken the bamboo fibers, especially with repeated exposure.

• Air Drying for Minky Blanket Care: Air drying is often recommended, but if you prefer a quicker method, you can use a tumble dryer on low heat. Be sure to flip and shake the blanket occasionally if air drying to help it dry evenly.

• Avoid High Heat to Protect Minky Fabric: To avoid lint buildup and prevent the fabric from becoming crusty, it's best to skip the tumble dryer altogether. High heat can weaken the fibers and increase shedding, so avoid excessive drying in the machine.

• Lay Flat or Hang to Dry for Softer Results: Instead of using a tumble dryer, laying the Minky blanket flat to air dry or hanging it on a clothesline ensures a softer feel and better results.

• Gentle Washing for Long-Lasting Softness: To keep your Minky blanket soft after repeated drying, wash it gently with cold water and mild detergent. Air dry it in a light breeze to preserve its softness instead of exposing it to heat.