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You’ve just bought your first-ever weighted blanket (yay!) after hearing about their health-promoting benefits. After several months of regular usage, you notice that it's lost its freshness or may have accumulated a small stain or two. No judgement - life happens and we're here to help you think through how to wash your weighted blanket.
All bedding types eventually need cleaning, and the frequency of washing will depend on how you use your weighted blanket. If you're using your weighted blanket as a throw or on top of other bedding, you won't need to wash it as often. Cooling weighted blankets like Nuzzie are especially great since their breathable construction keeps you from getting hot/sweaty and are ready to use right out of the package, so no washing necessary until much later.
But, as much as we want our weighted blankets to look spanking clean and brand new, washing them can be a daunting task. Long-time users of weighted blankets can attest to the fact that cleaning them involves added care and effort, primarily because of their extra heft and fillers.
And to be honest, loading a 15-lb weighted blanket in a washing machine is a little bit exhausting.
If you are having trouble cleaning your weighted blanket or need some expert guidance on how to do it, then you’ve come to the right place.
This article will list down helpful tips and practical steps on how to clean them effectively. By the end of this article, we will recommend our favorite weighted blanket that is not only made from high-quality materials but is also machine and dryer-friendly.
Before putting them on the washer, you may want to first check their care label.
Weighted blankets come in different sizes, construction, and design, so it's important to know whether they need a particular washing procedure.
Weighted blankets loaded with steel shot beads, for example, are incompatible with washing machines. Aside from being heavy, the beads have the potential to tear the fabric and leak when inside the machine, damaging your machine and ruining your blanket.
Other blankets may be filled with plastic beads, but these blankets also have challenges when machine washing.
Most weighted blankets with plastic beads cannot withstand heat, so when exposed to high temperatures, the beads tend to melt inside the blanket and bunch up. The best way to wash them is by using cool or cold water, not hot, and letting them air dry.
Some weighted blankets may have their weighted fill separate from their cover sheets - in this case, simply remove the weighted inner from the blanket cover and wash the cover according to its wash instructions. Like weighted blankets, covers come in different fabric types. While most products use cotton, some offer fleece, mink, and wool, so knowing their proper care instructions are also essential.
Ignoring care instructions can ruin your weighted blanket (or worse, your machine. Yikes!), so it’s best to read up on the care label first.
After all, you wouldn't want a damaged weighted blanket, would you?
Tip: If, for some reason, there are no specific care instructions for your weighted blanket, your best bet would be to check the details on the manufacturer’s website or scour the internet for references. Just make sure to confirm the information with their customer service since care instructions are different from one product to another.
Again, if you're the kind of person who cuddles their weighted blankets all day (or night), there's a good chance that nasty stains are already etched on your beloved blanket.
No matter how hard we try to prevent them, stains are unavoidable. They’re just a part of our life.
The easiest way to remove them is to first check existing stains and spot-treat them before (or even instead of!) each wash.
It is recommended to run cold water over the stains instead of warm water to prevent them from being imprinted in the fabric.
For liquid marks like coffee, juice, water, and even sweat, use a bleach-free stain remover or a mild detergent. After applying the solution, you can gently wipe the spot away with your hands or an old toothbrush.
To make your own solution, simply mix warm water the mild detergent. You can then dip a cloth into the mixture and gently scrub away the stain.
Remember to also consider the fabric of your blankets before spot treating them. The general rule is to avoid bleach-containing products because they can negatively affect your weighted blanket.
On the other hand, soaps are effective at removing oil-based stains such as grease. Scrub the stain away gently with your fingertips, an old toothbrush, or a laundry brush.
Tip: Always consider the type of stain found in your weighted blankets. Some stain treatments do not work well with certain spots, such as the ones mentioned above.
Now on to the fun part!
If you've made it this far, your blanket may actually need to go in the washing machine. It's important to note that machine washing inevitably agitates the fibers in your clothes and bedding, which may cause pilling. Pilling is a natural phenomenon and doesn't damage your item, as it is simply the ends of the fibers tangling with other fibers and creating a small knot or 'pill'. You can remove pills either by hand or using a special pill removing tool like a sweater stone. If pilling really bothers you, it may be valuable to dry-clean your blanket (if the care tag allows it).
Another option for getting your blanket clean while decreasing agitation is washing your blanket the old fashioned way - by using your hands.
Again, it’s best to check the label first. Once you have that information, then your weighted blanket is good to go. For washing machines, use only cold or warm water. Using hot water can potentially damage your weighted blanket, and really, who wants that?
Next, always avoid aggressive wash cycles. Instead, go for a delicate or light wash setting to prevent holes, leaks, and rips. If there's an option to decrease the amount of spin cycles, that's helpful too!
Even if your blanket says it can be machine washed, you must be extra cautious every time you wash them in the washer. Some weighted blankets, especially heavy ones, can harm your machine due to the pressure generated by the blanket.
For heavy-weighted blankets, you may want to bring them to a laundromat with a commercial-grade washer and dryer, which are designed to handle heavy loads.
Leaking beads from weighted blankets are also notorious for damaging washing machines, especially older models, so it’s best to be extra careful.
If you just need to hand wash your blanket, fill your washtub basin with tepid or cold water and a small amount of mild detergent. Typically, 1/2 to 1 cup is sufficient, but this still varies depending on the size of your blanket. Submerge your weighted blanket in the water after thoroughly mixing it. After thoroughly rinsing, drain the wash basin and refill with clean water. Repeat the procedure until all of the soap from the blanket has been removed.
Whatever the case might be with your weighted blanket, it is important that only a mild detergent be used. Fabric softeners are not recommended because they alter the structure of weighted blankets, causing them to become rigid and scratchy.
Tip: If your weighted blanket is too heavy, it’s best to just have them cleaned professionally. Forcibly jamming a king-sized weighted blanket inside the washing machine might cause more harm than good.
You are almost there. Congratulations!
But before using your squeaky clean weighted blanket, it’s best to dry them first.
It’s entirely up to you if air dry or toss them in the dryer. What’s important is to keep them in tip-top shape after drying.
To machine dry, run it through tumble dry setting or low to medium heat. Since weighted blankets are heavy, you may need to tumble dry for 2 cycles to ensure that they are completely dry.
Again, as with washing machines, make sure your dryer can handle your weighted blanket. This is because dryers can also be damaged as a result of the blanket’s pressure and fillers.
If pilling is bothersome to you, you may want to air dry them, place the weighted blanket on an even surface so that the weight remains evenly distributed even after it has fully dried. It will take some time for weighted blankets to air dry - give or take, 24-48 hours. To speed the drying process and protect your floors, try putting down bath towels underneath the blanket to help absorb moisture and use a fan to circulate the air around the blanket. It's best practice to also make sure that it’s not exposed to direct sunlight as this can cause discoloration.
Tip: Weighted blankets with fillers should not be hanged in a clothesline to prevent the beads from bunching up.
Overall, most weighted blankets sold in the market are generally compatible with washing machines and dryers. And most of them have a straightforward cleaning process. You just have to read and follow what’s written on the care label to ensure that they remain in tip-top shape.
But again, you also need to consider the type of fabric and the fillers within the weighted blanket to ensure proper care and wash at the end of the day.
If you’re looking for a weighted blanket that is super easy to maintain and compatible with dry-clean, handwashing, or washer & dryer, then you’ve come to the right place.
For this, we recommend our very own Nuzzie Knit.
When investing in a weighted blanket, it’s important to take a lot of things into consideration.
First, are they breathable and suitable to use in any season? Do they tend to fray when used over time? Are they sustainable and eco-friendly?
And finally, are they compatible with washers and dryers?
As a company that has manufactured and sold thousands of weighted blankets over the last five years, we have had the opportunity to learn from our customers about what an ideal weighted blanket should look and feel like.
Though our original weighted blanket received positive reviews, we remain committed to meeting our customers' needs.
This is why we reimagined the ideal weighted blanket by creating Nuzzie Knit.
Created from premium and high-quality materials, our weighted blankets are compatible with washing machines and dryers, though to prolong the life of your blanket we do recommend spot-cleaning and dry-cleaning where possible.
While some conventional weighted blankets must be hand washed to avoid fraying, tearing, and leaking, Nuzzie Knit's open-weave design and sturdy construction allow you to simply throw it in the washer or dryer.
Plus, our blankets contain ZERO beads so you won’t have to worry about leaks or melts.
And did we mention that our care instructions are also pretty simple?
Toss them in the washer with like colors and tumble dry on low, just like you would a normal blanket.
Our weighted blankets are also 100% hand-knitted, environmentally friendly, and safe to use.
The Nuzzie Knit, unlike traditional weighted blankets, has a breathable weave that prevents heat from being trapped inside. This means it can be used in any weather.
Another nice thing is that again, there are no plastic or noisy glass beads in the Nuzzie Knit.
Instead, the blankets are made from luxurious fabric filling, which prevents leaks and fraying while still keeping the weight uniformly distributed.
So, are you ready to experience the benefits and features of the Nuzzie Knit? Get yours now while stocks last.
Head over to https://shopnuzzie.com/products/knit to order!