Heavy weighted blankets are here to stay and for obvious reasons. They seem much more soothing and comfier during cold winter nights as well as breezy afternoons. To top it all off, there are various options available at everyone’s disposal when it comes to the filling. Some are filled with glass beads meanwhile others are manufactured with poly pellets. If you own a heavy weighted blanket, then there’s one particular act you can’t be weary off. Yes, we’re referring to your weighted blanket’s laundry routine.
You simply can’t wash heavy weighted blankets like any other clothing item or fabric lying around the house. To maintain a heavy weighted blanket’s durability for years on, there’s a small list of “dos and don’ts” you need to keep up with. Here’s a brief guide on how to wash a heavy weighted blanket and keep it in its original state for much longer;
Before starting washing your 20ib weighted blanket, make sure to read the care instructions for your weighted blanket. You can find those on the company’s website or the tag attached to your weighted blanket. These suggestions from the manufacturers are extremely essential because it can keep your product safe from any accidental damage. If your weighted blanket can be machine washed then it’ll be mentioned on the care instructions. The care label will also mention the weight of the blanket. Consequently, you’ll know whether or not your washer can even handle the weight of your weighted blanket when washing. Furthermore, these instructions often include a fair warning against using detergents that have bleaching agents inside them.
You can also purchase a duvet cover for your weighted blanked when you buy one in the first place. The duvet cover will not only shield the blanket for stains it’ll also make the laundry routine much easier. You can simply take off the duvet instead of washing the entire weighted blanket every time.
Now let’s cut to the chase and get started with the routine. You can follow this step by step guide for each scenarios and pick the one that suits you.
Scenario # 1: Dry Cleaning Only / Commercial Cleaning
If the care instructions include the “dry cleaning only” label, don’t bother putting your hands to use. Just take your weighted blanket to a commercial laundry center and they’ll be able to wash your heavy weighted blanket for you. If it’s a job set for the professionals then washing it at home will probably damage it.
Scenario # 2: Manual Washing
If your heavy weighted blanket cannot be machine washed you’ll have to put in some manual effort. You can wash it in the bath tub or the sink. Just make sure you’re using a bleach-free washing powder. Using a fabric softener isn’t that much of a great idea either.
Use warm or cold water while rinsing the blanket or the duvet cover of your blanket. Clean the tub prior to filling with clean water and adding soap. It’ll keep your blanket or duvet from getting stand by any residues. Once it’s cleaned and treated with soap free water, you can leave it to air dry. It would be amazing if you own a sturdy drying rack because it will noticeably speed up the drying process. Just fluff it up gently every so often so the filling gets distributed evenly. Depending upon the weight of the blanket, most 20 pound heavy weighted blankets can take up to 40-45 hours while drying thoroughly.
Scenario # 3: Machine Washable Fabric
Usually it’s better to use a top-load or front-load washer while washing an item as big as this. If the blanket’s way too heavy or big, don’t try to push it into the washer. That’ll only create a huge mess for you so just take it to a laundromat. While machine washing a heavy weighted blanket’s duvet make sure the care instructions for the fabric do not advice against doing that.
Use an enzyme based spot cleaner on tougher areas before you put the blanket inside the machine. Let the spot cleaner sit on the stain for at least 15 minutes before carrying out the next step. Use a bleach free detergent and warm water. Move the power button on medium or low settings while the machine makes its round. Afterwards you can either let it air dry or use a drier on medium speed.
After learning how to wash a heavy weighted blanket, here is also a step by step guide on how you can successfully lift off stains via spot cleaning. Make sure you spot clean before placing the weighted blanket in a tub or in a washer.
During the past year, weighted blanket manufacturers have encountered booming business. Particularly during black Friday and Christmas shopping season, people have really invested their earnings on buying weighted blankets, especially the heavy weighted blankets that weigh closer to 20 pounds (or 9 kilos). So, if you’re anything like us, you might be intrigued what seems to be the reason behind this sudden hype. Weighted blankets are much more preferred as compared to common blankets, because of the calming affect they provide. It’s almost like receiving an intimate, calming hug as you doze off to sleep. Thank to the pressure stimulation mechanism, weighted blankets also do help with anxiety. Individuals that struggle with insomnia also rave about how using a heavy weighed blanket seems to really help doze off during the night.
Additionally, people who are on the Autism Spectrum and individuals struggling with ADHD also find it to be very comforting. There’s still room for further research but scientists believe that weighted blankets alter tactile inputs which induces better sleep. Of course it’s not an exact.
alternative for the originals pharmacological approach to these disorders, but it does help a lot.
If you rarely use your weighted blanket that you really don’t have to wash it that often. If it’s simply lying around your living room and you use it less often, you can wash it 4-5 times a year. On the contrary, if you use it more regularly it needs to be cleaned every 2-3 weeks. Here’s why you should be washing your heavy weighted blankets with more regularity;
Some fillings are washable, meanwhile others aren’t. To make this task a little more swift, we’ve organized commonly used filling material into differentiable categories.
Lastly, don’t forget to wash the duvet and weighted blanket separately. Once both items are dried, only then you can assemble them again. In case you drop something, spot clean your weighted blanket as soon as possible because old stains are harder to remove. By following the care label and maintaining a proper laundry routine you can make any heavy weighted blanket last for a long time. Usually people opt for a new one after 5-6 years, so keep that mind. Hopefully this guide on how to wash a heavy weighted blanket you in properly washing your weighted blanket without accidentally damaging it in the process.
References
Mike is one of the lead editors at Weighted Living and the author of this article. He's become fascinated with weighted products (a bit too much we think) and loves to see all the different ways they can improve our loves. He's written quite a few weighted product guides as well.
ThunderShirt Sport Weighted Dog Vest Review Thunderstorms and fireworks often trigger anxiety in some dogs, making them feel fearful. The anxiety dogs experience would be
Are Catan Dice Weighted? Catan Dice Guide The game Settlers of Catan is an excellent choice for having an enjoyable board game night with your
Are Weighted Blankets Washable? Can You Wash a Weighted Blanket? Stress and anxiety are becoming more prevalent in today’s world, resulting in insomnia and anxiety
What are Weighted Body Pillows Good for? Good sleep replenishes our bodies and minds for the next day. Getting proper sleep allows our muscles and
XDOG Weight & Fitness Vest for Dogs Review Millions of people around the world have dogs in their lives. There is no doubt that dogs
Will Weight Training Burn Belly Fat? Belly fat is a problem many people face. Around your waist is where belly fat is stored. Health problems
Weighted Living features a range of articles, guides, and product recommendations for everything weighted. We believe anyone and everyone, including yourself, can enhance the way they live by simply adding a bit of weight into their life.
Weighted Living features a range of articles, guides, and product recommendations for everything weighted. We believe anyone and everyone, including yourself, can enhance the way they live by simply adding a bit of weight into their life. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
