Weighted blankets are an easy and pleasant treatment for sleeping disorders of different origins. They are able to cope with your anxiety and release muscle pain. Also, they create the proper conditions for sleeping by being a cozy item of bedding.
If you haven’t ever tried a weighted blanket and suffer from the above issues, it is important for you to consider the option. Before you buy it, you should make allowance for some features to choose the right item representing value for money. One of the points you should pay attention to is the way it is cleaned. As with any other bedding, a weighted blanket becomes dirty in use, absorbing sweat and accumulating dust. And like any other bedding, it requires the right care. Let’s see how you can keep it clean.
Mind Your Eyes: Instructions Do Matter
There are common rules which you should adhere to when you use any weighted blanket. Still, there are peculiarities connected with the type of fabric and filler. You should pay attention to the tag and find the care instructions the manufacturer offers. For instance, some blankets come with a removable cover, and that makes washing much easier. While there are machine washable models. That means you will have to wash the entire blanket. And that may require more effort.
If you disregard the instructions, you will have unexpected and disappointing results instead of a clean blanket.
Now we propose to see 4 steps that help you care about weighted blankets.
Step 1. Remove stains
It happens that stains appear on your blanket. It is necessary to remove them before washing the entire thing.
Usually, it is enough to wet the stained area with cold water, add some spot remover (avoid using harsh chemicals), and rub gently. Then it is better to leave it alone for a quarter of an hour, except as otherwise specified in the instruction. After this, you can rub this treated area again. It is possible to do it with your hands or by using a toothbrush. Now it is time to rinse it out with cold water. You may repeat the process if the stain is too stubborn.
In most cases, if you have to deal with sweat or some mild liquid stains, you’ll manage to succeed with a bleach-free stain remover on the first attempt.
For those who have pets
The pets are our dear friends and we love them with all our hearts, but unfortunately, their hair is a real problem in the house. When they shed, we find pet hair anywhere in the rooms, and the blanket is no exception.
You can clean your blanket with a lint remover, and if it is not enough, you should wash it. In this case, there is no need for local rubbing and the appliance of special chemicals. Perhaps after a blanket dries out, you will have to use a lint remover again to ensure that no hair remains.
Step 2. Wash Your Weighted Blanket
Following the recommendations of the manufacturer, you choose a method that allows you to clean your blanket without compromising on quality. If a cover is removable, you can wash it in your machine while the weighted blanket itself can be washed by hand. In such cases, the cover is often zippered so you can easily put it off. Or a manufacturer can suggest you wash it as a whole.
Let’s figure out the details of both methods. But first, you should know that if your blanket weighs under 15 pounds and a machine wash is allowed, you can enjoy this easy method at home. Apply a gentle cycle, starting with low temperatures of water. You’d better use mild detergents. If your blanket weighs over 15 pounds, you will need an industrial washing machine. Go to the laundry and make sure that they will not add bleach.
Washing the weighted blanket in a machine and by hand
Again, we remind you that the shop instructions are vital whatever method you prefer.
If a producer allows machine washing, just do it. The temperature does matter. The detergent should be mild and free of bleach. It is possible to do washing at home or benefit from wider opportunities for professional laundry. We recommend choosing commercial machines so that your blanket is washed separately from the other users’ clothes.
If a producer allows hand washing only, use your bathtub to do it. You should fill it up with water at the recommended temperature. When it is filled in half, add some mild detergent free of bleach (the amount depends on the size of your blanket and the detergent you use – usually not more than a full cup). Make the water get lathered, and put the blanket into it so that it is completely soaked. Leave it for half an hour or longer. If a physical impact is required to remove dirt, the surface must be rubbed with a soft brush. Rinse it thoroughly with running water. You should change the dirty water in the tub several times until it is free of soap. Twist the blanket as you are able to do it, but without introducing strong force. Finally, dry it.
In both cases, it is not good to wash your blankets with other clothes or colored items!
Step 3. Dry your weighted blanket
When you wash your entire blanket by hand, you should know that it becomes much heavier when it soaks. It will take your effort to twist it. Even after proper twisting, the blanket should be dried up. You can make it using your dryer or by hanging a blanket out in the open air. The choice depends on your preferences and the instructions of the manufacturer, which can be found on the tag.
If you decide to dry it in the machine, choose a low setting so as not to damage the fabric and fillers of the blanket. You can add a dry towel to the dryer. It will absorb moisture and help the item dry faster, and as a result, the process will be shorter, consuming less energy and your money.
If you choose to dry without the automated dryer, you should find an even surface to hang a blanket on, like a narrow bench or banister, so that the filler spreads evenly inside. It would be nice if the sun’s rays fell on the surface unless informed to the contrary because of fading fabric. It is recommended to shake a blanket out every half an hour.
When is washing required?
The more intensively the blanket is used, the more frequent washing is required. There are no strict restrictions, though the manufacturer may provide you with his particular recommendations. If a weighted blanket is your everyday bedding, it is a good idea to wash it monthly. But usually, users decide to do it when it gets dirty. This is not as easy as it sounds when it comes to washing the entire blanket. It is much better to buy a removable duvet cover to facilitate cleaning, as you can do it without involving the entire blanket every time you want to freshen the cover.
Conclusion
The approximate life span for a weighted blanket is 5 years. By this time, it may be worn out. You will have to replace it. However, if you take care of an item in the proper way, it may serve you longer. Please remember that it is very important to follow the instructions mentioned on the care label of every blanket. Also, consider some tips:
Don’t wash it in the water at high temperatures, which can damage the delicate fabric. Warm or even cold water will get things done perfectly.
Don’t use bleach when there is a need for the removal of stains if you do not want to cause the fabric to lose color. You’d better use a gentle detergent free of bleach for this purpose.
Be careful with fabric softener which can have the opposite effect because of the particular structure of a weighted blanket. The softener makes the blanket nonflexible and uncomfortable for that reason.
Don’t iron it if you do not want to reduce its lifespan.
Every weighted blanket has an expiration date. It is possible to continue using it without causing any damage to your health, but even thorough washing will not restore its properties. If it’s important for you to benefit from the weighted blanket, you’d better buy a new one. Our store might be a good choice! Just look through the options in our catalog to find the best-suited one:
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us to ask them. We’ll be glad to help you understand the ins and outs of cleaning the weighted blankets. If it is required, we’ll consult on choosing the blanket to suit your needs.