How to Wash a Weighted Blanket (Without Ruining It)

Key Takeaways

• Before washing a weighted blanket, check the care label, what it's filled with, and your washer’s capacity. There isn’t one method that works for every blanket.

• Only machine wash your blanket if both the manufacturer and your washer’s manual say it’s safe. Use cold water, a gentle cycle, mild liquid detergent, and skip bleach or fabric softener.

• Spot-clean technical fabrics like CELLIANT or any blanket labeled spot-clean only.

• Whenever you can, air dry your blanket flat. If the label allows tumble drying, use low or no heat. Be sure to check that every pocket is fully dry before using or storing it.

Knowing how to wash a weighted blanket helps protect both your blanket and your washing machine. First, check the care label and what’s inside the blanket. If you can machine wash it, use cold water, a gentle cycle, and wash it by itself. If not, spot-clean or hand-wash it in a bathtub, then lay it flat to air-dry.

This guide explains the right method for each type of filling, weight, and drying option, so you can wash your weighted blanket without ruining it.

Can You Wash a Weighted Blanket? Start With These 3 Checks

You can wash some weighted blankets, but the method depends on the specific blanket.

Check these things out first:

• Check the care label: Look at the wash method, water temperature, dryer setting, and any warnings. If the tag is unreadable or there isn’t one, check the manufacturer’s site for weighted blanket care instructions. If you still cannot confirm it, spot-clean or hand-wash to be safe. Some blankets also have a removable cover, if so, this may be the only part of the blanket that’s washable.
  

• Check the fill: Glass beads, cotton knit, and some plastic pellets may be washable, while more premium, performance materials like CELLIANT may not be.
  

• Check the dry weight against the washer manual: Look for the total load limit and remember that a large drum is not automatically safe for a 20 or 25-pound load.

Pro tip: Never overload a washer with a soaked weighted blanket. Overloading can damage the drum and internal bearings, and the total wet load must remain within the machine’s maximum capacity. For example, Samsung’s load guide limits comforters and blankets to 6.6 pounds.

Bearing, drum, or suspension repairs can cost as much as or more than a weighted blanket, so use the bathtub or an appropriate commercial machine if you cannot confirm the maximum capacity.

What Your Blanket Is Filled With Changes How You Wash It

The outer fabric matters, but the material inside usually imposes the biggest restrictions on washing and drying.

Glass Beads

Glass beads are usually quite durable and don’t absorb water or change shape at normal wash temperatures, however, this doesn’t mean the whole blanket is always machine washable.

It’s still essential to consider the shell, stitching, weight, and your washer’s weight limit. If machine washing is allowed, be sure to use cold water and avoid high heat (plus, fix any open seams before washing).

Plastic Pellets

Hot water and high dryer heat can damage plastic pellets, causing them to warp or melt. That’s why it’s essential to wash plastic-filled blankets in cold water (if washing is allowed) and preferably air-dry them to avoid these concerns. 

Knitted Fabrics

Many knitted-style blankets use heavy fabric weaves instead of beads to add weight. Their knitted loops can stretch when you hang them, which could affect their size and weight distribution. For this reason, they should always be dried flat after being washed.

CELLIANT-Infused Filling

CELLIANT is a technical fiber infused with bioceramic minerals. The Dream Recovery Weighted Recovery Blanket combines CELLIANT-infused filling for recovery-focused health benefits with a 100% organic cotton exterior. Its premium construction means it's a spot clean weighted blanket and must be laid flat to dry and should never be machine washed or dry cleaned.

Learn more about the Dream Recovery Weighted Recovery Blanket. 

How to Machine Wash a Weighted Blanket, Step by Step

Use cold or lukewarm water, a gentle cycle, mild liquid detergent, no bleach, no fabric softener, and wash the blanket alone.

Step 1: Confirm Capacity and Load It Evenly

Weigh the dry blanket and check it against your washer’s weight limit for blankets (keeping in mind that the blanket will get even heavier when wet.

Step 2: Check for Any Openings and Remove the Cover 

Check the seams, ties, and fill pockets for any tears or beads coming out, and fix any damage before washing to prevent filling leaks. If your blanket has a removable cover that you want to wash, take it off and place the inner blanket somewhere clean.

Step 3: Start by Pre-Treating Any Stains

Blot up any new spills with a clean cloth, then use your fingers or a soft brush to gently apply a mild detergent mixed with cold water to any stains, without scrubbing hard.

Step 4: Select the Cycle and Dry it Properly 

Add mild liquid detergent and choose a gentle cycle with cold water and a low spin setting. Rinse once more if necessary. Take the blanket out right away and either air-dry it flat or place it in the dryer on low heat (depending on the instructions for your specific blanket). Make sure the blanket is 100% dry before storing.

Looking for more ways to biohack your sleep alongside your weighted blanket? Read more about the best sleep hygiene products for deep sleep and rest.

How to Hand Wash a Weighted Blanket in a Bathtub

Hand washing is the safe default for certain blankets because it avoids any vigorous tumbling and spinning that could either damage the blanket or your washing machine.

Step 1: Clean the Tub and Prepare the Water

Fill the bathtub with enough cold or lukewarm water to cover the blanket, as the label suggests. Add a small amount of mild liquid detergent (using too much can make it hard to rinse out of thick blankets).

Step 2: Lower the Blanket In and Wash Gently

Lower the blanket into the tub and press it beneath the water. Agitate the blanket in the water but avoid twisting or scrubbing. Avoid soaking your blanket for an extended period of time unless recommended by the manufacturer.

Step 3: Drain and Rinse Thoroughly

Drain the tub, refill with cold water, press gently, then drain again until the water is clear. Avoid wringing the blanket, since twisting can stretch the knit or stitching and move the beads inside.

Step 4: Press Out Water Without Wringing

Press the blanket against the bottom of the tub and let it drain for 15 to 30 minutes. Fold it loosely and lift it from underneath. If the blanket is too heavy to pick up like this, ask someone to help you move it rather than dragging it by the seams.

Step 4: Dry Your Handwash Weighted Blanket Properly 

The method you use to dry your blanket will depend on the manufacturer's instructions. Blankets that require handwashing may be too delicate for the dryer and might need to be air-dried. Remember to dry your blanket flat if it's a knitted construction. 

How to Dry a Weighted Blanket Without Ruining the Fill

Mistakes during drying can do more harm than washing. Heat can damage some materials, and hanging a wet blanket can stretch the seams.

Option 1: Air Dry the Blanket Flat

Lay the blanket on a clean, water-resistant surface or a heavy-duty mesh drying rack that supports its whole weight. Smooth out each pocket and turn the blanket every few hours. You can even use a fan to help it dry. 

Let the blanket dry for about 24 to 48 hours, or longer if it’s humid. Remember to check the middle of a few fill pockets, since the outside might feel dry before the inside does.

Pro tip: Never store your blanket damp! Trapped moisture can cause mould and odor inside the pockets.

Option 2: Tumble Dry Only if the Label Allows It

Can you put a weighted blanket in the dryer? Sometimes. If the care instructions allow it, use a large-capacity dryer on very low heat. Dry it alone, without any other items, and finish drying it flat if any parts remain damp.

Once your bedding is fresh and clean, explore other natural sleep aids that can support a more consistent nighttime routine.

How Often Should You Wash a Weighted Blanket?

The frequency with which you should wash your weighted blanket depends on how often you use it, as well as factors like sweating, pets, spills, and whether the blanket has a cover. 

7 Mistakes That Ruin Weighted Blankets in the Wash

Even if you follow the correct method, things can go wrong if one part of the process places unnecessary stress on the fabric or filling.

• Using hot water: Hot water can shrink the outer fabric and warp plastic pellet fillings.

• Adding fabric softener: Softener leaves residue and may change the feel, absorbency, or moisture management of some fabric types.

• Using bleach: Bleach can fade color and weaken fibers, which could increase the chance of the blanket degrading and seams falling apart.

• Overloading the washing machine: The blanket may not clean properly if other items are in the machine, and an overly heavy load can strain the washer. Remember to confirm the capacity before starting.

• Wringing it out: Twisting is one of the fastest ways to displace the filling, pull the seams, and stretch knitted designs.

• Hanging it to dry: Suspending the fully wet blanket by one edge can cause permanent stretching, especially in knitted blankets. Therefore, keep the blanket flat and fully supported while it’s drying.

• Storing it slightly damp: Moisture trapped in the blanket’s filling can cause a musty smell or even mould growth.

Built for Recovery, Made to Last: The Dream Recovery Weighted Blanket

How a blanket is built determines how it should be cleaned and how long it lasts. The Dream Recovery Weighted Recovery Blanket is made to last thanks to its premium materials.

It combines a 100% organic cotton exterior with CELLIANT-infused filling that transforms your body’s heat into infrared energy, promoting local circulation and cell oxygenation to help boost comfort and balance temperature.

Its care requirements and washing instructions are specific: spot-clean only, lay flat to dry, and do not machine wash or dry clean. This extra care reflects the blanket’s specialized performance materials and ensures its longevity.

Shop the Dream Recovery Weighted Recovery Blanket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you dry clean a weighted blanket?

Sometimes you can dry clean a weighted blanket. The answer depends on whether the care instructions allow it.

Why does my weighted blanket smell after washing?

Your weighted blanket might smell after washing if moisture remains inside. Try washing it again, and dry it completely before storing or using.

Can I wash a weighted blanket with other laundry?

No, you can’t wash a weighted blanket with other laundry. Wash it alone so it moves evenly and does not damage other items or unbalance the machine due to excess weight.

What do I do if the beads have shifted or clumped?

If the beads of your weighted blanket have shifted, first dry it fully and massage each affected pocket. If a seam has failed, stop using it until it’s repaired.

Do I need to wash a new weighted blanket before using it?

Usually you don’t need to wash a new weighted blanket before using it, but check the care instructions to make sure.