Weighted Blanket Care may not be a hobby of all time. However, they make people’s lives comfortable in a significant way by reducing anxiety, offering you warmth, and improving the quality of your sleep, providing you with a sleep experience that is on another level of comfort.
The inevitable question is how you can wash the weighted blanket? Indeed it is not easy to clean such a blanket, but it is crucial to ensure its natural integrity doesn’t get ruined. Therefore, knowing how to wash it is essential to owning one.
This piece will show you how to wash your weighted blanket with sand. Keep on reading for more.
Table of Contents
Guidelines on Washing Your Blanket with Sand
Washing a weighted blanket can be done from home, or you can involve a dry cleaning service around your area. Nevertheless, you will not use water or other cleaning substances on your weighted blanket as it gets damaged.
So which is the safer way? Here is a step-by-step guide when washing with sand.
No Washing Machine
Sand is a popular filler that expands as soon as it comes into contact with water as it will end up ruining the weighted blanket making it challenging to dry, further leading to seam tearing. Washing with sand doesn’t require a washing machine.
Therefore, keep off your washing machine from cleaning and instead look for a dryer to assist in the cleaning.
Dry Cleaning Kit
When cleaning, you need to invest in dry cleaning sheets or a dry cleaning kit. There are many options, but finding the one with the most reviews is crucial.
Begin working on the stains first as soon as you get your kit. Wipe them using a wet cloth.
Turn On The Dryer To Medium Heat
First, prepare the dryer by setting it on medium heat so there is enough warmth to work the dry sheet effectively.
Please don’t set it too high, as hot high temperatures might damage the weighted blanket. Therefore, run it on medium heat and wait for it to come out as clean as it should be.
Place Dry Cleaning Sheets Inside
Based on the weighted blanket size together with sand, you will require multiple sheets at a go to ensure there is enough coverage and the weighted blanket is as clean as you would want it by the end of the cleaning process.
Adhere to all the instructions beforehand. For instance, if the dry cleaning kit contains a bag, put your blanket inside to protect it while it is in the dryer.
Run It for 15-20 Minutes
Many cleaning sheets need 20 minutes, ideal when the dryer is at moderate heat. Therefore, letting the dryer run for 15-20minutes to extend the time won’t be of any value.
Therefore, 20 minutes is sufficient to clean the blanket with sand and ensure it is spotless.
What Factors Should You Look At Before Washing?
How to wash a weighted blanket is a question of a dilemma to so many people. Nevertheless, the following factors will determine the washing procedure.
Fabric
Cotton– Weight blanket with cotton can be hand washed or machine washed on a gentle cycle at 50 degrees Celsius or lower. Surpassing these temperatures can cause shrinkage of the cotton.
Cotton can withstand a variety of cleaning products, but it is advisable to use non-chlorine washing liquids or powder.
Don’t dry them under the sun or in a tumble dryer to avoid shrinkage.
Flannel- They are relatively easy to wash. Set your machine to cold or warm, then place your weighted blanket at a gentle cycle.
Use mild washing powder; contrary to cotton, you can dry them under the sun or in a tumble dryer.
Minky- It is a fabric that is easily washable in a machine. It is best to wash it alone to prevent friction with other materials. Pre-treat any stubborn stains using non-chlorine bleach.
Please place it in a cold water machine and wash it with a gentle softener. Never use the fabric softener as it gets the softer fibers.
Wool- It is a delicate fabric that is prone to shrinking. Therefore, it is best to hand wash it as much as possible. Use mild, friendly detergents.
Do not tumble dry your wool weighted wool blankets to avoid crushing the delicate wool fibers. It is advisable to blot it out with a towel before hanging it to dry.
Fleece- E-treat the stains on the blanket, if any, and soak it for at least 30 minutes to loosen the stain. Then, wash it alone in a warm wash with a gentle detergent to avoid abrasion.
Please don’t use a fabric softener for the fleece to maintain its water-repellent finish. Air dry or tumble dry it on low heat
Filler
Sand- is a small, quiet, and cheap weighted blanket filler. Due to its capability to expand when wet, it causes clumps when inappropriately dried, resulting in uneven weight distribution on the blanket. Although they are used to wash the weighted blanket, could you not use it frequently?
Plastic poly pellets- are round plastic beads from ABS virgin plastic. It is inappropriate to use it in washing weighted blankets because when you expose them to high temperatures, they tend to melt and clump together.
Micro Glass Beads- are tiny with a sand, or salt crystals feel. They can safely wash them in warm water, though not hot water.
Steel Shot Beads are heavier compared to the rest of the fillers. Wash the weighted blanket with steel shot beads filler, so they don’t melt thus, and it is safe to wash them at high temperatures.
Weight
When using a washing machine, consider its weight, and bulk—weighted blankets below 20lbs are okay to wash machines. But take note that regular washing can wear and tear the washing machine. For those above 20lbs, use a commercial-size wash machine in your area.
Tips for washing Weighted Blankets
Choose a washable fabric when buying a weighted blanket that contains fillers like poly pellets, steel shot, or glass bead fillers that are not organic.
Inspect the blanket thoroughly for stains before washing. Weighted Blanket Care present, then pre-treat to prevent the colors from baking into the fabric during the washing and drying process
Consider the weight of the blanket and size when using a washing machine. Hand washing a weighted machine is preferable compared to washing machines
Not all weighted blankets are safe to tumble dry in high temperatures. Don’t hang them on the edge if you choose to hang dry them
Nonetheless, when you wash your weighted blankets with sand, it is good not to use a washing machine but instead use a dryer. Avoid water because sand expands when it comes into contact with water hence becoming heavier. Finally, remember to set your dryer to medium heat and run it for 20 minutes.
You can explore the alternative washing methods and see which will work for your case, but consider the factors listed above, and the tips will help you care for your weighted blanket.