How To Wash An Electric Blanket

Washing blankets helps keep your home clean and fresh.  How to wash an electric blanket may throw you for a loop.  In this post, you’ll learn exactly how to clean an electric blanket to make sure all of your blankets stay fresh and clean.

When electric blankets are used as under blankets they usually require less cleaning than other bedding.  They’ll still need washing at some point. In years past the only really safe option was to take the blanket to be dry cleaned but now all modern electric blankets are purposely designed to be machine washable at home.

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Most blankets will have washing instructions included with them.  They may have a regular washing tag with full care instructions sewn onto the blanket itself. When instructions are present the manufacturer’s guidelines should always be rigidly followed. If the instructions are missing or there is no tag it is sometimes helpful to log onto the maker’s website which may have helpful advice.

How to wash an electric blanket

When washing an electric blanket the most important thing is to do everything gently. The wiring within the blanket’s structure can be damaged from excessive agitation or high heat.

Once you have disconnected the blanket from the mains and taken off any removable parts it can be placed into a normal washing machine using nothing higher than a warm water setting.

Steps to take when washing an electric blanket

• Set the washing machine to a gentle or delicate cycle.
• Detergents can be added but again these need to be mild.
• Once the blanket has finished washing it can be gently spun in the machine but not for prolonged periods.

On removing the blanket from the machine excess moisture should never be rung from it. The internal wiring in electric blankets is often purposely thin to make lying on it more comfortable.   This can be easily damaged by excessive folding or squeezing. It doesn’t matter if there is still lots of water in the blanket when it is removed from the machine as long as it can be well supported and lain partially flat as it dries. If you hang a water-clogged blanket from one end this may place too much strain on the wiring.

Should you hand wash your electric blanket?

Unless the manufacturer’s guidelines specifically state it is safe to do so then tumble-drying the blanket is not advisable. As stated before excessive agitation and heat are the things most likely to do damage.

The efficiency and accuracy of washing machines vary greatly depending on their age and make. As a result, some people prefer to wash their electric blankets by hand in a bathtub so that the water temperature and motions of washing can be fully controlled.

How to wash your electric blanket by hand

When washing your electric blanket by hand you’ll want to fill a bathtub with warm water.  Add a small amount of laundry soap and gently move the blanket around the tub.  If there are any dirty spots you can rub them out.  Once you feel that the blanket is clean remove the water from the tub.  Rinse the electric blanket under running water.  Ring out excess water and then allow the blanket to dry.

Whichever method you use to wash and dry your blanket ensure it is completely dry before using it. After you have gone through all the instructions above leave the blanket somewhere warm and dry. Airing cupboards are good for this as long as the blanket isn’t placed directly upon a hot water tank or hot pipes.

When washing your electric blanket carefully, you’ll prolong its life and ensure maximum safe practice.