How to clean a heated blanket
How To Wash an Electric Blanket: Tips & Techniques
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by Brittney Morgan
updated Sep 23, 2022
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If you’re anything like me (I’m almost always too cold) then your electric blanket is your BFF—at least, until you realize it’s been stored in the back of your closet since last year and has never been cleaned. Washing your electric blanket may seem like a risky challenge because of the wiring throughout it, but it’s actually not that hard—a little tedious, sure, but worth it to have a blanket as clean and fresh as it is warm.
Whether your blanket has been a staple in your home forever, or you’re considering buying an electric blanket and worried about the cleaning process, here’s everything you need to know.
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How To Wash an Electric Blanket
…by hand
First and foremost, before you do anything, make sure your blanket is unplugged and that you disconnect the cord from the blanket itself to avoid any damage.
Once you’ve double-checked and made sure all the cords are disconnected, fill up a tub with lukewarm water (enough for the blanket to be able to move around freely, according to eHow—so how much water you add will depend on the size of your blanket). Then add mild laundry detergent and swish it around by hand until the water is sudsy. Finally, add your blanket and let it soak for 15 minutes.
When your blanket is done soaking, gently squeeze your blanket for a minute, then take it out of the sudsy water and rinse it. Gently squeeze the blanket to remove excess water, but don’t wring it out.
…by machine
If hand-washing isn’t your thing, you can machine-wash electric blankets—you just have to do so cautiously.
For this, you’ve got a few options.
Sunbeam suggests pre-soaking your electric blanket in cold water with mild soap for 15 minutes before washing. Once it’s soaked, wash the blanket in mild soap and water on the “delicate” or “gentle” setting for 2 minutes. Then, rinse in cold, fresh water, and let it spin dry.
According to eHow, you can also start by filling the washer with lukewarm water (make sure it’s set to “gentle” or “delicate”) and detergent and letting the washer agitate for a minute. Once that’s done, stop the washer and add the blanket in, allowing it to soak for 15 minutes with the washer off. Then, turn the washer back on for 2 minutes, and run it through the rinse and spin cycles.
To Dry…
Despite what you might think, you can actually dry electric blankets in a dryer—at least partially. You just have to be careful to use a low setting, which means you should avoid laundromats and commercial dryers since they tend to get very hot and can damage the blanket’s wiring.
Sunbeam suggests turning your dryer to the low setting for 2 minutes, then putting your blanket in and letting it tumble dry (still on low) for 10 minutes. After that, you’ll have to hang it out to dry.
If you can’t use a dryer or would just prefer not to, you can hang dry your blanket from the start, but the steps are the same. Make sure you carefully stretch the blanket out to it’s original shape and size and hang it over a clothesline—and note: according to Sunbeam, you should never use clothespins.
Make sure you don’t use your electric blanket again until it is completely and thoroughly dry, or you could damage the wiring.
Other Tips:
- Don’t use bleach or other cleaning fluids—just mild detergent.
- Don’t iron your electric blanket.
- Don’t dry clean electric blankets or heating pads, as the solvents used can damage the wires.
- Don’t use mothball spray or other sprays on your electric blanket.
- Don’t ever submerge the blanket’s controller in water.
How to Wash and Care for an Electric Blanket
By
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40 years' experience; writing for over 20 years.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 11/12/22
Reviewed by
Becky Rapinchuk
Reviewed by Becky Rapinchuk
Becky Rapinchuk is a natural cleaning expert, homekeeping expert, and founder of the lifestyle brand, Clean Mama. She has published 4 books.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
In This Article
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Instructions
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What Is an Electric Blanket?
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Treating Stains
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Care and Repairs
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Ironing
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Storing
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How Often to Wash
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Tips
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FAQ
Project Overview
While you may be nervous about machine-washing an electric heated blanket, most newer blankets are designed to tolerate machine washing without damage.
However, the process requires some modification to avoid damaging the inner wiring. The key to successfully washing them is to have a watchful eye on the washing cycles so you can keep exposure to water and heat to a minimum.
Use a mild laundry detergent, cool or warm water temperature, and a shortened gentle cycle on your washing machine. Drying can be partially done in a clothes dryer at low heat, but should be completed by air-drying. Some older electric blankets may not tolerate machine washing—these will need to be washed by hand.
Here is a simple, proven method of machine-washing most modern electric blankets.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Equipment / Tools
- Washing machine
- Dryer
- Clothesline or drying rack
Materials
- Laundry detergent
| How to Wash an Electric Blanket | |
|---|---|
| Detergent | Regular |
| Water Temperature | Cool or warm |
| Cycle Type | Gentle |
| Drying Cycle Type | Partial drying on low heat, then air-dry |
| Special Treatments | None |
| Iron Settings | Do not iron |
| How Often to Wash | Every 2 to 4 weeks |
How to Wash an Electric Blanket
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Prep the Blanket
Shake out the blanket to get rid of as much loose debris as possible.
Before you put the electric blanket in the washing machine, remove all cords and controls. The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Load the Washing Machine
For high-efficiency washers, load the blanket in loosely. For standard washers with a central agitator, evenly spread the blanket around the drum. You may need to add a couple non-lint-producing towels or sheets to balance the load.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Select a Water Temperature and Detergent
Wash the blanket in cool to warm water with your regular detergent. Don't add chlorine bleach or fabric softener—they could deteriorate the interior components of the blanket.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Choose the Washer Cycle
Use the short or gentle cycle setting. If you can set the final spin speed, reduce it to the lowest setting to prevent excess force on the blanket's inner wiring.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Shorten the Wash Cycle, Jump to Rinse
Let the machine agitate for two to three minutes, and then skip to the rinse cycle.
Once the rinse cycle is done, remove the blanket immediately. The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Dry Gently
Use a cool or air-only setting on your dryer. It is best to partially dry in the dryer for about 20 minutes, and then remove the blanket while it is still damp and allow it to finish air-drying on a clothesline or drying rack. High heat may shrink the blanket and damage the wires' insulation.
Be sure your dryer is large enough to allow the blanket to tumble freely. If it is not large enough, use a laundromat dryer set on cool or air-dry only.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
What Is an Electric Blanket?
An electric blanket is an ordinary two-layer blanket that includes heavily insulated, waterproof electrical wires that are looped back and forth and sewn into place between the fabric layers. As current passes through the inner wiring, normal electrical resistance causes the wires to heat up. Most electrical blankets run on ordinary 120-volt household current, drawing between 15 to 115 watts, governed by a temperature control unit on the power cord that acts as a variable switch (rheostat).
There are some modern designs that use low-voltage current that is stepped down by a built-in transformer on the power cord. These blankets typically draw no more than 24 volts at the highest temperature setting.
Treating Stains on an Electric Blanket
Treat a stain on the blanket as quickly as possible following guidelines for the specific type of stain. Spot-cleaning an electric blanket is simple. Unplug the blanket first. Blot with a towel, and then use a butter knife, an old credit card, or your fingernail to remove any food, drink, or other substance from the fabric. Rub a little mild laundry detergent on the stain to loosen and lift it up. Remove the laundry detergent with a moist clean cloth until rinsed. Let it air-dry completely before using the blanket .
Electric Blanket Care and Repairs
If the blanket has stopped working, unplug it, and double-check to make sure that the connections are all tight. Any cracked or discolored components should be discarded and replaced.
Small tears or rips can be repaired by hand with matching thread and a needle. However, if the rip exposes any wires or electrical components, the blanket should be discarded.
Ironing
Because the iron's heat can damage the wires' insulation, electric blankets should not be ironed. If it is wrinkled, hang the blanket from a shower rod, hand smooth, and let gravity pull out the wrinkles.
Storing an Electric Blanket
During warm weather, electric blankets and heated mattress pads are usually stored away. Follow this checklist to ensure your blanket is stored properly and ready for that first cold snap.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
- After unplugging the controls from the blanket and wall, check for any exposed wiring, scorched areas, rips, or tears. Determine if repairs can be made or if the blanket should be replaced.
- Before storing, wash and dry the blanket carefully. Be sure it's completely dry before storing. Check the controls and cords for any cracks or darkened areas.
If you find these, the blanket should be replaced. - Once the blanket is clean and completely dry, roll the blanket or pad gently. Don't create sharp, hard folds because they could damage the inner wires. Store in a dry, climate-controlled, and insect- and rodent-free space.
- The controls and cords should be stored unplugged from the blanket or pad. Loosely coil the cords, being sure not to crimp or pinch them. Place the cords and bedding together in a soft cloth bag or plastic container to prevent dust from settling.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
How Often to Wash an Electric Blanket
A machine-washable electric blanket can be washed every couple of weeks or once a month during the cold season. Treat it gently, however, by alternating between air-drying and machine-drying as an extra measure to keep the interior connections of the blanket in good shape.
Tips for Washing Electric Blankets
- If your washer isn't large enough to hold the blanket, it can be hand-washed in the bathtub.
Use cool water, a small amount of detergent, and gentle squeezing. Don't wring the blanket or pad. - Electric blankets or heated mattress pads should never be dry-cleaned. The chemicals used in the process can damage the wire insulation.
- Don't place electric bedding in a commercial dryer that uses very high temperatures, which can also damage the wiring.
- Modern electric blankets can be washed because the heating element is completely encased in fireproof and waterproof insulation, but you still need to treat the blanket with TLC (for example, don't crush it) to keep the heating grid safe and intact.
- As an electric blanket ages, it becomes more prone to electrical shorts and other problems. It's best to replace electric blankets that are more than 10 years old.
FAQ
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Most newer electric blankets can be washed in a machine without causing damage, but some older blankets should be hand-washed only; follow the advice of the care label regarding how to wash.
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Partial drying at a low temperature setting is okay, but the drying should be completed on a clothesline or drying rack. High dryer heat can damage the wiring of an electric blanket.
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Remove all power cords, then fill a bathtub or large wash tub with cold water and a small dose of mild laundry detergent. Let the blanket soak for several minutes, then agitate it in the water for several more minutes. Drain the soapy water, then fill the tub with clear water and agitate the blanket to rinse it.
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A notable number of house fires have been traced to dogs and cats chewing through electric blankets provided by well-meaning owners hoping to keep their chilly pets comfortable. Pets are responsible for about 1,000 house fires each year, many of them started by animals chewing through electric cords and heated blankets. It's better to use a heated pet bed that is specifically designed for dogs and cats rather than to give your pet a standard electric blanket.
The 10 Best Weighted Blankets, Tested by Us
Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pet Fire Safety. Red Cross.
How to wash a heated blanket
An electric blanket is a great way to add an extra layer of warmth and comfort. Washing a heated blanket is much easier than you think.
Is the electric blanket washable
Most electric blankets can be machine washed and even tumble dried. But before you toss yours into your next load of laundry, read the duvet care instructions.
Different blankets may have different washing instructions. For example, deya recommends pre-soaking a duvet and then washing it in cold water and mild soap for two minutes. Another blanket manufacturer, Sleepme, makes electric blankets with weighted inserts.
They recommend removing the insert and then washing only the outer cover on a ticklish cycle. nine0003
Materials needed to wash the heated blanket
Depending on the care instructions, here are some items you may need to wash your electric blanket.
- Washing machine
- Dryer or dryer/clothes line
- Laundry detergent
- Clean fabrics (if required for stains)
How to wash an electric blanket
Washing a heated blanket is easy, but you usually need to do a few things to prepare the blanket for the washing machine. Below are step by step instructions. nine0003
- Remove cords
Electric blanket cords allow electricity to pass from the outlet to the blanket. Electrical cords must not be immersed in water. Damage to the cords can cause the blanket to malfunction or stop completely. In order not to damage the blanket, it is better to disconnect all connected cords.
- View washing instructions for duvet
Somewhere on the duvet or in the information that comes with it, there will be washing and drying instructions.
They usually specify whether the comforter can be machine washed or hand washed, which washing machine cycle to use, how to dry, and even sometimes the characteristics of the soap. It is important to read them before washing the blanket. nine0003
If the washing instructions indicate that the duvet should be washed by hand, proceed to the fourth step.
- Run a delicate cycle
Most electric blankets should be washed on the delicate cycle. This helps to avoid misalignment or damage to the wiring inside the blanket.
- Hand wash
While most heated blankets are machine washable, some need to be washed by hand. In this case, remove the cords and fill the laundry tub with cold water and mild detergent. nine0003
After soaking the duvet a little, wash the duvet with your hands, just like shaking a washing machine. When you are satisfied with the amount of washing done, drain and refill the tub with water to rinse out the duvet.
Do this until all the soap comes out of the blanket. Wring out excess water and lay it to dry or machine dry on low if care instructions indicate it can be done.
- Dry warm blanket
Most electric blankets can be tumble dried at low temperature. Be sure to dry your duvet according to the manufacturer's instructions. If your duvet needs to air dry, try laying it between two towels to soak up excess water, then lay it out or hang it up to dry. You may be tempted to squeeze out excess water by twisting the duvet, but don't do it as this can damage the internal wiring. nine0003
How often to wash the heating blanket
The frequency of washing the electric blanket depends on how long the blanket has been used. As a general rule, you should wash your duvet when you think you need it. You may need to wash it infrequently if it's on a bed that doesn't get used often, or if you use it every night, you might prefer to wash the duvet every time you wash other bedding.
If you plan to pack the blanket, store it first. nine0003
When not to wash a heated duvet
Do not wash a heated duvet with cords still attached. Also, if the duvet care instructions suggest hand washing instead of machine washing, don't machine wash the duvet.
How to get rid of stains on a heating blanket
If you use the electric blanket often, you will definitely have to treat one or two spots in the end. In most cases, a normal wash will do, but if it doesn't, try mixing some laundry detergent with warm water and pre-treating. Using a clean cloth, apply the soap mixture to the stain. You can either leave this setting and then wash the duvet following the care instructions, or wash the stain with another damp cloth and then air dry. nine0003
I didn't know how to wash an electric blanket: my mother-in-law helped me out with advice. Now looks like new | Lifestyle
Winter nights make us want to crawl into a warm bed. An electric blanket helps us keep warm during the cold season.
But over time, this product gets dirty. For a long time I did not know if the electric blanket could be washed. Fortunately, my mother-in-law helped me out in time with advice. I will share with you the recommendations of this experienced hostess.
Hand wash
I learned that you can wash an electric blanket. But the process of cleaning it will be different from washing ordinary bedding. First of all, you need to read the instructions for the product and strictly follow it.
If you wash the electric blanket by hand, disconnect it from all sources of electricity. Fill the tub with warm water. Stir in a mild detergent. Place a blanket in the bath and let it soak for 15 minutes. Then rinse the product and gently squeeze to remove excess water from it. The electric blanket should not be wrung out. nine0003
Machine wash
If the tags for the product indicate the "machine wash" mode, then you can put the blanket in an automatic washing machine.
But before that, you need to disconnect all electrical sources from the product. It is also important how you place the electric blanket in the drum of the machine. This bedding must not be wrinkled. It must be carefully folded and sent to the laundry.
If the electric blanket is too large and does not fit in the washing machine, then it is better to refuse this type of washing. Take the bedding to the laundry. There it will be washed in special professional machines. nine0003
Washing mode
Set the washing machine to "delicate" mode. Wash your duvet with a mild (preferably liquid) detergent.
If the product is heavily soiled, it should be soaked. To do this, fill the machine with water and detergent, and then turn it off. Let the blanket sit in the soapy water for 15 minutes. Do not forget to turn on the rinse and spin modes.
Can you put the electric blanket in the dryer
Can you put the electric blanket in the dryer? But at the same time, you need to use a low drying temperature and set a timer for 10-15 minutes.
