How You Should Be Washing a Weighted Blanket With Glass Beads

Lately, weighted blankets have grown increasingly popular. Many consider them a necessity due to their ability to alleviate anxiety and stress while promoting good, deep sleep. However, as owners of these weighted blankets, you might have concerns about their maintenance. 

Today, we’ll discuss how to wash a weighted blanket with glass beads. We’ll also go over how to properly dry your blanket, as well as some other valuable tips and factors to consider when caring for your weighted blanket.

4 Steps How to Wash a Weighted Blanket With Glass Beads

What if we tell you there’s an easy way to clean your weighted blankets at home without jeopardizing the performance of your washing machine? Follow these steps:

Pretreatment

how to wash a weighted blanket with glass beads

You must first pretreat your weighted blanket using a stain remover to remove any stubborn stains. Pretreating these stains before washing helps prevent them from melting into the fabric during washing and drying.

If you’re dealing with oil-based or greasy stains, a few drops of dish soap and water can do the trick. It’s best to scrub the stains gently until they disappear. If there are no more visible stains on your comforter, consider it a sign to move to the next stage.

Take Off the Outer Cover

Many weighted blankets include a removable duvet-like, removable cover. If yours can’t be removed, make sure you know the fiber content to make informed cleaning choices. 

Before removing the weighted blanket cover, loosen the inner knots. Unless there has been a liquid spill or accident, you only need to regularly wash the cover. The inner weighted blanket only needs to be washed as an occasional deep clean.

Washing the Weighted Blanket

Assess whether your weighted blanket should be hand or machine washed. Skim through the instructions manual to help with this decision.

Machine Washing Instructions

how to wash a weighted blanket with glass beads

The good thing about glass bead-filled blankets is that they can be cleaned at any temperature. This is because glass beads do not melt in high temperatures.

Set the heat settings to warm and wash with a moderate detergent. Keep in mind that a washing machine can only handle blankets weighing 12 pounds or less without causing damage to the machine — take your heavier blankets to a professional laundromat.

Hand Washing Instructions

If you have a weighted blanket that isn’t compatible with a washing machine, try cleaning it by hand. Fill one-half of the bathtub with lukewarm water and add 1/2 cup of mild detergent. Feel free to increase or decrease the detergent amount, depending on the size of the blanket.

Remember, less is more when it comes to detergent. You don’t want to have a lot of product residue to clean up. To ensure the detergent is thoroughly mixed, swish it around in the water. After you’ve properly washed it, drain the tub and refill it with clean water. Then rinse and repeat the process until your blanket is soap-free.

Drying the Weighted Blanket 

Drying a weighted blanket all comes down to how and whether it can endure the heat. As previously mentioned, glass beads do not melt in high temperatures, it is safe to tumble-dry a weighted blanket. However, this still depends on the blanket’s weight and cover fabric.

Avoid tumble dryers with cotton-covered blankets — cotton shrinks when exposed to high temperatures. You’ll want to air dry the blanket in a cool, well-ventilated area, preferably on a day that isn’t too hot. If you’re going to dry your blanket outside, try to keep it away from direct sunlight.

For air drying, you can hang a weighted blanket over a well-ventilated structure or a drying rack. Remember to dry your weighted blanket horizontally and occasionally shake or flip it to avoid uneven weight distribution. The drying process may take up to 28 to 48 hours.

Maintenance Tips for a Weighted Blanket With Glass Beads 

Want to extend the longevity of your weighted blanket? Here are some tips to help you:

Do Not Wash Your Weighted Blanket Too Frequently

Washing your blanket too often will damage the fibers on the blanket cover or the blanket itself. Depending on how often you use the blanket, limit washes to once every two to four weeks. Try spot cleaning any food stains or spills as quickly as possible to avoid permanent staining.

Look at the Label

You’ll want to read the label first, as it’ll provide you with clear directions on what and what not to do with your blanket. Failure to follow the manufacturer’s exact instructions will almost always damage your blanket, not to mention your washing machine.

Keep It Tidy

how to wash a weighted blanket with glass beads

Keeping your blanket clean is one of the best ways to care for it and avoid having to wash it all of the time. Invest in a good duvet cover to keep the actual weighted blanket clean.

Wash Your Blanket Separately

It’s usually a good idea to wash your weighted blanket separately and not with other laundry. This reduces not only the amount of weight you put into your washing machine but also the friction within the machine, which can result in minor damage to your blanket’s soft fibers. This becomes even more important if you have a mink cover on your blanket.

Only Use Your Weighted Blankets in Bed

Choose the smaller versions of weighted blankets at work or on the couch. Smaller weighted blankets are easier to wash. They’re also easier to transport than their full-size counterparts. Because smaller weighted blankets are machine washable, you won’t have to worry as much about spilling food or coffee on them.

Bottom Line 

Your weighted blanket has many benefits and could become a regular staple for you, providing warmth and relaxation. So you must take special care of it and avoid excessive washing or using any chemical cleaning agents that may cause excessive damage.We hope our guide has helped you learn how to wash a weighted blanket with glass beads. If you’re still unsure how to go about it, consult a local cleaner or your blanket’s manufacturer.

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