How to Wash a Weighted Blanket: Machine & Laundromat Guide

Weighted blankets typically weigh 10 to 25 pounds -- far heavier than regular bedding. That weight makes them challenging to wash at home, since most residential washing machines have a capacity limit of 12 to 15 pounds. If your weighted blanket exceeds your machine capacity, a laundromat with large-capacity machines is the best option.

Here is how to wash a weighted blanket safely, whether at home or the laundromat.

Can You Machine Wash a Weighted Blanket?

It depends on the weight and your machine capacity:

Check the care label first. Most cotton and polyester weighted blankets are machine washable. Some with specific fill types (like sand or organic materials) may be spot-clean only.

How to Wash a Weighted Blanket

1. Remove the duvet cover if your blanket has one -- wash the cover separately on a regular cycle
2. Check for damage -- Repair any tears or loose seams before washing. Leaking fill beads can damage the machine.
3. Use a front-load machine -- Top-loaders with agitators can tear the stitching that holds the fill in place. Front-loaders are gentler.
4. Wash on gentle cycle with cold or warm water -- Hot water can damage some fill materials and cause shrinkage.
5. Use mild detergent -- A small amount is enough. Too much detergent gets trapped in the heavy fabric and is hard to rinse out.
6. Skip bleach and fabric softener

How to Dry a Weighted Blanket

• Tumble dry on low heat or air-only setting
• Expect 2-3 hours for full drying due to the weight and density
• Alternatively, air dry flat -- drape over a sturdy drying rack or two chairs. Rotate every few hours for even drying.
• Do not hang by one edge -- the weight will stretch the fabric and distort the fill distribution

Washing a Weighted Blanket at the Laundromat

For blankets over 15 pounds, the laundromat is your best option:

• Use a large-capacity front-load machine (typically 30-40 lb capacity)
• These machines cost $4 to $8 per cycle -- worth it to avoid damaging your home machine
• Commercial dryers handle the weight and bulk much better than residential dryers
• Bring your own mild detergent -- laundromat vending machine detergent is often too harsh

Find a laundromat with large machines near you using LaundroMaps.

How Often Should You Wash a Weighted Blanket?

• With a duvet cover: Wash the cover weekly, the blanket itself every 1-2 months
• Without a cover: Every 2-3 weeks
• After illness: Wash immediately on warm to sanitize

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a weighted blanket break my washing machine?
Yes, if the blanket exceeds the machine rated capacity. Overloading strains the motor, drum bearings, and suspension. Always check your machine capacity (usually printed inside the door) before loading a weighted blanket.

Can I use wash and fold service for a weighted blanket?
Many laundromats accept weighted blankets for drop-off wash and fold. Expect to pay by weight -- at $1.25 to $2.50 per pound, a 20-pound blanket costs $25 to $50.

Sources

• Whirlpool -- How to Wash a Weighted Blanket
• Maytag -- Weighted Blanket Care Guide