So, you’ve done all the research to find the best electric blanket out there, and it kept you toasty warm all winter. Now that it’s spring, you’d probably like to clean it.
You may think that it’s nearly impossible to clean an electric blanket, given the wiring on the inside, but it turns out that you can to wash an electric blanket pretty much the same way you would any other blanket in the linen closet. Electric blankets can even go in the washing machine and dryer — you just have to be mindful of how long you put it in for.
According to Sunbeam, one of the most popular makers of heated blankets, there are some very strict do’s and don’ts when it comes to cleaning electric bedding, but so long as you follow along with these instructions, you’ll be able to keep your blankets in tip-top shape.
The most important rule
Before cleaning or washing your electric blanket, make sure it’s not still plugged into a power socket. In fact, be careful to not get the blanket’s controller or power cord wet at any point during the cleaning process. If your blanket allows, be sure to remove any wiring that is detachable.
How To Wash Electric Blankets
Before placing your electric blanket into the washing machine, you should soak it in a mixture of mild soap and cold water for 15 minutes. Wellcare, another maker of electric blankets, suggests doing this in your tub, so that you have enough space to completely submerge the blanket. The amount of water used will just depend on the size of the blanket.
Once your blanket is pre-soaked, it can go in the washing machine on the gentle or delicate cycle for two minutes, according to Sunbeam. After that short cycle, remove it and rinse with cold water by hand.
Then, place it back in the washing machine for the spin cycle — or skip this step and move on to hanging your blanket to dry or placing it in the dryer.
Drying Electric Blankets In The Dryer
If you do your laundry at a laundromat or otherwise use a commercial dryer, Sunbeam says to avoid putting an electric blanket in there, as these dryers get too hot and can damage the wiring. It’s recommended to air-dry in those situations.
If you dry your blanket in the dryer at home, be sure to preheat the dryer on a low temperature for two minutes before adding the blanket. It can be dried in the dryer on a low temperate for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, remove the blanket and hang the blanket to dry without using clothespins. You can drape it over a clothesline or a shower rod.
Air-Drying Electric Blankets
If you’re using the air-drying method, simply hang your blanket to dry as soon as it’s out of the washing machine. Still refrain from using clothespins, as this could interfere with the blanket’s wiring.
The blanket must be completely dry before you try using it again. According to Housewife How To’s, you can expect to let it dry overnight.
Once your blanket’s nice and dry, however, your freshly cleaned blanket will be all the more snuggly the next time you plug it in!
Augusta Statz holds a B.F.A. in Writing from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She's an avid writer with a genuine sense of curiosity. She feels the best way to absorb the world around you is through fashion, art and food, so that’s what she spends most of her time writing about. More.
