Let's be honest. That first time you look at your beloved weighted blanket and think "it needs a wash" can be a moment of pure panic. You've spent good money on it. It's your sleep sanctuary, your anxiety soother. The last thing you want is to open the washer and find a lumpy, ruined mess or, worse, a broken machine. I've been there. After years of using and recommending weighted blankets, I've seen the good, the bad, and the lumpy. The secret isn't just following the tag—it's understanding the why behind each step. This guide will walk you through every method, from quick machine washes to careful hand washing, and point out the subtle mistakes most guides miss. Skip this, and you're rolling the dice. Every blanket is different, and manufacturers know theirs best. Here’s a quick decoder for common tag symbols and what they actually mean for your blanket: Action Step 2: Check Your Washer and Dryer Capacity. This is the most overlooked step. A 20-pound blanket soaking wet can weigh 30+ pounds. Most standard top-loading washers have an agitator that can tear the inner baffles. Front-loading washers are generally better. Check your appliance manual for the maximum weight capacity. If in doubt, hand wash or use a commercial machine at a laundromat. Action Step 3: Inspect for Damage. Feel for any tears, open seams, or loose threads. Washing will aggravate any small hole into a big one, potentially releasing filler into your machine—a nightmare to clean up. If the care tag gives the green light, here’s the precise method I use and trust. This is my preferred method for blankets over 15 pounds or those with delicate covers (like minky or velvet). It's more labor-intensive but gives you complete control. You'll need: A bathtub or very large plastic tub, mild liquid detergent, and about an hour of time. Fill the tub with cold or lukewarm water. Dissolve a small amount of detergent. Submerge the blanket and gently press it down to soak. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Don't twist, wring, or scrub. Instead, use a gentle pressing and lifting motion all over the blanket to work the water through. Drain the soapy water. Refill the tub with clean cold water and repeat the pressing motion to rinse. You may need to do this 2-3 times until the water runs clear. This is the most important part—rinsing thoroughly. Drying is where blankets are won or lost. The goal is to avoid heat damage and prevent the filler from clumping in one corner. Use the lowest heat setting (air fluff or no heat is best). Throw in 2-3 clean, dry tennis balls or wool dryer balls. They'll bounce around and help break up clumps of wet filler. Check the blanket every 20-30 minutes to redistribute it. This can take several cycles. Be patient. Using high heat can melt plastic pellets or damage the fabric. Lay the blanket flat over two or three parallel clotheslines or drying racks. You must support its entire weight to prevent stress on the seams. Rotate and flip it every few hours. This can take 24-48 hours, depending on humidity. A fan in the room will speed things up. Never hang a wet weighted blanket from a single clothesline or hook. The weight of the water will strain the seams terribly. Deal with spills immediately to avoid a full wash. Always blot, don't rub. The best way to wash a weighted blanket is to not have to wash it frequently. Use a removable, machine-washable duvet cover. It's a game-changer. You can wash the cover weekly and only need to deep-clean the inner blanket once or twice a year. Avoid eating or drinking in bed (I know, it's a cozy vice). Use a top sheet between you and the blanket or its cover. Can I put my weighted blanket in the dryer if the tag says "tumble dry low"? My blanket smells musty after washing. What did I do wrong? Is it okay to use vinegar when washing a weighted blanket? The beads inside my blanket have clumped after washing. Can I fix it? How often should I actually wash the inner weighted insert?
Your Washing Roadmap
The Non-Negotiable Pre-Wash Checklist
Care Symbol
What It Means
Our Practical Take
Machine Wash (30°C/86°F)
Gentle cycle with cold or warm water is okay.
Stick to cold. It's safer for fabrics and fill.
Do Not Bleach
No chlorine-based bleach.
Avoid all harsh stain removers. Use oxygen-based bleach (like OxiClean) sparingly and only if the fabric is colorfast.
Tumble Dry Low
Low heat drying is permitted.
Use dryer balls or tennis balls to prevent clumping. Check every 20 minutes.
Dry Clean Only
Do not wash with water.
Seriously, don't wash it. Find a reputable dry cleaner experienced with heavy textiles and inform them of the weight.
Hand Wash
Must be washed by hand in water.
See our hand wash section below. It's more work but often the safest.
How to Machine Wash a Weighted Blanket (The Right Way)
Step-by-Step Machine Washing Instructions
How to Hand Wash a Weighted Blanket (For Delicate or Large Blankets)
The Critical Drying Phase: Air vs. Machine
Machine Drying (If Approved)
Air Drying (The Safest Bet)
Targeted Stain Removal for Common Spills
Proactive Care: How to Wash Your Weighted Blanket Less Often
Your Top Weighted Blanket Washing Questions, Answered
Action Step 1: Find and READ the Care Tag. This isn't a suggestion. It's the rule. The tag will tell you the maximum water temperature, whether machine washing is allowed, and the filler material (glass beads, plastic pellets, sand).
The Big Mistake Everyone Makes: Using too much detergent. More soap doesn't mean cleaner. It means more rinsing, more wear on the blanket, and a higher chance of residue. Use half the recommended amount for a normal load.
You can, but with extreme caution. Always use the lowest heat setting possible—often "air fluff" or "no heat" is better than even "low." The heat is more damaging than the tumbling. Use dryer balls and check it frequently to redistribute the filling. If you have the time and space, air drying flat is always the safest choice to preserve the blanket's integrity and lifespan.
A musty smell almost always means trapped moisture. The most likely culprit is insufficient drying. A blanket this dense can feel dry on the surface while the inner layers and filler are still damp. Next time, extend the drying time significantly, either in the dryer (with breaks) or over several days air drying with good airflow. For the current smell, hang it outside on a dry, sunny day. The fresh air and UV light can help. Avoid using scented products to mask it, as they can irritate sleep.
A cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle can be a great natural fabric softener and odor neutralizer, and it helps remove detergent residue. However, do a spot test first on an inconspicuous area. While generally safe for most cotton and polyester blends, vinegar can affect some dyes or specialty fabrics. Never mix vinegar with bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
You can often salvage it. While the blanket is still slightly damp, lay it flat and manually massage the clumps back into an even distribution. Use your hands to push and separate the filler through the fabric channels. For future washes, the combination of a gentle cycle, cold water, and dryer balls (or air drying flat) is your best defense against clumping.
With a protective duvet cover and a top sheet, you can get away with washing the inner blanket only once or twice a year. Frequent washing, even done correctly, adds wear and tear. Focus on washing the cover regularly. Wash the inner blanket if it has an odor, visible stains through the cover, or after someone has been sick.
