close
close

Mondor Festival

News with a Local Lens

    • How to wash an electric blanket
    minsta

    How to wash an electric blanket

    Pabio Posted on

    Before you begin, check your product manufacturer’s instructions. We include instructions on how to spot clean, how to wash by hand, and what you should do if you plan to put your electric blanket in the washing machine.

    Wait, what? Whether you’ve already realized it or not, many newer electric blankets can go straight into the washing machine without damaging the electrical components; However, you should always air dry the electric blanket and avoid using the dryer to protect the electrical elements.

    You’ll be shocked (not literally) once you realize how easy it is to wash an electric blanket!

    “You should clean an electric blanket at least once a season,” says cleaning expert Patric Richardsonwhose show The laundry guy can be streamed on the discovery+ application. “I would recommend, before putting it away for the summer, washing it thoroughly and then quickly hanging it outside or in a damp bathroom just before putting it on the bed.”

    Patric suggests that it’s best to air dry an electric blanket. “I wouldn’t put an electric blanket in the dryer,” he says. “The wiring, even with modern blankets where the heating wires are so small you can barely feel them, is just too fragile to run in the dryer long enough for the blanket to dry.”

    Patric says it’s best to let it dry flat or on the clothesline. You can also dry it by draping it over a deck railing, a drying rack or a folding chair in the bathtub.

    Shutterstock/Alena Ozerova

    Clean your electric blanket so it’s ready for use in cool weather. Always dry your electric blanket flat and avoid using the dryer.

    • oxygenated stain remover spray
    • large sink or bathtub
    • absorbent towels
    • washing machine
    • large drying rack or clothesline

    How to Hand Wash an Electric Blanket

    If your electric blanket’s electrical cord doesn’t disconnect completely or you have an older electric blanket, hand washing is your best option.

    1. Unplug and unplug the cover (if possible). Some electric blankets have wiring that will disconnect from where it is attached to the blanket. Others have detachable remote controls. If you can remove any of these components to protect against water damage, now is the perfect time to do so. If you can’t remove the cord, simply leave it and the remote hanging outside the sink while you wash it. Don’t overwhelm them.
    2. Pretreat stains. Saturate the stains with a stain remover spray and allow it to penetrate the fibers. Avoid harsh stain removal solutions like bleach.
    3. Prepare your sink. Your bathtub is a great place to hand wash an electric blanket because you can submerge it easily without having to wrinkle or fold it and disrupt the electrical components. Fill the tub with lukewarm water and add a small amount of liquid detergent.
    4. Fold the blanket once or twice and submerge it in water. Gently press the cover into the tub, allowing the soapy water to completely saturate the material.
    5. Drain the bathtub while the blanket is in it. Press the cover to expel the soapy water and let it flow down the bathtub drain.
    6. Plug the drain and fill the tub with warm, clean water.
    7. Rinse remaining soap from the blanket by gently squeezing the diapers in fresh water. (You may need to repeat this step several times until the bathtub water is no longer soapy.)
    8. Drain the bathtub again.
    9. Dry the blanket flat. Start by preparing a large, flat drying area for the blanket. Place several layers of towels on the floor to absorb extra moisture. Lay the damp electric blanket flat on the towels, gently roll up the blanket and underlying towels and press to extract excess water. Place it back in a flat dry position.
    10. After its initial drying flat, you may choose to air dry the blanket. Putting your blanket in the dryer can put the electrical elements at risk, but draping the blanket over a clothesline works well as long as you avoid using clothespins, which can risk damaging the wiring. It might even be convenient to drape the blanket over your bathroom shower curtain rod.
    11. Clean the controller and wires by hand. A slightly damp cloth or disinfectant wipe can be used to gently wipe the cord and clean around the controller buttons.
    12. Reassemble the electrical components. If you removed the cord or remote, you can reattach them once the blanket is dry.
    shutterstock_1264682536.jpg

    If your manufacturer’s cleaning instructions give the green light for using the washing machine, cleaning an electric blanket will be very easy for you. Front and top loading machines without agitators are the safest machines to use because they are less likely to damage electrical components. Follow these steps to avoid accidental damage.

    1. Unplug and disconnect. Your electric blanket’s cord and remote will likely unplug from a port right near the edge of the blanket.
    2. Pretreat stains. Apply a stain remover spray, if necessary, and let it penetrate the fibers.
    3. Load the blanket into the washing machine by itself. Keep it loosely placed and evenly distributed. Avoid putting anything else in the washing machine with the blanket, as it may get tangled and put extra strain on the threads.
    4. Use a mild liquid detergent and the delicate cycle. Using your machine’s gentlest wash settings, such as little to no spinning and one to two rinses, will limit agitation. Although electric blankets can be machine washed, the less time spent on rough washing them, the better. You can use cold or lukewarm water, but avoid using hot water during the cycle.
    5. Remove the cover when the cycle is complete. The blanket will still be damp, maybe even a little dripping since you chose a cycle that limits the amount of spinning. Carefully lift the electric blanket out of the washer without stretching or pulling on the electrical components.
    6. Air dry the blanket. Although some blanket manufacturers may suggest that a low heat setting in the dryer will work for your product, opt for air drying instead. Lay the blanket flat to dry or drape it over a clothesline or shower curtain rod.
    7. Reconnect the wires and test your coverage. Once the blanket is dry, you can safely reconnect the cords and remote controls. Spot check for damage by feeling the wiring throughout the coverage. You’ll also want to test the electrical components at this point, just to make sure all the coils are heating as expected.

    Patric’s pro tip: “If you’re going to machine wash (the blanket), put it in a large mesh bag,” he says. “This further minimizes falls and keeps it safer.”

    Shutterstock/Nuttachai Wantanaboon

    You can dry an electric blanket outside, but don’t use clothespins.

    Cleaning stains on your electric blanket is similar to cleaning stains on other linens in your home. If you’ve scavenged for food while snacking in bed or spilled your morning coffee on your bedspread, simple spot cleaning efforts will help keep your electric blanket stain-free.

    • Unplug the cover before cleaning.
    • Clean up spills early. Polyester and fleece are very easy to clean if you catch the stain early. Use an absorbent cloth to blot the spill or stain; no need to rub it.
    • Choose a powerful oxygenated laundry stain remover. Most electric blankets are made from a super-soft polyester or fleece fabric, and laundry cleaning sprays can often remove dirt and spills right from the fibers before your eyes. When you spray it on the spot, use a clean towel to blot it and absorb the stain and moisture.
    • Let it air dry.

    Pro tip from Patric: “If your blanket gets stale in winter, you can take it off the bed, unplug it and give it a spray of vodka,” he explains. “Vodka eliminates odors and freshens it.”

    Pabio
    View all posts

    You Might Also Like