An electric blanket is a great addition to your bed to get you through the coldest of nights and can also provide comfort and warmth when recovering from an illness or injury.

You may not think that you can wash your electric blanket with it being an electrical item, but the good news is that in fact, you usually can! The key to successfully washing your electric blanket is to expose it to water for the shortest amount of time possible and to also limit the time it is in the tumble drier for.

Your electric blanket should have initially come with some care information and have a care label stitched on to it that you can check for washing instructions, but if you don’t have the original information that came with it, read on for some tips on how to keep your heated blanket in tip-top condition.

Washing Your Electric Blanket

Preparing To Wash Your Electric Blanket

Before introducing your electric blanket to any water source, it is crucial to make sure that it is unplugged from the power supply and that any cords that are detachable are removed. Most modern electric blankets have internal wiring protected by a waterproof coating so that they can be washed. It’s also a good idea to give your blanket a good shake before washing so that you can dislodge as much dust, hair, and other debris as possible.

Washing an Electric Blanket In A Machine

Most electric blankets will come with specific washing instructions within the user guide or on the care label, so your first step should be to follow those. However, if you don't have the original information that came with the blanket, follow these steps:

1. The first step is to unplug the blanket so it's no longer receiving any electricity.
2. Unplug the electrical cord and controllers from the blanket.
3. Take the blanket outside and shake it to remove any hairs, loose dirt or debris.
4. If the blanket has a lot of pet hair on it, you should do what you can to remove hair before washing it. Many vacuums now have specific attachments for pet hair, lint rollers, or rubber gloves also work well to remove hair from textiles.
5. Check the blanket on each side and look for a manufacturer's label. If you can find one, look to see if it has cleaning instructions on whether you can use a washing machine or if you must wash by hand.
6. Pre-soak the blanket for 10 to 15 minutes in mild detergent and cold water.
7. Check the blanket for any stains you are concerned about. If they are still heavily soiled after the soak, you can also consider pre-treating stains using a stain remover.
8. If you are using your washing machine, choose the gentlest option your washer has and use cold water. You can also use a small amount of mild laundry detergent to freshen it up. Do not use bleach with an electric blanket.
9.  Rinse on a cool water setting.
10. Spin dry in the washing machine. Then, gently shape to its original size.

Washing an Electric Blanket By Hand

If you have an heated blanket that requires hand washing, or perhaps you have a large super king size electric blanket and your washing machine is too small for it, you can follow the below steps to clean it. Do not take it to a laundrette to use a commercial machine as these will be too rough on the blanket and may cause damage.

1. You can wash the electric blanket in a large plastic tub that fits your blanket or alternatively use your bathtub.
2. Fill the tub with cool water and a small amount of mild laundry detergent.
3. Put the blanket in the water and press down to ensure it's fully submerged. Set a timer for about 20 to 30 minutes – you don’t want to keep it in the water any longer than this.
4. Occasionally check on your blanket and move it around in the water with your hands to help move dirt off it.
5. Remove the blanket from the water. Use your hands to remove excess water but be careful not to wring the blanket too hard as this can damage the wiring.

Can You Take An Electric Blanket To The Dry Cleaners?

While dry cleaning might seem like the ideal way to wash your electric blanket, it actually has the potential to seriously damage it if the chemicals used are too harsh for the material of the blanket and the wiring inside. However, don't automatically rule out using a dry cleaner. Many dry cleaners are knowledgeable with how to clean heated blankets safely and may have alternate methods that do not involve dry cleaning chemicals. Speak with your chosen dry cleaner first to make sure they have experience with electric blankets before you choose this cleaning method.

Drying Your Electric Blanket

Machine Drying Your Electric Blanket

You might be worried about the effect of the dryer heat on the electric blanket's wiring, but it is safe to dry your blanket in a tumble dryer – although only with home dryers. Do not take your blanket to a laundrette to use a commercial dryer as these will be too hot and could damage the internal wiring. Here’s the best way to dry your electric blanket in a tumble dryer:

1. Place the blanket in the dryer and set it to the lowest possible heat setting. Avoid any high heat settings as these can melt the blanket's wires.
2. Set a timer for about five to ten minutes.
3. Remove the blanket after the timer ends. You should then complete the drying process by air drying which can be done on a drying rack, outdoor clothesline, or by laying your electric blanket on a flat surface.
4. When placing the blanket for air drying, you will need to move and gently stretch it with your hands to re-shape any areas that have gotten out of shape or appear to have shrunk during the washing process.
5. Make sure that the blanket is not positioned in such a way that the wiring will be bent out of place. Avoid using any clips or clothes pegs as well unless you're confident they are not pressing on the internal wires.
6. It may take up to 24 hours for your blanket to dry fully.
7. Feel the blanket in several places with your hands to ensure it’s completely dry before you return it to your bed and plug it back in.

Air Drying Your Electric Blanket

• Gently shape the electric blanket back to its original size.
• Drape it over a washing line or a clothes rack or alternatively lay it flat on a sheet/towel to absorb the moisture.
• If your blanket is laid flat, ensure you flip it every so often so that it dries on both sides, and change the surface that it’s on once it’s saturated with water.
• Ensure the blanket is completely dry before reconnecting the power cable and controls.

Things To Remember

So, to recap: you can definitely wash your electric blanket to keep it feeling and looking it’s best, but there are a few key points to keep in mind:

DO NOT dry clean your heated bedding product as dry cleaning solvents may damage the wires, plus the process may be too intensive for your blanket.

DO NOT wring the blanket dry as this could warp the internal wiring.
DO NOT iron your heated bedding product because the iron's heat can damage the wires inside.

DO NOT wash the power cord or the controller, or put them in contact with water.

DO NOT reconnect the heated product or use it until it is COMPLETELY dry.

It’s good to know that all of the heated blankets in the Sleepseeker range, from super king size, right down to single electric blankets are machine washable – just be sure to follow the advice in this article to keep your blanket in great condition, and it’ll be your trusty cold-weather hero for years to come.

At Sleepseeker, we are sleep and bedding experts. We stock everything from pillows and duvets to pillow protectors and wellbeing bedding.

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