An electric blanket is a wonderful thing. They make your beds comfier and cosier at the same time. But, the very reason why electric blankets are so useful is also what makes them so tricky to clean; their electrical element.

You’d be right in wondering whether you can wash an electric blanket full stop, but in this guide, we’re going to help you through the complexities so you can sleep in a more hygienic environment. So, for starters, can you wash an electric blanket, and if you can, how do you actually go about it?

Can you wash an electric blanket?

The short answer is, yes, you can wash an electric blanket, and that's probably a relief to many of you. But you also can’t just rip it off your bed and shove it in the washing machine. You’ll need to follow a few simple tips for washing your electric blanket safely. You need to make sure it stays fresh, and you don’t damage any of the blanket’s heating elements.

The good news is you can wash an electric blanket in the washing machine, or you can hand wash it, so you have options.

7 Tips for Machine Washing an Electric Blanket

Machine washing an electric blanket is the best way to clean it. Not only will it help with tougher stains, but it will eliminate odours and help keep it clean and hygienic. That being said, there are a few tips you need to keep in mind before you just shove your electric blanket in the washing machine.

• Check the label - make sure the electric blanket you’ve bought is definitely okay to machine wash. You’ll be able to see from the washing machine symbol on the label.
• Go for a short, gentle cycle - you want to minimise the risk of damaging your electric blanket or any of the wires inside it.
• Check for damage to wires or fabric - it’s essential to check an electric blanket for damage before washing it. If the wire heating elements are waring through or frayed, you should replace your blanket and definitely not put it in a washing machine.
• Choose mild laundry detergent - you want to use minimal detergent and opt for something that won’t cause damage. Don’t add bleach or harsher cleaning chemicals.
• Ensure any power sources and cables are disconnected - while this may seem obvious, it’s a step you can’t skip. Remove the power cord before you put the blanket in the washing machine. If you don’t have a removable power cord, you’ll need to hand wash your blanket.
• Remove hair before washing - this is more a general care tip than a safety tip, but you should use a lint roller to remove hair, pet hair and other smaller debris.
• Soak before washing to help remove stains - as you’re going to wash on a gentle wash without harsh chemicals; you should soak your blanket in cold water for a period of time before putting it in the washing machine to help loosen any stains.

Often it simply comes down to checking the washing instructions on your blanket’s label. Most modern electric blankets can be washed in your machine, but some older blankets can only be washed by hand. 

8 Tips for Hand Washing an Electric Blanket

Whether your blanket is hand wash only, or you simply prefer not to risk damaging your blanket or its heating pads in the machine, you may prefer to clean your blanket by hand. Many of the things you need to consider are the same when hand washing or machine washing. A few tips for hand washing an electric blanket:

• Remove the control box, power supply or cables - you don’t want to either electrocute yourself or cause damage to your blanket.
• Soak it first - leave it to soak for a good 10 to 15 minutes before you start washing it to help loosen any stains.
• Use lukewarm water - you don’t want to damage your blanket with hot water.
• Opt for mild washing detergent - this is to help keep your blanket soft and avoid irritating your skin when you’re cleaning it.
• Check for damage first - if there are any holes, frayed wires or areas where the wires are coming through the blanket, we’d recommend replacing your blanket.
• Make sure it’s completely submerged - when you’re soaking it, make sure the blanket is completely submerged for optimal cleaning.
• Do not ring or tightly squeeze your blanket while washing - an electric blanket isn’t like other clothing. If you squeeze it too roughly or ring out, you could damage the electric wiring or the heating pad.
• Carefully hand wash - you can squeeze it, but be gentle with how you do. Gently squeeze soapy water through it. Scrub particular stains but not hard enough to cause damage.

Removing Problem Stains and Odours from an Electric Blanket

Things get dirty; it’s a fact of life. Often it’s the things we’re most comfortable in that get the dirtiest too. We’ve all curled up to get really cosy and decided to eat snacks at the same time, or drink a hot drink, only for it to spill onto your blanket. Stains like this, and the odours that can come with them, can be hard to avoid.

For an electric blanket, you may want to try and spot clean them, but as we’ve already discussed, you don’t want to use anything too aggressive or abrasive on your blanket. Our tips for helping remove stains or odours from your electric blanket are:

• Soak your blanket for 10-15 minutes in lukewarm water following the tips for handwashing, with a gentle laundry detergent and the power supply removed
• Consider spot cleaning with a mixture of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle

Each of these tips would need to be used in conjunction with the recommendations for hand washing or machine washing your electric blanket.

7 Tips for Drying an Electric Blanket

Once you’ve got it wet, you’ll need to dry your electric blanket. And, unsurprisingly, it’s not as simple as putting electric blankets into the dryer and cranking the dial up. Our tips for drying your electric blanket are:

• Only partially dry in a dryer - prolonged time in a dryer could cause damage.
• Avoid using a commercial dryer - many commercial dryers run at a much higher heat than standard tumble dryers in the home.
• Use a low heat setting - you don’t want to damage your blanket, the wires or the heating element.
• Use a dryer with a big enough drum for it to tumble freely - anything too small, and you can risk your blanket and the wires getting tangled and damaged.
• Transfer to a drying rack when still damp - when it’s had a short dry in a machine, you’ll want it to finish drying before you reconnect it and put it back on your bed, so hang it on a strong drying rack.
• Consider allowing it to air dry completely - if your home is warm and airy enough; you could even just let your electric blanket hang and dry without putting it into a dryer if your house is cold though you could risk making it smell a little damp.
• Do not reconnect a powerbox, control cord or power until it’s completely dry - as with any electric appliance, do not reconnect any power until it’s completely dry to avoid damage or the risk of fire and harm.

Upgrade to a modern electric blanket and keep it clean

The benefits of an electric blanket are manifold, but they do need looking after and upgrading from time to time.

If you have an older electric blanket that’s awkward to wash properly, then we’d recommend upgrading to a newer, more modern model. New electric blankets - like Slumberdown electric blankets and Snuggledown electric blankets - allow you to remove power cords and the controller, which means you can wash them in a machine and even dry them on a short single standard spin cycle.

If your older electric blanket is damaged, we’d recommend getting a new one. Not only will a damaged blanket be impossible to clean, but you run the risk of serious harm if your wires are fraying or coming through the blanket.

At Sleepseeker, we offer a selection of electric blankets that are fully machine washable. All of our single, double, king and super king electric blankets are perfect for keeping you warm on a cold winter night with heating components designed to warm your blanket using low energy. We’re pleased to offer the best electric blankets to help you keep cosy.

We also offer a wide range of bedding, ranging from pillows and duvets to wellbeing bedding and mattress toppers.