How to Wash Electric Blankets - Safely & Correctly

Learning how to wash electric blankets can be easy if you exercise enough caution. Since these blankets utilize electricity to function, they have a circuit and a malleable heating element inside. Having fabric as an exterior makes electric blankets susceptible to dirt, stains, and odor. That’s why you need to wash them regularly. Nevertheless, like most blankets, the larger they are, the more difficult they can be to clean. This is because the large surface area makes it challenging to apply the cleaning agents evenly. Additionally, the sensitive interior of an electric blanket adds more to your concern. With that said, this article will discuss how to wash electric blankets safely and efficiently.

How to Wash Electric Blankets

Nowadays, some of the top-of-the-line electric blankets are more durable due to technological advancement, including the internal heating material. Therefore, it becomes less of a hassle to put them in washing machines. As such, learning how to wash electric blankets using one will be much easier. However, if your electric blanket is too large for your washer, you may need to do the washing by hand.

How Frequently Should Electric Blankets Be Washed?

Since electric blankets are beneficial during the cold season, they are frequently used during that period. In terms of cleaning frequency during the cold months, you should wash them at least once a month. This will keep your blanket staying fresh the entire time.

In contrast, you won’t need it during the hotter seasons, so you can store your electric blanket until required. However, when you do, make sure to wash it a week before you intend to use it. Don’t wait for the cold season to arrive without learning how to wash electric blankets.

How to Wash Electric Blankets - Preparation

Learning how to wash electric blankets starts with the proper preparation. Whether you are handwashing them or using a washing machine, it is essential to know which materials can help clean and which cause damage.

Here are the basic materials needed:

• Washing machine with a gentle setting (for machine-washing)
• Large tub (for handwashing)
• Laundry detergent (regular) - Choose a trusted brand that won’t bleach your electric blanket
• Clothesline - In the absence of a clothesline, any flat surface will do like a table or floor.

How to Wash Electric Blankets - 2 Ways

There are generally two ways how to wash electric blankets. One is by handwashing, while the other is through a washing machine. Here are the steps on how to execute both properly.

WARNING - Do not proceed until you have checked the electric blankets care tag. Ensure that it is safe to be washed. It may state a preference for hand or machine washing. If it states that it cannot be washed, then do not put it near water under any circumstances.

How to Wash Electic Blankets By Hand

After preparing the necessary cleaning tools and materials, it’s time to learn how to wash electric blankets by hand. You can wear laundry gloves for protection and use a brush with soft bristles.

Step 1: Disconnecting the Electric Blanket’s Cables

First and foremost, disconnect the blanket from its external circuitry. The power cords and cables are meant to be detachable so consumers can wash the blankets. Don’t worry about the port where the cord is connected since they are sealed. Because of this, there is no opportunity for water to seep through.

You don’t need to be concerned about the blanket’s interior since the heating elements are coated with waterproof components. If you have any doubts, you can refer to your blanket’s packaging and instructional manual. There, you can check if there are indications that it’s not safe to wash. If there is none, you can assume that the interior is safe from water seepage.

Step 2: Filling Up the Tub with Water

Next, fill the large tub with water. The tub should be large enough to contain the electric blanket without folding it.

The water inside the tub needs to be cold or lukewarm since extreme temperatures might damage the blanket’s interior. As such, tap water is generally enough. Just make sure it is clean enough for laundry use. The amount of water inside the tub must be enough to submerge the blanket completely.

Step 3: Pouring of Detergent

After filling the tub with lukewarm water, it is time to pour on the detergent. Whether it’s powder or liquid, the amount of detergent has to be similar to the amount recommended for regular blankets. After pouring in, mix the solution well until it is suitable for soaking.

When the liquid mixture is good to go, it’s now okay to submerge the blanket. If you don’t want to irritate your skin, make sure the detergent is gentle or mild. If it’s not, laundry gloves are a must.

Step 4: The Actual Washing

Next is the crucial part of learning how to wash electric blankets by hand.

Submerge your blanket into the liquid mixture. Do it gently to not damage the interior from being folded too much.

Once the blanket is completely submerged, allow it to soak for around 15 minutes. If you see tougher and more solid stains, rub them gently with a gentle brush to dissolve them. When the time’s up, press the blanket while submerged to remove the accumulated dirt.

Remove the blanket and squeeze it gently to remove excess water. Wringing can be a reflex during hand washing, but you should avoid this with electric blankets. Wringing the blanket to squeeze out excess liquid is not recommended because the force can damage the interior.

Next, prepare another large tub with lukewarm water inside. You will be rinsing the freshly soaked and squeezed blanket. Submerge the blanket quickly to remove any soap and gently squeeze to remove excess water. 

Step 5: Drying of Electric Blanket

Do not use any tumble dryer to dry your electric blanket as the heat can damage the interior insulation.

Instead, hang the blanket outside in the clothesline or any flat surface suitable for drying. Make sure also there is no direct exposure to sunlight.

If you are drying on a flat surface, flip the blanket to dry the other side after exposing one side for an hour.

Using a Washing Machine

Machine-washing is a whole lot more convenient compared to handwashing. It is less laborious and consumes less time for washing. Here are the steps on how to wash electric blankets using a washing machine.

WARNING - Do not proceed until you have checked the electric blankets care tag. Ensure that it is safe to be washed. It may state a preference for hand or machine washing. If it states that it cannot be washed, then do not put it near water under any circumstances.

Step 1: Disconnecting the Electric Blanket’s Cables

Just like with handwashing, all cables and power cords must be removed beforehand. If there is solid debris or dirt that you can remove by hand, you may do so. Although washing machines are reliable, it doesn’t hurt to be sure.

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Step 2: Adding of Cleaning Agents

Like handwashing, fill the machine with lukewarm water and add the recommended amount of detergent. Since the machine’s main operation involves rotating the contents, there is no need to mix the liquid mixture by hand.

Next, submerge the blanket into the mixture gently. Close the lid and prepare to adjust the washing machine controls.

Step 3: Setting the Washing Machine’s Controls

In this critical part of learning how to wash electric blankets through the machine, let’s clarify one thing: treat the blanket as a delicate material. As such, you need to set the controls to the gentlest setting available.

Also, set the timer at precisely 2 minutes. That time is enough for the blanket to be thoroughly washed. If the washing time takes longer than 2 minutes, it might increase the chances of damaging the interior.

Step 4: Rinsing of Electric Blanket

Once the two minutes for washing are done, proceed to the rinsing cycle and spinning cycle. These cycles ensure that suds are removed from the blanket. There are washing machines that have these cycles automated. Make sure that the rinse and spin cycles are still set to the gentlest option.

Step 5: Drying of Electric Blanket

See the drying section under the hand washing heading. The best way to dry an electric blanket is air drying flat out of direct sunlight. You can use the dryer for the drying stage, but you must choose a cool or air-dry setting. Additionally, you must limit it to 20 minutes only. Any longer than that might damage the blanket’s interior. If the blanket is still not completely dry after that period, you can hang it on your clothesline or a flat surface. 

Ironing an Electric Blanket

Although the electric blankets are made from fabric, you don’t need to iron them after drying since the heat can damage the internal insulation.

WARNING - Don't iron an electric blanket

Problems with Cleaning Electric Blankets

There can be situations during washing wherein you doubt whether to proceed or not. Here are the everyday questionable problems you may encounter as you are learning how to wash electric blankets.

• If you don’t have a large tub for handwashing, you can learn how to wash electric blankets using a bathtub.
• As much as possible, don’t choose to dry-clean electric blankets unless the tag specifically asks you to. Always have them cleaned through washing.
• To prevent the blanket’s interior from deteriorating over time, avoid using fabric softener or chlorine bleach.
• If somehow you make a mistake with the procedures such as wringing the blanket unintentionally or setting the washing machine to a less gentle option, stop what you’re doing immediately and dry the material.

After being completely dry, check the blanket’s operation in a safe place, like a balcony. Carefully observe if there are any damages.

If you have any double about the safety of your electric blanket, take it to an electrician or electric blanket expert for testing.

How to Wash Electric Blankets – In Conclusion

The importance of knowing how to wash electric blankets is crucial to the materials’ safety and longevity. Making a mistake might damage the interior unknowingly and might cause serious injuries when plugged into electricity.