The original scratchy, stiffly-wired heated blankets that regularly caused problems by overheating have long since been replaced. Modern blankets are incredibly soft, low maintenance, and equipped with safer, smart wires. While the majority still require an electrical connection to function, battery-operated devices are portable. Although cleaning a heated blanket may appear challenging due to the electrical component, the majority of available alternatives have rather simple maintenance guidelines. Follow these instructions to keep your heated blanket spotless, warm, and clean after washing it.
Read also: Best Ways To Clean The Trickiest Spots In Your House
How Often to Wash and Clean a Heated Blanket
The amount of use and whether or not you have pets who adore the heated blanket as much as you do will determine how often it needs to be washed. During the cool season, most blankets should be washed once a month, and always before putting them away for the summer. As soon as stains appear, always lift or wipe them away and spot-clean the area.
What to Consider Before Washing a Heated Blanket
- Even while you may machine wash the majority of heated blankets, make sure you always read the care label. To get rid of stains, some people might just advise spot cleaning.
- Make sure the drum of your washer and dryer is big enough to handle a blanket the size of a king or queen. There are further alternatives like using a commercial washer at the laundry or hand-washing the blanket in a bathtub.
- A heated blanket should never be dried in a commercial laundromat because the wires can be harmed by extremely high temperatures.
- Make sure the new heated blanket you buy has been approved by an independent testing organization such as UL or Intertek.
How to Wash a Heated Blanket
Prepare the Blanket for Cleaning
- Take off all of the controllers and cords from the blanket.
- Shake the blanket firmly (ideally outside) to get rid of any loose particles.
- Look for stains from food, coffee, or thick soil.
Pretreat Stains
- It is best to pretreat stains rather than wash the blanket.
- Using a dull knife or the edge of an old credit card, gently lift or scrape away any dried food.
- Apply a tiny bit of enzyme-based stain remover or laundry detergent to the stains.
- Before placing the blanket in the washing, use a soft-bristled brush to work through the cleaner and allow it to sit for at least fifteen minutes.
Select Washer Settings and Load the Machine
- Select cold water, the lowest possible spin speed, and the gentle cycle for your washer.
- Fill the washer drum or dispenser with laundry detergent.
- Avoid using fabric softener.
- It is preferable to wash blankets separately because most of them are rather large.
- To prevent the top load washer from tipping over, carefully wrap the blanket around the agitator if it is located in the center.
Choose a Drying Method
You can either hang the blanket on a drying rack or use your dryer on the lowest heat setting.
Tips to Keep Your Heated Blanket at Its Best
- Heated blankets shouldn’t be dry cleaned unless the care label explicitly indicates otherwise.
- Before storing a heated blanket, make sure it is completely cleaned and dried. Unplug the controllers, take out the batteries, and roll the blanket to avoid crimps in the wire. To keep dust from getting on the blanket, loosely coil the cables and put them, along with the blanket, inside a soft fabric bag or plastic container.
- If a pet nibbles on the blanket or if it starts to heat up unevenly, replace it.
Read also: Reasons Your Dishwasher Is Not Cleaning Dishes Properly