Can You Machine Wash a Weighted Blanket?
Most weighted blankets can be machine washed, but the machine’s weight capacity is the critical factor. Weighted blankets typically weigh between 4 kg and 12 kg — far heavier than a standard blanket. A home washing machine rated for 7–8 kg can handle a 4–5 kg weighted blanket, but attempting to machine wash a heavy weighted blanket in a small home machine risks damaging the machine’s bearings and drum seals. When in doubt, use a commercial laundromat machine with a large capacity.
Check the Care Label
Before washing, check the blanket’s care label carefully. Most weighted blankets with glass bead or plastic pellet fill are machine washable. Blankets filled with steel pellets or organic materials (rice, sand) are usually not machine washable and require specialist cleaning.
Common cover fabrics and their requirements:
- Cotton cover: Machine washable at 30–40°C
- Fleece or minky cover: Cold wash, gentle cycle
- Removable cover: Wash the cover separately; spot-clean the inner blanket
Weight Limits: Machine vs Blanket
| Machine Capacity | Max Weighted Blanket Weight |
|---|---|
| 6 kg machine | Up to 3–4 kg blanket |
| 8 kg machine | Up to 5–6 kg blanket |
| 10 kg machine | Up to 7–8 kg blanket |
| Blanket exceeds home machine | Use commercial laundromat |
Check your machine’s rated capacity in our washing machine capacity guide.
Step-by-Step: Washing a Weighted Blanket
- Inspect for damage: Check the seams and stitching before washing. Any loose seams should be repaired first — the weight distribution beads can escape during washing and damage the machine.
- Remove the cover if detachable: Wash the outer cover separately on a normal cycle. Spot-clean the inner weighted layer with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
- Load alone: Never wash a weighted blanket with other laundry. It needs the full drum space to circulate and rinse properly, and the weight can damage lighter garments.
- Select the correct cycle: Use the Bulky Items, Bedding or Gentle cycle. Set temperature to cold or 30°C maximum. Select a low spin speed — 600–800 RPM. High spin at heavy weight puts excessive stress on the drum bearings.
- Use a small amount of mild detergent: Use about half the normal dose of a gentle HE liquid detergent. Weighted blankets rinse slowly, and excess detergent is difficult to remove completely.
- Add an extra rinse cycle: Always run an additional rinse to ensure all detergent is flushed out of the thick fill layers.
Drying Tips
- Lay flat on a clean surface or drape over multiple rails — do not hang from one point as the wet weight will stress seams.
- Allow 12–24 hours for full air drying. Weighted blankets dry slowly because the fill retains moisture.
- Fluff and redistribute the fill every few hours while drying to prevent clumping.
- Tumble drying on a very low heat setting is acceptable for cotton and fleece covers, but avoid high heat which can damage pellets and seams.
- Ensure the blanket is completely dry before folding and storing — residual moisture leads to mould inside the fill layers.
What to Avoid
- Machine washing a blanket that exceeds your machine’s safe capacity
- Using hot water — can damage pellets, shrink fabric and stress seams
- Using bleach or fabric softener — can degrade fill materials and cover fabric
- High spin speeds — place excessive mechanical stress on bearings
- Machine washing a blanket with damaged seams — pellets can escape and jam the pump
After washing a heavy item, run a drum and filter clean to remove any fibre or pellet residue from the machine.