Updated October 2, 2026
Step one: read the care label
Weighted blankets are made very differently. Many have a removable outer cover that is machine washable and an inner weighted insert with its own instructions. Some inserts can be machine washed on a gentle cycle; others are spot-clean only. Blankets filled with organic material such as rice or beans should generally not be soaked at all. Follow the manufacturer's instructions, including any stated weight limit for washing.
Wash the cover separately when you can
If the cover comes off, washing it on its own is the easiest way to keep the blanket fresh. A cover is light and goes in an ordinary washer. Many people wash the cover regularly and the insert only occasionally.
Why washer size matters
A weighted blanket might weigh 10, 15, 20 pounds or more dry, and the fabric and filling absorb water. In a small drum that weight can throw the machine off balance or strain the seams. Home washer manuals often state a maximum weight for a single item, and many weighted blanket makers advise against washing heavier blankets in household machines.
A large-capacity front-load commercial washer gives the blanket room to move and handles the weight more easily. A 40 lb or larger washer is a sensible starting point; heavier blankets do better in the biggest machines.
How to wash it
- Check seams and stitching for tears so filling does not escape.
- Use a gentle or delicate cycle if the machine offers one, with cool or warm water as the label directs.
- Use a mild detergent and a modest amount of it. Skip bleach and fabric softener unless the label says they are fine.
- Wash the blanket on its own so it is not tangled with other items.
Drying
Drying instructions vary even more than washing instructions. Some weighted blankets can be tumble dried on low heat; others should be air dried flat, since heat can damage certain fillings and fabrics. If tumble drying is allowed, a large dryer on low heat gives it space, and it is worth checking several times that the blanket is drying evenly. Make sure the blanket is completely dry before using or storing it.
How often to wash it
If your blanket has a removable cover, washing the cover with your sheets every week or two and the insert a few times a year is a common approach. Without a cover, the blanket touches skin every night and needs washing more often, which is one more reason a washable cover is worth having. Spot-cleaning small spills right away saves full washes.
Large washers at our stores
At 1st Class Laundry, the biggest washers on record are 120 lb in Glassboro, 80 lb in Pine Hill, Berlin and Atco.
If you are unsure whether a particular blanket can go in a commercial washer, check with the manufacturer first.