Your weighted blanket has become your favorite sleep companion, helping you drift off peacefully night after night. But after months of use, it's starting to look dingy or smell less than fresh. Here's the good news—you can absolutely clean your weighted blanket at home without damaging it or breaking your washing machine.

But here's the challenge: most people are terrified to clean their weighted blankets. Will the beads clump together? Is it too heavy for my washing machine? Will hand washing take forever? These concerns keep many blankets sitting unwashed far longer than they should.

The truth is, caring for a weighted blanket at home is simpler than you think. Whether you have a 15 lb weighted blanket, a 25 lb weighted blanket, or even a 50 lb weighted blanket, we will cover everything you need to know about washing, drying, and maintaining it for years of comfortable use.

Weighted Blanket Popularity

 Weighted blankets have rapidly evolved from a niche therapeutic product into a mainstream wellness essential, backed by strong scientific research and growing global demand. The weighted blanket market, valued at $1.9 to $2.1 billion in 2024–2025, is projected to reach $5.8 billion by 2030–2033, reflecting their rising popularity.

Consumers increasingly turn to these blankets for better sleep, stress relief, and support with conditions such as anxiety, ADHD, and autism. Studies consistently show improvements in sleep quality, reduced anxiety levels, and even relief from chronic pain. Research highlights deep pressure stimulation (DPS) as the primary mechanism, helping activate the parasympathetic nervous system and boost melatonin production within minutes.

Surveys also show high user satisfaction, with 85% reporting improved sleep and more than 75% recommending weighted blankets to friends and family. The most popular choices include cotton options and blankets weighing 10–15 lbs, which typically match the common guideline of selecting a weight close to 10% of the user’s body weight.

Before You Wash: Understanding Your Weighted Blanket

Check Your Blanket's Filling Type

Not all weighted blankets are created the same, and understanding the type of filling inside yours is essential before cleaning it. Different materials react differently to water, agitation, and heat, so the care method varies depending on the blanket's construction.

• Glass beads are the most common filling in high-quality weighted blankets. They’re small, smooth, durable, and typically safe for gentle machine washing. Brands like YNM, Luxome, and Hush often use glass beads because they hold up well through multiple wash cycles and provide an even weight distribution.
• Plastic poly pellets are another common option. They’re more affordable but slightly larger and sometimes noisier. These blankets can usually be cleaned using the same gentle approach as glass-filled versions, though poly pellets may clump more easily during drying.
• Sand-filled blankets require much more caution. Because sand absorbs water and becomes extremely heavy, these blankets may take days to dry and can easily become misshapen. Many should not be machine washed at all, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Organic fillings—such as rice, corn, beans, or similar materials—cannot get wet. Blankets using these materials must be spot cleaned only or taken to a professional cleaner, as moisture causes swelling, mold growth, and permanent damage.
• Knitted weighted blankets, like Bearaby’s popular cotton-knit designs, contain no beads or pellets. The weight comes from dense cotton yarn, which makes them simpler to maintain. These blankets typically respond well to gentle machine washing and lay-flat drying, with no risk of bead shifting.

Read the Care Label First

Before attempting to wash any weighted blanket, locate the care tag. Manufacturers provide specific instructions based on their construction methods and materials. How to wash a Tranquility weighted blanket from Walmart might differ from how to wash a YNM weighted blanket or how to wash a Luna weighted blanket.

The care label will tell you maximum water temperature, whether machine washing is safe, and appropriate drying methods. Ignoring these instructions can void warranties and damage your blanket permanently.

Inspect for Damage

Before washing, examine the blanket for tears, loose seams, or holes. Even small openings can lead to beads or pellets leaking into your washer—a problem that is nearly impossible to undo. Repair any damage with strong thread before cleaning. Once filler materials escape, the blanket can’t be restored to its original structure, and the weight will no longer be evenly distributed.

Know Your Machine's Capacity

Machine capacity is especially important when cleaning heavier blankets. Most standard home washers can handle around 15–20 pounds when dry, but weighted blankets become much heavier once saturated with water.

For example:

• A 15 lb blanket can weigh 25–30 lbs wet
• A 25 lb blanket may exceed many home washers’ limits

Heavier styles can strain motors, damage drums, or cause imbalance errors. Always check your washer’s weight capacity before attempting to clean a heavy blanket at home. Front-loading washers typically handle weighted blankets better than top-loaders with agitators, which can twist or damage the fabric.

How to Wash a Weighted Blanket in the Washing Machine

Step-by-Step Machine Washing Instructions

For most people, how to machine wash a weighted blanket is the preferred method because it's less physically demanding than hand washing. 

Here's the process:

• Step 1: Remove the duvet cover if your blanket has one. How to wash a weighted blanket cover is simple—treat it like regular bedding with warm water and standard detergent. The inner weighted blanket needs more careful handling.
• Step 2: Pre-treat any stains. If you're dealing with how to wash a weighted blanket that was peed on or has other stubborn stains, apply an enzyme-based stain remover to affected areas. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before washing.
• Step 3: Load the blanket evenly into the washing machine. Don't cram it in—the blanket needs room to move for proper cleaning. For how to wash a heavy weighted blanket over 20 pounds, consider using a commercial washer at a laundromat with a capacity of 5+ cubic feet.
• Step 4: Select gentle cycle with cold or warm water. Never use hot water, which can damage filling materials and shrink fabric covers. Add a small amount of mild, liquid detergent—about half what you'd normally use. Avoid powder detergents that can leave residue.
• Step 5: Skip the fabric softener. It coats fibers and reduces the blanket's breathability. Also avoid bleach, which weakens fabric.
• Step 6: Run an extra rinse cycle to ensure all detergent is removed. Soap residue makes blankets stiff and uncomfortable.
• Step 7: Remove promptly after the cycle ends. Letting a wet weighted blanket sit in the washer encourages mold growth.

Washing Different Weight Categories

How to wash a 15 lb weighted blanket is straightforward in most home machines. These fit comfortably in standard washers and won't strain your machine's motor.

How to wash a 20 lb weighted blanket pushes the limit for smaller home machines. If your washer is less than 4.5 cubic feet, consider a laundromat.

How to wash a 25 lb weighted blanket definitely requires a large-capacity washer. Most home machines can't safely handle this weight when wet.

How to wash a 30 lb weighted blanket through how to wash a 50 lb weighted blanket should be done at a laundromat with commercial machines rated for 40+ pounds. Attempting this in home machines risks breaking the washer and damaging the blanket.

Brand-Specific Washing Notes

How to wash a Tranquility weighted blanket (the popular Walmart brand) follows standard machine washing guidelines. These typically have polyester shells and plastic or glass bead filling.

How to wash a YNM weighted blanket or how to wash a weighted blanket YNM: These high-quality blankets feature multiple small compartments that prevent bead shifting. Machine wash on gentle cycle in cold water.

How to wash a Luxome weighted blanket: These premium blankets often have bamboo or cooling fabric covers. Use cold water only to preserve fabric technology.

How to wash a Hush weighted blanket: These Canadian blankets feature removable, machine-washable covers. The inner weighted portion can also be machine washed on gentle cycle. It also come with a 100-Night Money-Back Guarantee.

How to wash a Zonli weighted blanket: Similar to YNM, machine washable on gentle cycle with cold water.

How to Hand Wash a Weighted Blanket

When Hand Washing Is Necessary

How to hand wash a weighted blanket becomes necessary when your blanket exceeds your washing machine's capacity, has delicate fabric that can't withstand machine agitation, or contains materials that require gentler treatment.

How to wash a weighted blanket without a machine takes more time and physical effort, but it's sometimes the safest option. This is especially true for how to wash a 40 lb weighted blanket or how to wash a weighted blanket with sand, which can be too heavy or fragile for machine washing.

The Bathtub Method

How to wash a weighted blanket in the tub is the most common hand-washing approach:

• Step 1: Fill your bathtub with cool to lukewarm water—never hot. Add about one tablespoon of mild liquid detergent.
• Step 2: Submerge the blanket completely and press it down to saturate all layers. Let it soak for 15-20 minutes. For how to wash a sand filled weighted blanket, be extra gentle to avoid shifting the sand too dramatically.
• Step 3: Gently agitate the blanket by pressing and kneading it underwater. Don't twist, wring, or scrub aggressively—this damages internal compartments and shifts filling.
• Step 4: Drain the soapy water and refill the tub with clean water for rinsing. You'll need to do this 2-3 times until water runs clear and no soap bubbles remain.
• Step 5: Press out excess water without twisting. This is the hardest part—a saturated weighted blanket is extremely heavy. Press sections of the blanket against the tub side to squeeze out water.
• Step 6: If possible, get help lifting the blanket out. A soaking wet 25 lb blanket can weigh 40-50 pounds.

Spot Cleaning Alternative

How to spot wash a weighted blanket is perfect for freshening between full washes. Mix mild detergent with water, apply to stained areas with a cloth, gently scrub, then rinse the area thoroughly with a clean damp cloth. This works well for small accidents without requiring a full wash.

How to Dry a Weighted Blanket: The Drying Process

Machine Drying Guidelines

How to wash and dry a weighted blanket successfully means getting the drying right. Many people nail the washing but ruin blankets during drying.

If your blanket's care tag approves machine drying, use these steps:

• Step 1: Use low heat only. High heat melts plastic pellets, damages glass beads, and shrinks fabric covers. Even medium heat is risky.
• Step 2: Add wool dryer balls or clean tennis balls to the dryer. These help break up clumps and improve air circulation.
• Step 3: Dry for 30-minute intervals, removing the blanket between cycles to manually redistribute filling and check progress. How to properly wash a weighted blanket includes proper drying—never leave it running unattended for hours.
• Step 4: Check for damp spots, especially in corners and seams. The blanket must be completely dry before use. Damp filling breeds mold and mildew.
• Step 5: Expect 2-4 hours total drying time for a 15 lb blanket. Heavier blankets take longer.

Air Drying Method

Air drying is safer and recommended for most weighted blankets. Here's how to easily wash a weighted blanket by combining machine or hand washing with air drying:

• Flat drying: Lay the blanket flat on a clean surface, preferably outdoors on a sunny, breezy day. Flip it every few hours to ensure even drying. This takes 24-48 hours depending on humidity.
• Hanging to dry: Only if your blanket isn't too heavy. Draping over a sturdy clothesline or shower rod works for lighter blankets. Heavier ones can stretch out or break hanging structures.
• Indoor drying: Use multiple drying racks or lay flat on towels if outdoor drying isn't possible. Point a fan at the blanket to improve air circulation.

The challenge with air drying is patience. A 20 lb blanket takes at least 24 hours, sometimes 48 hours in humid climates. But this method prevents heat damage and maintains blanket structure.

How Often Should You Wash Your Weighted Blanket?

Most weighted blankets should be washed every 2-3 months with regular use. However, several factors affect this timeline:

Use a duvet cover to extend time between washes. You can wash the removable cover weekly or biweekly (treat it like regular bedding), while the weighted insert only needs washing quarterly.

Between full washes, air out your blanket weekly by hanging it outside or near an open window. This prevents moisture buildup and keeps it fresher longer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Don't Use Hot Water: Hot water shrinks fabric, can melt plastic pellets, and damages the blanket's construction. Always use cold or warm water maximum.

2. Don't Overload Your Washer: Cramming a heavy blanket into a too-small machine prevents proper cleaning and can break your washer's motor. How to wash a weighted blanket in the washer properly means giving it space.

3. Don't Add Too Much Detergent: More soap doesn't mean cleaner blankets. Excess detergent leaves residue that makes fabric stiff and can cause skin irritation. Use about half your normal amount.

4. Don't Use Fabric Softener or Bleach: Fabric softener coats fibers and reduces breathability. Bleach weakens fabric and can damage filling materials. Skip both entirely.

5. Don't Dry on High Heat: This is one of the most common ways people ruin weighted blankets. High heat melts plastic components, damages glass beads, and destroys fabric. Always use low heat or air dry.

6. Don't Leave It Damp: A damp weighted blanket is a moldy weighted blanket. Ensure complete dryness before storing or using, even if it takes 48 hours of air drying.

7. Don't Wring or Twist: This damages internal compartments and redistributes filling unevenly. Always press water out gently.

When to Replace Your Weighted Blanket

Even with proper care, weighted blankets don't last forever. Here are signs it's time for a replacement:

• Persistent odors that won't wash out indicate mold or mildew deep in the filling. This is a health hazard.
• Torn seams beyond repair that allow bead leakage. While small tears can be sewn, extensive damage isn't worth fixing.
• Significant clumping that can't be redistributed leaves hard lumps and bare spots. This defeats the purpose of even weight distribution.
• Loss of weight from bead escape over time. If your 15 lb blanket now feels like 12 lbs, it's not providing the intended therapeutic pressure.
• Fabric degradation including thinning, pilling beyond use, or holes from wear.

With proper washing and care, quality weighted blankets typically last 3-5 years. Cheaper blankets may only last 1-2 years, while premium brands can exceed 7 years.

Quick Reference: Washing by Weight

Here's a quick guide for the most common searches:

• How to wash a 10 lb weighted blanket: Home machine, gentle cycle, cold water
• How to wash a 12 lb weighted blanket: Home machine, gentle cycle, cold water
• How to wash a 15 lb weighted blanket: Home machine, gentle cycle, cold water
• How to wash a 20 lb weighted blanket: Large home machine or laundromat
• How to wash a 25 lb weighted blanket: Laundromat recommended
• How to wash a 30 lb weighted blanket: Laundromat required
• How to wash a 40 lb weighted blanket: Laundromat with commercial machine
• How to wash a 50 lb weighted blanket: Laundromat with largest commercial machine

The general rule: if your blanket weighs more than 40% of your washing machine's capacity rating, use a laundromat.

Final Tips for Weighted Blanket Care

1. Use a duvet cover from day one. This simple step reduces washing frequency dramatically and protects your investment. How to wash a weighted blanket without a cover is the same process, but you'll need to do it more often.
2. Rotate your usage if you have multiple blankets. This extends each blanket's lifespan by reducing wear.
3. Store properly when not in use. Fold neatly and store in a breathable bag or pillowcase in a cool, dry place. Never store damp or in plastic bags.
4. Quality matters. Well-constructed blankets with secure stitching and quality fabric withstand washing better. It's worth investing in reputable brands that use double-stitched seams and durable materials.
5. Follow manufacturer instructions above all else. When in doubt, consult the care label or contact customer service for specific guidance.

Conclusion: Keeping Your Weighted Blanket Fresh and Clean

Learning how to wash a weighted blanket doesn't have to be intimidating. Whether you're dealing with a compact 10-pounder or a substantial 30 lb weighted blanket, the principles remain the same: gentle washing, proper drying, and regular maintenance.

Most people can successfully wash their weighted blanket at home with a regular washing machine, as long as they respect weight limits and follow care instructions. For heavier blankets, a trip to the laundromat every few months is a small price to pay for the sleep benefits these blankets provide.

Remember that prevention is easier than correction. Using a washable duvet cover, airing out your blanket weekly, and addressing spills immediately will minimize how often you need to do a full wash. When you do wash it, take your time with the process—rushing leads to mistakes that can damage your blanket permanently.

Your weighted blanket is an investment in better sleep and reduced anxiety. With proper care, including regular washing using the methods outlined in this guide, your blanket will continue providing comfort for years to come. Set a calendar reminder to wash yours every 2-3 months, and you'll always have a fresh, clean weighted blanket ready to help you sleep soundly.

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