Yes, most heated blankets can be washed, but only if the care tag says so. Unplug it, detach the controller and cord, then wash it on a short, gentle cycle with a small amount of mild detergent. Tumble dry on low for about 5 minutes, then hang it to finish drying. Don't plug it back in until it's completely dry, and never dry clean, iron or wring it.
Our heated blanket lives on the couch from November to March. Between movie nights, a dog who thinks it's his and one very sticky hot cocoa spill. I was nervous to put something with wires in the washer, so I read two manufacturers' manuals and a few fire department safety pages first. Here's what they say, in order.
Can you wash a heated blanket?
Usually, yes. Heated blanket makers such as Beautyrest and Biddeford give machine-wash instructions for their blankets, once the controller and power cord are disconnected. The wires inside are built to handle a gentle wash. What they can't handle is a long, rough cycle, high heat or dry cleaning.
Not everyone agrees. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue in Virginia advises against washing electric blankets at all, because twisting and tugging in a washing machine can damage the internal coils, and there's no way to look inside a blanket for damage afterward. So our rule is simple: follow your blanket's care tag. If the tag says machine washable, follow its steps. If it says spot clean only, or the tag is gone and you can't find the manual, don't put it in the washer.
What should you check before washing a heated blanket?
Run through this before anything goes in the water:
- The care tag. Look for "machine washable" and the washing symbols. Our guide to laundry symbols explains what each one means.
- The controller and cord detach. If they don't come off, the blanket isn't made to be machine washed.
- No damage. Fire safety services such as Cheshire Fire and Rescue say to stop using a blanket with scorch marks, frayed fabric, a damaged cord or wires you can see or feel through the fabric. Don't wash a damaged blanket. Replace it.
- It's unplugged and cool. Unplug it from the wall before you disconnect anything.
How to wash a heated blanket in the washing machine
These steps follow the Beautyrest and Biddeford manuals. Where your tag says something different, go with your tag.
- Unplug and disconnect. Unplug the blanket from the wall, then detach the controller and power cord. Keep them dry and out of the washer.
- Fill the washer first. Use cold water or warm water (Biddeford), whichever your tag says. Add a small amount of mild detergent and let it dissolve before the blanket goes in. Biddeford calls for "the smallest amount" of detergent.
- Soak. Add the blanket and let it soak: 15 minutes in Beautyrest's instructions, 5 minutes in Biddeford's.
- Wash briefly on gentle. Use the delicate or gentle cycle. Most washers don't have a 2-minute setting, so choose the shortest gentle cycle, or pause the washer after a couple of minutes and move it on to rinse.
- Rinse cool and spin. Rinse in cool or cold water, then spin. Take the blanket out as soon as the spin ends so it doesn't crease.
A heated blanket is a small load, so it needs very little detergent. Half a HeySunday laundry sheet is enough for a throw, and one sheet is enough for a full-size blanket. Swish it in the water until it dissolves, then add the blanket. Our guide to using laundry sheets has more on dosing.
Can you hand wash a heated blanket?
Yes, if the tag allows it. Biddeford lists hand washing as an option but doesn't give steps, so here's how we'd do it, using the same gentle approach. Use a clean bathtub with cool or lukewarm water and a small amount of dissolved detergent, then swish the blanket gently by hand for a couple of minutes. Don't twist or wring it. Drain the tub, refill with cool water to rinse, and press the water out by pressing down on the blanket. Our hand washing guide covers the basics.
Can you put a heated blanket in the dryer?
Only briefly. Beautyrest and Biddeford both say to tumble dry on low heat for about 5 minutes, then take it out and finish drying it in the air. Gently stretch it back to its original size, then drape it over two parallel clotheslines or a shower rod.
- Don't use clothespins or safety pins, which can damage the wires.
- Don't use a commercial dryer, like the ones at a laundromat. Biddeford specifically says not to.
- Don't run it in the dryer until it's fully dry. The short tumble just fluffs it and gets some water out.
We compare the two drying methods in air dry vs. machine dry.
When can you plug a heated blanket back in after washing?
Only when it's completely dry, inside and out. Biddeford says not to turn the blanket on while it's damp, and Beautyrest says not to use it wet. Air drying takes a while, so wash it in the morning and check that the inside layers are dry before you reconnect the controller.
Can you dry clean an electric blanket?
No. Biddeford warns that dry cleaning solvents can damage the insulation on the heating wires. If a dry cleaner offers to take it, say no thanks.
What not to do when washing a heated blanket
- Don't wash it with the controller or cord attached.
- Don't use a long or heavy-duty cycle.
- Don't use a lot of detergent.
- Don't wring it or put it through a wringer.
- Don't dry clean it.
- Don't iron it.
- Don't dry it in a laundromat dryer, or on high heat.
- Don't pin it to a line.
- Don't plug it in until it's completely dry.
How do you clean a heated blanket that can't be washed?
If the tag says spot clean only, unplug it, detach the cord and controller, and clean just the stained area. Dip a soft cloth in a little dissolved detergent and water, blot the spot (don't scrub), then blot again with a cloth dampened in clean water. Keep water away from the connector where the cord plugs in, and let the spot dry completely before you use the blanket again. If your tag or manual gives different instructions, follow those.
How often should you wash a heated blanket?
The manuals we checked don't give a schedule. Since every wash puts some stress on the wiring, wash it only when it needs it: when it's visibly dirty, smells or has a spill. Using a top sheet or a throw between you and the blanket keeps it cleaner for longer. For the rest of the bed, see how to wash sheets and how to wash a comforter.
How to store a heated blanket after winter
Let it cool and make sure it's completely dry. Roll it or fold it loosely; the Maine State Fire Marshal warns that folding can damage the internal wires. Store it somewhere cool and dry with nothing heavy on top, and skip mothproofing chemicals, as Cheshire Fire and Rescue advises. Before you use it next season, check it again for scorch marks, frayed spots and damaged cords.
Washing a weighted blanket instead? It works differently. See how to wash a weighted blanket.
HeySunday Laundry Detergent Sheets
Pre-measured laundry sheets in Ocean Breeze or Fragrance Free. Tear one in half for a small load like a heated throw.
Heated blanket FAQs
Can you wash a heated blanket with wires in it?
Yes, if the care tag says it's machine washable. Disconnect the controller and power cord first, use a short gentle cycle with a small amount of mild detergent, and dry it on low for about 5 minutes before air drying.
Can you put a heated blanket in the dryer?
Only on low heat for about 5 minutes, according to Beautyrest and Biddeford. Then hang it over two lines or a shower rod to finish drying. Don't use a laundromat dryer.
Do dry cleaners clean electric blankets?
Some may offer to, but you shouldn't. Biddeford warns that dry cleaning solvents can damage the insulation on the heating wires.
What water temperature should I use?
Follow your tag. Beautyrest says cold water and Biddeford says warm. Neither says hot.
How long should a heated blanket be in the washer?
Not long. Beautyrest says a 2-minute gentle wash after a 15-minute soak, and Biddeford says a 5-minute soak with slow agitation. Use the shortest gentle cycle you have.
How much detergent should I use?
A small amount of mild detergent. With HeySunday sheets, use half a sheet for a throw or one sheet for a full-size blanket, dissolved in the water first.
When can I use my heated blanket after washing it?
Only when it's completely dry. Don't plug it in or turn it on while it's damp.
Can you iron a heated blanket?
No. Both manuals we checked say never to iron a heated blanket.
Can you wash the controller?
No. The controller and power cord come off before washing and should stay dry.
What not to do with a heated blanket?
Don't wash it with the cord attached, wring it, dry clean it, iron it, pin it to a line or plug it in while damp. Don't use it folded or bunched up, and stop using it if you see scorch marks, frayed fabric or exposed wires.
Sources
- Beautyrest heated blanket instruction manual (BR54-0655)
- Biddeford heated blanket user manual: washing instructions and FAQ
- Fairfax County Fire and Rescue: electric blanket safety
- Office of the Maine State Fire Marshal: Guidelines for Using Electric Blankets Safely
- Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service: electric blankets
Author: Kat Benson writes about greener laundry habits for HeySunday, from cold washes and folding to dryer balls and dryer sheets.
