How to clean a heated blanket without damaging the wires

Step by step: how to clean a heated blanket without damaging the wires

Safety first. Never put the controller, power cord or plug in water, and never plug in or use a blanket that is still damp. If the cord or controller is cracked, frayed or loose, or the fabric shows scorched spots, stop using the blanket and replace it.

1. 1

   Unplug it and detach the controller

   Switch the blanket off, pull the plug from the wall, and let it cool for a few minutes. Then unplug the controller cord from the connector on the blanket itself. Put the controller and cords somewhere dry and away from the laundry area.

2. 2

   Read the care tag first

   Most heated blankets are machine washable, but the tag decides the cycle, the water temperature and whether the dryer is allowed. If the tag says spot clean only, follow it, and in any case wash it only when it needs it, since every wash flexes the wires.

3. 3

   Shake it out and spot clean marks

   Shake the blanket outdoors to drop crumbs, pet hair and dust. Dab any spots with a soft cloth dipped in water and a drop of mild detergent, working from the outside of the mark inward. For a small spill this may be all the cleaning it needs.

4. 4

   Soak it briefly in cool water

   Fill a top-load washer or a bathtub with cool or lukewarm water and add about 1 tablespoon of mild detergent. Submerge the blanket and let it soak for about 15 minutes. Soaking lifts dirt so the blanket needs only a short, gentle agitation.

5. 5

   Wash it alone on the gentle cycle

   Run the shortest gentle or delicate cycle with the blanket on its own, so it cannot wrap around an agitator or tangle with other laundry. If you are washing by hand, press the water through the blanket with flat hands rather than twisting it. Never wring it, which bends the internal wires.

6. 6

   Rinse well and spin on low

   Let the machine rinse and spin, or drain the tub and press out water with your hands. Run a second rinse if you see suds, because leftover soap stiffens the fabric. You should be left with a blanket that is damp but not dripping.

7. 7

   Dry it on low or flat

   If the tag allows a dryer, tumble on the lowest heat for about 10 to 15 minutes, then take it out while still slightly damp. Finish drying over a rack or two parallel lines, or flat on a clean surface. Gently pull it back into shape so the wires lie flat and are not bunched.

8. 8

   Reconnect only when it is fully dry

   Feel the blanket all over, including the thick edge where the connector sits. When it is dry everywhere, which can take most of a day, plug in the controller and run it on a low setting to check that it heats evenly.

What should you never do when washing a heated blanket?

Never dry clean it, bleach it, wring it or iron it, and never wash the controller. Each of these can damage the thin insulated wires that run through the fabric, and a damaged wire is a fire risk, not just a cold spot.

Iowa State University Extension notes that most manufacturers say not to dry clean an electric blanket, because dry cleaning solvents break down the insulation on the wires. It also says to skip bleach, keep the machine wash short, spread the blanket evenly in the drum, and never twist or wring it. Washing it by itself gives it room to move freely instead of wrapping around an agitator or other laundry.

• No fabric softener or dryer sheets: they coat the fibers and can leave the blanket stiff.
• No hot water and no high dryer heat: heat is what the wire insulation is most sensitive to.
• No clothespins along the edges: they pinch the wires in one spot.
• No folding into a tight square while damp: moisture trapped in the folds slows drying and creases the wires.

Throw, full blanket or mattress pad: does the method change?

The method is the same for all three, but the size changes how you wash and dry them. Check the tag on each, because heated mattress pads in particular vary by brand.

A cover or a regular blanket layered over the heated one takes most of the body oil and spills, so it is the layer you wash often. Our guide to washing blankets covers that part.

When should you replace a heated blanket instead of washing it?

Replace it when the cord, plug or controller is damaged, or when the blanket heats unevenly, smells of burning or shows dark scorch marks. Washing will not fix any of those.

The US Fire Administration says to replace any appliance with a cracked, damaged or loose cord, and to unplug small appliances when you are not using them. Iowa State University Extension adds that you should inspect a heated blanket each season for cracks or breaks in the wiring, plug and connectors, and for dark, charred or frayed spots on either side. Before every wash, run your hands along the blanket to feel for wires that have bunched or kinked, and check that the connector pins are straight and clean.

Store it between seasons rolled loosely or folded in large, soft folds, in a breathable bag on a shelf with nothing heavy stacked on top, so the wires are not crushed for months at a time. Skip mothballs and moth sprays, which the same extension service warns can break down the wire insulation.

Mistakes to avoid

• Washing the blanket with the controller or cord still attached.
• Using hot water or a heavy-duty cycle, which strains the wire insulation.
• Wringing or twisting the blanket to get the water out.
• Drying it on high heat or for a full cycle until bone dry.
• Plugging it in while it is still damp near the connector.
• Taking it to a dry cleaner, whose solvents can damage the wiring.