How to Wash a Heated Blanket Without Damaging the Wiring

You have used your heated blanket all winter and it smells like it. The instinct to throw it in the washing machine like a normal blanket is understandable but potentially expensive. Heated blankets have internal wiring that can break, short, or bunch if washed incorrectly. The good news is that most modern heated blankets are designed to be washed. The bad news is that "designed to be washed" and "can survive whatever your washing machine does" are two different statements.

Step-by-Step Machine Washing

Step 1: Disconnect everything. Unplug the blanket from the wall. Detach the controller unit and power cord from the blanket. Most modern heated blankets have detachable connectors specifically for washing. If your blanket's cord does not detach, it is likely an older model that may not be machine washable. Check the tag.

Step 2: Inspect the blanket. Run your hands over the blanket and feel for any areas where the internal wiring has bunched, kinked, or feels exposed. If the wiring has shifted or you feel bare wire through the fabric, do not wash the blanket. Damaged wiring can short during use after washing, creating a fire risk. Replace the blanket instead.

Step 3: Pre-soak. Fill your washing machine with cold water and add a small amount of mild liquid detergent. Submerge the blanket and let it soak for 15 minutes. This loosens body oils, sweat, and surface dirt without agitation that could damage the wires.

Step 4: Wash briefly. Run the gentle or delicate cycle for no more than 2 minutes of actual wash time. Some machines let you set cycle duration. Others do not, in which case manually advance the cycle to rinse after 2 minutes if possible. The goal is minimal agitation. The wiring inside your blanket is thin and the connections at junction points are vulnerable to repeated flexing.

Step 5: Rinse and extract. Rinse with cold water. Use the spin cycle on low to extract water, but do not wring or twist the blanket by hand. Wringing creates pressure points on the internal wiring that can cause breaks.

Step 6: Dry carefully. Tumble dry on the lowest heat setting for 10-15 minutes. This removes surface moisture and starts the drying process. Then remove the blanket and drape it over a drying rack or clothesline until completely dry. The blanket must be fully dry before plugging it back in. Moisture on internal wiring while electricity flows creates a short circuit risk.

Hand Washing Method

If your washing machine is aggressive even on gentle cycle, or if the blanket's care tag recommends hand washing, use a bathtub. Fill the tub with enough cold water to submerge the blanket. Add a capful of mild liquid detergent. Submerge the blanket and gently press it up and down in the water. Do not scrub, twist, or wring. After 10 minutes of gentle pressing, drain the soapy water. Refill with clean cold water and press again to rinse. Repeat until the rinse water runs clear.

Drape the blanket over the edge of the tub to let excess water drip for 30 minutes. Then transfer to a drying rack. Hand-washed blankets take longer to dry because you cannot spin-extract the water. Allow 24-48 hours for complete drying before reconnecting any electrical components.

What Will Destroy Your Heated Blanket

Hot water can damage the insulation around the internal wires, causing them to degrade faster. Always use cold water.

Bleach and harsh chemicals corrode the thin copper or carbon fibre heating elements. Use only mild detergent.

Dry cleaning solvents can dissolve the wire insulation coating. Never dry clean a heated blanket.

High heat drying shrinks the fabric unevenly while the wires do not shrink, creating tension points that lead to wire breaks. Low heat for a short duration only, followed by air drying.

Ironing applies direct concentrated heat to the wiring beneath the fabric surface. Never iron a heated blanket.

Storing while damp promotes mould growth on the fabric and corrosion on the wiring connections. Ensure the blanket is completely dry before folding for storage. Roll rather than fold when possible, as fold creases create repeated stress points on the internal wires.

Frequently Asked Questions