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Home / Cleaning Guides / Things You Own / Electronics / How to Wash an Electric Blanket

How to Wash an Electric Blanket

Table of Contents:
  1. Machine Washing
  2. Hand Washing
  3. Additional Tips and Ideas

Tina asked: How do I clean an electric blanket? I lost the directions that came with the blanket. I’m sure I can use a lint roller to remove the dog hair, but that does not take care of the dog smell.

Electric blankets are wonderful for keeping warm on cold nights along with reducing heating bills. Some cringe at the idea of putting anything “electric” into the washing machine, but in this case, it’s safe and commonly done.

Machine Washing

You Will Need:

  • Mild laundry detergent
  • Washing machine

Steps to Wash the Blanket:

  1. Begin by unplugging the blanket.
  2. Lay it out on the surface of the bed or spread it out on the floor to check for any weak areas or areas of damage.
  3. Examine both sides for any places that wires are poking through the material or the material is becoming thin and could tear.
  4. If there are no signs of damage, you are set to move forward. If there are areas with damage, it will be necessary to repair them prior to cleaning.
  5. Remove the control box and cord from the blanket. These will become damaged and useless if submerged in water. They usually can be easily unplugged from the blanket for cleaning purposes. If you have trouble removing them, refer to the user manual for your specific blanket.
  6. Place the blanket in the washing machine along with a mild detergent. If the blanket does not comfortably fit in the machine, consider using a large capacity machine at a Laundromat or hand washing the blanket.
  7. Set the controls to delicate cycle using cold water.
  8. Next, allow the machine to fill with water and agitate for a few minutes to mix the detergent into the water.
  9. If the blanket is soiled, stop the machine at this point and allow it to soak for several minutes.
  10. Turn the machine back on and let it run for several more minutes.
  11. It is often not necessary to wash the blanket for an entire washing cycle and the agitation can be hard on the delicate wires and inner components.
  12. Stop the machine after several minutes of washing and forward it to the rinse cycle.
  13. Allow the rinse/spin cycles to run as normal.
  14. When the blanket is finished washing, it is best to allow it to air dry.
  15. If there is not time or space to do so, place it in the dryer until it is damp dry.
  16. Remove it and lay it over the back of a couch or over a shower rod to allow it to finish drying.
  17. When it is completely dry, replace the control box and plug and return it to the bed for use.

Hand Washing

You Will Need:

  • Mild laundry detergent
  • Bath tub

Steps to Wash the Blanket:

  1. Begin by unplugging the blanket.
  2. Lay it out on the surface of the bed or spread it out on the floor to check for any weak areas or areas of damage.
  3. Examine both sides for any places that wires are poking through the material or the material is becoming thin and could tear.
  4. If there are no signs of damage, you are set to move forward. If there are areas with damage, it will be necessary to repair them prior to cleaning.
  5. Remove the control box and cord from the blanket. These will become damaged and useless if submerged in water.
  6. Fill the tub with cool water and add a small amount of mild laundry detergent.
  7. Once the tub is filled, place the blanket in the water, and move it around so that it is completely submerged.
  8. Allow the blanket to soak for several minutes. Allow longer if the blanket is very soiled.
  9. Next, agitate the blanket in the water with your hands to help clean it and remove any dirt.
  10. Drain the soapy water and rinse the blanket well. It is often helpful to utilize the shower for rinsing.
  11. Rinse at least two times, three if there is a lot of soap.
  12. Squeeze the blanket after each rinse to remove the excess soap and water. Avoid wringing the blanket as this can damage the delicate wires and inner workings of the blanket.
  13. When finished rinsing the blanket, squeeze out as much water as normal.
  14. Hang the blanket to dry. A convenient place to hang it is over a shower curtain rod. Once it is mostly dry, it can be transferred to a more convenient location.
  15. Remove it and lay it across the back of a couch or even over the bed to allow it to finish drying.
  16. When it is completely dry, replace the control box and plug and return it to the bed for use.

Additional Tips and Ideas

  • Unless it is specifically stated that the blanket should be dry cleaned, avoid it because the wires and inner workings can become damaged by the solvents.
  • Though large capacity commercial washers are excellent for washing blankets, do not dry an electric blanket in commercial dryers. The heat levels are too high and can cause damage to the wires.
  • Consider wearing a bathing suit while washing the blanket in the tub as there is a good chance you may get wet.

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Susan

I'm a stay-at-home mom who used to run a small housecleaning business. These days I consider myself more or a mad cleaning-scientist. I do most of the testing for our articles - as well as helping Mark & Melanie write them.

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Comments

  1. Seval says

    October 4, 2012 at 6:42 pm

    Hi,
    Thank you for the tip on washing electrical blankets. I just can’t detach the cord and cover from the blanket. Do you know how to separate them? Thanks.

    Reply
  2. Shelly says

    July 10, 2013 at 12:37 pm

    Thank you; my cat peed on ours and we didn’t know how to clean it. Very helpful. Thank you soo much!

    Reply
    • Molly says

      May 17, 2017 at 11:38 am

      Cat pee won’t come out of anything. Trust me. You won’t smell it, but others will – on you. Plus, kitties like to re-offend where they pees.

      Best to buy a new one.

      Reply
      • Wendi says

        February 13, 2018 at 7:07 am

        Not true. Hot water wash, usually twice, will get it out, should be soaked in hot soapy water, then wash in washer on hot with detergent, let it soak again for several minutes, then proceed as directed. Hot water is the way to go.

        Reply
      • Gladyn says

        November 11, 2018 at 9:20 am

        I have been successful removing cat urine by a home remedy, which is alcohol and water. Get a spray bottle and put a few caps of alcohol in it and mist the area. If you continue to smell it then put more alcohol in the water. Good luck!

        Reply
  3. Jayme says

    July 27, 2013 at 12:03 pm

    Thanks for the info on how to clean an electric blanket. I use mine at dialysis every week and it has become really dirty. Going to wash it this weekend.

    Reply
  4. Lisa says

    September 26, 2013 at 5:34 am

    It’s been a year and wasn’t sure how to wash it until my brain came on and said, “google it silly; it’s the 21st century, duh!” Thanks for the tip on unplugging it first!!

    Reply
  5. Ondela says

    September 30, 2013 at 11:21 am

    It is such a relief to know that I can actually wash my electric blanket. However, I am still unsure about how to remove the control box or cord before putting the blanket in the water. Are you able to help me?

    Reply
  6. Ron says

    November 12, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    Your advice on how to wash an electric blanket in a washing machine is very helpful assuming you’re using a top loading washer. Unless I missed something, this will not work to well on a front loader.

    Reply
  7. Ian says

    December 3, 2013 at 9:24 am

    Ondela…Hiya, I agree 100% with you. I think I can remove the power cord where it joins with the “box thingy” that is actually attached to the electric blanket.

    But, I have no idea if you are supposed to remove the box thingy as well…? and if so, how…?

    My blanket was only bought and used in October 2013, so I am not too worried yet. However, when the time comes, probably summer, I intend to telephone my electric blanket manufacturer and ask specialist instructions, failing that my local fire station should be able to help.

    One thing I know for certain: you cannot put a electric blanket into a washing machine unless the box says machine washable. As for hand washing the box, should say suitable for hand washing only.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      March 5, 2019 at 4:11 am

      Very untrue. I’ve owned half a dozen or more over my lifetime. All of them had very specific washing machine instructions printed right on the dang blanket! That square sewed into the bottom of the blanket that shows which side is up? Yeah, just read folks. It’s not rocket science! And you should ALWAYS use COLD water for the washing on 90% of electrical blankets out there. The instructions printed above specifically for this webpage are correct and are mirrored image to instructions for my Sunbeam king electric blanket. Wash mine when needed. It’s a pain! Follow directions! Don’t allow to get hot in the dryer. That’s where you’ll kill it! Good luck.

      Reply
  8. Judy says

    January 24, 2014 at 11:30 pm

    I have just recovered from C. diff. Is there anyway to sanitize my electric blanket since the only thing that works against C. diff is hot water and soap or 10 to 1 Clorox solution?
    Judy

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      October 21, 2016 at 10:06 pm

      I think I would throw it away, and buy a new one. Expensive option, but you wouldn’t want to run the risk…?

      Reply
  9. Jennifer says

    March 6, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    Yipee! I’ll get to it at once. Thanks a mil!

    Reply
  10. Fernanda says

    April 12, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    My electric blanket is not that dirty. There are not spots, but it has been on the bed for a while, so I assume that just in order to sanitize it a bit, I should wash it. I am reading the instructions and then I get down to step 16 where it says to “spread it on the floor.” No matter how clean a floor is, it’s never clean enough. Should I place something underneath and wait for it to dry? Hair, dust, pet dander, etc…would settle on it. I don’t see the point of even washing it if then you have to place it on the floor.

    Reply
    • Avatar photoMelanie says

      April 13, 2014 at 3:52 am

      Fernanda,
      Once the blanket is mostly dry, you could just drape it over the bed instead of the couch or floor. However, it will likely dampen the bed sheets, which will then need to dried as well or be changed before you sleep on them. You could lay a spare bed sheet underneath the blanket while it finishes drying on the couch or floor. You might not want to use a plastic sheet (like a painter’s drop cloth or cut open trash bags) because they could hold in the moisture and not let the blanket fully dry on the bottom. Another idea would be to hang it over the shower curtain rod, or to tie a rope from two nearby doorknobs for a makeshift clothesline.

      Reply
  11. Meghan says

    August 23, 2014 at 8:37 pm

    I just washed my blanket in the washing machine & did NOT (well, could not) remove the “box” things (mine has two), and all seems to have gone well – I plugged it in afterwards and it turned on okay.

    Reply
  12. Pat says

    February 13, 2015 at 4:04 am

    Useful info – thank you.
    I normally put my blanket in a duvet cover to keep it clean.

    Reply
  13. Missy says

    March 6, 2015 at 2:18 pm

    That is a great idea Pat. Then you can just remove and wash the duvet!

    Reply
  14. Sally says

    June 5, 2015 at 10:38 pm

    It seems so straight forward. Thanks for the tips.

    Reply
  15. Karen says

    October 19, 2015 at 9:57 am

    Thank you Pat for the fantastic idea (why didn’t I think of that???); get a duvet cover and put the blanket in!!! Duh! LOL.

    Reply
  16. Ana says

    November 15, 2015 at 5:18 pm

    Do u have to wash electric blankets by themselves , or can you launder sheets with it in the delicate/soak wash too?

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      March 5, 2019 at 4:02 am

      By itself!

      Reply
  17. Vanessa says

    November 23, 2015 at 11:24 pm

    The cords were taken off of my electric blanket. It has not been washed, but now that the cords are back in, it doesn’t work. What could be wrong and what can I do?

    Reply
  18. Joanne says

    February 28, 2016 at 6:30 pm

    LOVE the idea of putting it in a duvet cover! Brilliant!

    Reply
  19. Marsha says

    June 30, 2016 at 11:38 am

    I have a front load and can not adjust how long each cycle can be. Would it hurt the electric blanket if want through each cycle?

    Reply
    • Avatar photoMelanie says

      July 1, 2016 at 2:47 pm

      Marsha,
      The agitation of the machine can be hard on the wires and other components in the blanket, so it is usually best to limit the agitation as much as possible. You can wash the blanket by hand instead, or take it to a laundromat that has a washer that can change cycles.

      Reply
  20. McKenzie says

    January 31, 2017 at 1:04 am

    How do you get the cords and wires out in a duvet cover?

    Reply
    • Avatar photoMelanie says

      February 2, 2017 at 11:09 pm

      McKenzie,
      Each blanket is different; consult the user manual for your specific brand/type or blanket. If you no longer have the user manual, you may be able to find it online or get information by calling the company.

      Reply

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