Weighted blankets are often used for people with anxiety, autism, or other conditions that can be helped by deep pressure stimulation. The pressure of the blanket can help to increase serotonin and melatonin levels, leading to improved sleep and reduced anxiety. If a weighted blanket is not cleaned regularly, the build-up of dirt and dust can cause skin irritation and respiratory problems. That’s why it’s important to know how to spot clean a weighted blanket.
Some benefits of cleaning a weighted blanket include extending the life of the blanket, removing dirt, dust, and other allergens, and keeping the blanket looking and smelling fresh.
This step-by-step guide will tell you how to get stains out of a weighted blanket.
Benefits of spot cleaning a weighted blanket include:
- if the blanket is lightly soiled, spot cleaning can be an effective way to clean it without having to wash the entire blanket;
- point cleaning can be used to clean certain areas of the blanket that are more soiled than others;
- point cleaning can help extend the life of a weighted blanket by preventing it from becoming too dirty;
- point cleaning can take less time than washing the entire blanket.
What Does Spot Clean Mean?
Spot cleaning is a method of cleaning something (usually fabric) that involves treating only small, specific areas rather than the entire surface. This is usually done using a damp cloth or sponge and some kind of cleaning solution or detergent.
How Often Should I Wash My Weighted Blanket?
The frequency of washing a weighted blanket depends on how often it is used. A blanket that is used daily should be washed more often than one that is used only occasionally.
If the blanket is used daily, it should be washed every 1-2 weeks. If the quilt is used less frequently, it can be washed every 2-4 weeks.
How Do You Spot Clean a Weighted Blanket: Step-By-Step Instruction
Cleaning a weighted blanket can do a lot of good, including:
- removing spots and streaks: stains and streaks can be removed from a weighted blanket by cleaning it;
- freshening the fabric: a cleaned weighted blanket will have a fresher look.
- extend the life of the quilt: A weighted quilt that is properly cared for can last for many years;
- allergen reduction: cleaning a weighted blanket can reduce the number of allergens in the fabric;
- improved sleep: A clean, freshly weighted blanket can help improve sleep quality.
Step 1: Address stains immediately
If you leave a stain for too long, it will become much harder to remove. The longer a stain sits, the more time it has to sink into the fabric and set.
This will make it much more difficult to clean, and you may even end up damaging the fabric if you try to scrub at it too vigorously.
Start cleaning the blanket by gently blotting the stain with a clean paper towel. Be careful not to rub because if you rub the stain, it will spread. You could also damage the fabric.
Step 2: Run the stain under cold water
Running the stain under cold water helps to remove the stain by breaking up the molecules and preventing them from bonding to the fabric. Cold water is also less likely to set the stain, making it easier to remove.
If you’ve already absorbed as much of the stain as you can, the next best step is to run the stain under cold water. This will help remove any remaining residue and prevent the stain from setting in.
Step 3: Choose a mild detergent
Mild detergents are formulated to be gentle on delicate fabrics. They usually have a lower concentration of surfactants, which are the cleaning agents that remove dirt and grime. This makes them less likely to cause fading, discoloration, or other damage to delicate fabrics.
Apply stain cleaner, rub the sides of the fabric together and leave for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Rinse out the stain remover
Rinsing out the stain remover is important because it ensures that the stain remover will not damage the blanket fabric.
Rinse the blanket well so that no stain remover is left on it.
Step 5: Dry the weighted blanket
It is important to dry a weighted blanket after it has been cleaned of stains to prevent mold or mildew growth. If the blanket is not dried properly, it can also lead to the growth of unhealthy bacteria.
When you’ve dealt with the stain, put the weighted blanket in a well-ventilated place so that it dries completely.
FAQ
Why does my weighted blanket say “Spot clean only”?
There are a few reasons why your weighted blanket may say spot clean only. One reason is that the fabric of the blanket may be sensitive to water and may shrink or change shape if it is washed in a washing machine. Another reason is that the weight of the blanket may make it difficult to wash in a machine. Finally, the filling of the blanket may be made of materials that are not meant to be washed in a machine.
Can I wash the inside of a weighted blanket?
Yes, you can wash the inside of a weighted blanket. First, remove the cover from the inner blanket, if possible. Next, inspect the cover and inner blanket for stains. If you find a stain, soak it under cold water and apply a mild detergent or a nonaggressive stain remover.
What happens if you wash in the washing machine a spot clean only?
Washing a spot clean only may cause the item to bleed, shrink, or fall apart. Spot cleaning is the only recommended cleaning method for these types of blankets.
Also read:
- How to Get Rid of Bad Smell From Blankets?
- How to Get Rid of Static in Blanket?
- How to Get Dog Hair Out of Blankets?
Conclusion
The best way to clean a weighted blanket is spot cleaning. But spot cleaning a weighted blanket has both pros and cons. Pros include: being able to clean the blanket without having to wash the entire blanket, being able to treat specific areas, and not having to worry about shrinkage.
However, some cons include: it’s difficult to completely remove all the dirt and grime and rinse off the detergent. You can also damage the fabric.
We hope that our guide will be useful to you. If you still have questions, leave them below in the comments.
References
- Spot cleaning (How to Spot Clean Clothes, Upholstery, and Carpets) – https://www.thespruce.com/spot-clean-clothes-upholstery-and-carpets-2145887#:~:text=What%20Is%20Spot%20Cleaning%3F,prevent%20creating%20a%20bigger%20disaster.
- Paper towel – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_towel
- Water (water) – https://www.britannica.com/science/water
