Trystan Casey
Electric blankets are a cosy way to keep warm, but they can be a little tricky to clean. Most electric blankets can be washed, but it's important to check the manufacturer's guidelines on the product's care label before you start. In general, electric blankets should be washed on a delicate or gentle cycle to avoid damaging the wiring inside the blanket. They should also be washed separately from other clothing. While some electric blankets can be machine washed, others must be hand washed.
How to Wash an Electric Throw
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wash by hand or machine? | Most electric throws can be washed in a machine, but some must be hand-washed. |
| Machine wash instructions | Remove all cords and controls, use a gentle cycle setting, and wash in cool to warm water with a mild detergent. |
| Hand wash instructions | Remove all cords and controls, fill a bathtub or large washtub with cold water and a small amount of mild detergent, let the blanket soak, agitate it in the water, drain the soapy water, refill the tub with clear water, agitate the blanket to rinse it, and gently squeeze out excess water. |
| Stain removal | Pretreat stains by wetting them and dabbing them with a mild detergent. Let the detergent sit for 20 minutes, then pat the stain with a warm, damp cloth or gently rub it with a toothbrush until the stain is gone. |
| Drying | Most electric throws can be tumble-dried on a low setting, but some must be air-dried. If air-drying, lay the throw flat between two towels to soak up excess water, then hang it up to dry. |
| Frequency of washing | Wash the throw at least once a season or whenever you think it needs it. If you use the throw nightly, wash it each time you wash your other bedding. Wash the throw before storing it. |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the blanket for washing
Preparing an electric throw for washing is simple but requires careful attention to detail. Firstly, check the manufacturer's guidelines on the product's care label. Most electric blankets are machine washable, but some may require hand washing, so it is important to refer to the care instructions. If hand washing is required, fill a bathtub or large washtub with cold water and a small amount of mild laundry detergent.
Before washing, it is important to disconnect and unplug the blanket. Some electric blankets have wiring that can be fully disconnected from the blanket, while others have detachable remotes. If possible, remove all cords and controls to protect them from water damage. If the cords cannot be removed, leave them dangling outside the basin as you wash the blanket.
If your blanket has any visible stains, it is a good idea to pre-treat them before washing. Saturate the stains with a stain-removing spray, or gently rub a mild detergent into the stain and then rinse.
If your electric blanket is machine washable, it is recommended to wash it separately from other clothing as it may require a different wash cycle. Use a gentle or delicate cycle on a low-speed spin in cool to warm water to preserve the inner wiring. Avoid using bleach or fabric softener as these can damage the blanket.
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Machine washing
Firstly, it is important to unplug the electric throw and disconnect the power cord and controller. The external cord and controller should not be submerged in water, so ensure these are removed before washing. If your electric throw has a non-detachable control cord, it is best to hand wash the item instead.
Next, check the electric throw for any stains and pre-treat them. You can do this by applying a solution of cool water and liquid dish soap or laundry detergent to the stain and gently scrubbing it with a soft brush. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes before placing the throw in the washing machine.
When loading the machine, place the electric throw loosely around the agitator or impeller for a top-loading washer, or evenly inside the washer drum for a front-loading washer. Avoid balling up the throw, as this can create an unbalanced load. It is recommended to use a large-capacity washer that can accommodate bulky items. If the load is unbalanced, you can add other blankets or towels to even it out.
Once the machine is loaded, add a small amount of mild detergent to the dispenser. Select a gentle or delicate wash cycle with a low-speed spin setting and a cool to warm water temperature. Avoid using bleach or harsh chemicals, and do not add any extra spin cycles as these could damage the electric throw.
After washing, dry the item on a low setting in the tumble dryer or air dry it. Ensure the electric throw is completely dry before reconnecting the power cord and using it again.
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Hand washing
To hand wash an electric throw, first unplug the throw and detach the power cord/controller. It is important that you do not submerge the cord or controller in water, as this may cause damage. If your throw has any stains, spot clean them with a clean sponge or toothbrush.
Next, fill a tub or large sink with cool to warm water. Most manufacturers recommend soaking the throw for 5-15 minutes. Add a small amount of mild detergent to the water and swish the throw around for a minute or two. Do not use bleach or other harsh chemicals, as these can damage the wiring.
After washing the throw, drain the soapy water and refill the tub with clean water. Swish and squeeze the blanket to rinse. Repeat this process until all the soap is removed. Then, gently squeeze out the excess water, being careful not to twist or wring the throw, as this can damage the wires.
Finally, dry the throw. You can use a tumble dryer on low heat for 15 minutes to quickly remove excess water, but do not leave the throw in the dryer for longer than this, as it may shrink. Finish air-drying the throw on a rack, over a laundry line, or draped between two chairs. Flip it occasionally to help it dry evenly, which will take about 8-12 hours. Make sure the throw is completely dry before plugging it in and using it again.
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Drying
Firstly, check your electric throw's care label for specific instructions. Some throws may require a brief "pre-heating" period in the dryer, while others may have specific guidelines on drying time and temperature. If no instructions are provided, you can follow the general guidelines below.
If you choose to machine dry your electric throw, set your dryer to a low or cool temperature. It is important to ensure that your dryer is large enough for the throw to tumble freely. If your dryer is too small, consider air drying instead. For optimal results, partially dry your throw in the dryer for around 20 minutes, then remove it while it is still damp.
Next, finish air-drying your throw. Hang it over a clothesline or drying rack, or drape it over a shower rod that can bear its weight. Do not use clothespins as they may damage the wiring. Allow your throw to air dry completely before resuming use.
When drying your electric throw, it is crucial to avoid high heat as it can shrink the blanket and damage the wires' insulation. Additionally, do not dry clean your throw unless specifically instructed by the manufacturer, as the solvents used in dry cleaning can be harsh on the inner wiring.
Finally, when storing your electric throw, avoid folding it as this can crease the heating elements and wear the internal wiring. Instead, gently roll it up and store it in a large protective container or bag in a cool, dry place.
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How often to wash
How often you should wash your electric throw will depend on how often you use it. If you use your electric throw nightly, it is recommended to wash it once a month, similar to how often you would wash a regular blanket. Otherwise, washing it every three to four months is sufficient.
It is also a good idea to wash your electric throw at the start and end of the cold season. This will ensure that your throw is clean and fresh for use and that it is stored away in good condition.
If you use your electric throw regularly, you may want to wash it several times per season. This could be as often as every time or every other time you wash your bedding, but at least once every two weeks.
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Frequently asked questions
First, check the manufacturer's guidelines on the product's care label. If it's machine washable, remove all power cords, then load the blanket loosely into the machine. Use a mild detergent and select a gentle cycle with cool to warm water to preserve the inner wiring. If your blanket is not machine washable, hand-wash it in a bathtub or large washtub with cool water and a mild detergent.
First, remove all power cords, then fill a bathtub or large washtub with cool water and a small amount of mild detergent. Let the blanket soak for several minutes, then agitate it in the water for a few more minutes. Drain the soapy water, then refill the tub with clean water and agitate the blanket to rinse it. Gently squeeze out the excess water and air-dry the blanket flat.
As a general rule, wash the throw when you think it needs it. If you use it nightly, you might want to wash it each time you wash your other bedding. If you plan to pack the throw away, wash it before putting it into storage.
Before washing your throw, spot-treat any stains. Wet the stain and dab it with a mild detergent, then let the detergent sit for 20 minutes. Next, pat the stain with a warm, damp cloth or gently rub it with a toothbrush until the stain is gone. Rinse the area and press with a towel to absorb any excess water. Repeat the process if necessary.
