You’ve had your electric blanket through an entire winter season, and now it’s looking and smelling like it. You want to throw it in the wash, but something’s stopping you. Those wires. That heating element. The terrifying possibility of ruining a blanket that keeps you warm on cold nights.
Here’s the short answer:
Yes, most modern electric blankets are machine washable, but how you wash them matters a lot. Do it wrong and you risk damaging the internal wiring. Do it right and your blanket comes out fresh, clean, and fully functional.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know: how to check if your specific blanket can go in the machine, the exact steps to wash it safely, what to do about the dryer, and what happens if you skip the precautions.
Check the Care Label Before You Do Anything Else
This is non-negotiable. Before your electric blanket goes anywhere near water, find the care label, usually sewn into one of the corners or along a side seam, and read it carefully.
Modern electric blankets from reputable brands like Sunbeam, Biddeford, and Beautyrest are almost universally machine washable. But older models, heated throws from no-name brands, or blankets with thicker or more rigid wiring may not be. The care label will tell you one of three things:
- Machine washable: You’re good to go. Follow the label’s specific instructions on temperature and cycle.
- Hand wash only: The blanket can get wet, but it can’t handle the agitation of a machine. Skip to the hand-washing section below.
- Do not wash / Dry clean only: Don’t try to work around this. Either take it to a professional cleaner or replace the blanket.
| 🔍 Pro Tip If the label has faded or you’ve lost it entirely, check the manufacturer’s website. Most brands publish care instructions by model number. A quick Google search of your blanket’s brand and model plus ‘washing instructions’ usually turns up the answer in seconds. |
How to Wash an Electric Blanket in a Washing Machine
Once you’ve confirmed your blanket is machine washable, follow these steps exactly. Cutting corners here is how wiring gets damaged.
What You’ll Need
- Mild liquid laundry detergent (avoid powders, they don’t dissolve as reliably)
- A mesh laundry bag (optional but helpful for extra protection)
- Access to a large-capacity washing machine
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Unplug the blanket completely. Remove the power cord and controller before washing. Never put an electric blanket in the wash with any electrical components attached.
- Pre-treat any stains. Apply a small amount of mild detergent or stain remover directly to any visible spots. Let it sit for a few minutes before washing.
- Set your machine to a gentle or delicate cycle. Use cold or lukewarm water, never hot. Hot water can damage the insulation around the internal wires over time.
- Use a small amount of mild detergent. Less than you’d use for a regular load. Excess detergent is harder to rinse out of the thick fabric and can leave residue.
- Keep the wash cycle short. Many manufacturers recommend running the machine for no more than 2–3 minutes on the wash cycle, then moving straight to rinse and spin. If your machine allows manual cycle control, use it.
- Run a full rinse cycle. Make sure all detergent is completely rinsed out before moving to drying.
- Spin gently. Use the lowest spin speed your machine offers. High-speed spinning puts stress on the wiring inside the blanket.
| ⚠️ Important If your washing machine has a center agitator (the spindle that sticks up in the middle of a top-loader), don’t use it for your electric blanket. Agitator machines are too rough on the internal wiring. Use a front-loader or a top-loading machine without an agitator instead. |
Can You Put an Electric Blanket in the Dryer?
Yes, with caution, and it’s usually the preferred method over air drying because it’s gentler on the wiring than letting it hang wet for hours.
Here’s how to dry it safely:
- Use the lowest heat setting available, or better yet, the air-dry/no-heat setting if your dryer has one.
- Dry for a short time only, around 10 to 15 minutes, then remove the blanket and let it finish air drying flat or draped loosely over a rack.
- Never dry on high heat. The insulation around the wires can crack or degrade, which creates a safety hazard.
- Don’t dry all the way through in the dryer. Aim for about 80% dry in the machine, then finish the rest with air drying.
What Happens If You Wash It Wrong?
This is worth knowing so you understand why the precautions exist, not to scare you, but to explain the stakes.
Electric blankets work through a network of thin, flexible wires woven through the fabric. These wires are insulated with a plastic or rubber coating. When you wash or dry the blanket incorrectly, too hot, too aggressively, or with too much spin, a few things can go wrong:
- The wire insulation cracks. This is the most common problem. Cracked insulation doesn’t always cause an immediate failure, but it creates a safety hazard over time, including potential for electrical shorts.
- The wires kink or bunch. Rough agitation or wringing can create kinks in the wiring. A kinked wire means that section of the blanket won’t heat evenly, or at all.
- Internal connections loosen. The connections between the wire network and the power controller are vulnerable points. Too much stress can loosen these connections.
If your blanket heats unevenly, has a section that stays cold, sparks, smells like burning plastic, or trips your circuit breaker after washing, stop using it immediately and replace it.
How to Hand Wash an Electric Blanket
If your care label says hand wash only, or you simply don’t have access to a front-loading machine, hand washing in a bathtub is a perfectly effective alternative.
- Fill the tub with cool or lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild liquid detergent.
- Submerge the blanket (minus any electrical components, which must be removed) and gently squeeze the soapy water through the fabric. Don’t scrub, wring, or twist.
- Drain the tub and refill with clean water. Rinse thoroughly by gently pressing clean water through the blanket. Repeat until no soap remains.
- Press out excess water gently, never wring. Lay the blanket flat on a clean towel and roll it up to absorb moisture, then unroll and lay flat to dry.
- Air dry flat or draped over a rack. Keep it away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Make sure it’s completely dry before plugging it back in, this can take 24 hours or more.
Best Electric Blankets That Are Easy to Wash
If you’re shopping for a new electric blanket, or your current one has given up the ghost after one too many wash cycles, here are some worth considering. All of these are machine washable and have detachable controllers that make laundry day much less stressful.
1. Sunbeam Heated Blanket with ThermoFine Technology
Sunbeam is the most trusted name in electric blankets for good reason. This model is fully machine washable with a detachable controller and 10 heat settings. The ThermoFine technology senses and adjusts to deliver consistent warmth. Available in multiple sizes and colors on Amazon.
[Amazon link: Sunbeam Heated Blanket]
2. Biddeford Microplush Electric Blanket
A softer, more affordable option with a plush microfiber surface that feels noticeably more luxurious than standard polyester fleece. Machine washable, 10 heat settings, and the controller detaches cleanly. Excellent value for the price, especially in the queen and king sizes.
[Amazon link: Biddeford Microplush Electric Blanket]
3. Beautyrest Heated Blanket with Foot Pocket
If cold feet are your main issue, the Beautyrest’s built-in foot pocket with its own heat zone is a game-changer. Fully machine washable, 20 heat settings with dual controls on the queen and king sizes, and made from a soft microlight fabric. A premium option that’s worth the slightly higher price.
[Amazon link: Beautyrest Heated Blanket]
| 💡 Shopping Tip When buying an electric blanket, always check that the controller is fully detachable before purchase, not just the cord, but the entire controller unit. Blankets where the controller only partially disconnects are harder to wash and more likely to be damaged in the process. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you wash an electric blanket?
Most manufacturers recommend washing your electric blanket once or twice per season, so roughly every 4 to 6 weeks during regular use. Washing too frequently adds unnecessary stress to the wiring over time.
Can you iron an electric blanket?
No. Never iron an electric blanket. The heat can melt or damage the wire insulation even if the iron is on a low setting.
Can you dry clean an electric blanket?
Generally no. Most manufacturers advise against dry cleaning because the chemicals used can damage the wire insulation. Always check your specific blanket’s care label, but if it doesn’t explicitly say dry cleaning is permitted, avoid it.
My electric blanket got wet in the rain / a spill. Is it safe to use?
Unplug it immediately and do not plug it back in until it is completely dry. Let it air dry flat for at least 24 to 48 hours. If the blanket was fully saturated, it’s worth having it checked or simply replacing it rather than risking a faulty connection.
How do I know if my electric blanket is damaged after washing?
Plug it in and run through all heat settings before putting it back on your bed. Check for any sections that don’t heat, any unusual smells, any visible damage to the cord or wiring, or any flickering in the indicator lights. If anything seems off, don’t use it.
Can you wash an electric blanket with other clothes?
No. Wash your electric blanket on its own. Other items in the machine add agitation and stress to the wiring, and they may also affect how evenly the blanket is cleaned and rinsed.
The Bottom Line
Most electric blankets can absolutely go in a regular washing machine, as long as it’s a front-loader or agitator-free top-loader, you’re using cool water on a gentle cycle, and you’ve removed every electrical component first. The care label is your starting point, and the steps above are your guide.
Treat it gently, dry it at low heat (or air dry), and your electric blanket should last several seasons of cozy winters before it needs replacing.
And when it does need replacing, the three options above are solid starting points, all machine washable, all well-reviewed, and all available with fast shipping on Amazon.
Related Articles: