An electric blanket is a fantastic item at home, especially on chilly winter nights. An electric blanket is also extremely easy to use. However, keeping it clean can be a bit more complicated. So, can you put a wet electric blanket in your household dryer?
Electric blankets can be dried using a home dryer, but setting the device to the lowest possible heat is essential. Extreme heat can damage the blanket and result in fire hazards or electric shocks. After removing the blanket from the dryer, let it continue to dry on a drying rack or outside.
Let’s take a closer look at how to dry an electric blanket without damaging it. We’ll also consider whether cleaning an electric blanket in a washing machine is safe.
How Do You Dry an Electric Blanket?
Electric blankets (on Amazon) are a great addition to any bedroom — they’re cozy, easy to operate, and use less electricity than a space heater. However, caring for an electric blanket properly is crucial to avoid damaging it or causing harm to the user.
Luckily, we can use a household dryer to dry an electric blanket. However, the heat should always be as low as possible.
When we’re out under a scorching hot sun, we start to heat up and ruffle as though our skins are about to be detached from the body. The wires in an electric blanket have a similar experience when placed under a very hot dryer setting.
How to Dry an Electric Blanket in the Dryer?
Drying an electric blanket in a dryer is relatively safe. Still, it’s normal to be worried that the dryer’s heat might negatively affect the wiring of the electric blanket. It’s important that you dry your blanket according to the washing instructions that appear on the item’s original packaging or a label sewn somewhere on it.
If you can’t find the washing instructions, we’ll walk you through the basics.
One of the first and essential precautions to take when drying an electric blanket is to ensure that you use a household dryer. Attempting to dry your electric blanket using a commercial-grade dryer can damage the wiring — the heat is too high.
Also, ensure that your dryer is large enough to allow the blanket to tumble freely as it dries.
When you are ready to get started, the first thing to do is preheat the dryer on low heat for two minutes before putting the blanket inside. Then, spread the blanket evenly and check for any out-of-place wiring that could have shifted during the cleaning process.
Allow your properly washed and rinsed blanket to tumble dry for about ten to fifteen minutes. At the end of this time, the blanket will still be damp. Please take out the wet blanket and leave it to air dry on a drying rack or clothesline.
It’s important to make sure that the electric blanket is completely dry before connecting the plugs to enjoy a warm and cozy night without fear of electric shocks.
Can You Put an Electric Blanket in the Washing Machine?
A major concern of everyone who owns an electric blanket or is considering getting one is how to maintain the blanket and keep it fresh and warm. The wiring throughout the blanket might seem like a challenge; however, it’s not that hard.
It might be a bit overwhelming, but the benefits of having a clean blanket outweigh the stresses. You can put your electric blanket in the washing machine, especially if hand washing is not your thing. However, there are certain precautions to take to prevent damage to the electric blanket.
The electric blanket contains heating elements that should be handled with care. You might risk damaging the elements and affecting the heating function of your blanket.
As is the case with drying your blanket, you should check for any washing instructions from the manufacturer of the blanket before you proceed, but here’s a general idea:
The first thing to do is ensure the blanket is unplugged. You should also disconnect the cord from the blanket entirely to prevent damage. It won’t hurt to double-check and ensure that all the cords are disconnected.
Then, remove any loose dirt or debris on the blanket. Next, presoak your blanket with mild soap and cold water for about 15 minutes before washing. It’s important not to use bleach with an electric blanket.
Now you can select the most gentle option your washer offers and spin for no more than three minutes. After this, make sure you rinse the blanket with clean cold water before proceeding to the drying process that we described above.
Electric Blanket Safety Tips
An electric blanket can be a true lifesaver on a cold night. However, if not used correctly, it can also be a fire hazard and a danger to the user. Therefore, before you plug in your electric blanket to enjoy the warmth, you should note certain safety tips, including the following:
- Keep an eye out for safety recalls
It is important to check with the consumer product safety commission to ensure your electric blanket has not been recalled for any reason.
- Use an electric blanket with auto shut-off.
It’s not safe to leave an electric blanket on all night. If your electric blanket doesn’t have a timer or an auto shut-off feature, make sure you switch it off before you go to sleep.
- Be sure to check the product label.
Check the label to confirm that the electric blanket is certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
- Keep the electric blanket flat while you use of it
It’s important to keep the electric blanket flat because folds or bunched-up areas have the ability to trap excess heat.
- Make sure your bed is compatible.
The type of bed you plan to use with the electric blanket is important. Don’t use an electric blanket on a water bed, pull-out sofa, hospital bed, or recliner.
- Don’t use more than one heating blanket at a time.
To avoid or reduce the risk of overheating, don’t use two electric blankets or a heated blanket and a heated mattress pad at the same time.
- Don’t use an old blanket.
Electric blankets that are ten years old or more should be thrown away. This is because the internal elements in the electric blankets deteriorate with age and use.
- Keep pets away from your blanket.
Pets, such as cats or dogs, have claws. They can cause tears or rips in an electric blanket, thereby exposing the wire and creating a potential hazard for electric shocks to both your pet and yourself.
- Don’t run cords under your mattress.
It might be tempting to keep the blanket cords under your mattress; however, you should resist the urge to do so. This is because running cords under the bed can create friction and thereby increase the rate at which heat is trapped.
- Don’t place anything on top of your blanket.
This includes yourself, as pressure on the blanket may damage the coils. An exception to this is electric blankets designed to go under the sheets.
- Roll or fold your electric blanket loosely
When it comes time to store your electric blanket, it’s best to roll it. However, if you want to fold it, it’s best to do so loosely to avoid sharp folds and creases that may become frayed and cause a fire hazard.