How to Wash an Electric Blanket? | Safe Step-by-Step

You can wash most electric blankets at home, but only after unplugging them, detaching the controller, and following the care label’s exact cycle and drying rules.

An electric blanket full of crumbs or pet hair doesn’t have to stay that way, but a hose-down approach will ruin the heating wires fast. The safe method comes down to disconnecting every electrical part first, then treating the blanket like a delicate garment — gentle cycle, cold water, mild soap, and a long air-dry before you even think about plugging it back in.

Before doing anything, check the care label and manual for your specific model. Most modern electric blankets are washable, but some aren’t, and the settings vary by brand. Here is the process that works for the vast majority of washable blankets, plus the exact instructions Sunbeam and Dreamland publish for theirs.

Can You Machine Wash an Electric Blanket?

Yes, most electric blankets can go in a washing machine, but only if the manufacturer’s care label says so. The blanket’s controller and power cord must be disconnected first, and the blanket needs a gentle cycle with cold or lukewarm water.

Rinse in fresh cold water and use the spin cycle to remove excess water — but do not use bleach. After spinning, gently stretch the blanket back to its original size and shape while it’s still damp.

Some blankets demand even gentler treatment. Dreamland’s help article instructs owners to unplug the leads first, then machine wash at a maximum of 30°C (about 86°F) on a wool programme with no extra spin. Sunbeam’s Australian blanket guide similarly says to wash on wool or delicates below 40°C, avoiding high-speed or extra spin cycles.

How to Wash an Electric Blanket by Hand

Hand washing is the safest option for blankets with fragile wiring or vague care labels, and it follows the same basic steps as machine washing.

Fill a bathtub or large basin with cold or lukewarm water and a small amount of mild detergent. Submerge the unplugged blanket and gently squeeze the soapy water through it — never scrub, wring, or twist the fabric, since that can damage the internal heating elements. Drain the tub and refill with clean water to rinse, repeating until no soap remains. Press the water out gently and roll the blanket in a dry towel to absorb the excess, then lay it flat to dry.

How to Dry an Electric Blanket Safely

Air-drying is the default safe choice. Lay the blanket flat or hang it over a clothesline or shower rod, avoiding pegs or clips on any area where wires run through the fabric. If the manual allows tumble drying, use the lowest heat or delicate setting.

Dreamland cautions against using pegs on wired areas when line-drying. Never use direct heat — no heaters, radiators, or hairdryers — and don’t reconnect or use the blanket until it is completely dry, inside and out.

Common Mistakes That Ruin Electric Blankets

The most common mistake is washing the blanket with the controller or cables still attached — those parts must always be disconnected. Beyond that, the usual culprits are bleach, hot water, high spin speeds, and rough agitation, all of which can damage wiring or shrink the fabric.

• Never wring, twist, or iron the blanket.
• Never dry-clean it — the chemicals can degrade the insulation around the wires.
• Never use direct heat like a heater or hairdryer to speed up drying.
• If the wiring, insulation, or controller looks damaged, skip the wash entirely and replace the blanket.

Those steps cover every safe method for a washable blanket. If you’re shopping for a new one, our roundup of top-rated electric blankets worth buying compares the models with the easiest-care designs and best safety features.