How to Wash a Weighted Blanket with Glass Beads


Most people love to own and use weighted blankets, but not everyone knows how to wash them efficiently. This is the guide for you if you want to learn how to wash a weighted blanket with glass beads.

In this guide, we shall explain what weighted blankets are, the types of weighted blankets, how to wash and dry them efficiently, and everything in between. Just sit back to learn a few laundry tricks that you might as well teach others.

how to wash a weighted blanket with glass beads


Weighted blankets are heavy-duty or bulky bed covers that may contain duvets inside external covers. Weighted blankets weigh from 5lb-30lb and there are king-size models that are even heavier and possibly larger.

Most weighted blankets are washable and some are not washable depending on the materials they are made of. For washable bulky blankets, you may have to wash them 3-4 times a year or even every month if your dog or cat sleeps in your bed.

How to Wash Weighted Blankets with Glass Beads

Almost all washable weighted blankets can be washed in laundry machines – not all can be washed in washers you have in your home. The sheer size and weight of most weighted blankets with glass beads make them suitable only for washing at the Laundromat. For perspective, fabric experts advise that weighted blankets weighing 15lb-30lb should be washed at the Laundromat or other commercial washing machines, while those weighing below 15lb can be washed at home machines subject to certain conditions.


The wisdom behind washing larger blankets at the Laundromat is for size and weight. Washing them at home would not only damage the blankets, but it would also damage your washing machine and make it costly to repair. While special attention should be applied to machine-washing big blankets made with mink, fleece, wool, flannel, and cotton fabrics; greater care should be applied to weighted blankets with glass bead fillers and poly pellets among others.

For instructions, some weighted blankets may have fillers such as plastic poly pellets made from ABS virgin plastic, steel shot beads, micro glass beads that look like salt or sand crystals, and other fillers such as sand, beans, corn, rice, and organic fillers. It must be pointed out that while most of these weighted blankets with fillers can be washed in the machine, it is best to not wash those with organic fillers since the matter they contain will begin to decay when they become soggy, giving rise to mold and insect infestations.

So how do you go about washing weighted blankets with fillers?

The following guidance would be invaluable in helping you to move forward with your laundry needs:

  • For heavy blankets with glass beads, you can wash them in a commercial-size machine using warm water, but never hot water. The micro glass beads within the blankets do not melt even though they look like salt crystals, but use warm water and operate a slow machine cycle.
  • For plastic poly pellets, you must not set the machine to a high temperature to avoid the risk of melting and clumping the pellets together. Do not forget the fillers are tiny plastics, so they will melt under high heat. It is best to use cold water.
  • Steel shot beads in weighted blankets can be washed in machines running at high temperatures since the beads cannot melt. But the machine must be strong and big enough to handle the heavy bulk of this type of blanket.
  • If you have sand filler in your bulky blanket, it must not be washed frequently – twice a year would be okay. This is largely because sand tends to expand when wet and it may also clump together, leading to variable weight distribution in the blanket.
  • You may be tempted to wash your weighted blankets if they are organic fillers such as rice or beans, but this is not recommended. These organic fillers will decompose when filled with water and it may lead to health implications.

It must be pointed out that you can choose to wash the covers of the weighted blankets separately from their inner duvets. Since the covers are much lighter, they can be washed in machines you have at home while the heavier inside duvets can be washed at commercial washing machines. Meanwhile, the material fabric of the covers – such as cotton, flannel, mink, wool, and fleece will determine the delicateness with which they can be washed at the Laundromat.

Helpful tips for washing heavy blankets with glass beads or other fillers

For instruction purposes, let’s examine some tips to keep in mind when washing weighted blankets:

  • Please note that weighted blankets with glass beads and other fillers can be washed under specific situations, but it is best to not wash those with organic fillers to avoid mold or other health risks. Also, not all weighted blankets are washable, so only go for those that are washable.
  • If there are stains or tears on your thick blanket, process these differently before washing in the machine. You must treat and remove the stains using stain removers and brush before machine-washing, and you must also repair tears before washing.
  • Do not wash your bulky blankets in your home machine to avoid material damage to fabric and equipment, take the blanket to commercial washers for better results.
  • If you ever choose to hand-wash your weighted blankets with glass beads or other fillers, ensure you use only recommended detergents and warm or cold water. The task will be daunting but it can be done with the assistance of one or two family members. It is also best to not use bleach, chlorine, fabric softener, or other chemical agents on the blanket.
  • In the case that your weighted blanket has a separate cover, you might have to wash them separately for optimal results and ease of operation. You may choose to wash the cover at home while you wash the inside duvet at some commercial washing center.
  • Follow the instructions specific for washing each type of weighted blanket fabric and fillers to prevent damage to your blanket and to achieve optimal cleaning results. If there are certain spots on the blanket, do not wash the entire material; just use a toothbrush and detergent to remove the spots independently without chucking the entire blanket into the machine.
  • Do not iron your weighted blanket even after drying, and it is advisable you dry out in the open courtyard where there is an abundant breeze and direct sunlight. Where you do not have this luxury, you can apply the manufacturer’s instructions for drying in dryers with very low heat.

So there you have the instructions on how to wash a weighted blanket with glass beads and other fillers. If you have doubts about how to proceed with any type of weighted blanket, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions again or reach out to them for specific guidance.