How to Wash an Electric Throw Blanket? | Care Steps That Work

For the full breakdown, see our best Electric Throw Blanket guide.

Most modern electric throw blankets are machine-washable, but the single rule that outranks every other piece of advice is this: follow your blanket’s care tag. Manufacturers vary on temperature limits, spin speeds, and whether tumble drying is ever allowed. Getting the washing right matters twice — it keeps the fibers soft and protects the internal wiring that makes the blanket warm.

Before You Wash: What To Check First

Start by unplugging the blanket and letting it cool completely. Then remove every detachable electrical part — the controller, the power cord, and any plugs. Sunbeam’s care guidance is explicit: only the blanket fabric itself gets washed, never the controller, cord, or plug. Immersing any electrical component in water is the one mistake that can permanently ruin the blanket.

Check the care label and product manual before deciding on a washing method. Some blankets are machine-washable; others carry instructions that only permit hand washing. When the label and the manual disagree, the manual wins — it carries the most specific guidance for your exact model.

Machine Washing: The Steps That Match Manufacturer Guidance

For blankets that are labeled machine-washable, the process is straightforward but demands a gentle touch.

• Use mild liquid detergent only — never bleach, and skip fabric softener where the label prohibits it.
• Select the gentle or delicate cycle with a low spin speed. Lakeland’s guidance warns against adding extra spin cycles because they can damage the blanket.
• Distribute the blanket loosely and evenly in the drum. A larger-capacity washer puts less stress on the internal wiring than a packed machine.

After the cycle finishes, remove the blanket promptly. Do not wring, twist, or aggressively handle the wet fabric — that twisting motion can snap the fine wires inside. Gently shape the blanket back to its original size while it is still damp.

Hand Washing: When It’s Required or Preferred

If your blanket’s care label calls for hand washing, or you want to extend its lifespan, the process mirrors Sunbeam’s presoak method. Fill a tub or large basin with lukewarm or cool water and a small amount of mild detergent. Submerge the blanket and let it soak for about 15 minutes, then gently agitate the fabric with your hands. Rinse thoroughly in fresh cold water until no soap remains.

Some manufacturers recommend hand washing even when machine washing is permitted. VonHaus’s manual notes that hand washing is the better choice for product longevity, though it stops short of requiring it. Never wring the blanket to remove water. Press the water out gently or let it drain, then move to drying.

Drying and Reconnecting: Finish The Job Safely

Drying rules vary more than washing rules between manufacturers, so the care label is your guide. The universally safe route: air-dry the blanket flat on a drying rack, or hang it carefully over a line, away from direct sunlight and high heat. Flip it partway through so both sides dry evenly.

Whatever drying method your label permits, the blanket must be completely dry before you reconnect the controller or plug it back in. Reconnecting a damp blanket risks damage to the wiring and creates a genuine safety hazard. Check the fabric thoroughly — including the seams and corners — before reassembling.

If you’re shopping for a new throw rather than reviving an old one, look for a model with a detachable controller; it makes every future wash simpler.

FAQs

Can you put an electric throw blanket in the dryer?

Only if the care label explicitly allows it. Some manufacturers permit brief low-heat drying, while others — like Kingfisher’s manual for its throw — ban tumble drying completely. When in doubt, air-dry the blanket flat on a rack, away from direct sunlight, until it is fully dry before reconnecting any electrical parts.

What happens if you wash an electric blanket with the cord attached?

Washing with the controller or cord attached can permanently damage the electrical components and create a shock hazard. The wires inside the controller are not designed to survive immersion. Always unplug the blanket, let it cool, and remove every detachable electrical part before the fabric touches water.

Does fabric softener damage electric blankets?

Fabric softener can leave a coating on the internal wiring and heating elements, which may interfere with performance over time. Many manufacturers explicitly prohibit it in their care instructions. Mild liquid detergent in cold water is the safe choice; skip the softener and the bleach entirely.