Winter Care Alert: How Leading Home Experts Advise Cleaning Heated Throws This Season
By James H. Sterling
Q1: Can I dry clean my electric blanket to save time?
No. Commercial dry cleaners rely on chemical solvents like perchloroethylene. These chemicals rapidly break down the synthetic insulating jackets surrounding the heating coils. Once the insulation erodes, the wires short-circuit upon receiving power, presenting an immediate fire hazard.
Q2: How often should an electric blanket be washed?
Unless stained by spills, limit machine washing to once or twice per cold-weather season. Frequent mechanical agitation slowly weakens the copper filaments. Use an unheated duvet cover over your blanket to absorb everyday skin oils, washing the cover weekly while leaving the electrical core untouched.
Q3: What should I do if the blanket was accidentally run through a high-heat dry cycle?
Retire the blanket from heating service immediately. High dryer temperatures degrade the flexible wire housing, increasing the likelihood of brittle failure, internal short circuits, and unseen heat pockets. You can repurpose the shell as an unpowered, decorative room throw by permanently clipping off the power port.
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
