January 22nd, 2020 by Chris Chapman

The Ultimate Electric Blanket FAQ

Our electric blankets are some of the most popular in the UK, and that’s something we’re really proud of. This means we get asked a lot of questions about electric blankets. Below, we’ll list a few of the most common questions we get asked – keep reading and you might find any questions you have are answered! If you can’t find the answer to your heated blanket questions, just hit the red Live Chat button at the bottom of your screen and we’ll be happy to help.

Can I Use an Electric Blanket with a Memory Foam Mattress?

Yes and no. We generally don’t recommend using a fitted electric blanket on top of your memory foam mattress. This is because the thick blanket can interfere with the shaping of your memory foam, so you won’t feel any benefit from that expensive mattress. Some types of memory foam can also be damaged by heat, although this is rare.

If you want the dream combination of a memory foam mattress and an electric blanket, we recommend using a heated throw. These throws sit on top of your duvet, so they’ll keep you cosy without affecting the performance of your mattress.

How Do I Fit an Electric Blanket?

Most electric blankets are designed to fit to your mattress. They can use elastic straps, tie tapes, or elastic skirts (like a fitted sheet) to hug the mattress – of the three, elastic skirts offer the snuggest fit. Be sure to check which one your blanket uses before you buy – for the record, all our blankets use an elasticated skirt!

To fit a blanket to your bed; first, place your fabric mattress topper on the bed if you have one. Then fit your electric blanket, then add your thin bottom sheet. After that, put your duvet on and you’re all set for a cosy night’s sleep!

How Much Do Electric Blankets Cost to Run?

We could all do with reducing the amount of energy we use. Even if you’re not a particularly eco-friendly person, using less energy means a lower electricity bill, so it’s a good idea to check how much power your electric blanket uses. The good news is that heated blankets use barely any energy as they don’t actually get that hot – ours will only heat up to around 45°C, for example. As they’re heavily insulated by cosy fabric and usually fitted underneath your duvet, it doesn’t take much for them to heat up to a comfortable level. Our electric blankets will let you keep warm for around 1p per night.

Are Electric Blankets Safe?

As long as your blanket is less than 10 years old and isn’t threadbare or ripped, then it’s perfectly safe. All modern blankets are fitted with some form of overheat protection which shuts them down if they get too hot.

Can I Use an Electric Blanket All Night?

You definitely can! In fact, most fitted electric blankets are designed for exactly this. They’re fitted with thermostats and overheat safety systems to stop them from getting too hot, so you can drift off to sleep in peace. If you don’t want to use your blanket all night, many models are fitted with countdown timers which will allow you to turn them off through the night.

Can I Use Electric Blankets When I’m Pregnant?

Yes! The myth is that electric blankets give off an electromagnetic field (EMF) which can harm an unborn baby. While it’s true that they do give off these electromagnetic fields, they’re no stronger than the fields given off by any other household appliances and won’t affect your baby at all.

We do recommend that you put the blanket away during the last month of your pregnancy just in case your waters break during the night.

Can I Use Electric Blankets if I Have Diabetes?

If you have diabetes, we recommend you only use an electric blanket to pre-heat your bed and turn it off when you get into bed. Check the detailed guide at Electric-Blankets.co.uk for more in-depth information on this. If you want the short version, diabetic people may suffer a condition called neuropathy, which causes numbness in the arms and legs. It can also cause the skin to become extremely sensitive to heat. When these two issues combine, there is a risk someone may have their blanket set too hot without being able to feel it. This is extremely rare – as we stated above, electric blankets never get that hot to begin with – but, if you’re unsure, turn your blanket off before you go to sleep.

Can I Use an Electric Blanket if I Have a Pacemaker?

Yes, you can. The NHS advises that electric blankets have no effect on pacemakers, so you don’t need to lose any sleep over this one.

How Do I Clean an Electric Blanket?

Most modern electric blankets are safe to be put in your washing machine as they have detachable controllers. The only thing the blankets themselves contain is the heating element wire which isn’t affected by water, so you don’t need to worry. However, to protect your blanket, we recommend using a gentle, cold (or 30°C) spin cycle. You should also take care when line-drying an electric blanket as the water weight can stretch the fabric. If the fabric gets too stretched, this can displace the heating elements and lead to hot and cold patches in your bed.

When Should I Replace My Electric Blanket?

You should replace your heated blanket at least every 10 years or sooner If your blanket starts to go threadbare.