April 8th, 2020 by Sarah Miles

Now that the weather is getting more spring-like, you may be thinking about putting the electric blanket away until needed in the autumn. If this is the case then there are a few things that you need to know before you do this as there is more to storing an electric blanket than a standard blanket or duvet. Incorrect storage could not only damage it, so it won’t work properly when you get it out again, but could even make it dangerous.

Here’s how to store electric blankets safely:

1. Prepare for storage

As you would with a non-electric blanket, it is good practice to put it away clean (after all, you wouldn’t put used bedding away would you?). Luckily, most modern electric blankets are machine washable (check the label). Make sure you remove the power cable and controller, roll it up gently and put in the washing machine.

Once dry, spread it out and just check over the surface for any damage in the fabric and run your hands over it to check for any bumps or kinks in the wires. If you find any of the above, it may be time to discard this one as damaged electric blankets can be dangerous (and no point storing something you can’t use when you need it when colder weather comes).

2. Keep the power cable unplugged

If you have already followed step 1 then you will have disconnected the power cable and controller. Don’t reconnect it now; keep it separate. Folding it along with the blanket can put unnecessary strain on the cable.

3. Gently fold or roll the blanket

An electric blanket has wires along the whole length and these mustn’t become damaged. Therefore, you can’t just fold an electric blanket as you would a regular blanket. Instead, loosely roll it up or fold softly to avoid bending the heating elements. You may be tempted to squash it into a bag or storage box to save space but this would be counter-productive. Damaged heating elements can make an electric blanket dangerous. Some kind of protection, such as a bag, is a good idea to prevent it from getting dirty. Just make sure it’s big enough.

4. Store the heating controller with the blanket

As previously stated, the cable for the heating controller should be disconnected and stored with the blanket, but not folded up within it. Just place it loosely on top.

5. Don’t store items on top

Don’t place other items on top of your electric blanket, especially heavy items. These could crush your carefully rolled blanket and damage the wires.

Storing your electric blanket properly in this way will increase its lifespan and ensure that it will be ready to do its job when the cold weather comes.