How to Use Electric Blanket in 5 Steps with Practical Tips

Extremely cold weather can leave you restless in your sleep. That’s when an electric blanket can help keep you warm. If you’ve never used one before, read this guide on how to use an electric blanket.

We’ll show you how you can optimize its use, stay safe while you’re using it, and make it last for a very long time. After all, you’d have to bear with another freezing season in a few months. Or, if you live in temperate zones, actually dealing with extreme cold throughout the year.

How to Use an Electric Blanket

Getting hold of an electric blanket is just the first step to make sure you don’t freeze as the chilly weather sets in. Keep your toes from the icy cold and enjoy a nice, warm cuddle in bed by knowing how you can maximize its use and keep your bed warmer longer.

Before anything, you might want to know more about how an electric blanket works. That way, you may have a better appreciation of your newest purchase and how incredibly helpful it can be in helping you stay warm.

Electric blankets are lined with wirings and sometimes pads systematically placed throughout the blanket. When the product is plugged and turned on, these cells release heat that causes the blanket to heat up. This heat is what keeps you warm throughout the night. Because it releases heat, it is imperative that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely so as to prevent overheating or even causing burns, bruising, and accidental fire.

Here’s a step-by-step guide when using your electric blanket:

Step 1: Read the instructions

We’re all guilty of throwing out that tiny bit or paper or ignoring the print on the box and getting right into operating what’s inside. Operating electric blankets may seem like a no-brainer but take caution if only because of the word “electric”.

The first thing to do is to check the voltage. Make sure that the product that you purchased is compatible with your outlet. In the US, the standard is 120V. This is important, most especially because you’ll be sleeping with the electrical blanket beneath you.

Also check out use, care, and maintenance instructions. When it comes to electrical products, it’s just simply never a good idea to skip on these details. Quite frankly, information about these matters equates to your safety and those of your loved ones too if they’re staying with you.

Step 2: Make your bed

Quite an essential step to get a goodnight’s rest if you ask most of us over here at Guidesmag. Before setting your product on your bed, make sure to take out the plug and keep the plug out of the socket for now.

Most first-time users have trouble figuring out where to put the electric blanket on the bed. The best placement is right underneath your bed sheet, next to your mattress. Placing it directly next to your skin would feel very uncomfortable and likely keep you up all night.

Again, the best place to enjoy the warmth of your electric blanket is under the sheets. For most users, that’s just the bedsheet but for others, under the quilt might be more like it. It’s different for everyone and you’ll have to find out what works best for you. In general, it shouldn’t be under anything too layered or too thick. But, at the end of the day, what matters is that it keeps heat trapped under the layers.

Step 3: Turn it on

Well, now you can start heating up your bed! A lot of people mistakenly turn on their electric blankets just when they’re about to jump into bed. Don’t do that.

Allow at least 30 minutes for the electric blanket to warm up before you go to bed. Choose the proper setting if that’s available with your product. Each product will have different instructions so make sure to check the manual if you haven’t already done so.

Try to observe the most ideal setting that suits you for the first few times of use. It may take a while for you to settle into the most comfortable temp and settings. Just be patient. Soon enough, you should get the hang of it.

0nce turned on, cover your bed with a duvet or comforter to heat up your bed faster by trapping more heat inside.

Step 4: Cuddle up

On to the best part. Time to jump into bed and enjoy the warmth. Make sure to note how many hours it’ll be safe to keep the setting on. Or, if your electric blanket has a built-in timer, you should use that too. The bottomline is to keep your product from overheating or unnecessarily causing burns or fire.

Step 5: Layer some more

If it’s too cold, an electric blanket can really only do so much. Besides, adding on more layers on top and bottom can considerably add more warmth to your skin. So, go ahead and dump another comforter – maybe even two – and add in a wool blanket. If all that still don’t do the trick, you may already require an upgrade with your heating system.

Then, of course, you can also layer your clothes. Put on something thicker or do better at layering on your clothes.

More tips

Here are a few other practical tips to make sure you know exactly how to use electric blanket to stay warm throughout the night, keep safe, and make it functional for a very long time:

• Make sure users know how to control the settings. Electric blankets aren’t designed for users who can’t or do not know how to control it. That includes infants, people with disabilities, and the elderly. You shouldn’t even allow you pets to come into contact with the blanket if you’re not around.
• Keep liquids away. The last thing you want to do is to accidentally spill water or other liquids onto your blanket, especially when it’s turned on and in use. If you’re in the habit of bringing water to bed and placing it on the side table, you should consider using a closed tumbler with a spill-proof design and spout that minimizes the risk of spillage.
• Pull the plug when not in use. In general, you shouldn’t leave your electric blanket underneath the sheets when it is not in use. Doing so may cause the wiring to become damaged. Make sure to hang it the morning after.
• Regularly examine your blanket for signs of damage. You should never use broken electric blankets. Look for signs of wear and tear, including exposed wiring. These may cause fire and burns. If you notice any odd performance or that the settings aren’t giving off the proper temp, discard it. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
• Do not use the washer to clean up your blanket. Most days, you only need a damp cloth to wipe off any dirt. When the point comes it’s too soiled for that, pull out the wiring when you can and put it back later once you’re done. Remember, don’t throw it into the washer. Use your hands only and be gentle. Don’t use the dryer either. Hang it to air dry.
• Use your blanket only as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Never use it for any other purpose. Take note that some electric blankets may be purposely designed to be worn over your blanket and not under your sheets. Not following this may cause the wiring to be squished and become permanently damaged.
• Store your blanket properly under the proper conditions. Make sure to remove the plug from your blanket before folding it up for long-term storage. Keep it in a container and store it away from sharp objects under ideal room temperature. If you won’t be using it for a while, make sure to bring it out of the container at least once every month for cleaning and inspection.

Conclusion

We hope you learned exactly how to use electric blanket here and that you’ll find how cozy it could be to have one. It’s such a blessing that anybody can enjoy these days – absolutely one of the benefits of living in modern times!

Enjoy your cozy slumbers and don’t forget to apply the practical tips and care advice we shared with you above so you could enjoy more nights of peaceful rest and sleep for much longer. Keep in mind that safety should always be priority – that means, don’t be cheap when shopping for this item, and subject it to regular maintenance to keep it in tiptop shape.