You should wash your electric blanket approximately every few weeks to once a month, or whenever the blanket gets dirty.

This means running an electric blanket for one hour would cost just over 3p and around 27p a night (based on 8 hours of use), which is significantly cheaper than having your central heating on all night. For a smaller 50W or 60W blanket, running costs will be even cheaper. What sort of electric blanket is best? Whilst electric blankets are designed to create a warm and cosy environment when getting into bed, they are not recommended for overnight use and should be turned off when getting into bed or set on a timer to turn off within a short while. 'Make sure to also use your electric blanket as the top layer, above any other blankets or duvets and do not lie or sit on it,' Hayley Thistleton at SleepSeeker explains. Tip: Preheat it on a low heat in advance, rather than blasting it on a high heat before you get into bed – this way you won’t use so much power. For example, a power of 100W is most common for an electric blanket. To calculate the running costs, the experts at Sleepseeker suggest the following formula: To make your bed the snuggly haven you deserve this winter, there’s one bit of bedding you should invest in: an electric blanket.

Look for electric blankets with auto shut-off timers, so they can’t be left running for too long. And, helpfully, machine-washable ones will make life easier all round. That's right, they aren't the drab, old-fashioned scratchers of old. These days they're safe, soft and – dare we say it – stylish. Most importantly though, they can save you money as they cost just pennies to run per night. That means this winter you can lower your heating bill while still staying toasty warm. Ideal. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{

If you're new to heated blankets, there are two main designs you should know about. Under blankets are like heated mattress toppers, attaching to your bed to give you warmth. Over blankets, on the other hand, are closer to throws; you can curl up on the sofa, pop them in your duvet cover or lie under them at night for a more versatile heater. Which is right for you depends on where you tend to feel the chill the most. Also consider heat zones – this tends to come down to size, with double blankets and beyond boasting left and right zones so couples can set their own preferences. Dual control will help limit any sleep disruption too, giving the ability of warming one side of the blanket. Are electric blankets safe to use overnight?