Hivemind question: How much do I need to wash my new electric blanket before using it?

Sunbeam's instructions say they recommend it, then give some pretty darn finicky care instructions of the sort that our oldish washer and dryer can't really manage. The long and the short of it is that not only will I have a lot of fuss and bother, but also I won't get to use the blanket tonight and possibly not tomorrow night, either, if I do wash it first.

Gud, if Leif story will make us smile, you should tell now.

I never bother with that stuff, Andi, but other people may know better.

Andi, I'm with Brenda. If I purchased it new and it was folded all nice and neat in the bag, then I wouldn't bother with washing first. Sheets, yes, because they're going to be right next to my skin. Electric blanket, nsm.

::waits nervously for someone to wander in with an electric blanket horror story that only came about because it wasn't washed first::

I'd love to read a Leif story, Gud.

I'm with Brenda and wouldn't bother. You'll have a sheet between it and you anyway.

Brenda, Nicole, Trudy, thanks. That's pretty much what I'm thinking. The absolute worst thing I can imagine is that the sizing in the fabric might possibly make unpleasant (what are the chances it would be truly toxic) fumes when heated. Hmm. I could go plug it in now and see what happens....

ETA: Trudy, cuz x-posty.

I just wash the electric blanket on a gentle cycle and dry it on a low setting.

"i can not discuss this with you " is fair - esp since you work in HR - you know when they can and can not. Really, not sure the of course not was ethical either - it may give more grounds for an age discrimination suit.

stoopid. no one deserves the sword hanging over their head for no good reason.

Leif story please

The care instructions for the blankie are: pre-soak for 15 min, wash on delicate cycle for 2 min (using lukewarm water - not a possibility as the stuff coming out of the tap is COLD! and it doesn't have a warm rinse option). Then, pre-heat dryer for 2 min, and dry on low for 10, then hang up to finish drying but Do Not Use Clothspins!

ETA: Don't forget to stretch the fabric by hand in between each important step.

I have a Leif story (what else is new), but maybe it should wait for another time.

No way, man! Bring on the viking boy!

Tell the story, Gud.

It may serve to cheer us all up.

I'm down in the dismals at the moment, a result of caculating how much of the time since I got my B.A. was spent as an actual employee of wherever I was working in a full-time position.

The total was 4.5 months.

Three of those were post-layoff.

I'm nearly 32. How the hell, given that I know I'm a good worker who makes herself valuable as all heck, am I still a temp?