This heated mattress pad works great for keeping the bed warm. The inline control won't stay on the night stand without tieing it to a drawer handle. We washed the mattress pad before putting it on the bed. There are lots of instructions about washing it. Cold water, gentle cycle, don't wring dry, tumble dry on delicate cycle... We have a fairly new front load washer, but it would barely spin the king size mattress pad. Finally had to hang it up in the spare shower for 2 days to finish drying. It keeps the bed nice and warm.