A person sleeps for about a third of his life, so everyone wants to provide this part of existence with comfort and coziness. On the modern market, you can find a fairly wide selection of blankets that differ in both the material of the outer surface and the inner filler. To find the right one, you should study a sufficient amount of information about each type. The best one for children is a cashmere baby blanket. But what about adults? This text will help you estimate all the advantages and disadvantages, as well as compare them with direct competitors. In winter, the choice of a blanket depends on how well the product retains heat, but you should not forget about the comfort of use and ease of care.
Blanket Filled With Cotton Wool
Cotton wool is one of the most traditional insulation materials used in blankets. Judging by the reviews, it is very effective and inexpensive. Just a few decades ago, wadded blankets were almost the only option suitable for winter, while now there are plenty to choose from. Thick items are not suitable for winter because they can cause overheating of the body.
Benefits:
- cotton filler absorbs moisture well;
- keeps warm remarkably;
- the material does not cause allergic reactions in humans.
Disadvantages:
- a blanket with cotton wool is quite heavy;
- the filler does not allow the blanket to “breathe”, creates a greenhouse effect under it;
- the blanket is difficult to maintain, it is not easy to clean, wash, and even dry cleaning may not lead to the desired result.
But still, many people still have old cotton blankets, so you should know how to properly care for them so that the filler does not turn into a pile of lumps:
- the blanket is not recommended to be washed, so it is much easier and safer to simply knock it out of the dust;
- you can also use a vacuum cleaner with the most powerful setting.
If you nevertheless firmly decided to wash a cotton blanket, then you should adhere to the following rules:
- In no case is it recommended to squeeze the material, so to dry it you just need to hang it so that the water flows down;
- so that the surface does not fade in direct sunlight, it should be covered with something for protection;
- whisk the blanket during washing to prevent lumps from forming, so this can only be done by hand.
Silk blanket
This option will appeal to those who love the luxurious appearance of products and pleasant tactile sensations. Heating parameters depend more on the quality of the filler. Silk is not always the warmest for the winter.
Benefits:
- the material is reliably protected from insect pests, dust mites do not tolerate silk and do not settle in it;
- silk filler does not cause allergies;
- the service life of the material reaches about 10 years;
- the blanket is pleasant to the touch and has a positive energy, so it is easy and pleasant to rest under it.
Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks:
- a silk blanket is heavy, so it is not suitable for everyone;
- the material is difficult to care for, it cannot be chemically treated or washed;
- the blanket requires very delicate care: it is not recommended to roll it up tightly during storage, it should always be straightened out;
- high quality products are quite expensive, while in budget models the quality level is very low.
General tips to help extend the life of your silk duvet:
- frequent regular ventilation;
- in case of contamination, the blanket should be given only to a delicate dry-cleaner, but even there they may refuse to work with such material;
- so that dust does not accumulate inside, it is advisable to keep the product in a duvet cover, and during storage – in the package.
Synthetic blanket
Synthetics are a very warm filler for winter, characterized by a high level of practicality. Synthetic blankets will become indispensable for summer residents who will use them in an unheated room with a high level of dampness. After all, down and woolen fillers will quickly damp, unlike synthetics. One of the best artificial fillers in terms of price and quality is holofiber, or as it is also called “swan’s fluff”.
Advantages:
- tolerates any level of humidity without problems;
- easy to care for, does not lend itself to piling and does not form lumps during washing;
- does not cause allergies in people, unlike natural fillers;
- during storage, it can be packed as tightly as possible and even during long-term storage, so it will not lose its original shape.
Disadvantages:
- the level of warming is inferior to natural duvets, you have to select options with a large thickness (modern manufacturers produce two-layer models with synthetic filler that can be connected to each other);
- the filler does not provide a good level of air exchange, so over time, a greenhouse effect is created;
- synthetics do not absorb moisture;
- not recommended for people who suffer from hypertension, shortness of breath and diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Nevertheless, the rules for caring for such a blanket are as simple and convenient as possible:
- the material easily tolerates washing in an automatic machine, while it does not lose its positive characteristics and does not lose its decent appearance;
- it is enough to wash the blanket once every three months;
- the service life of the material is about five years with active use.
Conclusions
Naturally, all the advantages and disadvantages in theory cannot give a complete picture of the picture that will be in practice. Each person has their own requirements for a winter blanket and, based on this, the main priorities are selected. Also, the selection criteria depend on how cold a person is, and on other purely personal factors.
In today’s market, if you put aside the question of the purchase budget and consider not only cheap options, the undisputed leaders are blankets made from camel wool, bamboo fiber, and synthetic fillers. Wadded blankets, although they are used mainly by those who already have them, are better replaced with modern ones – such fillers are more practical.
It is also important to choose a blanket based on appearance. For example, regular quilts do not hold the filler very securely on the inside. The best way of fastening is cassettes, a stitch in the form of rhombuses or rectangles, which reliably protects the material from migration.
Judging by user reviews, not all the benefits in practice turn out to be as rosy as in theory. For example, it is not always possible to wash a blanket in your own automatic machine. If it gets wet, it will simply rip off the drum due to the large mass. Also, not all models provide coolness in summer, so the question of versatility remains open. But if you need a very warm blanket for harsh winters, then you should pay more attention to the heat capacity of the filler, as the only true indicator.
Thanks for reading. Maybe this page about winter shopping will be useful for you too.
