How to choose the right blanket depending on the filler?

Types of Blanket Fillers

All fillers used can be divided into three groups:

• Natural
• Synthetic

Each group has the most popular materials, which we will consider in more detail.

Blankets made of natural filler of animal origin

Natural materials have enjoyed a long-standing and deserved love, perhaps everyone has childhood memories of grandmother’s warm and cozy down blanket, or a hard, but so warm “camel” one. What are the advantages and disadvantages of natural raw materials for the production of blankets?

Down

Bird down is perhaps one of the oldest fillers for bedding. Of course, today it is not at all the same down that our grandmothers stuffed feather beds with. It undergoes special processing, trying to improve the positive qualities and neutralize the negative ones. However, this material does have its drawbacks.

Pros:

• High heat-regulating capacity, down duvets are among the warmest;
• High air permeability;
• Ability to form a stable microclimate under the duvet;
• Ability to quickly restore shape;
• Low caking;
• Down does not accumulate static electricity;
• Long service life (about two decades)

Cons:

• Down is a breeding ground for dust mites, which are a strong allergen;
• Poorly permeates moisture vapor, easily becomes damp, can absorb water up to half its own weight;
• Down blankets are difficult to care for and require special treatment against ticks;
• High price.

Sheep wool

A blanket made of natural “sheep wool” filler is still considered to be healing. Indeed, if you apply untreated wool to the body for a long time, the lanolin it contains can penetrate the skin and have a positive effect on the health of joints and skin. However, untreated wool is not currently in production, and the benefits of direct contact with the skin are questionable. However, the warming properties of wool are quite high, which in itself can have a healing effect in some cases.

Pros:

• Excellent moisture evaporation, resulting in a zone of so-called “dry heat” under the blanket, which is very beneficial for the body;
• Does not accumulate static electricity;
• Budget price

Cons:

• Heavy weight;
• Prone to clumps;
• Problems with care: only cleaning is allowed, blankets cannot be washed;
• Short service life (does not exceed five years);
• Can cause allergies (dust mites, animal wax).

Camel wool

When choosing a filler for a blanket, it is worth paying attention to camel wool, which is popular in eastern countries. In its properties, it is superior to sheep’s wool.

Pros:

• Evaporates moisture well, creates “dry heat”, healing for joint pain and colds, you do not sweat under such a blanket;
• It conducts heat poorly, thus it is one of the warmest fillers;
• It has excellent air exchange;
• Does not accumulate static electricity;
• It is lightweight, comparable to the weight of down products;
• It practically does not cake, since camel hair is elastic;
• The service life is longer than that of down – up to 30 years.

Cons:

• Like down, it serves as a breeding ground dust mites, which cause severe allergies in some people;
• The blanket may create a “tingling” sensation (if it is made from the wool of young animals, this effect will not occur);
• High price.

Silk

Silk fibers are obtained from cocoons silkworm caterpillars. Not only the fibers themselves are used, but also the cocoons that are not completely unwound.

Pros:

• Does not cause allergies, since dust mites do not live in it, this is what distinguishes silk from all other fillers obtained from animals;
• Has antibacterial properties;
• Good air and moisture exchange with the environment;
• Antistatic;
• Durable;
• Blankets made from natural filler obtained from silk fibers can be washed, but this does not have to be done often – ventilation is enough.

Cons:

• Do not retain heat well enough, are an ideal option for summer, but in winter it can be cold under a silk blanket;
• Very high price.

Blankets made of natural plant-based filler

Cotton

The least expensive of all natural materials, cotton has rather low consumer properties. But, nevertheless, it can be a good budget alternative if a long service life is not expected.

Pros:

• Does not create an environment favorable for the development of dust mites, does not cause allergies;
• Poorly conducts heat, due to which cotton blankets are quite warm, it can be hot under them, and it is easy to sweat;
• Affordable.

Cons:

• Poorly permeable to moisture, can retain up to 40% in themselves;
• Cotton blankets are very heavy;
• The material quickly cakes and loses its properties, accordingly, the blanket does not last long.

To mitigate the negative properties, synthetic fibers are added to cotton, blankets with such combined fillers are lighter, longer serve and are more comfortable for the body.

Flax

Flax and hemp are plants that, like cotton, have a fibrous structure, due to which they can be used to make both fabrics and fillers for bedding. Fillers for blankets flax and hemp can be used in any season – they create their own microclimate for the sleeping person, due to which it is always comfortable under them – not hot in summer, and not cold in winter.

Pros:

• Dust mites and other allergens do not live in these fibers;
• They have good vapor and air permeability;
• The fibers of these plants have antimicrobial properties, which prevents the development of pathogenic microbes in bedding;
• Thermal conductivity is quite high;
• Easy to care for – they can be washed, and the products dry quickly;
• One of the most durable materials in the natural group.

Cons:

• Very high price.

Bamboo

Not long ago, fillings for blankets made from bamboo fibers appeared on the market. Bamboo is a plant that does not have fibrous parts, so it is impossible to obtain fibers from it suitable for use in the production of bedding. To obtain bamboo fiber, the wood of the plant stems is processed in a special way, and then the fiber is pulled out of it.

Pros:

• Does not cause allergies;
• Has antibacterial properties;
• Allows air to pass through;
• Does not absorb odor;
• Does not accumulate static electricity;
• The blankets are lightweight;
• The products can be washed in a washing machine.

Cons:

• They have quite a high thermal conductivity, so the blankets are quite “cool”, more suitable for summer and the off-season;
• Short service life – no more than two years (with the addition of artificial fiber, the service life increases);
• Almost does not absorb moisture.

Eucalyptus

Fiber is obtained from the stems of this plant by processing cellulose. It is called tencel or lyocell. Sometimes synthetic fibers are added to eucalyptus fibers to reduce the price.

Pros:

• Does not cause allergies;
• Has antimicrobial properties;
• Has low thermal conductivity, due to which it is one of the warmest materials obtained from plant fibers;
• Has elasticity, due to which it keeps its shape for a long time and does not cake;
• Has good moisture and air permeability;
• Has good antistatic properties;
• Can be machine washed;
• Quite a long service life – up to 10 years.

Cons:

• The most expensive of the plant fillers.

Blankets with synthetic filling

Synthetic materials for filling pillows and blankets are obtained from synthetic raw materials. But this does not mean that they are not suitable for their purposes, often on the contrary – people manage to create what nature could not: the ideal filler option. Blankets with artificial filling made of synthetic fibers have good consumer qualities.

Thinsulate (swan down)

This material was created as a replacement for swan down. It has all its advantages, although it also has its disadvantages. Suitable for summer and autumn months, as it is easy to overheat under it in summer, and it can be cold in winter.

Pros:

• Does not cause allergies;
• Does not emit harmful substances into the air;
• Does not conduct heat well, due to which the blankets are very warm;
• Very light;
• Does not clump, does not cake, retains its original shape well;
• Can be machine washed.

Cons:

• Accumulates static electricity;
• Has low vapor and air permeability.

Polyester fiber

Most modern synthetic fiber fillers are made from this material: holofiber, ecofiber, comfortel, microfiber and others. Blankets made of artificial filler “polyester fiber” are similar in their properties.

Pros:

• Do not cause allergies;
• Do not emit harmful substances;
• Do not cake over a long period of time;
• Retain heat well;
• Weight relatively little;
• Can be washed, drying time is short;
• Lasts at least 10 years.

Cons:

• Low vapor and air permeability, poor moisture absorption;
• Accumulation of static charge.

How to choose a blanket by filler: tips

Ultimately, it all depends on personal preferences in the area of comfort, as well as on the state of health. Those who like a warmer blanket prefer down and wool as a filler. However, it is worth remembering that they are not suitable for allergy sufferers. For those who suffer from allergies, blankets made of plant fiber can be a suitable alternative, and it is worth buying different blankets for different seasons: in summer it is more comfortable to cover yourself with bamboo or silk, in winter – with linen, cotton or eucalyptus.

Blankets made of artificial filler obtained from synthetic fibers are superior to products with natural filler in almost all their qualities. They have only one drawback – they do not allow moisture vapor to pass through well, which means that at the slightest overheating the body will begin to sweat. To prevent this from happening, the thickness of such blankets should be changed from season to season.