7 Types Of Blankets Materials And How To Decide Which Works Best For You

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​Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to your health, peace of mind and overall well-being. It provides you with the energy you need to face the day head-on.

To be able to sleep soundly, you need to be comfortable and warm and your mattress, pillow, and blanket are instrumental in making this possible.

Choosing a blanket can be more confusing than you think, with lots of lots of options to choose from. But how do you know which blanket is going to be the right type of blanket for you?

One of the best ways to figure out what kind of blanket you should get is to start at the very beginning; what material should the blanket be made out of?

Once you know what material you need you can automatically adjust the other factors that go into picking the perfect blanket, such as style and price.

So, keep reading to find out exactly what you need to know to figure out which blanket material is the right one for you!

What’s the Difference Between a Blanket and a Throw?

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​​Before you decide which blanket material is the best one for you, you should know that difference between a blanket and a throw as they are often confused with one another even though serve different purposes.

Throws are more decorative than utilitarian. They can be used for decor and are usually smaller in size than blankets.

Blankets, on the other hand, are more specifically designed to keep you warm, especially at night when you are asleep. In fact, they sometimes double as duvets or bed covers too!

So they are not only important for keeping you comfortable but are also useful for decorative purposes.

What Other Factors Should You Consider When Choosing a Blanket?

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​​Here are some of the other factors you should take into consideration when choosing the material of your blanket:

Weave

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​Blankets often come in different weaves. Weaves are what differentiate the weight and warmth of one blanket from another. The different kinds of weaves include:

Thermal

Thermal weaves are highly breathable and loose.

Knit

Knit weaves are particularly warm and are heavier.

​Quilted

Down blankets are usually quilted as they protect the components inside the blanket.

​Climate

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You should definitely take into consideration what blanket material will best suit the weather conditions of your environment. Are you more likely to have a long, cold winter or a never-ending summer?

You should choose a blanket material that works almost all year round so that you don’t need a blanket for every season.

This will greatly influence what kind of blanket material you want.

​Cost

How much or little you want to spend on your blanket is up to you and should be decided according to your own personal budget.

It is worth mentioning that natural fabrics tend to be more expensive than synthetic fabrics, but there is also a marked difference in quality.

However, you should not compromise on the quality of your blanket as you will probably use it every day.

​Maintenance

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How easy is it to keep your blanket clean? Will it fade if you wash it? Does it need to be dry cleaned? These are the questions you are often faced with when choosing blankets or bedding in general.

Based on your own priorities, you should decide if you want a blanket that is easier to take care of or a blanket that requires more care than usual.

So be sure to pick a blanket that you know you will be able to take care of properly!

​Allergies

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Do you have allergies? Then be very careful about which material you choose for your blanket.

The last thing you need is a blanket that, instead of keeping you warm and comfortable, causes you to sneeze and cough through the night!

Look for blankets that are pointedly hypoallergenic as you never know how you will react to a specific material.

​Style

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At the end of the day, you want your blanket to be stylish too.

You should choose a fabric that is not only comfortable and practical but also complements the style of your pre-existing bedding.

Different fabrics have different aesthetics, especially when it comes to texture; so, be sure to check out the look and feel of a blanket before you pick it.

Types of Blanket Materials

Here are some of the most common blanket materials that you will come across. Here, you will find all the information you need to figure out which material suits you best and why it will be the most comfortable option for you.

​Cotton

Cotton is a fabric that has many great qualities and is popular for a number of reasons, the first of which is that it is an incredibly soft fabric! Moreover, cotton becomes softer each time you wash the material!

It is also suitable for almost all types of weather.

Here’s Why You Should Pick This Material

• ​If you are prone to allergies then cotton blankets are the way to go. Cotton blankets are hypoallergenic and therefore are ideal for someone who has a tendency to have allergies.
• ​Cotton blankets provide breathability. They are perfect for summertime when you want to stay cool.

​Wool

Wool is not only soft and breathable but is also fire-resistant! These are just some of the many qualities of this material and like cotton, it can be used through multiple seasons.

The only disadvantage is that sometimes wool can have a scratchy surface.

Here’s Why You Should Pick This Material

• ​Wool is an adaptable material as it is able to adjust as the temperature changes.
• ​However, wool is particularly suited to keeping you warm in cooler climates.
• It has moisture-wicking properties which will help keep your blanket dry.

Fleece

​When the temperatures drop and all you want is a warm bed, a fleece blanket is an answer to your prayers! Fleece is made from synthetic materials and it has some big advantages, especially when you’re looking for a blanket to get you through the winter!

Here’s Why You Should Pick This Material

• ​Fleece is your best bet if you live in a colder climate as it is guaranteed to keep you suitably warm.
• ​It is a good alternative to wool if you are prone to allergies but want a material that is warmer than cotton.
• ​Fleece is also a particularly lightweight fabric.

Down

​When you think of down you might think of down comforters and not blankets. But down blankets exist too! Down blankets are simply lighter and slimmer than down comforters and essentially consist of feathers or feathery material between two pieces of fabric.

Here’s Why You Should Pick This Material

• ​Down blankets are great for keeping you warm.
• ​They are good conductors of moisture which will provide you with a dry environment.
• ​They come in different forms in accordance with the different seasons.

Acrylic

Acrylic blankets are synthetic, lightweight, warm and more resistant to damage than some blankets made of natural fabrics or materials.

If you’re on a budget and need a durable blanket, then maybe acrylic is the right material for you!

Here’s Why You Should Pick This Material

• ​Acrylic blankets are hypoallergenic and so are suitable for you if you are prone to allergies.
• ​They are easy to maintain.
• ​They can be machine washed and are less likely to show signs of wear and tear.
• They mimic natural materials and fabric.

Polyester

Another synthetic material, polyester is a durable and more affordable option for material for a blanket.

In fact, a blend of polyester with another natural fabric is a good way to get the best of both worlds; the quality of the natural fabric and the longevity of polyester.

Here’s Why You Should Pick This Material

• ​Polyester blankets are usually more affordable than blankets made from natural materials.
• ​They can be machine washed and are less likely to show signs of use.
• ​It is a strong material.

Vellux

​Vellux blankets are often referred to as hotel blankets and are made of foam and plush nylon. They are also fairly durable.

Here’s Why You Should Pick This Material

• ​Vellux blankets are warm.
• ​They can be washed multiple times.
• ​Vellux blankets are also hypoallergenic.

​So, Which Material Should You Pick?

Now you have all the information you could possibly need to make a decision about what kind of blanket you need, and more specifically, what material you need your blanket to be made of.

Once you have figured out which factors are the most important ones for you, you can go about choosing a blanket material that will meet most of, if not all, your requirements.

Remember, when it comes to blankets, your comfort is your first priority!

So what are you waiting for? Go find yourself that perfect blanket!

Sources:

The 10 Best Summer Blankets To Keep You Cool All Night – Bustle

These Types of Fabric Make the Best Blankets – Overstock.com

How to Choose the Best Blanket for a Good Night’s Sleep – Restonic