Types of Blanket Material and Their Properties

Types of Blanket Material and Their Properties

Blankets and throws are available in a wide variety of fabrics, so picking the best types of blanket material depends on what benefits you are looking for. The best blanket for a baby might be made from different material than a blanket for cold weather camping.

When we sleep, we should be as comfortable as possible. Fabrics for sleepwear and bedding can play a major role in how well we sleep at night. We want to be cool enough so that our bodies can drop off to sleep, but warm enough that we are still comfortable as well.

We’ve heard: don’t wear polyester fabrics because it prohibits air circulation; do wear cotton because it’s lightweight and breathable.
While that advice does remain true to a certain extent, we have entered a whole new world of fabric development and design and now we have more choices than ever before.

Do you tend to sweat a lot at night? Or do you easily feel chilled? Choose the best blankets that keep you cool and warm! Here is a list of some old and new nighttime fabric options.

 

Natural Fibers

Natural fibers are a healthy choice. Natural fiber textiles absorb perspiration and release it into the air, a process called “wicking” that creates natural ventilation.

Because of their more compact molecular structure, synthetic fibers cannot capture air and “breathe” in the same way. That is why a cotton T-shirt is so comfortable to wear on a hot summer’s day, and why polyester and acrylic garments feel hot and clammy under the same conditions.

The “breathability” of natural fiber textiles makes their wearers less prone to skin rashes, itching and allergies often caused by synthetics. Blankets of organic cotton or silk are the best choice for children with sensitive skins or allergies, while hemp fabric has both a high rate of moisture dispersion and natural anti-bacterial properties.

Blankets made of synthetic fibers (such as Polyester, Nylon and Acrylic) are non-breathable. This blocks our skin from the necessary oxygen it breathes in.

 

Types of Blanket Material and Their Properties

 

Cotton

Cotton is a natural fiber that makes a lightweight, breathable throw blanket. Since it’s so well-ventilated and even helps keep you cool by wicking away sweat, it’s a good choice for warm climates.

Some popular fabric options include woven, waffle weave, or knit. Plus, cotton is super easy to care for – just toss it in the washing machine when it needs to be cleaned and machine dry or let it drip dry, depending on the maker’s instructions.

 

Types of Blanket Material and Their Properties

 

Wool

Wool is another natural fiber, but one that’s very warm and good for cold climates. Wool is the textile made from the natural hair of a sheep, goat, or similar animal, which means that some people might be allergic to it or find it itchy. However, merino wool is hypoallergenic and can eliminate some of the irritation.

Wool keeps you warm by trapping warm air within the spaces in the fibers, but those spaces also make it breathable. That means that even though it will keep you warm, it won’t make you sweat.

 

 

Types of Blanket Material and Their Properties

 

Silk

What sounds nicer than a pair of silk pajamas or nestling into clean silk sheets? You’ll feel like royalty. Silk is a natural protein fiber made from the cocoons of silkworms. It is incredibly soft, strong, and is an excellent thermoregulator, keeping you cool when it is warm and warm when it is cool.

All that being said, perspiration can easily weaken and stain silk, and therefore any fabric in contact with the skin (like, say, blankets and sheets) should be cleaned regularly. Silk can absorb a lot of moisture, and that means a lot of sweat if you tend to perspire at night. It is also generally recommended that silks be cleaned with dry cleaning methods.

Therefore, while certainly luxurious and comfortable, silk may not be the most practical choice for bedding. But, if you’d like good insulation, a super soft fabric, and don’t mind the dry-cleaning bill, then these might be worth looking into!

 

Types of Blanket Material and Their Properties

 

Linen

Like silk, linen is considered more of a luxury material for blankets. Made from fibers of the flax plant, linen cools down your skin by absorbing sweat away from it. Its loose weave ensures that your body receives plenty of air and also adds makes the material thermo-regulating. This means that this types of blanket material keeps you cool when it’s warm outside and vice-versa in cold weather.

High-quality linen is soft, very strong, durable and can last decades. Unfortunately, linen wrinkles easily, so if you mind the wrinkled look on sleepwear and sheets, be ready to get your iron out regularly.

 

 

Types of Blanket Material and Their Properties

 

Bamboo

Bamboo pulp fabric, a form of rayon, is becoming more popular because it tends to be soft, lightweight, breathable, and claims to be natural and antimicrobial. For these reasons, true bamboo blankets may be a good choice for sleeping.

Although the bamboo plant is fast-growing and considered a sustainable resource, the processing of the fiber is not always as eco-friendly. The most common way to process bamboo fibers, the viscose process, uses environmentally toxic solvents to make what is essentially rayon (cellulose fiber). In addition, the FTC also notes that, through chemical processing, the claimed antimicrobial properties of bamboo are lost.

For an eco-friendly fabric that retains its antimicrobial properties, look for bamboo textiles that are not made using the viscose method (but they may be difficult to find).

Types of Blanket Material and Their Properties

 

Hemp

In fact, there are many similarities between cloth made from hemp and cloth made from linen. Hemp is one of the strongest & most durable of all natural textile fibers outlasting cotton by many years. This types of blanket material is naturally antimicrobial & resistant to Ultra-Violet light, which keeps it resistant to mildew. No more stinky mildew smell should u leave it extra long in the washer.

Each time hemp is washed it constantly reveals new surfaces, usually becoming softer with use. Given reasonable care it will render a lifetime of service.

Cotton is a water-intensive crop and uses 25% of the world’s pesticides. Hemp requires 50% less water to grow than cotton and requires no use of pesticides. Hemp blanket is chemical-free, breathable for moisture control, sweatshop-free and keeping you warm in winter & cool in summer.

 

Synthetic Fiber

 

Acrylic

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

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.

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

 

Polyester

Another synthetic material, polyester is a durable and more affordable option for material for a blanket. Polyester blankets can be machine washed and are less likely to show signs of use.

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.

 

Vellux

Vellux blankets are often referred to as hotel blankets and are made of foam and plush nylon. They are also fairly durable. Vellux blankets are warm, ​they can be washed multiple times and Vellux blankets are also hypoallergenic.

 

​So, Which Material Should You Pick?

Now you’re equipped to pick the best sleep fabrics for you, or perhaps a few different ones to match the different seasons.

If you’re unsure about all of these types of blanket material, don’t hesitate to head to your local retailer to physically feel them for yourself. Remember, when it comes to blankets, your comfort is your first priority!

 

 

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