Last year, weighted blankets rose to massive popularity thanks largely to the $4 million Kickstarter campaign for Gravity. However, weighted blankets have been around for quite sometime before this – with plenty of good reasons to invest in one. The blankets are great for children with autism and those who suffer from conditions such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome, anxiety, and ADHD. On top of all this, they are great for stress relief and overall better night sleep.
If you find yourself considering purchasing a weighted blanket, but end up sitting on the fence every time, allow me to help you be a bit more decisive. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about choosing the perfect weighted blanket, as well as my top choice:
The Quility Premium Weighted Blanket – click here for the current price on Amazon.
Why I choose the Quility Premium Weighted Blanket
If you’ve grown tiresome of sleeping with a regular, deflated comforter every-night, you’ll find this particular product useful. The therapeutic blanket is my personal favorite for many reasons, a few of which include:
- Quility’s innovative 7-layered blanket is designed to offer supreme comfort and be ultra-breathable throughout the night.
- The blanket provides extra warmth and comfort for a gentle hug.
- It has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, meaning you can get a full refund if you’re unhappy with your purchase.
- It comes with a free, soft to touch Quility premium removable Minky cover.
The blanket can be found in many sizes and colors, including ivory, blue, light grey, and pink. To see the entire selection, follow the link above to Amazon.
What To Look Out For When Purchasing A Weighted Blanket
Choosing the perfect weighted blanket can be difficult when you consider the various different options out there. Luckily, the checklist below should help give you a better idea of exactly what product is right for you.
Your Sleep Temperature
Everyone prefers to sleep at different temperatures. Some like a freezing cold room, while others need it a little warmer to drift off. This a big thing to consider when searching for a weighted blanket, as some are woven with breathable materials such as cotton and others are woven with polyester. A polyester blanket could lead to a stuffy sleeping experience, while the cotton will be cooler.
Blankets such as the Quility Premium Weighted Blanket are ultra-breathable and are made with materials such as cotton. This prevents you from overheating under your cozy blanket.
Protection For The Blanket
Just like pillows, weighted blankets can be kept safe inside a cover. Some weighted blankets come with a pillow included, while others may require you to hunt for one yourself. A cover can be useful in terms of protecting the blanket for everyday wear and tear while also allowing you to select a cover which matches the rest of your bedroom decor.
The Filling
Glass beads and poly-pellets are the two main fillings for weighted blankets. The two have different textures: The glass beads are smooth and sand-like, and the poly-pellets are small plastic stones. If you want a thinner, lighter-weight blanket, the glass beads may be best for you. If you prefer a thicker blanket with a bumpier feeling, the poly-pellets are the way to go.
How to Correctly Size a Weighted Blanket
Sizing a weighted blanket is actually super easy! Just use the 10% rule. Take 10% of your body weight and round up to the near sized offered. So I weigh 130 lbs, 10% of that is 13 lbs. Since they don’t offer a 13-pound weighted blanket I would round up to purchase a 15-pound weighted blanket. You never want to go below the 10% rule as it has been proven that it won’t yield all the awesome benefits of using a weighted blanket. Speaking of which:
What Are All The Benefits Of A Weighted Blanket
Weighted blankets are great for those wanting some extra comfort and cuddle during their sleep, but the benefits go even further than this, and can even help with long-term medical conditions.
- Insomnia: This condition is extremely debilitating and leaves the sufferer exhausted. However, a weighted blanket may help, as the product presses the user – keeping them still and supported – rather than tossing and turning.
- Anxiety: About 40 million people in the U.S. live with some form of anxiety. According to a study published in the Journal of Medical and Biological Engineering, the deep touch pressure offered by weighted blankets “gives objects the feeling of safety, relaxation, and comfort.” This and other studies appear to prove that weighted blankets are great for those who need some extra assurance each night.
- Stress: Weighted blankets can encourage the production of serotonin – the hormone associated with happiness. This is perfect for stress-relief at the end of a long day, making them not just cozy, but great for your mental health too.
- ADHD: Attention-deficit hyperactivity syndrome (ADHD) is commonly recognized in people with a lack of focus. This can be a problem for both children and adults with the condition. Some people with ADHD have trouble completing a task, while others are inclined to impulsiveness and restlessness. Deep touch pressure stimulation, which is what weighted blankets offer, has been shown to produce a calming, soothing effect – helpful for those with ADHD. Since deep touch pressure also helps with mood and sleep, it’s great for addressing these hyperactive symptoms.
- Chronic conditions: As previously mentioned, weighted blankets are particularly useful for people suffering from chronic pain and restless leg syndrome. The benefits can also aid those with psychological problems, such as depression.
How To Look After Your Weighted Blanket
Washing and Drying
To keep your blanket feeling and smelling fresh and new, you should wash it separately in a cool wash with gentle detergent and either leave to hang-dry or tumble dry. However, each weighted blanket can have a combination of different fabrics, so you may be required to use other techniques – making it best to always check the instructions your weighted blanket comes with. While you are drying your blanket, you’ll want to be sure to maintain its shape. To do so, hang it evenly over your laundry line or a bathtub.
Using A Laundromat
If your blanket weighs over 20lbs, your home washer may not be able to take the added stress. It is best to take it to the laundromat and use their largest, commercial size machines for washing and drying, following the same instructions above.
Products To Use For Cleaning
For best results, use a gentle non-bleach detergent and no fabric softener or dryer sheets. If you must, use only non-chlorine bleach when necessary. Fabric softeners can build up in the blanket making it less soft while chlorine will break down the fibers in the blanket.
Avoid Ironing
In case you are considering ironing your blanket – the simple advice is: don’t. if it’s really important to you to cover/hide any wrinkles, try using a cover to disguise these, as ironing will be far too much work and cause irreversible damage.
Hopefully, the advice in this article will aid you in your decision making and possibly make consider the brilliant benefits of investing in a wonderful weighted blanket. And if you are still on the fence after reading this article – what are you “weighting” for?
