Finally A Weighted Blanket Buying Guide That Makes Perfect Sense

Do you suffer from anxiety or stress? There are many natural ways to manage these symptoms, including getting a good night of sleep. However, for some people, sleeping can be difficult due to insomnia and other problems. A weighted blanket may be the answer to your problem!

We all sleep differently, however, so it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. The wrong type of weighted blanket can cause restless or sleepless nights, but the right one will make you feel like royalty.

There are a few things to consider before making your purchase: size, weight, and material. These shopping tips will help you choose the perfect weighted blanket each and every time!

What Are Weighted Blankets?

A weighted blanket is a specially designed blanket that offers pressure and weight to provide therapeutic benefits. The blankets are typically made of polyester fiberfill or cotton which helps the person sleep better with less tossing and turning.

Weighted blankets are popular for their ability to calm the nervous system and offer relief from anxiety, depression, or sensory processing disorder.

A weighted blanket is a blanket that has been filled with weight, like sand or plastic pellets, in order to increase its mass. This extra weight makes users feel more grounded, secure, and calm when they are experiencing emotional distress. Many people use them as an alternative to medication for mental health issues such as insomnia or anxiety disorders.

Studies have shown that using a weighted blanket can help improve sleep quality and reduce stress levels by up to 65%. It can also be used during occupational therapy for children with developmental delays who need tactile input while sleeping.

There are many different types of blankets on the market, but it's important to choose one after considering a variety of factors.

How Heavy Should A Weighted Blanket Be?

When deciding on your weighted blanket purchase, the first thing to consider is who you are buying it for. If you’re buying for yourself, and you’re an adult, the task should be relatively easy.

Note your weight, height, and size of your bed. Then, consult the manufacturer's recommendations. This will help you identify the perfect size. Typically, a weighted blanket should be about 10% of your overall body weight, so if you’re 150 lbs, a 15 lbs weighted blanket is ideal, while if you’re heavier, you might want one that’s 17 lbs or more. 

If you fall between two different sizes, it’s usually best to size up by adding a pound or two. You can also consult your physician or the blanket maker for suggestions.

Here’s where things get more complicated.

If you’re buying for a child, you’ll need to pay close attention to the age of your child. Weighted blankets should never be used for kids who are younger than two, and for individuals younger than five, always consult a doctor first. The extra weight can be dangerous for some children, particularly those with underlying health concerns.

In general, you’ll want to follow the same estimates when choosing the right blanket weight for a child - the 10% rule. You will also want to add a pound or two, since kids tend to need a bit more pressure. A child that is 60 lbs will do well, in most cases, with a blanket that weighs seven or eight pounds.

As a rule of thumb, remember that blankets weigh between 12 and 25 pounds (and obviously, higher!) are going to be too heavy for a child of any age, size, or weight.

What about if you want to buy a weighted blanket for you and your sleeping partner - as a couple? This can be tricky, particularly if there is a significant weight difference between you and your partner. A weighted blanket that’s perfect for you might be too heavy for your partner, and vice versa. Your differing heights can also be problematic since you want the blanket to be able to cover each of you entirely without hanging over the mattress.

A quick way to figure out the ideal weighted blanket weight for you and your sleeping partner is to look for a weighted blanket that is 7.5% of your combined body weight. For example, if you weigh 120 to 150 lbs, you’ll go with a 10 lb blanket. For 200 to 250 lbs, you’ll use a 20 lb blanket.

Safety Concerns

As long as you do your research into what size and weight of the weighted blanket is best for you, weighted blankets are mostly safe. There are a few situations in which they can be risky, however.

For instance, you should never use weighted blankets on young children (those under 20 lbs or under the age of two). These blankets are also not safe for individuals with heart problems, issues with blood circulation, breathing problems, or epilepsy.

If you have some other underlying sleep issues, like sleep apnea, asthma, or even claustrophobia, again, a weighted blanket isn’t a great idea.

Weighted blankets tend to be the riskiest for young kids. A good litmus test to see if a weighted blanket is safe for your child is to see if he can remove it on his own. If he can’t, you should steer clear.

What Size Weighted Blanket Should I Get?

There are several considerations to make in the size of your weighted blanket. Once you’ve determined the best weight, you’ll want to consider dimensions. The good news is that this is somewhat easier than calculating the ideal weight.

You’ll just want to think about the size of your mattress. Choose one that is similar to your mattress size. If you sleep in a full-size bed, look for a blanket with full-size dimensions. If you want a weighted blanket for a queen bed, choose one with queen dimensions.

In regards to height, you’ll want your weighted blanket to be about the same size (or just a bit larger) as the person who will be using it. It’s similar to a throw blanket in that you want it to cover all of your body in its entirety but you don’t want it to hang over the side of the bed.

This is a matter of form as well as function. Weighted blankets that are too long for the bed will slide off easily in the middle of the night, buoyed by their weight as they fall to the floor. This can prove to be a major hassle, so make sure you invest in a blanket that matches you and your bed size well.

Choosing The Fabric For A Weighted Blanket

When choosing the fabric for your weighted blanket, the first thing to consider is breathability and temperature control.

If you’re cold-blooded, choose a blanket that is made out of a material like flannel. If you sleep hot, choose one that wicks away moisture. If you’re right in between, choose one made out of cotton or a quilting fabric. Other materials to consider include fleece, polyester, and chenille. You can even find weighted blankets with waterproof or moisture-wicking capabilities.

Some weighted blankets even come with covers that can be removed and washed as needed. Often, these are made out of natural fibers like cotton or wool, which tend to be more breathable, but can sometimes be found in synthetics, too.

In addition to the exterior fabric, you should also consider the filler. Weighted blankets can be filled with all kinds of materials, with the most popular options including micro glass beads, steel shot beads, and plastic poly pellets.

Plastic poly pellets are the cheapest weighted blanket fillers and are made out of polypropylene. These are safe and convenient to wash. They’re also nontoxic.

Microglass beads are more eco-friendly than plastic poly pellets and are also known for being hypoallergenic. These blankets are machine washable.

Steel shot beads are much heavier and larger than glass or plastic and they are also more durable. They tend to be the most cost-effective, too.

When choosing your filler material, again, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Just choose the one that works best for your budget and personal preferences.

How Much Should Weighted Blankets Cost?

Money isn’t everything, but when you’re trying to find the right weighted blanket, you’ll see that there are many that come with astronomical price tags.

You might be particularly wary about buying this kind of blanket when you see the price tag - these blankets are much more expensive than other kinds of blankets.

However, you can find a high-quality option for less than $100 that, when cared for properly, will last indefinitely while also providing you with a better night’s sleep.

Maintaining a Weighted Blanket

You might also be discouraged by the thought of buying a weighted blanket when you think about the extra effort that might be involved in maintaining it. However, the good news is that weighted blankets aren’t all that tricky to care for.

They won’t stay clean forever, but choosing a machine-washable-friendly weighted blanket is a good way to keep yourself sane. Many weighted blankets can be put in washing machines, though some should only be put in large front-loading machines to prevent damage from an agitator.

Cotton-weighted blankets tend to be the easiest to wash. Just washing cold or warm water during the wash cycle - stay away from hot. You might want to pour in a cup of vinegar on the first wash to prevent dyes from bleeding.

When washing a fleece blanket, go ahead and wash it on warm with a low heat dry. It can handle both.

Of course, you will always want to consult the care instructions for your specific weighted blanket, as these instructions can vary. In most cases, machine drying on low heat is acceptable, as long as the blanket has room to get good air circulation inside the machine. When in doubt, you can always air dry your weighted blanket, too. This will ensure that the filler won’t melt and will offer the most even drying experience.

Some weighted blankets need to be dry cleaned, such as those made out of wool, but this is rarely necessary.

What about ironing? In general, ironing is not recommended. Unless the manufacturer specifically recommends doing so, we recommend steering clear of ironing, since it can harm the filler. It also won’t do much when it comes to maintaining and distributing the filler inside your weighted blanket.

Again, pay attention to the instructions. Some weighted blankets are okay to use with stain pretreatments and bleach, while others need just plain soap and water.

Weighted Blankets Are The Perfect Way To Relieve Stress and Anxiety

Weighted blankets are a great way to help with sleep, particularly for individuals with related issues such as depression, autism spectrum disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and ADHD. There is a lot of research out there about how weighted blankets can be beneficial for anyone.

Finding the right weighted blanket can be a difficult task. There are many options available to choose from, and each option has its own set of pros and cons.

 Picking the right weighted blanket for you might sound like an overwhelming task, but it doesn't have to be. Consider a few questions before you buy. First, what is your budget? The cost of weighted blankets can vary greatly depending on the size and material they're made from.

Second, what type of sleeper are you? If you sleep on your stomach or back with very little tossing and turning then a heavier blanket might not be best for you as it may cause pressure points that will wake up more often than usual through the night. A lighter weight would be better in this case because it won't cause any discomfort while sleeping on your side or stomach.

Weighted blankets are the perfect way to relieve stress and anxiety. They can help with sleep disorders, PTSD, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder (SPD) among many other conditions. So if you are interested in getting a better night’s sleep, consider these tips as you begin shopping for your new bedtime companion!

Karen A Mulvey is a personal social blogger and mom with 14 years of experience in the every day world of motherhood and sustainable product research. Karen is on a mission to help everyday families select sustainable, non-toxic organic products, stop stressing about uncertainties on sustainable home goods and apparel, and start living the life they’ve always wanted.

Follow Karen at @karenAmulveycs | Karen A Mulvey

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