- Introduction
- Do weighted blankets make you hot?
- Summer weighted blankets
- 5 things to look for that will help keep you cool
- What to avoid that traps heat
- Best cooling fabrics and fillings
- Are weighted blankets warm enough for winter?
- Are weighted blankets warmer than regular blankets?
- Are there versatile weighted blankets for changing seasons?
It’s time to unwind and crawl into bed for a good night’s rest. You’re so excited to try your new weighted blanket. You dare anxiety and stress to try to prevent you from sleeping. You hoist your weighted blanket over your body and prepare to snooze. And then you realize, you’re on fire. Not literally, but your new blanket is too toasty for your liking.
You start sweating, chuck your new bedtime investment off the bed, and become angry with weighted blanket advocates. Let’s avoid this scenario altogether because weighted blankets don’t have to create the illusion of a hot box, but offer airflow to sweaty sleepers who are looking to receive the benefits of deep touch therapy.
Those that burn up naturally at night, experience hot flashes, or live in warmer climates would benefit from cooling fabrics, whereas people that freeze under the sheets or live in a cold-weather habitat would not. This article is tailored for sweaty sleepers because we know how tough it is to run hot throughout the night. Weighted blankets are for you too.
Do weighted blankets make you hot?
Because you are adding extra materials and layers to the average blanket equation, weighted blankets can feel a bit warmer than a standard blanket. That said, the blankets are not too hot for the majority of users. Most brands even offer cooling options for hot sleepers.
These cooling fabrics can counteract the potential sweaty side effects. There are plenty of cooling options when it comes to weighted blankets. The make or break factor here – fabric.
It’s a common misconception that it’s the weight (filling) of the weighted blanket that makes sleepers warm, but it’s really the fabric that is the deciding factor of your sleeping temperature.
Summertime Weighted Blankets
Hugs don’t discriminate by weather, and neither do weighted blankets. Whether it’s to calm the mind or regulate hormones, every sleeper can benefit from the deep touch therapy offered by these hug therapists.
Most popular weighted blanket brands offer cooling options or blankets with breathable fabrics. There are certain components to look out for that may not necessarily be advertised as “cooling” when shopping.
However, there are five key things to look for when choosing a weighted blanket that will combat heat and moisture. Keep in mind the following pros and cons of each to ensure a sweat-free sleep experience.
5 Things To Look For
Keep your eyes peeled for the following elements of a cooling weighted blanket
- Breathable material.
A fabric that breathes prevents a hot human. Imagine a light breeze to the body without sacrificing the weighted benefits. - Organic fabric options.
Organic cotton, bamboo, and eucalyptus are more breathable than their counterparts and often allow greater airflow. - Sweat-wicking/moisture-absorbent abilities.
This component is pretty self-explanatory, but we’d rather sleep in a water-repelling blanket than a soggy one. - Odor-resistance.
A little sweat can be inevitable regardless of whether a blanket is weighted or not. Therefore, preventing the possibility of a stench is a must for warm sleepers. - Machine washability.
Again, for those nights, there’s no avoiding a little perspiration. If your weighted blanket has a removable cover that can go in the wash, even better.
What To Avoid
Because cold-weather fabrics are the culprit for a toasty bed, do your best to steer clear from the following blanket fabrics that are excellent heat-trappers:
- Minky.
The best word to describe Minky: plush. Plush does not breathe, end of story. - Fleece.
Fleece is basically the material of your favorite childhood teddy bear. It’s fuzzy and retains heat very well. - Chenille.
C is for furry Caterpillar. Chenille is a raised and relatively luxurious fabric seen in throw pillows and blankets. It keeps its owner(s) exceptionally warm. - Flannel.
We all know and love flannel shirts and sweaters, but these are cold-weather attire. The same applies to flannel blankets. - Silk.
Silk is sexy, but you know what’s not? Sweating through your silk blanket. It’s essentially fireproof but not waterproof, and it’s hot. - Acrylic.
Not recommended for the most part in general, this synthetic material captures heat and keeps it in the sheets.
Best Cooling Fabrics
Standard weighted blanket fabrics sit at both ends of the spectrum when it comes to breathability. For our sweaty/warm sleepers out there, we want to veer towards those on the lighter side that offer airflow. The following fabrics are recommended for you:
- Cotton.
The king of all fabrics, cotton is the most common fabric that offers softness and breathability. It’s excellent at regulating a cool temperature and is an easy-to-wash, natural material. - Bamboo.
Bamboo serves a litany of tremendous benefits: repels water and moisture, fights fungus and bacteria, is hypoallergenic, odor-resistant, machine-washable, and eco-friendly. Holy cow, what else could you ask for? - Eucalyptus.
This plant offers soothing and cooling properties, setting it up to be an excellent cooling fabric. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory qualities fight mold and mildew, negative side effects from sweaty sheets. Plus, it’s allergen-free and eco-friendly. - Linen.
A loosely woven and durable fabric, Linen has many of the same benefits as bamboo with a different look and feel. It’s classically seen in beach homes due to its cooling qualities and luxurious look. - Microfiber.
If the three options above are a bit too pricey, microfiber may be here to save the day. It’s an athletic material, making it highly sweat-absorbant. Microfiber is often affordable, but the compromise – static sheets after being washed.
Best Cooling Fillers
What are the best cooling weighted blanket fillers?
This query is a bit of a tricky one because it’s truly the fabric that makes the difference between a cool night’s sleep and the feeling of being submerged in a furnace.
Fillers really just serve as the weight in the weighted blanket. We recommend either micro-glass beads, poly pellets, or steel shot beads, in that order.
Glass beads are cool to the touch but are surrounded by casing, so it’s still debatable whether this filling makes a difference in cooling off users.
All of these beaded options are the most commonly used, so they’ll be easy to come across in your shopping journey. They’re all non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and chemical-free. A bonus – they’re all machine washable. Just make sure their fabric is too.
Micro-glass beads, poly pellets, and steel shot beads are all safe to use for most people. The only concerns lay in the potential clinking of steel beads for those with extreme auditory sensitivities and the potential for an allergic reaction to the plastic in poly pellets.
These two warnings are very dramatized, but we want to make sure you get the best filling possible for your mind and body. To bring home the point, pick whichever bead option best serves your auditory and tactile senses because they don’t really contribute to the heating factor.
Are weighted blankets warm enough for winter?
We’ve talked so much about how to keep you cool. Can weighted blankets keep you warm? The answer is simple: absolutely.
Weighted blankets can serve their purpose in all kinds of weather. To survive in colder climates or to manage body heat in roaring AC, pick a fabric that works to trap heat.
Do everything we’ve told you not to do to keep you cool. Again, Minky, fleece, and flannel will work the hardest to keep you toasty, while chenille, silk, and acrylic will do their best to remove any breathability. Pick one of these, to remove the possibility of catching a breeze.
If you can’t decide whether you want a warming or cooling fabric, luckily, brands have options for our indecisiveness. Some blanket covers come with cotton on one side, Minky on the other.
Some have fleece on one side and bamboo on the other. The possibilities are endless here.
If you feel too constricted choosing just one fabric or live in a climate that changes temperatures drastically throughout the seasons, why settle for one material? But regardless of your preference, know that weighted blankets are warm enough for winter.
Are weighted blankets warmer than regular blankets?
Yes, weighted blankets typically run warmer than regular blankets.
Luckily, you now have the knowledge to pick cooling fabrics that would best suit your fear of a hot night’s sleep. Stick with materials like cotton, bamboo, eucalyptus, linen, and microfiber to resist sweat and heat.
Micro-glass beads, poly pellets, and steel shot beads also are there to repel moisture while offering the touch we crave from our little hugging blanket.
Are there versatile weighted blankets for changing seasons?
Alas, we can revisit the double-sided weighted blanket cover conversation! There indeed are options for everyone. If you’re living in a place where winters are freezing and summers are sweaty, opt for the double-sided covers that offer a warm fabric on one side, a cooling fabric on the other.
You may also want to consider getting two separate blanket covers for warm and cool nights.
Just make sure you have a blanket with a removable cover. Here’s a more comprehensive list of the pros and cons of the most common weighted blanket fabrics to help in your decision-making.
We’ve discussed all potential components of a weighted blanket that could make or break a sweaty sleep experience.
Before purchasing, check the fabric details. It’s pretty straightforward – the majority of synthetic, plush, or wool-based fabrics won’t keep you cool, and most natural, breathable materials won’t mirror the effects of a sauna.
Fillers don’t make a big difference; choose which one works best for you. You’ve got this, happy shopping and sleeping!
