Contents
*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
When buying a blanket, it is necessary to take into account its weight, thermal insulation properties, size, filler, seasonality and tailoring features. Today we will tell you how to do this and help you choose the most suitable product.
Factors affecting the choice of duvet
Size
First of all, before buying, you need to decide on the size of the blanket. It should completely cover the sleeping person. Ideally, its length should be 30 cm more than a person’s height. The width of the blanket should be selected, taking into account the number of people sleeping under it.
For one person, an ordinary one and a half blanket will be enough (according to GOST, its dimensions should be 205 * 140 cm), a double product (220 * 200 cm or 205 * 172 cm) is suitable for a married couple, and a special children’s one (118 * 118 cm or 140*140 cm). The specified dimensions, according to GOST, may have an error of 3 cm (adult models) and 2 cm (children’s models).
However, not all products on the market meet the state standards of the Russian Federation. Blankets with European sizes are often on sale, for example, a lorry has dimensions of 155 by 215 cm, and a baby blanket has dimensions of 120 by 150 cm. Foreign-made products can have “royal” (230 * 220 cm) and even “imperial” (290 * 235 cm) sizes. Therefore, when buying a blanket, pay attention not only to the marking “one and a half”, or “children”, but also to the values indicated by the manufacturer.
Seasonality
The blanket should be selected according to the degree of warmth, which is indicated by dots or suns on the tag or product label. The more these “suns”, the warmer the product and the higher the density of the stuffing. Their number can vary from one to five. The lightest (summer) blanket has one “sun”, the all-season model has three, and the warmest (winter) product has five “suns”.
When buying a blanket in British or American stores, you may encounter a different calculation of the degree of warmth – “Tog”. Tog shows the level of thermal insulation of the product. The lower this indicator, the worse the thermal insulation, which means that the blanket is lighter. On the label of the warmest (winter) products, a value of 12-15 tog is indicated, on spring-autumn – 7,5-10,5 tog, and on summer – about 1,5-6 tog.
cover
At the time of purchase, shake the blanket and inspect carefully. If the filler breaks out of the cover, then the product is not worth buying.
It is also important that the cover is made of dense and wear-resistant fabric. Thanks to this, the blanket will last longer. In this case, it is recommended to use a cover made of “breathable fabric” (for example, linen or cotton), which is highly hygroscopic. Thanks to this, the correct microclimate under the blanket will be created, and the body will be comfortable during sleep.
Tailoring Features
When buying a duvet with filler, you should consider how it is sewn. Its durability depends on it. If the stuffing is not restrained by anything, it will begin to gather into lumps, which means that the product will cease to fulfill its function.
Blankets with fillers are:
Cassette. Products with a cassette type of assembly are considered the most durable and durable. The filler in such blankets is in special squares (cassettes) separated from each other. Thanks to this, it does not stray and retains heat well. Special baffles are often installed between the cassettes, which provide a longer retention of the stuffing. However, they make the blanket heavier by 200–500 g.
Quilted. This is the cheapest and most impractical method of assembling a quilt, in which the top and bottom sheets are stitched together with the filling. Quilted products can often be stitched with squares (resembling a cassette sewing method) and other geometric shapes. However, unlike cassettes, they do not hold the filler well, which often gets lumpy.
Karostep. Reminiscent of quilted products, but along their entire surface there are lines in the form of various patterns. It can be crosses, leaves, hearts, etc. Such models have a beautiful appearance, they hold the filler better than quilted ones, but worse than cassette ones. In addition, due to the large number of seams, the padding often comes out from under the cover.
What are duvet fillings?
Both natural and synthetic materials can be used as stuffing for a blanket. All of them have their advantages and disadvantages that you need to consider when buying.
Down and feather
Down duvets are perfect for cold winter nights. By themselves, they do not heat, but provide good thermal insulation. Therefore, even if you sleep under a duvet in the summer, you will not be hot. Under the product, a certain, most comfortable temperature for you will be maintained. In this case, the skin will breathe, and excess moisture (sweat) will be removed.
Unfortunately, models made of 100% down are rare on sale, and they are expensive. Most often, down and feathers are used for stuffing blankets. The more feathers in the filling, the heavier, stiffer and cheaper the blanket. Therefore, experts recommend choosing products with a maximum amount of fluff (at least 60%).
Duck and goose plumage can be used as filler, but it is best to choose goose plumage. The duck feather is heavier, larger and stiffer.
Advantages
Duvets are very light, soft and pleasant to the touch;
High thermal insulation properties;
Provide good air circulation – the human body breathes and sweats less;
They absorb moisture well.
Disadvantages
May cause allergies;
Since duvets absorb moisture well, they can become damp. Therefore, they need to be dried periodically;
Products should be shaken regularly (so that the filler does not stray) and aired.
Silk
Silk-filled products are known for their high strength, durability and lightness. They are often used in the warm season, however, with a high density of the filler, they are also suitable for harsh winter nights.
Before buying a silk-filled quilt, find out what grade of silk was used. Growers most commonly use the Tussa and Mulberry varieties.
The silkworms that produce Mulberry silk live in captivity and “sit” on a strict diet (only eat mulberry leaves). Therefore, silk of this variety is extremely soft, light and elastic. In addition, it is highly durable and quickly restores its shape when pressed. Mulberry duvets are known for their durability and high quality, but they are expensive.
Budget silk quilts use the Tussa variety. The silkworms that produce this material feed on the leaves of various trees. Therefore, compared to Mulberry (white and shiny), silk has a darker and matte color. Before use, it is bleached and treated with special chemicals. This material is easier to tear, it is not as durable and strong as Mulberry. Most Tussa silk is produced in India.
For the warm season, you should choose lightweight blankets (up to 1 kg), for the cold season (about 1,5 kg). The heavier the product, the warmer it is.
Advantages
Suitable for allergy sufferers;
Long service life (up to 25 years);
High strength;
Well restores shape;
Possesses high hygroscopicity;
Good breathability;
Helps the body regulate its temperature.
Disadvantages
High price.
Bamboo
Bamboo fiber has gained incredible popularity in the Russian Federation and the CIS countries. They don’t make anything from it – towels, pillows, and blankets … Manufacturers vied with each other to praise their product, they say it kills 70% of bacteria, and has a unique porous breathable structure, and protects from microbes. Only the products from 100% bamboo presented on our market have nothing to do with real bamboo fiber.
According to a study by Roskachestvo, among the 29 most popular brands that produce bamboo blankets, bamboo fiber was not found in any product. Basically, this unique material was replaced by viscose (about 30%), and the rest (70%) was polyester fiber. It is possible that viscose was made from bamboo wood, but this does not mean that it received at least some of the unique properties of natural bamboo fiber.
Remember that only a blanket filled with natural bamboo, obtained by mechanical means without the use of chemicals, has the following advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
Provide optimal body heat regulation;
Can be used both in winter and summer;
Ideal for allergy sufferers and children;
It absorbs and removes moisture well;
Unique breathable structure (bamboo “breathes” four times better than cotton);
Antibacterial and antifungal properties;
Biodegradability;
High softness and elasticity.
Disadvantages
High price;
Short service life (about 2 years).
Wool (camel and sheep)
Camel and sheep wool is most often used for stuffing a blanket. It is believed that rough camel hair has healing properties – it helps with joint diseases. However, when buying, you should consider its price. A camel wool blanket is an expensive pleasure, and if you are offered to buy such a product at a ridiculous price, it is better to refuse the purchase. Most likely, ordinary synthetics will turn out to be “camel hair”.
Sheep wool has high thermal insulation properties. It has the ability to adjust to body temperature, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer. Like camel wool, this material has a long lifespan and is great for babies who often overheat under other types of blankets.
Advantages
Fire resistance. Wool does not ignite or burn; therefore it can be used near heat sources; unlike many synthetic materials that melt easily;
Easily adapts to temperature changes;
Absorbs a large amount of moisture, but remains at the same time dry;
Medicinal properties;
Long service life.
Disadvantages
May cause allergies;
Does not “like” washing in a washing machine;
Can become food for moths.
Cotton
Cotton or wadded products have low thermal conductivity, so they can be used at any time of the year. However, due to numerous shortcomings, they are rarely used.
Advantages
Does not cause allergies;
Suitable for small children;
Good air permeability;
It has an affordable price.
Disadvantages
The filler becomes damp and collects in lumps;
Absorbs odors;
Accumulates dust;
Quickly falls into disrepair;
It is necessary to regularly ventilate and dry;
It takes a long time to dry after washing.
Synthetics (polyester, holofiber, ecofiber, comforel)
Synthetic materials are a good alternative for allergy sufferers and people who want to save money. Most often, polyester, thinsulate (artificial fluff), holofiber, ecofiber and comfortel are used as fillers for blankets. These materials absorb and release moisture, let air through and retain heat worse than natural materials (down, wool, silk, etc.), but this is enough for a comfortable sleep.
When buying, keep in mind that:
The cheapest and low-quality filler is a synthetic winterizer. It quickly loses its shape, cakes and becomes unusable;
Thinsulate or artificial down is particularly light, but this does not affect its thermal insulation properties. It is believed that it is warmer to sleep under a blanket made of this material than under a downy product;
Hollofiber is the cheapest synthetic filler (after synthetic winterizer), but unlike the latter, it has a long service life and keeps its shape well;
Advantages
Synthetic fillers do not accumulate dust and do not absorb odors;
Can be machine washed;
Dry quickly;
Do not require special care;
Have an affordable price;
They keep their shape well;
Differ in the long term of operation.
Disadvantages
Air permeability and hygroscopicity are worse than those of natural fillers;
Are electrified.
Which blanket to choose for children
For children under one year old, a pair of blankets (cotton and fleece) may be enough. It is strictly forbidden to use heavy blankets with fillers, because. they can lead to overheating and suffocation of the baby.
It is important that the blanket is well breathable and helps to regulate body temperature. Woolen products are a good option, of course, if the child is not allergic to wool;
It is not recommended to use duvets for children, because. they often cause allergic reactions;
Remember, if the child is small, the blanket will have to be washed frequently. Therefore, buy products that can withstand machine washing and dry quickly.
Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.