How to find the softest, warmest and most hypoallergenic blanket, what is the difference between artificial down and natural down, and bamboo from camel hair, which blankets are best for covering yourself in the summer and which in the winter - read about all this in our article.

Size

Let's start with size. No one will argue that the blanket should cover well on all sides. What length and width should the blanket be? The easiest way is to add 30 cm to your own height, this will be your comfortable size. As for the width of the blanket, it all depends on the number of people sleeping under it.

If you sleep alone, it is best to take a one-and-a-half blanket. Not all one-and-a-half blankets are the same - there are several standards, the most popular of which are 155x215 cm (“euro one-and-a-half”) and 172x205 cm (“English” or “Soviet size”), from which it apparently follows that Europeans have now gone tall and thin, and the British are small and fat.

For a married couple, a blanket measuring 220x240 cm is suitable if the couple sleeps on a wide bed, or 200x220 cm if they sleep on a small one. The latter is also popular among Europeans, and a wide range of duvet covers are produced and sold under it. American sizes are somewhat different from European ones: a blanket measuring 137x190 cm is called Full size, and King size is 198x203 cm. Americans, it turns out, are less whimsical, or more economical.

Winter and summer

For the cold season, it is better to choose a blanket with good thermal conductivity, and in the summer - one that absorbs less moisture. These characteristics directly depend on the filler material.

Down blankets are soft and light, they are elastic and durable, and retain heat well. They are stuffed with goose or duck down, and the most expensive ones are stuffed with loon down. But down blankets also have disadvantages - due to its high hygroscopicity, down quickly absorbs moisture, and the blanket can become damp. Also, duvets, unfortunately, are not recommended for allergy sufferers, as they can harbor dust mites. But if you don’t have allergies and are ready to dry your blanket regularly, then a duvet is your choice. Just pay attention to the fastening: it is better to take a product stitched with a pattern of squares.

Silk blankets are lightweight and durable. They provide excellent warmth and do not attract dust mites. Such blankets have almost no drawbacks, except for one thing - high cost, which, however, depends on the class of silk used.

Glad to see you on the blog pages))

Today’s article is dedicated to the coming cold weather) it is about the warmest blankets and pillows with which you will be cozy and warm in winter.

I started thinking about bedding that would provide good warmth back in the spring, because last spring turned out to be pathologically cold for us; it snowed on May 12th! but the heating was turned off as usual, according to schedule, and the house was cold, indescribable in censorship words.

It was especially cold to sleep, well, if only in a fur coat.

I “monitored” reviews about the warmest blankets, and could not settle on any, I was leaning towards the filler sheep's wool until a work colleague said that she had a very a warm blanket, which she is very pleased with, and the filling in it is fluff. Today we will talk about down pillows and blankets.

Down feather pillows, review

In one of the previous articles, I talked about products produced by the Sovinson company located in Khimki, Moscow region, check out the article, it’s also about interesting and high-quality products.

The duvets and pillows from the manufacturer Sovinson from today’s article are not only useful and of high quality, but also of extraordinary beauty, the very case when you can definitely be proud of a domestic manufacturer.

A very, very beautiful fabric for the cover is 100% cotton - teak. The fabric is dense, does not allow feathers or fluff to pass through, they all remain only in the pillow, but at the same time teak allows air to pass through well.

For me, what was impressive was the design on the fabric, the floral print - white on white, it was trimmed with gold edging with a noble shine, very beautiful))

As for the filling. These down pillows are natural, the line is not without reason called “Down Abundance”, they use goose down, which is considered the best down filling in terms of price-quality ratio.

Some interesting information that I read when choosing bedding. For filling, waterfowl down is most often used: duck, goose and eiderdown.

Duck is considered the least quality, as it contains hard feathers, besides, ducks swim a lot and their feathers are covered with a protective layer of fat more than any other.

Eider down is the most valuable (it is difficult to collect - manually in eider nests) and therefore the most expensive.

Goose, on the other hand, maintains an optimal price-quality ratio, but there are several interesting points here. Remember the well-known children's song about geese: “one is gray, the other is white”?

So grandma could sell a white goose for much more than a gray one)) their down is considered more valuable because it is less common, because their plumage is more elastic and dense, plus the white does not show through through thin beautiful materials covers, for example, made of silk or cambric.

You need to ensure that the amount of fluff and feathers in a pillow or blanket is in the ratio of 90% to no more than 15%. If there are more feathers, then the product will no longer be so soft and enveloping.

The smallest percentage of feather content is 5%; it will not be possible to remove the feather at all, the product will become too soft and will not hold its shape well.

Down Abundance pillows are filled with “Extra” grade down in the correct ratio – 90% down to 10% feather.

I was curious how to check the quality of such a filler:

• when compressed, the feather awns should not be felt;
• after compression, the product should immediately return to its previous shape.

They passed the test perfectly, I looked for the feather awns in good faith, but couldn’t find them) Well, they take shape right away. In general, the tactile sensation is a very pleasant pillow.

As for the rest of the impressions. I have it in size 50x70, over time I became convinced that this is still the most optimal size.

A soft, not too elastic pillowcase placed on top “disciplines” it and becomes more “knocked down”. But still, when you lie down, you “sink” into the pillow. Sleep comfortably and cozy :)

Very neatly made, even seams, no distortions, no protruding threads.

Who should pay attention to it:

• those who prefer soft pillows;
• for those who like to sleep on pillows that are not too high;
• for those who love warmth. It gently envelops your head with warmth from all sides. Very good in the cold, cold off-season and if the apartment is not too warm at other times of the year.

Caring for them is not difficult: you need to ventilate them periodically, they can be washed in washing machine In the delicate wash mode, but without spinning, dry flat. Well, don’t forget to whisk periodically, it’s a pleasant procedure, I must say 😉

Despite the fact that my heart and sleep were given to my favorite, while it was cold I slept exclusively on down and... I still sleep like that)) I think it will be quite possible to use it in the summer since it is not hot despite the warmth in the room.

My subjective rating: 5/5.

Price: the same size as mine costs 2,150 Russian rubles.

You can buy these down pillows in the Sovinson online store.

Which blanket is the warmest for the winter, review

The most beautiful blanket I ever owned turned out to be the warmest, my colleague was right))

Moreover, it’s been a week since we turned on the heating, it’s become hot, and I won’t replace it, because I just fell in love with it.

Seriously, I have never seen a more “lulling”, enveloping, airy and “affectionate” blanket. I love it :)

I once had a blanket made of holofiber, I also liked it for its similar “fluffiness” and lightness, but holofiber, being an artificial material, did not allow such air circulation, it created a greenhouse effect and was less warm.

So if you're looking for the warmest blanket for winter, this is it - a down blanket. I don't know if a blanket filled with sheep's wool can compete with it, I haven't tried it yet. But I can say for sure that down is warmer than camel, bamboo and holofiber combined 😉

It was warm under the duvet even during the “peak cold” in the apartment.

In principle, I can compare it with cotton wool, which I, however, slept under for a very long time, I remember that it is also very warm, but still not that warm, not only because of the “structure” of the filler, but also, if only because that it’s easier to “envelop” yourself with downy ones.

Let me add that the blanket was made with love, not only beautiful, but also very neat.

And not only the blanket itself, but also the cover.

A little about what is good and not so good about these blankets in general.

Duvet pros and cons

1. A classic of the genre, and that’s a plus. Because only something truly worthwhile can “be in fashion” for so long.

2. Comfort and softness. Reminds me of sleeping in a cozy cloud)

3. High hygroscopicity. During sleep, it easily and quickly absorbs the moisture released by the sleeping person, and also easily and quickly evaporates it.

4. Doesn't make any noise. This is especially important for pillows; unlike feather fillers and some synthetic ones, down will not disturb your sleep with external sounds.

5. Excellent thermal insulation. Down allows you not to freeze in winter and not suffer from heat in summer; the only thing you need to consider is to choose a blanket according to the season: light, demi-season or warm.

6. Good consumer characteristics and at the same time relatively low cost.

7. Lightness. The blanket weighs no more than a kilogram, and the weight of a pillow measuring 50x70 does not exceed 500 grams.

8. Elasticity. Instantly restore the lost shape.

1. Probably the biggest one is allergenicity. If allergies are your strong point, then they can occur despite the modern treatment of natural fillers with special antibacterial agents.

2. Care. They cannot be washed in a washing machine; they must be dry cleaned.

3. Price. I can’t say that this is a minus, because for such a quality item the price is absolutely adequate, it’s just that down duvets are more expensive than synthetic ones, but you can’t get such warmth and comfort from synthetic ones, so everyone chooses for themselves.

I read these disadvantages, but did not try them, while the blanket is new and I did not have to take care of it, I did not find any disadvantages.

I have already written about how to care for him.

My subjective rating: 5/5.

The price depends on the size and “seasonality” - light or warm: a warm double blanket costs 5,900 rubles, a lightweight version of a double blanket costs 5,340.

You can buy a light and warm blanket in the Sovinson online store.

Have cozy dreams under cozy blankets :)

A blanket is a bedding item that is used for covering while sleeping. If a product can also serve as a bedspread or a cape in a cold room, it is called a blanket. There are a huge number of types of blankets, so when choosing, you need to understand exactly which option is needed and for what purpose.

What to look for when choosing a blanket

• Season. First of all, you need to decide for what time of year the product is selected. Blankets are:
  • Winter– the warmest and thickest. In summer, as a rule, they cannot be used;
  • Summer- a lightweight option. The degree of lightness must be determined by the user - a cotton or wool product retains heat to varying degrees;
  • Two-way– a stitch is formed from different sides from different materials. Suitable for any time of year, but in regions with a temperate or warm climate;
  • 4 seasons– a blanket made of two parts that are connected with buttons. In warm weather one part is used, in cold weather both are used. If the winter is characterized by severe frosts or the heating in the apartment leaves much to be desired, you cannot do without real winter clothing.
• Weight. This is important for both children and adults. A blanket that feels heavy cannot be called comfortable.
• Hypoallergenic and natural- majority natural materials may cause an allergic reaction. This is due to the fact that natural fibers are not as smooth as synthetic or artificial ones. When used, tiny particles of wool are separated and irritate the skin and mucous membranes. The situation is paradoxical, but it is artificial fillers that are hypoallergenic.
  • Natural: sheep and camel wool, silk, cotton, bamboo.
  • Artificial: acrylic, holofiber, Vitasan, Medisan. It also matters how the fiber is produced. The use of certain substances during the manufacturing process will negate the hypoallergenic qualities.

The video explains how to choose the right blanket:

Which blanket is better to choose for sleeping?

The most important and, in fact, the only criterion is convenience. However, this parameter is subjective and may consist of a variety of requirements:

• Size– a short or too large blanket is extremely uncomfortable. Before choosing, you need to accurately determine required dimensions, and also pay attention to the nature of sleep: if the sleeper often turns over and changes position, then you should choose a square blanket. Many people prefer Euro size blankets. Blanket sizes: euro and double can be found.
• Weight– It is comfortable to sleep under a heavy blanket only if your muscles are sufficiently developed. Not recommended excess weight during sleep for those suffering from heart failure and pulmonary diseases. Heavy items include items with cotton filling, camel and sheep wool. For light ones - with fillings made of eiderdown or goose down, synthetic fibers.
• Sewing method– if a blanket with filling is used for sleeping, the distribution of the material matters. The volume of the product is quite large, and if the filler is not held in place by anything, it quickly clumps into clumps. This is not only not aesthetically pleasing, but also not practical: the fiber loses its structure, does not retain air, and, therefore, ceases to retain heat.

Comfort means not just warmth, but exactly the kind of warmth that is required in the room. Therefore, winter, summer or off-season products are distinguished.

In this case, one must also take into account one’s own ability to thermoregulate. If a person tolerates the cold well, there is no need to overheat under a thick blanket, and if not, it is advisable to have a thin camel down blanket for the summer.

Which blanket is better to choose for winter and which for summer?

This question should rather be formulated as follows: how effective is the heating in the apartment, and how hot is it outside in the summer. Well, or how good the air conditioner is.

The video describes in detail which blankets should be used in winter and summer:

Winter options

But usually for winter, even if good heating, choose products that are denser or with fillers:

• Pooh– eider down comes first, then goose, and then duck or its combination with goose, as well as artificial down. A down blanket is unusually light, soft, provides excellent warmth, conducts air and has better hygroscopicity: it absorbs moisture and removes it. Caring for it is quite simple: 2 times a year you need to thoroughly dry it in the sun and ventilate it. This is an ideal winter blanket, but, unfortunately, is not available to those who are allergic to feathered down.
• Wool– this blanket is made in two versions: in the form of a woven wool blanket or as a product with wool filling. The second product is a winter product, but a woven one can serve both winter and summer. Moreover, one woven from wool will be denser and heavier, while one made from camel down has practically no weight. The disadvantage is the same as that of down: those suffering from allergies to wool cannot use this wonderful product. Wool absorbs moisture well and conducts air, warms and maintains the microclimate under the blanket. The material has a slight massage effect and has a very beneficial effect on the joints. Read about how to choose a camel wool blanket.

Warm blanket filled with natural wool.

• cotton wool– is made on the basis of cotton, so it does not cause irritation. The material retains heat well, but does not conduct air well, its structure is easily damaged: the cotton wool becomes clumps and becomes compacted. The blanket has considerable weight and does not wash.
• Synthetic fillers– padding polyester, holofiber. They are characterized by low weight and high ability to retain heat. Their hygroscopicity is low: in winter this is not a problem, but already in the off-season it becomes stuffy under the padding polyester.

Summer options

Summer blankets are thin and light. Their task is not to warm, but to maintain the microclimate and remove moisture, since in summer the tendency to sweat increases:

• Cotton– light and thin, copes with the task perfectly: does not cause allergies, absorbs moisture and is washable even in a washing machine.
• Bamboo- made from bamboo fibers, is highly hygroscopic and hypoallergenic. Bamboo fabric has an antimicrobial effect that lasts for quite a long time - up to 50 washes. By the way, you can wash it in a washing machine.
• Silk- that is, a product with silk filling. Silk's ability to thermoregulate is unparalleled, and its high hygroscopicity and smooth, cool surface make it the best summer option. One significant drawback- high price. An original and inexpensive option are patchwork quilts.

The video shows what materials you should choose blankets from:

How to choose a blanket for a child

The only fundamental question here is: does the child have an allergy and, if so, to what materials? All other parameters coincide with the criteria for “adult” blankets.

• Size– It is not advisable to buy a blanket for growth. Of course, a margin of length is needed, but within reasonable limits.
• Weight- how smaller child, the lighter his blanket should be. Cotton and even woven wool products are too heavy for the baby.
• Seasonality– if there are no allergies, then, of course, down or wool blankets are best in winter, and cotton or bamboo fibers are best in summer. If there is, then you will have to choose a synthetic or combined material.
• Care– the smaller the child, the better his clothes should be washed. Blankets are no exception, so if you have a choice, you should choose those that are machine washable.

How to choose a blanket for a newborn

What blankets are needed for a newborn? A newborn needs three blankets: they serve different functions.

• Blanket for the maternity hospital- the one in which he will be wrapped upon discharge. In the summer, an elegant envelope for discharge from the maternity hospital in the summer is used as a “holiday package”. But in winter, you can’t do without a blanket—dressy or not. Ideally, a down or wool product. Unfortunately, the issue of allergies is especially acute, since it is not known whether the baby has any allergic reactions or not. It is more rational to use synthetic winterizer.

Blanket for newborn, good quality, will last a long time.

• Walking blanket- absolutely necessary thing. It is not recommended to put a blanket in the stroller for sleeping: there will be many opportunities to get it dirty during a walk. You need to choose a baby blanket for newborns - an easy-to-wash product: cotton or knitted for the warm season, synthetic padding for the winter.
• Blanket for sleeping. The best option, if there is no allergy, is wool and silk. Both materials are able to accumulate or remove heat as needed, so children are not at risk of overheating under a wool blanket. A summer blanket is usually thin cotton. For the off-season, it’s nice to have additional fleece: it is used on top of cotton. Also, many mothers prefer baby flannelette blankets for newborns. But you just need to take into account that the size of the baby blanket for the crib must correspond to the size of the crib.

Cooling and overheating are equally bad for a newborn. At first, you need to carefully observe his reaction in order to choose the best option.

Possible sizes.

The first thing you should decide on is, of course, the size. It often happens that a buyer purchases a blanket that does not fit into his duvet cover, which in turn causes unnecessary inconvenience that could have been avoided. Therefore, before going to the store, you should clearly define in your head the size of the blanket you need.
Standard sizes blankets are as follows:

• Children's (110x140);
• 1.5 sleeping (142x205);
• 2.0-bedroom (172x205);
• Euro standard (200x220);
• Maxi Euro (220x240).

The presented sizes are standard and most manufacturers adhere to them, however, some manufacturers may deviate slightly in one direction or another by 2-3 centimeters. There is nothing wrong with this, I’m just bringing information to your attention. If bed linen has not yet been purchased, then refer to the information given in the picture below.

Thickness of the blanket.

So, with the sizes, I hope everything is clear. And you have already noted for yourself the size that is right for you. Now let's try to figure out the density of the blanket.

Useful! The density indicator determines the amount of filler in the blanket, more precisely in square meter products. The higher the density, the more filler there is in the blanket, and, accordingly, the warmer it is.

Naturally, we all live in different apartments, houses. Each of us has our own heating characteristics: some have individual heating, some have central heating, and some may have a stove. Some people's houses are always hot, while others, on the contrary, are always cold. Someone buys a blanket from summer period year, and some in winter. As you can see, there are probably a lot of combinations (conditions) under which you choose a blanket. Of course, manufacturers take all these features into account and offer their customers blankets with different density indicators:

• Lightweight (from 100 to 200 g/m2);
• All-season (300 g/m2);
• Winter (more than 400 g/m2).

As you already understood, a lightweight blanket has the lowest density and is suitable for covering either in the summer or for those people who constantly have warm temperature, as well as for people who are constantly hot. An all-season blanket (I also call it a universal blanket) is suitable for any season and any climatic conditions in the house. Under it you will not freeze in winter and will not get dry in summer (if the filling of this blanket is bamboo, swan's down, eucalyptus, etc., with the exception of natural ones: sheep's wool, goat's down, camel's hair, because in summer you will sweat under them ). winter blanket speaks for itself and does not require any additions. Choose the thickness of the blanket based on your preferences. If you are in doubt, then tell the seller or manager your wishes and preferences, I am sure he will tell you.

Types of fillers.

Well, all that remains is for you and me to decide on the filling of the blanket. At first glance, this may not seem so simple, due to the fact that today there is a huge variety of fillers. And, as you know, the more offers, the harder the choice. In turn, I want to divide all the blankets into two large groups, according to the type of filler:

1) Artificial fillers:

• Swan down (artificial);
• Bamboo;
• Eucalyptus fiber;
• Aloe vera / meadow grass;
• Seaweed;
• Silk.

All artificial fillers have moderate heat transfer and are suitable for people who are allergic to natural fillers. The main advantages of this group are:

• Hyperallergenic;
• Antibacterial;
• Air permeability;
• Light weight;
• Easy to care for.

2) Natural fillers:

• Sheep's wool;
• Camel's wool;
• Goat fluff;
• Cashmere;
• Goose down.

Natural fillers are warmer than artificial ones, however, it is worth considering the possibility of allergies. The main features of this group are:

• High thermoregulation;
• Healing properties;
• Air permeability;
• Antistatic.

Important! It is worth noting that almost all blankets in the middle price category, no matter artificial or natural, contain an auxiliary filler - siliconized fiber. This artificial filler is added specifically; it makes the product more fluffy and elastic, giving it correct form and at the same time significantly reduces the cost. Do not be alarmed if, when purchasing a blanket, you see that the product contains not only sheep wool, but also siliconized fiber - this is normal. All-natural blankets are very expensive; not everyone can afford such products.

Types of covers.

An equally important attribute of a blanket is the cover. Special attention It is worth paying attention to the composition of the fabric from which the surface is made and the quality of the stitching. According to the composition of the material, all cases can be divided into three groups:

• Natural cotton materials (teak, satin, poplin);
• Synthetic materials (polyester, microfiber);
• Combined (X% cotton + Y% synthetics).

Naturally, the cost of a blanket directly depends on the quality of the cover; the more “natural” the cover, the more expensive the blanket. If your financial situation is normal, then buy a blanket made of natural cotton. Cotton fabric does not electrify, allows the blanket to breathe and absorbs moisture well. Blankets with a synthetic cover are 30-40% cheaper, but such blankets have a number of disadvantages: tucking a blanket with a synthetic cover into a duvet cover is very uncomfortable, it “shoots sparks”, the service life of a synthetic blanket is less than that of a cotton one. In addition, synthetic fabric does not allow air to pass through very well. Great alternative is a combined cover, for example made of polycotton, it is much less susceptible to electrification and costs 10 - 15% less than a natural one.

Advice! I advise you to buy quilted or cassette blankets, because... the filler in such blankets is distributed evenly over the entire surface and does not bunch up in one corner. The more often the stitch is done, the better. We will not consider blankets without stitches, because... In my opinion, a quality blanket should be quilted.

This is where I end the article, I hope it was useful and interesting. I would be glad to hear your feedback and recommendations on choosing a blanket. Help other people do right choice, share your experience. Best wishes.