What Are Weighted Blankets Really Made Of?
So, what exactly is a weighted blanket? And what are they really made of? Let’s explore.
Bearassentials
The best weighted blanket fillers are those that are natural and sustainable.
It helps to have a weighted blanket with eco-friendly outer fabrics, like cotton.
When choosing a weighted blanket, also consider if it’s washable.
Did you know?
A hug machine, also known as a hug box is a deep-pressure device designed to calm hypersensitive persons. The therapeutic, stress-relieving device was invented by Dr. Temple Grandin while she was attending college.
Unlike regular blankets, weighted blankets need to be properly measured, weighed, and designed to keep you cozy and comfortable enough to sleep. This is why it helps to invest in weighted blankets made of natural and sustainable materials and backed with scientific research, form and function.
In this blog, we look at the various weighted blanket fillers to help you in your search for an anxiety-melting and sleep-enhancing weighted blanket of your dreams!
Let’s begin by first looking at how exactly weighted blankets work!
What Is A Weighted Blanket?
A weighted blanket is a specialized blanket or throw that has been filled with… weight. This makes the blanket heavier than usual – typically between 10 - 30 pounds. It is generally recommended that your weighted blanket should be about 10% of your body weight for optimum coziness.
The basic function of a weighted blanket is to apply gentle pressure on your body, which mimics the feeling of being hugged. This is why sleeping under a weighted blanket has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, quiet racing thoughts, and promote deeper, more restful sleep
The magic behind weighted blankets is simple: Deep Touch Pressure (DTP). DTP is the simple phenomenon of putting pressure on the body to cause relaxation. This occurs when we get a relaxing massage, hold hands, or hug a friend. DTP increases levels of serotonin and melatonin – also known as the happy hormone and the sleep hormone, respectively – while also reducing the stress hormone, cortisol. Together, these effects calm the mind, stimulate a sense of relaxation, and help you drift into dreamland faster.
What Are Weighted Blankets Filled With?
There are many materials that can be used to give your blanket weight. Below, we compare different kinds of weighted blanket fillers, including those that are good for you and the planet too:
1. Organic Cotton: This is grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, reducing the environmental impact and promoting biodiversity. Organic cotton is biodegradable, soft, and hypoallergenic, making it comfortable and safe for long-term use.
2. Natural Latex: Sourced from the sap of rubber trees, natural latex is renewable and biodegradable. The production process can be sustainable if managed correctly. It is also resilient and durable
3. Upcycled Polyester: Made from post-consumer plastic waste, upcycled polyester helps reduce waste in landfills and oceans. It is durable, washable, and provides consistent weight. Recycling ocean-bound plastic, for instance, gives new life to waste materials and also keeps our water bodies clean.
4. Hemp: Hemp is a fast-growing crop that requires little water and no pesticides. It improves soil health and absorbs more CO2 compared to other plants. It’s strong, durable, and naturally hypoallergenic, providing a sustainable and healthy filler option.
5. Glass Beads: These are made from sand, a natural and abundant resource. They are typically non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and can be recycled. Depending on your weighted blanket’s design, glass beads can provide even weight distribution, yet they can be a choking hazard, especially for little children.
6. Steel Shot Beads: Steel is highly recyclable, and using recycled steel reduces the demand for new raw materials and energy consumption. Steel shot beads are heavy and small, providing a compact weight distribution, yet they too, can present a choking hazard.
7. Plastic Poly Pellets and Beads: Made from virgin plastic, which is derived from non-renewable petroleum resources. The production process involves significant energy consumption and can release harmful chemicals. They are durable and inexpensive, making them a popular choice despite their environmental impact. However, they contribute to plastic pollution and are not biodegradable.
At Bearaby, our commitment goes beyond crafting premium weighted blankets; it extends to minimizing our environmental footprint with every choice we make. This is why we first designed our classic Cotton Napper, made of 100% cotton and knitted for optimum coziness and breathability. The evenly-dispersed weight of our Napper’s loops cocoons your body, perfectly triggering those pressure points that tell you it’s time to calm down and get ready for a nap.
Types of Weighted Blanket Fabrics
Choosing fabrics for weighted blankets involves considering the environmental impact of the materials, including their production, use, and disposal. Here are some fabric options and tips on how to choose them:
1. Organic Cotton: Grows without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, reducing environmental impact and promoting biodiversity. Organic cotton farming practices also use less water compared to conventional cotton. It is soft, breathable, hypoallergenic, and biodegradable, making it comfortable and environmentally friendly.
2. Bamboo: Bamboo grows quickly without the need for pesticides or fertilizers and requires less water than cotton. It also absorbs more CO2 and releases more oxygen compared to other plants. Bamboo fabric is soft, breathable, moisture-wicking, and naturally antimicrobial. However, ensure it is processed mechanically rather than chemically to retain its eco-friendly properties.
3. Linen: Made from flax plants, linen requires minimal water and pesticides. Flax can grow in poor soil and can be used entirely, leaving no waste. Linen is durable, breathable, and naturally antibacterial. It also becomes softer with each wash and is biodegradable.
4. Hemp: Hemp is a fast-growing crop that requires little water and virtually no pesticides. It improves soil health and has a high yield per acre. Hemp fabric is strong, durable, breathable, and naturally hypoallergenic. It is also biodegradable.
5. Tencel (Lyocell): Made from sustainably sourced wood pulp, usually from eucalyptus, beech, or spruce trees. The production process is closed-loop, meaning solvents are recycled with minimal waste. Tencel is also soft, breathable, moisture-wicking, and biodegradable.
6. Recycled and Upcycled Fabrics: These reduce the need for virgin resources, minimizing environmental impact by giving new life to materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. This is what we had in mind when designing our Queen and King Ocean Huggers, made from cool, crisp upcycled ocean-bound plastic. Designed to cover your whole bed, our Queen-size Ocean Hugger is 20 lbs and 60’’ by 80’’ while the King-size is 25 lbs and 76’’ by 80’’.
Tips for Choosing Sustainable Fabrics
1. Check Certifications: Look for certifications such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), OEKO-TEX, Fair Trade, and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) to ensure the fabric meets environmental and ethical standards.
2. Research Brands: Choose brands committed to sustainability, transparency, and ethical practices. Many brands provide detailed information about their sourcing, production processes, and environmental impact.
3. Consider the Entire Lifecycle: Think about the fabric’s production, use, and end-of-life. Sustainable fabrics should be produced responsibly, be durable, and ideally be biodegradable or recyclable
4. Look for Low-Impact Dyes: Choose fabrics dyed with natural or low-impact dyes to minimize environmental pollution and reduce the use of harmful chemicals
5. Prioritize Durability: Sustainable fabrics should be long-lasting, reducing the need for frequent replacement and minimizing waste.
By considering these factors, you can choose fabrics for weighted blankets that are both comfortable and environmentally responsible.
Weighted Blankets Packaging
The best things in life come from thinking outside the box. At Bearaby, we like to think outside the box - literally. While rethinking the question, “what are weighted blankets made of?”, we also thought about the packaging and production process and how to make it as sustainable as possible.
We passed on wasteful plastic packaging and decided to find a more sustainable way to get our blankets to you. The result? A zero-plastic production line (no plastic wrapping or excess packing materials) that ends at your doorstep. That’s right, no plastic. Not now, not ever.
Our weighted blankets also come inside a 100% cotton dust bag. The bag not only protects your Bearaby weighted blanket, but supports the environment and gives you a reusable bag to use at home for years to come.
You won't find our weighted blankets filled with material that's harming our planet, so why would you find that in our packaging?
Conclusion
Choosing the right fillers and fabrics for weighted blankets is not just about comfort; it’s about making a positive impact on both your sleep and the environment. Sustainable fillers like organic cotton, TENCEL, and upcycled materials offer you desired weight distribution and align with eco-friendly practices. Pairing these fillers with outer fabrics such as organic cotton and bamboo can further enhance your weighted blanket’s comfort and planet kindness.
