What is a weighted blanket made of, really? They can be filled with many different ingredients – plastic poly pellets, micro glass beads, steel shot beads, sand, pebbles and grains.
Weighted blankets are not just filled with traditional batting filling like you would find in a normal blanket. Instead, they can be filled with a variety of different materials, each with its own set of benefits.
So, what are some of the best fillings for weighted blankets? Keep reading to find out!
What is inside a weighted blanket?
Weighted blankets are usually made up of three components: the blanket, which applies pressure to your body in order for you to feel relaxed; a cover that goes over it and helps keep everything together. The third component is what makes this heavy-the filler or inner weight!
The weighted fabric will sit on top while applying gentle pressure across all parts of the user’s body equally.
Weighted Blanket Fabric:
First, you need to choose the fabric material of the blanket itself. This is usually the layer of weighted blanket that you’ll feel on your body. The choice of fabric is dependent on your preferences and the overall feel of the blanket. Important features to consider are: texture, thickness and softness.
Some popular fabric types for weighted blankets include:
Fleece
Fleece is one of the most common choices for fabric because it’s soft, comfortable and durable. One downside to fleece is that it can sometimes be a little hot since it traps heat very well which can make it uncomfortable in warm climates.
Cotton
Another popular choice for fabric is cotton fleece because it’s a comfortable, breathable and durable material. This fabric is soft against the skin and easy to clean which makes it great for people with allergies or sensitivities that can’t tolerate things like polyester. Cotton also doesn’t trap heat as well as fleece which makes it a great option for people living in warmer climates.
Wool
This material is a bit pricier than fleece or cotton but provides a lot of the same benefits. Wool is also soft and comfortable against the skin and easy to clean. Wool does tend to be heavier though-it weighs about twice as much as the other materials which can make it harder to handle.
Other materials that are also becoming popular are bamboo viscose, quilt and minky fabrics.
Each material has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s best to test out a few different materials to find the one that works best for you.
Weighted Blanket Duvet Covers:
The next thing to focus on is the weighted blanket cover. These covers are usually made of polyester or fleece and act as a barrier between your body and the inner weight. Weighted blanket covers are ideally removable or can be sewn on.
Covers can be very helpful in reducing any noise that might be associated with the beads, sand or other fillers inside. This extra layer will also help to protect the weighted blanket fabric and prolong its lifespan.
What is a weighted blanket filler?
A weighted blanket filler refers to the weight which fills a blanket. The weight of the filler will play a role in determining how heavy your blanket is. It should be heavy enough that it provides deep touch pressure. However, it should not be so heavy that the user cannot carry or lift it with ease.
There are many weighted blanket filler options that can be used including, plastic poly pellets, micro glass beads, steel shot beads and sand.
Plastic Poly Pellets
This is the most common type of weight used in weighted blankets, aka weighted stuffing beads. Poly pellets are small, inexpensive and consistent which makes it very easy to handle.
Plastic poly pellets are made of 100% polypropylene and is considered very safe to use. They are often used in stuffed toys to stay sitting up, so they are great for filling a weighted blanket even for your kiddies.
As it is made of plastic, it is completely safe to wash. However, you should check what temperature these should be washed/dried in to prevent break down. If you notice an off-putting odor it’s likely the chemicals trapped in the protective wrapping. It will go away with time.
Some people may complain that this material is not completely silent – it may make a slight sound when you carry it around. These pellets can also be lumpy and rough.
If you have sensory disorders, I would recommend cotton stuffing in the blanket amongst the beads or covering the blanket with a thicker fabric like mink.
Micro Glass Beads
Micro glass beads are a great choice for people seeking a completely silent blanket with no mess.
These glass beads are similar to counter top protectors you would put under your plates. They range in size, but most of them are about 4mm wide and are much smaller and smoother than plastic pellets.
Glass beads are also a great choice for people with severe sensory or auditory issues as they are completely silent and also extremely smooth and less bulky. As each glass bead is heavier than plastic pellets, the weighted blanket can be made up to 10% heavier and less bulkier.
These beads do tend to be much more expensive than those made of plastic. Micro glass beads are cool to touch, they often make good cooling weighted blankets.
Steel Shot Beads
Steel beads are a mixture of steel spheres that have been wrapped in polypropylene.
These offer the same benefits as glass bead material, but tend to be a little bit more bulky and heavier so they can’t be stuffed as much as glass beads. Steel beads are however more durable than micro glass beads. Steel is hypoallergenic and completely safe to wash.
The downside of steel beads is that it can be more noisy when moved around, but it is a good choice for people who need a heavier weight in their blanket or have sensory issues.
Sand
Sand or other types of dirt such as soil are sometimes used. It is not recommended because despite being a very lightweight option, it has its downsides.
Sand filled weighted blanket absolutely cannot be washed as this causes clumping and is unable to provide evenly distributed weight. Sand also loses its shape after time and may need replacing, which can become costly.
It is inexpensive to get but I would not recommend this unless you’re desperate.
Pebbles
This is another inexpensive choice, however it can be difficult to get every piece of rock to be the same size to create even weight distribution. As you can imagine, rocks are super uncomfortable to be sleeping on.
You also need to make sure that these rocks are completely dry before they are used as mold is going to be problematic.
Grains
Grains are inexpensive and easy to source from your local supermarket. Examples of these are pasta, rice, beans etc. However these are not durable at all, they can become moldy, rot and break down.
They cannot go into the wash as these will absorb water and fasten the process of molding!
How weighted blankets work?
Weighted blankets mimic the feeling of being hugged or held, studies have shown that this reduces the stress and calms the nervous system. This phenomenon is otherwise known as deep stimulation pressure.
Weighted blankets are a great therapy for children with sensory issues such as autism, ADHD and anxiety disorders due to their soothing nature and how they can help calm your child. This can also help them sleep.
Conclusion
A weighted blanket is made of three things – the blanket itself, the cover and filling. There are many different materials from which to choose for each component depending on your needs. It can be tricky to find the one-size fits all when it comes to these things especially if you making weighted blankets yourself.
We hope this guide can help you find the best answer.
FAQ:
What is inside a weighted blanket that makes it heavy?
The fillings are what makes the blanket heavy. Different materials’ weights differ, so it’s important to buy a weighted blanket with the right filling depending on your needs. For example, a blanket with glass beads or steel beads as its filling will be heavier than one with plastic poly pellets.
When looking for a weighted blanket, it’s important to consider the weight of the material and how dense it is. The denser the material, the more weight it will provide.
A good rule of thumb is to find a blanket that has at least 10% of your body weight in ounces. So if you weigh 150 pounds, you’ll want a 15-pound weighted blanket. And if you’re looking for something extra cozy and plush, go for a 20%
Are weighted blankets hot?
It really depends on the fabric material used in the construction of a weighted blanket. Some materials, like cotton, will naturally be warmer than others like fleece. However, most weighted blankets are not significantly warmer than a regular blanket.
Are the beads in a weighted blanket toxic?
The beads in a weighted blanket are usually made from glass or plastic, and they are safe to use. However, it’s always important to check the label before using any type of blanket with beads inside, as there may be temperature restrictions.
Why are weighted blankets bad for you?
There is no good reason to believe that weighted blankets are bad for you, unless you have a medical condition that contraindicates their use. In fact, there is some evidence to suggest that weighted blankets may be beneficial for people with anxiety, autism, and other conditions.
The main concern with weighted blankets is that they may cause people to overheat. However, as long as you make sure to use a breathable fabric and keep the blanket in a cool place, this should not be a problem.
Cheapest way to make weighted blankets?
A cheap way to make a weighted blanket is to use some inexpensive materials like sand, grains or pebbles. However, I don’t really recommend this because the materials are not durable, comfortable or cleaning-friendly.
A better way is to use pellets or beads that are designed for this purpose. They are made out of non-toxic materials and they will last a long time. The downside is that they can be a little bit expensive. But it’s still cheaper than buying one from a store.
