5 Tips to Buying a Weighted Blanket

A weighted blanket is a type of bedding like any other except that it’s a bit heavier than an ordinary blanket. In fact, it resembles a duvet by a great deal. In a nutshell, the blanket comprises of two layers of fabric material. The space between the two sheets is filled with either plastic pellets or glass particles. The fillings make the blanket to feel heavier on you. Research shows that people who suffer from inability to sleep (insomnia) are more likely to go into a somber mood after covering themselves with such a blanket.

The logic behind this argument is that the blanket’s weight applies some gentle pressure on your body, which eventually induces you to fall asleep much faster. However, most people don’t know what to look for when shopping for such blankets. They end up buying a blanket that’s too heavy or light. Others also buy a blanket that’s too small. Here is a list of tips that can guide you when shopping for weighted blanket.

Consider Age of the User

When buying a weighted blanket, you should factor into the age of the person that will be using it. If the blanket will be used by an adult, you should opt for a blanket that’s at least 15 pounds. A blanket weighing less than 15 pounds will definitely not work because it will not apply the required pressure. If the blanket will be used by a child, it should not weigh more than 10 percent of the child’s weight. This is because you want your child to be able to remove the blanket on his own when the climate gets too hot.

Filling Materials

There are basically two types of materials that are used for filling Hush Blankets; plastic pellets and glass particles. Each of the filling materials has its pros and cons. If you live in an area that experiences cold weather more often, it’s recommended you opt for a blanket that’s filled with glass particles. Such a blanket will obviously dry much faster because glass doesn’t trap water like plastic pellets. The glass crystals have smooth edges to make sure they don’t prick you when you lie on the blanket.

Get the Right Size

A weighted blanket is designed to cover your entire body. This means that you can’t use a short blanket for therapeutic purposes. To avoid buying a blanket that’s either too large or small, it’s advisable you measure the size of your bed and refer to it when making an order from an online store. In fact, most stores have three categories of blankets; small, medium and large. Small blankets are ideal for kids below the age of five. Kids who are between 6 and 12 years should use medium size blankets while adults should go for large blankets.

Check the Seams

Whether you are shopping offline or online, it’s important you confirm that the seams are intact. This is because a loose seam can cause the filling materials to scatter away from the blanket. An ideal weighted blanket should have double stitches on the seams. If the seams look weak or are partially open, you should return the blanket back to the seller. The good thing is that most stores have a return policy on items that are not sold as secondhand.

Compare Prices

There are many stores that trade in weighted blankets. You should take advantage of the stiff competition among traders to get the best bargain in the market. Instead of buying from the first store that you find, you should compare the prices of different outlets. However, established brands tend to be more costly than brands that are yet to be known. In fact, brand doesn’t matter when shopping for a blanket. All you want is a blanket that applies the pressure you need to fall asleep.