Let's look at the pros and cons of the most popular natural and artificial fillers and let's figure out what cases they are suitable for.
Bird fluff
Goose down is the most popular and traditional natural filler of animal origin.
Pros:
- High warming ability. Down is very warm and has excellent thermoregulation.
- Breathability. The down filling allows air to pass through well, creating a comfortable microclimate under the blanket.
- Elasticity and non-flexibility. The duvet quickly recovers and does not lose its lush shape for a long time.
- Light weight. No filler can compete with the lightness of down.
- Antistatic. Down is not electrified.
- Durability. A duvet lasts up to 20 years.
Minuses:
- Allergenicity. Down is an ideal breeding ground for dust mites.
- Poor moisture exchange. Absorbing up to 45% of moisture relative to its own weight, down does not evaporate and quickly becomes damp.
- High price. 100% down blankets are the most expensive.
- Difficult care. Duvets require anti-mite treatment and special storage.
The quality is time-tested, and modern technologies brought him to new level. Such a blanket will not be cheap, but its cost will be recouped for a long time services.
Sheep's wool
The second most popular (after bird down) natural filler.
Pros:
- Medicinal properties. Sheep wool has been used for centuries to treat osteochondrosis and muscle pain.
- The ability to warm with dry heat. The warming properties of sheepskin are second only to down and camel hair.
- Breathability. Air passes freely through the wool filling, maintaining the optimal temperature for sleeping under the blanket.
- High moisture exchange. Sheepskin perfectly absorbs and evaporates moisture while remaining dry.
- Antistatic. Sheep wool does not accumulate static electricity and neutralizes its negative effects.
- Affordable price. This natural filler is cheaper than many types of synthetics.
Minuses:
- Allergenicity. Allergies to wool can be caused not only by dust mites, but also animal wax.
- Caking. Sheep blankets cake after 3-4 years of use.
- Heavy weight. The only ones heavier than sheepskin blankets are cotton ones.
- Difficult to care for. For wool, only dry cleaning is allowed.
They are popular all over the world because they are ideal for people who prefer the naturalness of animal raw materials combined with affordable prices.
Camel's wool
Camel wool is as popular in the East as sheep wool in the West, but the quality of camel filler is considered higher.
Pros:
- Medicinal properties. Like a sheep camel's wool warms with dry heat, reduces muscle pain and reduces cold symptoms.
- Low thermal conductivity. Camel hair is as warm as down.
- Excellent moisture exchange. Camel filler perfectly evaporates and absorbs moisture.
- Breathability. It is impossible to sweat under a camel blanket.
- Durability. Camel blankets last up to 30 years.
- Unbreakable. Camel hair is very elastic and holds its shape perfectly.
- Ease. A camel blanket is not much heavier than a down blanket.
- Antistatic. Camel wool does not electrify and neutralizes the effects of static electricity.
Minuses:
- Allergenicity. The scourge of all allergy sufferers - dust mites also live in camel hair.
- Prickly. This property is inherent only in products made from raw materials collected from adult animals.
- High price. A camel blanket costs no less than a down blanket.
When deciding which filling for a blanket is better: down, camel or sheep, keep in mind that their properties are largely similar. At the same time, unlike down, it has excellent moisture exchange, is lighter and more durable than sheep's.
Swan's down (thinsulate)
Thinsulate is an artificial filler, originally created as an analogue of natural swan down.
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic. Thinsulate does not create conditions for the development of pathogenic microorganisms and is absolutely harmless.
- Low thermal conductivity. Artificial down as warm as natural.
- Ease. A standard “swan” blanket weighs no more than 500 grams.
- Elasticity. Thinsulate does not cake, easily restores and keeps its shape.
- Easy care. Swan down can withstand numerous washes and dries quickly.
Minuses:
- Zero hygroscopicity. Artificial down does not absorb moisture.
- Electrification. Thinsulate accumulates static electricity.
- Does not allow air to pass through. When sleeping under such a blanket, there is a risk of overheating.
Most the right time year for use - off-season. It will be hot under it in summer and cool in winter.
Polyester fiber
Most of the latest generation artificial fillers, such as holofiber, comforter, ecofiber, silicone fiber, microfiber, are made from polyester fiber. They differ in appearance, but their basic qualities are identical.
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic. Polyester fillers are absolutely harmless to human health.
- Elasticity. Artificial fibers hold their shape well and do not pill or cake.
- Low thermal conductivity. Due to its hollow structure, polyester fillers retain heat well.
- Light weight. Synthetics are not much heavier than down.
- Easy to care for. All these materials are easy to wash and dry quickly.
- Durability. The service life of polyester fillers is at least 10 years.
Minuses:
- Zero hygroscopicity. Artificial materials do not absorb moisture well.
- Electrification. Such blankets quickly accumulate static electricity.
The latest generation of synthetic fillers can be a good replacement for products made from natural fillers. The question of which blanket is best to buy when choosing from a variety of polyester fibers is not fundamental. Their consumer properties approximately the same.
Bamboo fiber
Vegetable fillers are confidently conquering modern market. One of them is regenerated cellulose obtained from bamboo stems.
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic. Bamboo itself does not cause allergies and does not harbor pathogens.
- Breathability. This filler “breathes” and has good thermoregulation.
- Environmentally friendly. Bamboo blankets do not electrify and do not absorb odors.
- Ease. The average weight of bamboo blankets is comparable to the weight of synthetic products.
- Easy care. Bamboo blankets can be machine washed.
Minuses:
- Low heating capacity. These blankets are not very warm.
- Fragility. Bamboo filling lasts no more than 2 seasons. To increase wear resistance, artificial fibers are added to it.
- Poor moisture exchange. A mixture of bamboo and synthetic fibers does not absorb moisture well.
One of the most environmentally friendly. They will provide comfortable sleep V warm time year and off-season.
Eucalyptus fiber (tencel, lyocell)
Tencel or lyocell is another new plant filler. It is made from regenerated cellulose obtained from eucalyptus stems.
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic. Eucalyptus itself does not cause allergies and pathogenic microbes do not multiply in it.
- Low thermal conductivity. Eucalyptus litter is the warmest of the plant materials.
- Elasticity. Tencel (lyocell) holds and restores its shape well.
- Breathability. The eucalyptus blanket “breathes” and has good thermoregulation.
- Good moisture exchange. Eucalyptus filler perfectly absorbs and evaporates moisture.
- Antistatic. Eucalyptus does not accumulate static electricity.
- Easy care. Eucalyptus blankets do not lose their properties after machine washing.
- Durability. The service life of such blankets is up to 10 years.
Minuses:
- High price. Eucalyptus blankets are among the most expensive in their segment.
Eucalyptus fiber has excellent thermoregulation and is suitable for all people. When purchasing it, you should carefully study the label, because to reduce the cost natural fiber often mixed with artificial materials.
Cotton
Until recently, when talking about a cotton blanket, it was meant that it was made of cotton wool - a cheap and short-lived material. New technologies make it possible to produce cotton fiber filler, which is of higher quality than cotton wool.
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic. Cotton does not cause allergies and is absolutely safe for health and the environment.
- Low thermal conductivity. Cotton blankets are very warm.
- Inexpensive price. Blankets made from cotton fibers are the cheapest and most affordable.
Minuses:
- Poor moisture exchange. Absorbing up to 40% of moisture relative to its weight, cotton does not evaporate it into the environment.
- Heavy weight. The weight of a blanket made of 100% cotton fiber can reach several kilograms.
- Fragility. A blanket made of pure cotton does not last very long, since it quickly clumps and loses its consumer properties.
Blankets made of cotton fiber with the addition of synthetics are preferable to cotton products. They are just as cheap, but more durable and have better thermoregulation.
Hemp fiber, flax
Hemp and flax are natural plant fillers that are becoming increasingly popular and successfully compete with expensive silk.
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic. These fillers do not cause allergies, skin irritations and dust mites do not live in them.
- High breathability. Air circulates freely inside them, creating a comfortable microclimate under the blanket.
- High moisture exchange. Flax and hemp are quickly absorbed excess moisture and they immediately evaporate it, remaining dry.
- Antibacterial. Thanks to the presence in chemical composition hemp and flax contain selenium and silicon; pathogenic microbes do not multiply in blankets made from them.
- Low thermal conductivity. Flax and hemp fibers have high warming properties and excellent thermoregulation.
- Durability. These fillers last longer than any other natural plant materials.
- Easy care. These blankets are easy to wash and dry quickly.
Minuses:
- High price. The cost of these fillers is much higher than bamboo and eucalyptus and is second only to silk products.
Linen and hemp blankets are suitable for all people without exception. They can be used at any room temperature, and they high price pays off over many years of use.
Silk
Silk blankets are filled with fluffy fibers produced by silkworm larvae.
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic. This is the only filler of animal origin that does not harbor dust mites and fungi.
- Antibacterial. Silk good antiseptic, therefore pathogenic microorganisms do not multiply in it.
- High moisture exchange. Silk perfectly absorbs and evaporates moisture, creating a comfortable microclimate under the blanket.
- Durability. The service life of silk blankets is at least 12 years.
- Breathability. Air circulates freely through the silk hairs. The greenhouse effect under such a blanket is excluded.
- Antistatic. Natural silk does not electrify and does not accumulate static electricity.
- Easy care. Silk blankets do not need to be washed frequently. It is enough to ventilate them from time to time.
Minuses:
- High thermal conductivity. Silk blankets are only suitable for summer and off-season.
- High price. The cost of such blankets is comparable to the cost of down products.
A blanket filled with silk is quite expensive and is not suitable during the cold season. It is best to use it in the summer or off-season, when the temperature has not yet dropped much.
Woolen and down products are the warmest, their quality has been tested for centuries, but they cause allergies in many people. To exclude it, it is necessary to carry out periodic anti-mite treatment, dry and ventilate as often as possible.
Blankets made from silk and plant materials will be a good alternative to down and wool products for people who prefer natural materials, but prone to allergies. Considering that the warming ability of silk and bamboo blankets is low, use them in winter frosts Not recommended. For cold weather, products made from flax, hemp, eucalyptus and cotton are more suitable.
The consumer properties of the latest generation of synthetic blankets are very high today. The only indicator in which they are seriously inferior natural products- insufficient moisture exchange. To prevent overheating when covering yourself with such blankets, you should select their density according to the season.
Before purchasing, carefully study the properties of the filler, find out the opinions of friends who already use a similar blanket. This will help you make the right choice and sleep healthy and sound.
Wool, down, cotton, and even soybean and eucalyptus - they are used to make blankets. Understand this issue before purchasing bedding very important: your comfort during sleep, regulation of body temperature and humidity, and even the likelihood of allergic reactions. Most effective method commit right choice- contact an expert consultant, which is what we did for you.
Lyudmila Ushakova, leading store manager, helps us madam-posteli.ru.
All blanket fillings are divided into natural and synthetic, but today we will only talk about the first category as it is more environmentally friendly.
Pooh
Waterfowl down is a classic among duvet fillers. This option will do for those who love blankets that are voluminous, soft and light, but at the same time warm. This is an environmentally friendly option, but in rare cases, fluff can cause allergies. To prevent the blanket from bunching up, it is important to pay attention to the sewing technology: cassette duvets have separate compartments for down, ensuring uniform filling. Quilts hold down fluff less well, so they are only suitable for a small amount of it, for the summer version.
Many people think that duvets should have the most low price On the market. This is wrong. The price depends on the country of origin, the quality of raw materials, the quality and type of down-containing fabric, sewing technology, degree of warmth - in the end good blanket will be expensive. If you want to save money, you can choose a blanket made in Russia or of Eastern Europe and with gray (not white) goose down: all other things being equal, such a blanket is always cheaper.
Some duvets are washable. True, it is difficult to do this at home: a voluminous blanket is too cramped in washing machine, and it will not rinse well. Therefore, it is better to take it to the dry cleaner.
Wool
Wool retains heat well, regulates moisture, and is famous for its ability to relieve stress and normalize blood pressure. This environmentally friendly material, however, it is difficult to care for and is not the best for allergy sufferers. For care, wool blankets are dry cleaned, but some camel and cashmere blankets from Denmark and Germany can be machine washed. Of course, they are more expensive than average - precisely because of this feature.
Wool blankets are produced both woven and quilted with filling. The most popular materials- sheep and camel wool; blankets made from yak or alpaca wool are less common (there are simply fewer of them in nature). An exclusive item in this category is cashmere blankets. It's nice that the wool blanket good quality will cost less than a duvet of the same level.
Sheep's wool
Blanket from sheep wool- most inexpensive option wool blanket. When purchasing, pay attention to the fabric of the cover: it should be cotton (satin, percale or teak) without synthetic threads. The filler should not have inclusions such as litter and thorns and no strong odor (maximum - a slight odor of natural wool).
Camel hair and camel down
Camel wool blankets are my absolute favorite. They are light and durable. Camels in the desert can withstand sudden temperature changes - up to 40 degrees, but at the same time the structure of their wool helps preserve constant temperature skin. Therefore, it is impossible to freeze under such a blanket in winter, and in summer it will not be hot under a lightweight camel wool blanket.
Camel hair really has good energy, relaxes, helps with joint pain, and improves overall well-being. If you want to show maximum care for your loved ones or pamper yourself, choose blankets made in Mongolia from camel down(up to 80-85% fluff in the composition) from young camels, they are called “tailak”. We have a series of blankets with the same name.
Cashmere
This is truly exquisite material. Very pleasant to the touch, warm and light, it does not prick, does not roll or fall off. But its main advantage is hypoallergenicity. It makes sense to buy such blankets woven for tactile pleasure. Blankets from some European manufacturers can even be washed at home.
Plant fiber
Cotton, linen, silk, bamboo, eucalyptus and soy are fillers for summer and mid-season blankets. They are not as warm as down and wool, but in summer they can even bring the desired coolness thanks to excellent thermoregulation and masterfully maintain moisture balance. These are the most environmentally friendly materials.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus filler is a viscose type fiber obtained from eucalyptus wood. The common name for this fiber is Lyocell, but best brand- Tencel. It is pleasant to the touch, silky, perfectly absorbs moisture (much better than cotton), does not cause allergies, and has antibacterial properties. Dust mites and fungus do not multiply in it. Eucalyptus blankets can be not only summer, but also all-season, but the more filling and the warmer the blanket, the heavier it is. Interestingly, eucalyptus fiber is obtained chemically, but it is not synthetic.
Bamboo and soy
The story with bamboo is the same as with eucalyptus - it is a viscose fiber, natural and artificial at the same time, but not synthetic. Bamboo fiber has excellent air exchange and even has a cooling effect in summer. If you don't freeze in winter, bamboo blanket may be all-season, but if you want something warmer and lighter in weight, would be better suited soybeans Blankets made from bamboo and soy are easy to machine wash and dry quickly. Big advantages are hypoallergenicity and affordable price.
Silk
Silk is a hypoallergenic and antibacterial filler, intended for both summer nights and not too cold winters (it all depends on the amount of filler). Natural silk has pronounced therapeutic and prophylactic properties, protects against colds and cardiovascular diseases. According to some customers, it also relieves rheumatism and arthritis.
Silk filler is quite heavy and does not have much volume - and this feature has its fans. The disadvantage of the material is that most blankets with silk filling, especially made in China, cannot be washed or dry cleaned.
Cotton and linen
Cotton and linen are ideal for a summer blanket. They “breathe”, remove moisture due to their high hygroscopicity, creating a suitable microclimate during sleep and providing freshness on the hottest nights. On top of everything else, they are inexpensive.
Always look not only at the filling, but also at the type of fabric of the cover: unnatural or poor quality of the cover can greatly reduce the properties of the entire blanket. It is convenient to check the quality of the filler if the blanket has a special transparent window, although this option is most often found in silk blankets (and rarely in other types).
The price of a blanket with any filling depends on the size, warmth and manufacturer. You can always pick up best option according to needs and budget. Don't be put off by the price of most natural blankets: this is an investment in your health and a purchase that will last. long years. It's worth it.
If you want one blanket to serve all year round, you can buy a blanket with “4 seasons” buttons - these are two blankets of different densities fastened together. One is suitable for the summer, the second for the off-season, and two together - for cold winter. But such a blanket has a serious disadvantage: the buttons are short-lived. Therefore, I advise you to still buy 2 blankets - light and warm (or all-season).
Photos: ecotekstil.ru, mota.ru, madam-posteli.ru, lejeboka.ru
Wool products (sheep, camel, cashmere) are in particular demand. When choosing a particular blanket, everyone is guided by considerations and preferences. Some people are more concerned about the cost, others - appearance. But the main thing is what sensations the sleeper experiences while being made of this or that material. In general, wool blankets are suitable for people who like dry warmth and the feeling of the weight of the blanket.
Camel wool blanket
A blanket made from itself is a unique product, as it has positive energy and affects the human body healing effect, treats sore joints. And lanolin, an animal fat contained in its fur, when in contact with human skin, absorbs toxins and rejuvenates the body. It’s all about the peculiarities of the conditions in which camels live - in the desert during the day it’s hot weather, and at night it is cold, and the camel’s fur has adapted to these conditions, it keeps cool and warm.
The hair of a camel from the desert has its own characteristics - it is hollow inside and has no scales, so camel wool is very light.
Camel is much lighter than sheep's, but at the same time warmer and more durable. Camel hair is not collected as often as that of other animals, and therefore this material is very expensive. A blanket made of wool cannot be cheap - this is perhaps the only disadvantage of such a product.
Sheep wool and blanket made from it
A blanket made from sheep wool also has many advantages and is also much cheaper than a blanket made from camel wool. This product is denser, has more weight, it is comfortable to use even in cool weather in the summer, and the healing properties of a sheep blanket are no less than those of a camel blanket. For example, scientists from England have proven that a blanket helps improve human metabolic functions, and thanks to the lanolin with which sheep's wool is impregnated, it traps air and retains heat.
In New Zealand sheep blanket used when nursing premature babies, this product helps the baby maintain body temperature, retain heat and allows the baby to remain dry. A sheep wool blanket is well suited for people suffering from osteochondrosis, rheumatism and ARVI.
People who are prone to allergies should be careful when using a sheepskin blanket. And of course, it is worth considering that caring for woolen products is quite complicated; it is recommended to use dry cleaning.
The biggest advantage of these blankets is that during sleep, they will not only warm you up, but will also have time to heal your body.
Which blanket to choose is a fairly common question. Domestic textile and light industry keeps pace with progress and replenishes the market with new products almost every year. Every time pillows, blankets, and blankets with high-quality, environmentally friendly and natural fillings appear on the shelves and in store catalogs. And of course, there comes a time when we are at a loss, deciding what to choose from this. Below is a brief description of the most known materials. All you have to do is compare and choose the best option for yourself.
What material is better to buy a blanket from?
Blankets with natural down and wool fillings are considered the warmest. Their only drawback is allergenicity. Therefore, they more often than others need to be treated against ticks, ventilated outdoors and dry.
Silk and bamboo blankets are excellent alternatives, but are not suitable for cold weather. Here, eucalyptus, flax, cotton and hemp fillers will be a good replacement.
Materials made from synthetic fibers today are inferior only in one thing - low moisture exchange.
Down and feathers
So, how not to make a mistake with your choice and find that very soft, airy, a warm blanket, which will give us sweet dreams? In addition to the fabric, the main thing in this matter is the choice of filler. IN in this case The question is purely individual. Therefore, it is worth studying the characteristics of the most popular materials today:
- Bird (goose) down is the most popular filler, used since the time of our great-grandfathers. The advantages of goose down include, first of all, its naturalness, lightness, excellent thermoregulation, elasticity, antistatic, ability to retain heat, allow air to pass through, maintain and restore the shape of the product, and long term services. A duvet can keep you warm at night for 20 years.
- However, despite such advantages, goose down has a number of serious disadvantages, such as allergenicity, the ability to absorb moisture and create a favorable environment for the proliferation of microbes. In addition, duvets are not practical: they are expensive and are finicky to care for.
- Another version of bird down is swan fluff and its artificial analogue is Thinsulate. Thinsulate is hypoallergenic, harmless, does not cake and retains its shape, does not allow harmful microbes to develop, retains heat for a long time and is very light - an “adult” blanket weighs only half a kilogram.
Wool fillers
- From natural wool fillers The leader is camel wool, which is gradually conquering Europe. Its quality is undeniable: if your family members often catch colds or suffer from muscle and joint pain, then when choosing which blanket is best to buy for your child, pay attention to camel filling. The quality of this material is undeniable: it retains heat and shape for a long time, is lightweight, does not create a greenhouse effect, does not electrify, and can last up to 30 years. Even allergy sufferers and people with hypersensitive skin can buy a camel blanket, although it is better to consult with specialists first. The dubious “advantage” of this option is the fairly high cost.
- The next no less popular natural filler is sheep wool. The main advantage of such a filler is healing effect. It is especially recommended for those who suffer from muscle spasms and osteochondrosis. In addition, sheepskin perfectly transmits heat, does not retain or evaporate moisture, neutralizes static electricity, and provides dry heat in damp and cold weather. Well, the most important thing is affordability: sheep blankets are even cheaper than some synthetic ones.
The disadvantages include, alas, the same allergenicity. Sheepskin is not able to maintain its original shape for a long time; it is quite heavy in weight and requires special care.
Plant option
The most environmentally friendly of vegetable fillers is considered bamboo fiber, or rather cellulose regenerated from bamboo. It is hypoallergenic, has excellent thermoregulation, and breathes well. Bamboo blankets are very light and easy to care for. By the way, you can buy a bamboo blanket without leaving your home in the Dreamcatcher online store.
- Lyocell, tencel - another option for plant-natural filler based on eucalyptus fiber. If you can’t decide which blanket is best to buy for a newborn, then eucalyptus filler is the best option. Firstly, it is indicated for allergy sufferers; such a product retains heat and shape for a long time, perfectly allows air and moisture to pass through, and does not become electrified. The eucalyptus blanket is easy to care for (it can easily withstand numerous machine washes) and can keep your baby warm for 10 years. The only drawback of this filler is the price.
- Previously, the role of cotton filler was performed by ordinary cotton wool, but the development of industry has made this material more practical, hypoallergenic, warm and affordable. But it still absorbs a lot of moisture, is heavier than others, and less durable.
- Fillers made from hemp and flax fibers were serious competition for expensive silk. Safe for allergy sufferers, excellent moisture and air permeability, durable, do not create an environment favorable to microbes, and easy to care for.
- Fluffed natural silk fibers lead in all respects except price and thermal conductivity. This filler does not cause allergies, absorbs moisture, allows air to pass through, is easy to use and durable (for 10-12 years, a silk blanket will delight and warm you at night).
As you can see, there are many options.