A Simple Guide to Picking a Wool Blanket:

synthetic wool

There are two main types of wool material. The first and most common is polyester or synthetic wool. This was created as an alternative to wool and has all the advantages of the material (unmatched warmth, hypoallergenic, easy care, and softness) but none of the disadvantages (heavyweight, allergic reactions, dry clean only, etc.)

Polyester flannel is generally less expensive than wool or cotton flannel fabrics. While the type of wool you get will vary depending on the brand, overall the basic makeup of all of them is pretty similar.

What should synthetic wool brands pay attention to?

First, make sure they advertise that the wool doesn't pill. This means it can be washed and used without forming little polyester balls and sticking to the blanket. The only way to prevent pilling is through the shearing process in production. This extra step helps prevent pilling and shedding and helps the blanket stay shiny after multiple washes.

The second thing is to buy a wool blanket with good quality edge stitching. The quality of the hem stitch will determine the lifespan of the blanket. Look for a hem with multiple stitches on each side of the blanket. The number of stitches determines the strength of the blanket.

Third, when cleaning and caring for wool blankets, be sure to machine wash in a cool environment and tumble dry on a low temperature. If the blanket is on the side of the dryer at the end of the cycle, the high heat setting tends to burn the tips of the supersoft fibers and make the blanket less soft.

lint

Made of the same material as cotton sweatshirts, the cotton fleece is very soft and comfortable. Cotton Fleece is available in a blend of 100% cotton and 35% cotton and 65% polyester. Cotton lint can be a little more expensive than traditional synthetic lint. Cotton lint is a natural fiber alternative to polyester, especially for those who really like natural fiber fabrics and prefer the texture of cotton

Remember that lint tends to shrink when washed. Good brands take this into account on the packaging and can make the original slightly larger to accommodate shrinkage after the first wash.

weight

Different brands express the "light" or "heavy" of fleece in different ways. Since even the smallest differences can make a big difference in how warm a certain wool blanket is, it's important to buy from a brand you can trust.

Look for descriptions such as grams per square meter or ounces per square yard. 300 - 400 grams per square meter and 10 - 14 ounces per square yard is considered heavyweight winter wool. Summer weight wool ranges from 220-280 grams per square meter or 7-10 ounces per square yard.