How to choose a blanket and not go wrong: camel, bamboo, sheep wool - which is better?

Under the blanket it should be cozy and warm: neither hot nor cold. I would also like the product to last a long time and not wear out after a season or two. Usually people do not think about which blanket is better, bamboo or camel wool, but take what is more pleasant to the touch. Both are light and natural. But the difference between them is colossal.

Types of blankets and their advantages

A blanket is like outerwear. There are coats, jackets, fur coats, capes and thick down jackets with different fillings. There are blankets:

• Synthetic and natural. Synthetics are cheaper, do not cause allergies, like wool, and last a long time. Minus - it floats too much, does not allow the body to breathe. Natural materials are safe and even healthy. They absorb moisture well and “breathe”, but are more expensive and require more maintenance.
• Summer, winter, all-season. They differ in thickness and warmth. “Cool” materials are ideal for summer: silk, cotton, bamboo. In winter, wool and down provide warmth.
• Open and closed type. In the first version, the blanket has the appearance of linen (woven, felted). It can be used as a blanket. Closed types of blankets consist of filler and a fabric cover. They are warmer, less dirty, but can clump together.
• Quilted, cassette, carostep. For closed blankets, keeping the filling inside is important. For this purpose, different types of stitching are used. Quilts are divided into small sections, cassette quilts into large ones. With the Karostep technology, the stitching forms patterns. Quilted products are considered the most durable, and karostep is considered the most beautiful.

Bamboo

Bamboo blankets are made from natural bamboo fibers. The stems of the plant are crushed and then treated in a caustic soda solution. The fibers are soft and durable. They vaguely resemble silk.

Bamboo blanket:

• repels dirt;
• does not accumulate static electricity;
• hypoallergenic;
• allows air to pass through well;
• lung;
• dries quickly.

The product can be washed in a washing machine. Bamboo can withstand 300-400 washes. This is quite practical material. With careful care, the service life is 5-7 years.

Wool: camel and sheep

The very first blankets were made from animal hair. Unlike leather and skins, the method of obtaining it is bloodless. Animals are combed or clipped. Wool has been proven to have a positive effect on human health. It contains the substance lanolin.

Blanket:

• Upon contact with the body, it improves blood circulation, has a beneficial effect on the condition of joints, skin, immunity, and sleep.
• Quickly absorbs moisture.
• Always warm, comfortable temperature.
• Breathable.
• Keeps warm well.
• Durable - lasts 10-15 years.

Natural wool is expensive. Sheep wool is more accessible to Russians.But it is twice as heavy as a camel, it can prick and smell like an animal (not always).

Which one is warmer?

Both blankets are warm, retain heat well and do not float. Warmth largely depends on the thickness and density of the product.

With the same parameters, a camel wool blanket will feel warmer.

Wool hairs have a porous structure. Warm air is retained in the air chambers. But the body does not overheat due to the good breathability of the material. Bamboo is cooler to the touch and contains fewer air chambers. But if it is thick enough, it can also provide shelter in the frosty winter.

Antibacterial

Bacteria and other microorganisms do not grow on wool or bamboo. Both materials have antibacterial properties. But with a bamboo blanket they are weaker and decrease after 50 washes.

Medicinal properties

Both materials are safe for human health. But only one blanket has healing properties - a woolen one. Camel blanket shown:

• for neuralgia;
• joint pain;
• poor blood circulation;
• weak immunity;
• restless sleep;
• osteochondrosis;
• back pain;
• inflammatory processes.

At the same time, a bamboo blanket is more beneficial for allergy sufferers, infants and people with bronchial asthma.

Which is easier to care for?

Although a camel blanket is more demanding in terms of washing and drying, it is easier to care for. It doesn't need to be washed often.

Animal lanolin has disinfecting properties. It is enough to air the product on the balcony when changing the duvet cover. Wash it only when it is visibly dirty. Use washing gels marked “for wool”. In the washing machine, select the appropriate mode “for woolen items”. It is important to dry the product in a warm, well-ventilated area.Wool takes a long time to dry and can smell damp and musty.

The bamboo blanket is easy to wash in the washing machine. The main thing is not to set the temperature above 40 degrees. This needs to be done regularly - every 3 months.

Which blanket is better - table

The question cannot be answered unambiguously. Both types of blankets have their strengths and weaknesses. Often they buy both for the home for different seasons and family members.

A bamboo blanket is more suitable for children and people who get cold in summer. The camel blanket is universal, healing, but expensive. According to reviews, it is preferred by the elderly and people with health problems.

What to look for when choosing?

To ensure that your new blanket does not disappoint, you need to pay attention to its quality. You should be wary:

• heterogeneity of the fabric;
• stray hairs from the case;
• uneven stitches and protruding threads;
• chemical smell;
• lack of a label with the manufacturer’s name, composition and care instructions;
• the hardness of the blanket.

You can ask the seller for a quality certificate. Expensive products made from natural materials contain a pocket in which you can see the filling.

Warmth degree

The warmth of the blanket is selected individually. Each person has his own comfortable temperature. Some people sleep uncovered, others even cover themselves with a warm blanket in summer.

To find out how warm a product is, you need to pay attention to the marking. Blankets from famous manufacturers feature 5 circles. The warmth (seasonality) of the product is determined by their fullness of color:

• one – light, summer;
• two – universal;
• three – all-season insulated;
• four – winter, warm;
• five - very warm.

You can estimate the degree of heat by density:

• 200-220 g/m2 – a light and cool blanket for summer;
• 220-280 g/m2 - lightweight;
• 200-250 g/m2 – classic winter option;
• 420 g/m2 – very warm, for frosty winters and extreme cold.

Case material

A low-quality cover in a closed blanket can negate all its advantages. Such a product will quickly fall apart and may have poor air permeability and absorb moisture. Good case:

• Made from natural fabric or its mixture with synthetics.
• Dense - the fabric is not see-through, does not allow fibers to pass through, is strong.
• Soft, easy to bend. A blanket with a hard cover is unlikely to provide a comfortable sleep.
• Hypoallergenic, does not contain impregnations or toxic paints.

The best fabrics for covers are: satin, cambric, linen and cotton. Among artificial materials, nano- and microfiber are distinguished.

Size

Choosing the right blanket size will eliminate the need to fight for your piece while sleeping together with your husband. For those who sleep alone, the size of the product is no less important. A large canvas can hang over the bed, form folds along the edges and press on the sides, while a small one can expose parts of the body every now and then.

The blanket should be at least 20 cm longer than the person’s height and 50 cm wider than the body circumference.

Usually it is chosen based on the size of the bed:

• children's - 140x105;
• one and a half – 145x205 cm, 205x155 cm and 210x155;
• double – 175x205 cm;
• Euro – 200x220 cm;
• Euro-maxi – 220x240 cm.

Advice. If two people sleep on the bed, it is better to choose the largest blanket possible or use two one-and-a-half-length ones.

Questions and answers

Which company should you choose?

When purchasing a high-quality natural blanket, it is important to inquire about the reputation of the manufacturer. Large brands indicate reliable composition, use high-quality raw materials and conduct testing. The best manufacturers are: Ol-Tex,
Primavelle, Lezheboka, Nature’s, German Grass, Goldtex, Don Textiles. The most affordable camel blankets are from Tradition.

What is the difference between bamboo and cotton?

Bamboo fiber is obtained artificially by crushing bamboo stems. Cotton is harvested from cotton bolls. Bamboo absorbs more moisture and dries faster. It retains its shape longer, does not shrink, and repels dirt, which is not typical for cotton.

Camel wool and bamboo fibers are exotic materials for Russia. They are considered more durable and of higher quality than the usual cotton and sheep's wool.The blankets are light, hygienic and comfortable to sleep. Bamboo is cooler, cheaper, and perfect for summer. A camel blanket has healing properties, warms well in winter, and can last up to 15 years.