Weighted blankets are a form of deep pressure therapy used for their calming and relaxing benefits. They can weigh 5 – 40 pounds and when used in place of a regular blanket offer other benefits such as less movement and better sleeping with some medical benefits noted.
Here are 9 reasons why you need a weighted blanket and what to consider when purchasing one.
What is a weighted blanket?
A weighted blanket is a heavy blanket usually weighing 5 lbs – 40 lbs that is filled with a material like glass or plastic pellets or beads to give it extra weight. The blanket is used in place of a regular blanket on your bed for sleeping. The theory behind a weighted blanket is that heaviness of the blanket on your body has a calming effect similar to someone hugging you.
Research has shown some proven benefits that we’ll discuss below but a weighted blanket can also offer other regular benefits for people who are looking for a warm blanket that won’t easily fall off the bed in the middle of the night.
A good quality and well-made weighted blanket can be used during both winter and summer too.
What are the benefits of a weighted blanket?
Scholarly research on weighted blankets isn’t necessarily easy to find although there are reports that do discuss potential benefits for sufferers of anxiety
and insomnia among others. While claims are often made that suggest heavier blankets can be used to address other ailments, definitive research may not currently exist.
In more basic terms, a weighted blanket that is properly sized can at a minimum be a great choice if you’re the type of person that gets cold during the night and who often kicks a lighter and thinner blanket off the bed.
Quality weighted blankets can be purchased that are made with materials that are chemical free and non-toxic with organic or Oeko-Tex Certified components. They can also be used year round unlike other blankets which are generally only used in winter and during colder weather.
Who can and can’t use a weighted blanket?
Weighted blankets are often used by people who have trouble sleeping as well as those with anxiety, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Alzheimer’s, or Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
People who shouldn’t use weighted blankets included sufferers of sleep apnea and other sleep disorders, those with respiratory disorders and people with other health-related illnesses.
If you have preexisting conditions, speak with your doctor or specialist before buying a heavy blanket. Before using a weighted blanket with children, you should also check with a medical professional to be sure.
Do weighted blankets come in different sizes?
Here are the common sizes you’ll find for weighted blankets along with the bed size it will typically fit, the blanket dimensions and the body weight the blanket will typically suit.
| Bed size | Blanket dimensions | Blanket weight | Body weight |
| Children | 36″ x 48″ | 5 lbs – 7 lbs | 42 lbs – 88 lbs |
| Youth | 48″ x 72″ | 10 lbs | 90 lbs – 110 lbs |
| Twin | 48″ x 72″ | 10 lbs – 20 lbs | 100 lbs – 200 lbs |
| Full | 60″ x 80″ | 12lbs – 30 lbs | 120 lbs – 300 lbs |
| Queen | 60″ x 80″ | 17 lbs – 35 lbs | 170 lbs – 350 lbs |
| King | 80″ x 87″ | 25 lbs – 35 lbs | Couple |
| Oversize | 88″ x 104″ | 35 lbs – 40 lbs | 380 lbs – 430 lbs |
The Full or Queen-sized 60″ x 80″ blanket tends to be the most popular option as it suits King-sized beds as well as a small bed used by a large or tall person or a couple.
Custom blankets can also be had for larger sizes and specs that fall outside the standard ranges.
How heavy should my weighted blanket be?
The rule of thumb is to buy a weighted blanket that weighs 10% of your body weight. A 150 pound person would get a 15 lbs blanket, a 200 pound person would get a 20 lbs blanket and so on. A king-sized blanket is usually good if you’re sharing the blanket with your partner.
Also make sure that your weighted blanket fits your bed. Another rule of thumb is to pick a blanket that is one size down from your bed size. So if you have a king sized bed, get a queen sized weighted blanket. Due to the heaviness of this style of blanket, a weighted blanket that hangs over the bed can more easily slide off the bed completely during the night. It’s best to get one that sits on top of the bed and covers it but does not drape over the sides to the floor.
One of the side benefits of a weighted blanket is that due to the weight, you might notice that it’s harder to kick or pull the blanket off the bed. This is beneficial if you’re the type of person who often wakes up in the middle of the night cold and with the blanket or sheets on the floor.
What are weighted blankets made from?
Weighted blankets are normally made with cotton, eucalyptus fiber, fleece, or flannel on the outside and then are filled with a heavy material on the inside to give it its weight. The inside material is normally glass or plastic beads or nano-ceramic beads that are sewn into small pockets to limit movement and to prevent beads from accumulating in one area.
You may also come across weighted chain blankets which are heavy blankets with metal chains sewn inside them to give them the extra weight.
What should you look for when choosing a weighted blanket?
Here are some key aspects of weighted blanket design to keep an eye open for so that you choose a quality design that works for you:
- A cotton exterior that is either organic (the materials are grown to strict guidelines) or Oeko-Tex Certified (materials are free of harmful chemicals).
- You may also find organic eucalyptus, natural eucalyptus and other quality materials used.
- Multiple breathable layered design to promote air flow during the winter and summer for year round use.
- Hypoallergenic materials with air channels to promote comfortable sleeping temperatures and resistance to dust and other allergens.
- Medical grade glass or plastic beads that promotes even distribution of weight in the blanket.
- Smaller sewn pockets which means less weight movement of beads and no noise.
- Removable outer cover so that you can wash the cover only and don’t have to wash the entire blanket each time.
Do weighted blankets make you hot?
Weighted blankets can be purchased that are made from cotton, bamboo or other light fabrics such as man made polyesters that help them remain cooler than other fabrics that can retain heat.
Purchase a blanket with a removable and washable cover so that when it absorbs sweat and bodily oils, it can be easily washed without having to wash the entire blanket each time too.
You can also help your cause by purchasing a weighted blanket that is big enough to cover your bed but will not hang over the sides. Buying a heavy blanket that is one size less than your bed size is usually a good rule to follow.
Quality weighted blankets with multiple breathable layers will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter and thus can be used year round.
How do you wash a weighted blanket?
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions but in general terms you can wash a lighter weighted blanket and any removable cover the same way you’d wash other bedding. Use warm or cold water, avoid bleaching and either tumble dry low or air dry.
Heavier weighted blankets might need to be taken to the dry cleaners especially if it won’t fit in your washer. Weighted blankets over 10 lbs may not be suitable for some smaller washers especially once they get wet so check the capacity of your washing machine.
The benefit of a weighted blanket with a removable cover is that you can wash the outer cover regularly and perhaps only dry clean the blanket itself occasionally, if necessary.
Summary
Before buying a weighted blanket, speak with your doctor to ensure it makes sense for you. Also properly size the one you require for your bed size and sleeping situation.
Want to learn more about bedroom-related concerns? Check out my page called Can A Mattress Cause Back Pain and my article called Haven’t Washed Your Bedding In Awhile? to learn more about bedroom and bed-related issues to Make Your Home Safer.