Cotton Blanket or Wool Throw? Choose the Right Blanket for You

Blankets and throws are an incredibly versatile element of home décor that no abode should be without. Their obvious function is the ability to snuggle up, wrap yourself in, and keep warm on chilly, autumn and winter evenings. However, a blanket or throw can also serve as an aesthetic bedspread or sofa cover, protecting furniture from dust and dirt. A blanket can be used to cover a somewhat well-worn sofa or a beloved armchair, giving them a fresh, rejuvenated look.

A throw is a unique interior accessory. A soft, warm blanket made from high-quality material can completely transform the look and feel of an interior and introduce a cosy, pleasant atmosphere. Blankets and throws, when properly chosen to complement the existing décor, can become either its main focal point or a tasteful, stylish addition. They can be coordinated with other elements of the decor or you can opt for a stand-out piece that provides a striking contrast to other decorations. Blankets and throws work well in various rooms, be it the bedroom, living room, or children's room. They are available in a plethora of patterns and colours, offering unlimited arrangement possibilities. Among our offerings, you will find both plain-coloured blankets, including a grey blanket, beige, turquoise, or navy blue, as well as multi-coloured ones with interesting motifs. We also offer smooth blankets, those with a delicate texture, faux fur, chunky knits, or a boho blanket. Rest assured, everyone will find their perfect match.

Blankets and throws are made from various materials, which means they differ not only in appearance, but also in properties, quality, and price. Discover the most popular types of blankets and learn about their pros and cons.

Wool blankets are most commonly made from sheep's wool, though you can also find models made from camel or goat wool. These are natural raw materials known for their many advantages. What are they?

Advantages of Wool Blankets:

• Blankets and throws made from wool are very warm;
• They ensure proper air circulation;
• They absorb moisture excellently;
• Thanks to the elasticity of the fibres, wool blankets don't crease;
• A wool blanket is resistant to dirt, water, and high temperatures;
• Wool blankets are perfect for any season – in winter, they pleasantly warm and envelop our bodies, while in summer, they provide optimal temperature;
• They exhibit health-promoting properties – they alleviate back and joint pain, rheumatic pains, neuralgia, and also contribute to improved circulation;
• Most wool blanket fibres are covered with lanolin, which prevents dust and dust mites from accumulating on their surface.

However, wool blankets are not without their drawbacks.

Disadvantages of Wool Blankets:

• Blankets made from 100% wool may have coarser fibres, leading to an unpleasant prickly sensation;
• They are prone to pilling;
• They often distort and stretch when exposed to water;
• Wool blankets can cause allergies.

When discussing wool blankets, it's worth mentioning throws made from the most delicate wool, namely merino wool, which comes from the world's oldest sheep breeds. Merino fleece is dense, while the fibres are delicate and fine, ensuring excellent thermal insulation. Merino wool blankets perfectly absorb moisture, provide excellent air circulation, are antibacterial, soft, and pleasant to the touch, and incredibly lightweight. They are an excellent choice for autumn and winter evenings.

Among wool blankets, the combed wool blanket, made from the fleece of various animal species, most commonly sheep, llamas, and camels, deserves attention. Before spinning, the fibres are combed with special brushes, hence the name – combed wool. This is a knitted blanket that resembles a repeatedly braided plait. These types of blankets are a real interior design hit of recent years! They look incredibly impressive in interiors – warming them up and making them feel instantly cosier. These are thick, pleasantly plump, and soft-to-the-touch blankets that are perfect as a bedspread or a decorative accent in the living room. Combed wool blankets are quite heavy, pill quickly, and are difficult to keep clean – they can only be dry-cleaned.

Are you looking for a stylish, eye-catching, and snuggly wrap? You're sure to love a pleasant-to-the-touch, warm cotton blanket, an ideal companion for autumn and winter days. A decorative blanket will also work perfectly as, for instance, a throw for an armchair. Grey, beige, blue, pink, checked, striped, with fringes – a whole kaleidoscope of choices awaits. However, before you make your final decision, let's delve into the pros and cons of cotton throws.

Advantages of Cotton Blankets:

• Cotton blankets come in various patterns and colours, and also differ in size and weight – a thick cotton blanket is an ideal choice for chilly autumn and winter evenings, while a thin cotton blanket is perfect for summer evenings; it will pleasantly wrap you and protect you from a slight chill;
• Cotton rarely causes allergies, which is why blankets made from this material are recommended for children;
• They are warm, soft, and pleasant to the touch;
• They allow air to circulate well;
• They are easy to keep clean.

Cotton Blanket – Disadvantages:

• They are quite heavy;
• They crease easily.

A bamboo blanket is the best blanket for a child. Why? Blankets made from bamboo fabric are characterised by their incredible softness, delicacy, and silky smoothness. However, these are not their only advantages.

• Bamboo blankets boast excellent thermoregulatory and breathable properties – they keep you warm in winter and cool you down perfectly in summer.
• Their advantage is high absorbency.
• They possess antibacterial, antifungal, and hypoallergenic properties, meaning they do not cause allergic reactions.
• Blankets made from bamboo fabric are durable, resilient, and very strong. Even with frequent washing, they remain soft and fluffy.
• Blankets are made from bamboo fibres sourced from ecological plantations originating from the tropical region of Asia. An advantage of bamboo blankets, or rather bamboo fabric, is that it is fully biodegradable and decomposes naturally.

As for the disadvantages of bamboo blankets, like other blankets made from natural materials, they are prone to creasing. Furthermore, due to their excellent absorbent properties, they take quite a long time to dry. Moreover, the natural production process of bamboo blankets incurs high costs, which means that bamboo blankets are quite expensive.

Alongside wool, cotton, and bamboo blankets, microfibre blankets are highly popular. Microfibre is a blend of polyester and polyamide fibres, which are 30 times thinner than cotton. This makes blankets made from this material exceptionally soft, delicate, and yet durable and resilient. What other advantages do microfibre blankets offer?

• They have micro-openings, which means they are characterised by high breathability and excellent air circulation.
• They are pleasant to the touch, conform to the shape of the body, providing a comforting sense of warmth and coziness.
• They absorb moisture perfectly.
• They look great and retain their original properties, even after many years of use. However, it's important to remember proper care. A microfibre blanket is recommended to be washed at a low temperature, i.e., a maximum of 50 degrees Celsius, using gentle detergents without fabric softeners.
• Microfibre blankets do not cause allergies.
• They are very lightweight, so you can easily put them in a basket, bag, or backpack and take them with you on a trip out of town.

The aesthetic qualities of microfibre blankets also deserve attention. They can be dyed, allowing for any patterns and colours to be achieved, and their high durability and resistance to pilling mean that a microfibre blanket will make an excellent decoration for any interior.

Regarding disadvantages, microfibre blankets can become staticky and, due to their structure, attract dust quite strongly.

Both acrylic and polyester are synthetic materials, entirely created and processed from chemical substances. Their biggest drawback is that these materials are plastic derivatives, often from unknown sources. Furthermore, they do not allow air to circulate at all and do not absorb moisture. However, acrylic and polyester blankets are quite durable, resilient, resistant to damage and creasing, suitable for allergy sufferers, and pleasant to the touch. Often, acrylic or polyester is added to wool and cotton blankets to make them softer and cosier. Blankets made from synthetic materials are better suited as bedspreads or sofa covers than as snuggly wraps for chilly days.

One form of activity and pleasant relaxation in the fresh air is a picnic and barbecue, for which you need to prepare and remember to bring appropriate accessories, such as a picnic basket, disposable cups and plates, containers with delicious snacks, but also a large and comfortable picnic blanket.

Picnic blankets are resistant to moisture, high temperatures, sun radiation, stains, and dirt. A good picnic blanket is durable and hard-wearing. It should also be quite lightweight and handy, so it can be easily moved from place to place. Moreover, picnic blankets, compared to traditional models, are usually much thicker, making them comfortable to sit on, even on uneven ground, and they also provide excellent insulation from the ground. It's worth investing in a picnic blanket that will guarantee us the best comfort for outdoor relaxation.

The wide range of blankets and throws, differing in material, colours, patterns, and texture, means that everyone will find the perfect blanket for themselves. The choice of the best blanket or throw should depend on your taste, preferences, and individual needs, as well as the style of the interior you are matching it to.