A cooling blanket can help if you are one of those people who sleep rather warm and tend to be continually uncomfortable in bed. There has been new fabric technology and of joining materials into fabrics that have led to the invention of cooling blankets for those who sweat excessively, live in places that are usually hot as well or heat up very fast. These blankets help in the thermoregulation of the body by eliminating overheating, and ensuring that one gets quality sleep. In this guide, we will look at some of the rationale behind use of cooling blankets, how they work, the materials used, and guide on best in class options to purchase.
What Are Cooling Blankets?
A cooling blanket is a type of bedding item that is usually used when sleeping to control one’s body temperature so as to facilitate easy comfortable sleep whether it is hot and humid or not. Normal temperature control blankets would usually contain breathable, cooling and moisture conductive materials that draw body heat away in order to achieve a cooling sensation. It is perfect for anyone that suffers from night sweats, suffers from hot flashes, or just enjoys sleeping in cooler temperatures.
What Are Cooling Blankets?
When it comes to cooling their bodies, cooling blankets combine advanced technology in fabrics and lightweight materials. There are two main mechanisms for using cooling blankets:
Heat Transfer: In some kinds of cooling blankets, the fabrics are structured in such a way as to allow air circulation and movement of heat from the body. These blankets principle allows heat to leave the body rather than stifling it under the covers promoting a cool sleep.
Moisture-wicking: Some of the cooling blankets are made from moisture-wicking materials like bamboo or microfiber that pull sweat off the body. This does not only make you feel dry but also cools down your body as the moisture dissipates.
Why It’s Best to Use a Cooling Blanket
There are several benefits to using a cooling blanket, especially for those who have difficulty controlling their body temperatures when sleeping.
- Sleep Quality Improvement
The most remarkable benefit of the cooling blanket is in the sleep improvement things. Too much heat at night is likely to interrupt the sleep resulting to frequent wake up. With a cooling blanket, moderate sleeping temperatures are better tolerated along with other factors enhancing better sleeping quality.
- Alleviates Cause of Night Sweats Night sweats can be quite pesky and very disturbing to sleep patterns. By preventing moisture and enabling ventilation, cooling blankets manages to achieve that. Specifically, it helps people who have ailments like hyperhidrosis or menopausal hot flashes. 3. Hypoallergenic Properties The appropriate materials used in many cooling blankets are of the hypoallergenic type. Thus people who are prone to allergic reactions and those with some skin diseases can use these blankets. Bamboo or cotton, which is used in natural materials, is less traditional and hence fewer chances of causing allergy and is also resistant to dust mites and mold. 4. Energy Efficiency In cases where air conditioning is needed, a blanket has to be placed over the body resisting the cold air that comes from the machine. If the blanket can keep the body cool, then there is no need to have the air conditioning running even at night; thus, energy consumption would be reasonable. 5. Comfort in Warmer Climates Any individual residing in warm, hot or humid weather conditions tends to benefit from a cooling blanket. Substantiated as these blankets actually soothe but do not add to the heat, they are beneficial for comfortable sleep on warm sultry summer nights.
Cooling Blankets Materials
Cooling blanket material plays a vital role in the effectiveness of the blankets being used. Each of these fabrics provides an extent of insulation, moisture control, and comfort. Here are the most common materials used in cooling blankets:
- Bamboo
Of all the fabric used to make cooling blankets, bamboo fabric is one of the most preferred. It is highly evaporative and moisture wicking, which is perfect for people who tend to sleep hot. Bamboo is also hypoallergenic, sustainable, and antibacterial and deodorization material. Since these bamboo cooling blankets come with silky feel fabric, they are looked for by people who like comfort and cool temperature.
- Cotton
Cotton is light and allows ventilation which in turns enables the body temperature to be controlled. Cotton cooling blankets are easy to wash and dry and are comfortable against the skin. Cotton is also comfortable and very simple to maintain well, and it does not spoil easily hence a good material for daily use.
- Linen
Another natural textile is linen which is praised for its moisture-wicking and fresh cooling features. Additionally, it is highly absorbent, then the material has a short drying time which works to maintain a lower skin temperature. Linen has a slightly rugged feel woodish than that of cotton or bamboo although it gets better with washing. Linen cool blankets are ideal for tropical areas and have a comfortable, light head feel.
- Microfiber
Microfiber cooling pads are constructed of high-quality synthetic fabric, very thin and flexible materials. Such blankets are good in moisture management and air circulation. Microfiber, however, is usually cheaper than Bamboo and other cotton made fabrics, though it may not function as well in very hot weather conditions.
- Outlast Technology
Outlast is a high-tech material created for the benefit of NASA that manages or keeps the tissue temperature constant through absorbing, retaining, and discharging heat. Outlast helps to regulate body heat; when the body temperature becomes excessive, more body heat is absorbed by the mattress and is released only after the body temperature drops. This helps one to have a better and better sleep outcome.
Choosing the Right Cooling Blanket
When choosing a cooling blanket before making your purchase, there are guidelines to help you get the right one:
- Material
As stated above, the material should be a very significant factor in determining how comfortable and how cool will a blanket be. For those who are likely to perspire a lot, moisture-wicking fabrics such as bamboo and cotton should be preferred. Individuals who are fond of the use of light blankets might find shirts made of microfiber and linen more favorable.
- Size
Cooling blankets are available in various sizes such as twin, full, queen, and king. This means that one needs to choose a blanket in the size that is appropriate for the bed, and which would be able to provide adequate cover. Some cooling blankets are also available in throw sizes, which are excellent for daytime naps and lounging on the couch.
- Weight
The weight of the blanket as well needs to be taken into consideration. There are those who would love the use of thick blankets due to the feeling of being “sandwiched” while there are people who would feel comfortable on a thin cold blanket. There are also weight contact cooling blankets that combine weight and cooling effects.
- Caring for the Blanket and its Maintenance
Check the usage instructions before buying a cooling blanket. While weaves like bamboo and cotton can go in the machine and are low maintenance, Outlast or linen weaves could be slightly more troublesome to care for.
- Cost
The price of the cooling blankets varies. The natural fabric-based blankets like cotton and bamboo are often pricey due to their easy breathability qualities and hypoallergenic features. Synthetic options such as microfiber more often than not fall within the cheaper category. Check your buying power and decide on the specifications that are most important to you for instance, how breathable the material is, its moisture-wicking abilities, and its strength.
Who Can use A Cooling Blanket?
A cooling blanket can be used by a variety of people including the following categories of people:
Hot Sleepers: If you often wake up in the middle of the night with feelings of being overloaded or soaked in sweat, the cooling blanket will help in keeping the body temperature in check, and making you feel dry.
People With Night Sweats: Be it hyperhidrosis, related of menopausal symptoms, anxiety conditions or excessive sweats, the cooling blankets indeed help one in managing night sweats by effectively removing moisture from the body.
For Couples In Cases Where One Partner Gets Overheated And The Other One Goes Cold, A Cooling Blanket Helps To Alleviate The Discomfort As Still One Side Of The Bed Is Kept Cooler Without Adding So Much Warmth On The Other Side Of The Bed
For Hot Weather Residents: To The Residents Of Such Cities Where The Climate Is Generally Dry Or Hot Most Of The Year, A Cooling Blanket Can Actually Help In Improving The Comfort Level When Sleeping.
How To Maintain Your Cooling Blanket
Appropriate use and rest being the proper care of a cooling plantation will apply and allow to achieve the intended purpose throughout the cooling blankets usage period. Comments should be directed to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. For many cooling blankets, general care is as follows:
Cold Machine Wash – In order to avoid fabric from shrinking and losing thecnological properties , soften the coolant before washing with water.
Avoid High Temperature: Better
Avoid Low Heat: Tumble Dry – Equipment Above towels placed below the drying, throwing torso towel, clothes tumble dryer butt onto something in there, low heat setting.
Spot Cleaning Only When Required: Rather than washing the whole blanket in the event of minor stains, only wash the specific area affected by the specific stain.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cooling blankets are prized assets for those seeking an enhancement in their sleep, particularly those who have problems of heat retention or sweating at night the entire better. By selecting the most appropriate material and size, it’s possible to make a conducive sleeping environment that is temperature-controlled for deep, uninterrupted slumber. No matter whether you use bamboo, cotton or high-tech materials to make a cooling blanket, it is evident that sleeping in comfort during night hours is tremendously beneficial.
