Understanding Blanket Materials: A Beginner's Guide

Walking into a bedding store or browsing online can be overwhelming when faced with dozens of blanket options, each boasting different materials with unfamiliar names. Understanding what these materials actually mean for your comfort, maintenance needs, and budget is essential for making a choice you won't regret. This guide breaks down every major blanket material so you can shop with confidence.

Natural Fibre Blankets

Natural fibres have been used for bedding for thousands of years, and for good reason. These materials are derived from plants or animals and offer unique benefits that synthetic alternatives often struggle to match. However, they also come with specific care requirements and typically higher price points.

Cotton: The Versatile Classic

Cotton remains one of the most popular blanket materials worldwide due to its versatility and comfort. As a natural plant fibre, cotton is inherently breathable, hypoallergenic, and soft against the skin.

Advantages of cotton blankets:

• Excellent breathability prevents overheating
• Naturally hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive skin
• Easy to wash and highly durable
• Becomes softer with each wash
• Available in various weaves (waffle, thermal, muslin) for different warmth levels

Considerations:

• May not be warm enough for very cold Australian winters without layering
• Can shrink if washed in hot water
• Higher quality organic cotton comes at a premium price

Wool: Nature's Temperature Regulator

Wool, particularly Australian merino, is remarkable for its ability to regulate body temperature. The natural crimp in wool fibres creates tiny air pockets that provide insulation, while wool's moisture-wicking properties keep you dry throughout the night.

Advantages of wool blankets:

• Superior temperature regulation—warm in winter, cool in summer
• Natural moisture-wicking keeps you dry
• Naturally resistant to dust mites and mould
• Fire-resistant without chemical treatments
• Extremely durable—quality wool blankets can last decades
• Self-cleaning properties reduce washing frequency

Considerations:

• Higher price point than most alternatives
• Requires careful washing to prevent shrinkage and felting
• Some people find wool itchy (though merino is much softer)
• Can attract moths if not stored properly

Bamboo: The Eco-Friendly Option

Bamboo-derived fabrics have gained popularity as a sustainable alternative to cotton. Bamboo viscose (also called bamboo rayon) offers a silky-smooth feel with excellent temperature regulation.

Advantages of bamboo blankets:

• Exceptionally soft, often described as silky or cashmere-like
• Naturally antibacterial and odour-resistant
• Highly breathable with moisture-wicking properties
• Eco-friendly—bamboo grows quickly without pesticides
• Hypoallergenic and gentle on sensitive skin

Considerations:

• Processing bamboo into fabric requires chemicals (though still more eco-friendly overall)
• May not be as durable as cotton or wool
• Can wrinkle easily

Synthetic Fibre Options

Synthetic blanket materials are manufactured from petroleum-based products but offer significant advantages in terms of price, durability, and ease of care. Modern synthetic fibres have evolved considerably and can provide excellent comfort at a fraction of natural fibre prices.

Polyester Fleece: Soft and Affordable

Polyester fleece is perhaps the most common blanket material on the market. It's known for its exceptional softness, lightweight warmth, and budget-friendly pricing.

Advantages of fleece blankets:

• Extremely soft and cosy texture
• Lightweight yet warm
• Quick-drying and easy to maintain
• Affordable at all quality levels
• Doesn't wrinkle and retains shape well
• Available in countless colours and patterns

Considerations:

• Can generate static electricity
• Less breathable than natural fibres—may cause overheating
• Pills over time with friction and washing
• Environmental concerns about microplastic shedding

Sherpa: The Cosy Favourite

Sherpa is a textured polyester designed to mimic the appearance and feel of sheep's wool. It features a bumpy, soft texture that provides exceptional warmth and visual appeal.

Advantages of sherpa blankets:

• Ultra-soft, plush texture
• Excellent heat retention for cold nights
• Often used as a lining for reversible blankets
• More affordable than real wool
• Machine washable and durable

Considerations:

• Can be too warm for Australian summers
• May flatten over time in high-use areas
• Like fleece, sheds microplastics when washed

Microfibre: Ultra-Fine and Practical

Microfibre blankets are made from extremely thin polyester or nylon fibres—typically less than one denier (thinner than a strand of silk). This creates an exceptionally soft, lightweight blanket.

Advantages of microfibre blankets:

• Incredibly soft and smooth to the touch
• Lightweight and easy to store
• Resists wrinkles and staining
• Dries quickly after washing
• Hypoallergenic due to tight weave

Considerations:

• May not provide enough warmth for winter without layering
• Can attract and hold onto pet hair and lint
• Less breathable than natural options

Blended Materials

Many blankets combine natural and synthetic fibres to capture the benefits of both while minimising drawbacks. Understanding these blends helps you find the right balance for your needs.

Cotton-Polyester Blends

These blends typically combine the breathability and softness of cotton with polyester's durability and wrinkle resistance. Common ratios range from 50/50 to 80/20 cotton-to-polyester.

• More affordable than 100% cotton
• Less prone to shrinkage
• Dries faster than pure cotton
• Still reasonably breathable

Wool Blends

Wool blended with acrylic or polyester offers wool's warmth at a more accessible price point, while being easier to care for than pure wool.

• More affordable than pure wool
• Often machine washable
• Less likely to felt or shrink
• May sacrifice some temperature regulation

Specialty Materials

Weighted Blanket Materials

Weighted blankets use specific materials to achieve their therapeutic weight:

• Glass beads: The most common filling—smooth, quiet, and evenly distributed
• Plastic pellets: Less expensive but can be noisier and less refined feeling
• Steel shot beads: Very dense, allowing for thinner blankets
• Outer fabric: Usually cotton, bamboo, or polyester—choose based on temperature preferences

Electric Blanket Materials

Electric blankets combine heating elements with comfortable outer fabrics:

• Heating wires are typically flexible, insulated copper
• Outer materials include fleece, microplush, or quilted cotton
• Choose fleece for maximum warmth or cotton for breathability

How to Choose the Right Material for You

With so many options available, here's a framework for selecting your ideal blanket material based on your specific needs:

For Hot Sleepers

Choose breathable, moisture-wicking materials: cotton, bamboo, or linen. Avoid heavy fleece or sherpa, which trap heat.

For Cold Sleepers

Opt for wool for natural insulation, or sherpa and fleece for synthetic warmth. Consider layering with electric blankets for extreme cold.

For Allergy Sufferers

Cotton, bamboo, and tightly-woven synthetics resist dust mites and allergens. Avoid wool if you have a known wool sensitivity.

For Easy Maintenance

Synthetic materials like fleece and microfibre are machine-washable and quick-drying. Cotton is also easy care but may shrink.

For Eco-Conscious Shoppers

Choose organic cotton, bamboo, or sustainably-sourced wool. Look for certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard).