Are Weighted Blankets Hot? Facts From the Experts.
You’ve heard great things about weighted blankets for relieving anxiety, stress, and insomnia. So you looked at some websites and read about the benefits, but one thing keeps bugging you.
It looks like it's really hot and you don’t like getting hot when you sleep. It’s a major problem, but you want this blanket, and you wonder if there’s any way to have one without overheating. Where will you find an honest take on this?
Right here.
In this article, we discuss the features of weighted blankets, such as temperature control, different types of materials, filling options, and weight options, so you can make an informed decision.
Individual preferences
Here’s the quick answer - Yes! Five to seven layers of construction will make a regular weighted blanket hotter than a normal blanket.
But don’t give up so fast.
Let’s point out that this is a subjective question that we’re trying to answer. What one person describes as hot and experiences as discomfort may not be a problem for someone else.
If you’ve ever been to the beach, you’ll know what we’re saying. On the one hand, you have the person who is covered from head to toe in the blazing heat and still shivering from the cool ocean breeze, and on the other hand, you have a person who looks like they’re about to die from heat exhaustion despite sitting in the icy cold waters. Extremes exist everywhere.
At best, we can inform you of your choices and the latest innovations, and then you can try it out for yourself. Honestly, though, if you find sleeping under a weighted blanket unbearable, we don’t want that, and you can always return the product within the stipulated time. That reduces the risk a bit, eh?
Developed according to scientific guidelines
The highest quality weighted blankets, like Gravid, have been manufactured using scientific innovations and the best materials. We appreciate that a customer base of ‘hot sleepers’ would be interested in the product and we’ve put a bit into researching weighted blanket materials that will not produce too much heat. The result of this research is cooling weighted blankets. These blankets use a cooling fabric to draw heat away from your body during sleep.
Cooling weighted blankets
Gravid uses Tencel™ which is breathable, naturally-cooling, and wicks moisture away, bringing you the best temperature-regulating technology available.
Best materials for a cooling effect
Many weighted blanket manufacturers use bamboo as their preferred material because of its cooling properties. Gravid uses a magical fabric called TENCEL™ Lyocell that is superior in cooling effect and strength. It even sounds cool, doesn’t it?
Natural cooling properties
TENCEL™ Lyocell is derived from eucalyptus plants using a closed-loop process. This means over 99% of the water used in the production is recycled and reused, making this a very sustainable manufacturing process.
The eucalyptus plant has natural cooling properties and so do the fibers derived from it. So, while bamboo and eucalyptus have similar properties, TENCEL™ Lyocell makes the ideal cooling weighted blanket. Combined with cooling sheets and pillowcases, it is the ultimate solution for those with increased body heat, night sweats, hot flashes, and a preference for staying cool.
What we are trying to say is that the ultimate blanket for hot sleepers is one made of the right material. Most weighted blankets are made from cotton, rayon, flannel, bamboo, or linen. However, not all these materials qualify as the best cooling weighted blankets.
Synthetic materials are probably the worst at regulating a comfortable sleep temperature, so avoid these if you’re a hot sleeper.
Is TENCEL™ Lyocell good for the skin?
Great question. Since it wicks away moisture, you’re naturally concerned that it might cause a drying effect on your skin.
The smooth surface of Tencel fibers is exceptionally gentle on the skin, making it a superior choice for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Moreover, Tencel's advanced moisture management properties actively discourage bacterial growth, a significant benefit for hypoallergenic needs.
Filing options for cooling weighted blankets
Gravid uses 1mm glass beads sewn into place with a double-stitched grid. No shifting weight ever.
Glass beads
The filing of the weighted blanket is as important as the outer cover. The best weighted blankets are made from glass beads instead of plastic pellets. Unlike their plastic counterparts, they do not trap heat.
It’s not just about the glass vs. pellets, though. An even weight distribution of the glass beads is also necessary. Many weighted blankets are not manufactured with gridded stitching which creates pockets, holding the beads in place and ensuring even distribution.
This allows air to circulate freely within the pockets, and bunching is avoided. Bunching is when the filing gathers in one area of the blanket. The increased thickness in that area will trap body heat and make sleeping uncomfortable.
Gravid weighted blankets use non-toxic, micro-rounded glass beads that have a diameter of 1mm. This is the optimal size of bead to keep the weight evenly distributed across the surface of your body. Another bonus of glass beads is that they are best for people with any type of auditory, sensory, or physical sensitivities. They are quiet, making them ideal in a bedroom setting.
These glass beads are kept nicely in place in a double-stitched grid, giving you the ideal weight distribution needed for DPS, also known as deep touch pressure stimulation. DPS is the reason for the weighted blanket's effectiveness.
Deep pressure stimulation
The reason you’ve been hearing about the positive benefits of weighted blankets is DPS or deep pressure stimulation. It is the glass beads or plastic pellets that play the key role in why these blankets work.
DPS can mimic the feeling of being hugged, swaddled, or cradled. Deep pressure encourages the production of serotonin, a hormone involved in elevating mood. Serotonin is also a precursor to melatonin, a hormone responsible for the regulation of sleep. In other words, deep-pressure therapy can play a positive role in helping with both mood and sleep.
If you want the benefits of DPS and you want to stay cool, then buy a good quality, glass-bead-filled blanket with small pockets. That’s the bottom line.
Buy a Gravid Breeze™ Cooling Weighted Blanket
Weight options
Gravid blankets weigh between 15lb and 35lb
Recommended guidelines
Guidelines advise that weighted blankets should be no more than 10% of your body weight. These recommendations have been carefully tested to ensure they match the preferences of the average consumer. However, certain individuals must exercise caution when choosing their ideal blanket.
|
Blanket Weight |
Body weight (or combined weight if sharing) |
|
15lb |
100-160lb |
|
20lb |
160 - 200lb |
|
20lb |
200 - 300lb |
|
30/35lb |
300+lb |
Use with caution if…
For some, it’s about more than just blankets that make you hot. If you have trouble regulating your body temperature due to hormonal disturbances or other chronic disorders and need to stay cool, you should read the following:
Those with circulatory disorders, including low blood pressure or Raynaud's disease, might experience discomfort or adverse effects from added warmth, affecting blood flow.
People with conditions affecting their body's ability to regulate temperature, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), could be susceptible to overheating under a weighted blanket. Some weighted blankets are made from dense fabrics that trap heat, so steer clear of those if you suffer from MS. Also important is the weight of the blanket and the filing.
Diabetics, particularly those with neuropathy (nerve damage), may not be able to accurately sense overheating due to reduced sensation in their extremities.
Individuals suffering from certain skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis, might find that added warmth and weight exacerbate itching and flare-ups. TENCEL™ Lyocell is very smooth, and because it’s a natural fiber, it is ideal for those with skin conditions.
Very young children (under the age of 10), the elderly, or anyone with physical limitations that make moving difficult are advised to use caution. The added weight could be a risk when the child or adult cannot move the blanket and is overheating.
Take a blanket quiz to help you choose the right blanket.
Gravid recommendations for those who sleep hot
Getting a good night’s rest depends on several actions you take in the hours before you sleep. It concerns the habits, good and bad, that we develop over time that either help us sleep soundly or cause us to struggle.
Here we will make a recommendation on the best Gravid blanket and accessories for hot sleepers and also give you a few tips for restful sleep.
Breeze™ Cooling Weighted Blanket
Using Tencel™, which is breathable, naturally cooling, and wicks moisture away, you can enjoy a sweat-free sleep at the perfect temperature. You get all the weight without the warmth.
What the customers say
“Prior to purchasing a Gravid blanket I had a terrible time sleeping for several months, from waking up several times during the night to not getting a full, deep sleep. From night one with my Gravid blanket, I've had peaceful and relaxing sleeps. The cooling cover is great and I like the colour.”
-Serena G - Verified purchase
“I bought this blanket for my son and he loves it! It is a great fabric, super soft. We bought the 20lb blanket and he said it was the perfect weight and was not to warm throughout the night. Overall great for someone looking for a weighted blanket for comfort.”
-Cara I - verified purchase
Buy the Breeze™ Cooling Weighted Blanket
Breeze™ Sheets & Pillowcase Set
Improve sleep quality by adding sheets and pillowcases to your cooling weighted blanket. Our silver-infused thermoregulating sheets prevent up to 99.7% of bacteria growth and maintain the perfect temperature for your comfort throughout the night.
What the customers say
“Incredibly soft and breathable. I normally have a problem with overheating during the night, even with other brands “cooling” sheets but these ones are the real deal. They don’t have as much of a cool to the touch feel, but they certainly are cooling. I highly recommend.”
-Rachel W - Verified purchase
Tips for better sleep quality
We don’t just want you to buy a weighted blanket; we also want to help you develop better sleep habits before you settle down for the night.
Here are our 5 top tips for great sleep:
- Put away all electronic devices an hour before bedtime
- Use block-out curtains to keep light from waking you up
- Use a white noise machine or earplugs if noise wakes you up
- Drink a soothing herbal tea such as chamomile to calm you before bedtime
- Leave the ‘to-do’ list far from the bedroom, and don’t discuss all the day’s worries before you sleep
You’d be surprised how much these small ‘aids’ will improve your sleep quality, along with your new Gravid Breeze™ Cooling Weighted Blanket.
Before you go and catch some Zzzz’s
Let’s do a quick recap of what we discussed in this article.
- Yes, weighted blankets are hotter than regular blankets, but new temperature-regulating technology fabrics such as TENCEL™ Lyocell provide hot sleepers with a way to own a weighted blanket.
- The type of fabric, construction of the blanket, and the correct size will help you stay cool and improve your sleep quality.
- Weighted blankets should be used with caution if you have a medical condition that would be aggravated by a combination of weight and heat.
- Not all weighted blankets are manufactured to keep you cool. Do your homework.
- Don’t write off owning a weighted blanket just because you get hot when you sleep.
That brings us to the end of our article. We hope you find the right blanket that gives you many restful nights and wakes you up completely refreshed.
We'd love to hear from you on Instagram and Facebook about your experience with a Gravid weighted blanket.
Until next time.