How Do Blankets Keep You Warm?

When it’s cold and the heat from your body tries to escape, the blanket serves as a barrier between the cold air from outside and your body heat. When the air is colder outside, you need more insulation to keep your body warm which is why you need to put in more layers or clothes or wrap yourself around more blankets. So, it’s not the blankets that keep you warm, but your body. Even in very cold surroundings, your body can keep you warm as long as you are properly bundled up. 

Scientifically speaking, the blankets you use do not produce warmth, but instead, it traps the heat coming out of your body so that it doesn’t escape. This means that the more heat your body retains, the less cold you will feel. 

Do Blankets Make You Warm? 

No, blankets do not make you warm – not straightforwardly at least. What blankets do is slow down heat loss from your body so you don’t get cold that easily. To explain this more thoroughly and scientifically, humans produce heat every hour on a daily basis. This happens just by doing normal activities and going about the day. Even without doing much, your body still loses heat that it generates.

When we produce heat faster than we lose it, like when we exercise, run, and do high-intensity exercises or activities, the body feels hot. But, when the body loses heat faster than the body can make it, it makes the body feel cold.

Are Some Blankets Warmer? 

No, blankets are not warmer than others. The only reason why other blankets seem to be warmer than others is because of how they provide insulation. A blanket’s role is to trap heat inside your body so it doesn’t escape, other blankets feel warmer because they are probably made from better materials that have more effective insulation properties. 

A blanket that gives better insulation is usually made from thick materials which makes it difficult for heat to escape. The kind of fabric used is a factor when it comes to how good a blanket can trap heat. There are also other factors like how the blanket is draped or the structure of the blanket that determines how successfully it can keep a person warm. 

Types of Fabric That Are Good for Insulation

Some people really hate the winter months and can’t stand the cold weather and if you’re one of them, padded jackets, coats, mitts, and blankets will be your lifesavers during the particular season. 

However, there are certain types of fabric that retain heat the best. If you’re planning to get a blanket or clothing for winter, make sure that you consider what type of fabric it’s made of. 

Wool

When it comes to insulation, wool is one of the most popular and oldest fabrics of choice. It’s made from natural fibers derived from hairs of sheep, rabbits, camels, and goats. It is typically used in making blankets, rugs, clothes, carpets, and upholstery. 

Wool is good for insulation because of the bulkiness of the fabric which naturally acts as a barrier so heat can’t seep through to the outside. It’s also absorbent and odor resistant. In comparison to other textiles, wool is considered flame-resistant. This means that once it catches fire, it will not spread, but rather char and self-extinguish. 

Fleece

Another fabric that’s up on the chart is fleece. It has an insulation property similar to wool but the upside is, it is considerably lighter when it comes to weight. It is soft, thin, and comfortable, making it ideal to use for pajamas, sweaters, and blankets. 

Its moisture-resistant property makes it perfect to use in extreme weather conditions. It’s also durable so you don’t have to worry about wearing it easily. However, because it is more breathable than wool, it’s not ideal to use as an outer layer shell, but would be great as an insulating layer. 

Faux Fur 

Humans have been using fur for centuries to keep warm during the cold and winter months. During the olden days, humans hunt down animals for meat and for their fur. But today, thanks to modern technology and textile making, faux fur now exists. It’s almost the same as real fur but considerably a lot cheaper and far more ethical. 

Faux fur can be used as blankets, carpets, or upholstery but it is more popularly used in making articles of clothing. Because of its ability to retain heat, a lot of people wear and use them when the weather is cold. Not only is it fashionable, it’s also durable. However, you have to make sure that you know how to properly care for them so that they can keep looking brand new for many years. 

Cotton 

Cotton is a universal and versatile fabric that is widely used for many purposes. It can be made thin and more breathable to use during summer or it can be thick to fight the coldness of winter. It’s also better for people who are sensitive to some fabrics like wool. 

Aside from being hypoallergenic, it’s also durable and soft which makes it more comfortable to wear. But because it absorbs moisture well, it’s not ideal to wear on its own. In order for it to serve you better when it’s cold, you have to bundle and layer up. 

Because the fabric is very versatile, it can be used to make a couple of different items. But if you’re thinking of using cotton to make a blanket, instead of making a regular one, you can make a quilt that is heavier and thicker. 

Flannel 

It’s a soft-woven fabric that’s lightweight and very cozy to feel. Usually. Flannel is made using wool, cotton, or synthetic fiber. Because of its soft and cozy characteristics, it is a popular choice in making blankets, pajamas, and scarves – all things that are essential during the winter months. 

The little fuzz or fluffs in the flannel act as a trap so the heat could not escape. And because of the fuzziness of the fabric, it makes an excellent choice if you are looking for something that provides good insulation but is comfortable, light-weight, and soft to feel.