If you are cutting down on energy, you may feel like you are freezing cold. Even with the thermostat set on low, you do not have to be cold when you sleep. Extra warm materials have kept people cozy in winter for centuries before central heating.
Even though you are reducing expenses, you may find it worth the investment of buying one of the warmest blankets, most of which last “forever.” If you are blessed with someone in the family who crochets, she can help, or you may not realize that you already have the warmest blanket. Some of the warmest blankets are very inexpensive. It’s open spaces and layers that count.
Goose Down
For the purposes of this article, your home is cold due to high-energy costs. Down comforters are very expensive. However, down is worth mentioning. A down comforter is not to be confused with a "feather bed." Down is warmer than feathers - it is a natural animal substance that forms a protective coating over birds to keep them at just the right temperature. It will keep you warm in a cold house.
Down works by retaining warmth. The best down comforter is said to be 100% goose down, which is lighter, but larger than other down. Knowing how warm it is, you may be able to find them at half price after the Holidays and wish to make the investment.
100% Wool Blankets
Wool comes from numerous grazing animals and contains another natural animal substance, called lanolin. Often used to soothe skin, lanolin is oil that keeps the body dry when it rains or snows.
Wool has the miraculous ability to keep a person warm in cold weather and also “breathes” and prevents sweating in warm weather. Woolen blankets are very warm, but very expensive. If you are lucky enough to have one, (“stadium” blankets are often made of wool) use it for bed. If you can find a 100% wool blanket at a garage sale, take it. Wool material almost lasts forever with the exception of tiny moth holes that will not matter if you are cold.
Wash a used woolen blanket in cold or cool water. It can be washed in a washing machine on a gentle cycle. Do not dry the blanket in heat; the secret to preventing wool from shrinking to bite size is maintaining an even temperature during washing, rinsing and letting the wool dry naturally.
Afghans
Pray that you have a relative or friend who loves to make afghans. People whose hobby is to crochet afghans often give them to family members, donate them as prizes for charitable events, or sell them simply for the price of purchasing another afghan kit.
Afghans can be expensive when purchased at craft or consignment shops. People who want to make a profit by making afghans have to charge a lot because of the cost of materials and the tremendous amount of time it takes to crochet an afghan. Many gift shops purchase them cheaply from crafters and sell them at exorbitant prices.
The reason that afghans are so warm is that they are loosely woven. It would seem that loosely woven fabric would not keep one warm, but this is not the case. The holes and spaces in afghans “trap” the warmth of your body, so it takes a long time for the heat to find a way to escape. The same is true of thermal blankets.
Holes, Open Spaces and Warmth
Straw keeps barn animals warm in sub-zero temperatures. The reason is the same as for afghans. Open spaces trap warmth. We had outside cats for years and worried about keeping them warm in the winter. Someone told us to make a bed of straw. We filled a box with straw. After only a few weeks there was a deep burrow in the straw - it kept them warmer than blankets.
We suddenly understood why the baby Jesus was placed in a "manger." A manger was a rough box for feeding animals.A manger filled with straw would be a warm bed for a newborn.
Thermal Blankets
Not be confused with “survival thermal blankets” which are made of Mylar and designed to wear outdoors, traditional thermal blankets are inexpensive and can be found at retail stores. They have a special weave that creates the spaces needed to trap heat, on a smaller scale than afghans. Thermal blankets can help you stay warm in a cold house.
Thermal blankets are deceptively lightweight, but very warm. Underneath a comforter or over a regular blanket, they are especially cozy. If two thermal blankets are layered they are even warmer. If you are on a very tight budget, odd sized thermal blankets can be found at surplus product stores at a very low price.
Electric Blankets
Electric blankets are the choice for many. They can be purchased inexpensively at Overstock.com. Many people do not care for them because they are not cuddly like blankets, have a slight odor, and can actually burn someone, such as an elderly person, if they are not aware of the temperature.
In Yorkshire County, England, electric blankets used by the elderly were voluntarily inspected and many were found to be scorched and unsafe. With high use in nursing homes, electric blankets cause 1,000 fires in the United Kingdom each year.
What About Fleece Blankets?
Fleece actually means the coat of wool of an animal, but soft, popular and portable fleece blankets are thin, made of polyester and provide little warmth. If you purchase one for warmth, you are experiencing another meaning of “fleeced,” or being cheated of your money.
Both Natural and Manmade Blankets for Staying Warm at Night
To stay warm at night, use layers and look for blankets with natural animal protectants and those with loosely woven heat traps. Knowing the warmest materials will help you purchase a warm long-lasting blanket. Remember the manger filled with straw - it does not require expensive materials to create a cozy bed.
