Blanket recommendations, please.

December 8, 2021 8:59 AM

I'm searching for a cotton blanket (to reduce static electricity) that's warm/cozy, but not hot.

I live in DC, where winter can be either mild or freezing cold, and trying to save on heating costs by finding a good blanket that will satisfy all the conditions below.

-Cotton or another material that repels static electricity
-Will keep me warm and cozy, but not HOT, overnight (so breathable to an extent)
-Relatively inexpensive ($30-70ish)
-Machine washable
-Not an electric blanket

The blankets I'm searching for on Amazon (cotton, specifically) are coming up as mostly all-season blankets (so thin and does not provide enough warmth), and wool is too expensive/too warm. Trying to find the perfect blanket seems to be harder than I thought it would be. If you can get me warmed up (no pun intended) with a good blanket, preferably on Amazon, that would be appreciated!

posted by dubious_dude to Shopping (15 answers total)

Does it HAVE to be a blanket or are you open to a thin comforter with a cotton duvet cover? Ikea in particular has some inexpensive lightweight/not super warm comforters and some inexpensive covers, many of which are cotton. You can take the cover off to wash it in a regular washing machine. The caveat is that the stuffing in the comforters is synthetic, not cotton. But the cotton cover makes it somewhat breathable and there is no static electricity. They've started doing some that are partly lyocell but for breathability I would stick to the 100% cotton

I personally also own a thin cotton quilt that's filled with 100% cotton batting (bought for the summer) and it's OK but the setup above is much more cozy and easier to wash (although a bit annoying to put the cover back on the comforter after washing.)
posted by needs more cowbell at 9:14 AM on December 8, 2021 [2 favorites]

This is my blanket (have two in Q and K) that I think hits your needs, stays on my bed all year, usually without supplement. It’s out of your price range, but maybe “twill” is a reasonable keyword. A sale is probably more likely in warmer months, or maybe eBay has potential here.
posted by supercres at 9:19 AM on December 8, 2021 [1 favorite]

Oh, also— what sheets do you have? Synthetic or sateen weave sheets will seem less breathable than percale no matter what you have on top. Percale will always help breathability IME no matter how warm the blanket is.
posted by supercres at 9:21 AM on December 8, 2021 [1 favorite]

I have a different brand than this one but would definitely search for "cotton cashmere".
posted by kbuxton at 9:55 AM on December 8, 2021 [1 favorite]

I have a cotton jacquard blanket similar to this one from Lorien Stern. Satisfyingly bulky.

It's a little more than your target price and it's a throw blanket rather than a full size piece of bedding - it's unclear to me if you're looking for something to snuggle on the couch vs. something to sleep under.
posted by Lawn Beaver at 10:23 AM on December 8, 2021

I am a sweaty sleeper and have struggled with these issues forever (and I lived in DC for a decade). My solution: get a waffle weave cotton blanket that's about twice the size of my bed. Chillier than usual? Fold it over so I've got a double layer over me. Warmer than usual? Kick off the top layer. Both ways it's breathable. Cotton percale sheets all the way as mentioned above. In peak summer I can get by with just a sheet, but I also like to sleep with a bit of weight on me, which blankets like this achieve.

This is the giant cotton waffle blanket I've got. I love it. Above your price range but there are versions aplenty out there, including very inexpensive versions (all 100% cotton).
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 11:56 AM on December 8, 2021 [2 favorites]

Thanks for this question! I have one of these Ralph Lauren cotton blankets on my bed that I really like, and I have been meaning to order another while they're on sale because it's getting colder lately. They're a fairly loose weave, so they breathe nicely, but also heavy enough that they're pretty warm.
posted by Jawn at 12:18 PM on December 8, 2021 [1 favorite]

How would you feel about an Indian kantha quilt like this?
posted by music for skeletons at 2:16 PM on December 8, 2021 [2 favorites]

Woolrich makes a cotton non feather comforter, (very warm,) and they make a "blanket" that is a thin comforter. I bought them both and I use the blanket as soon as the summer cools, I am still using it, but I threw on a quilt this year. Usually I just trade out for the comforter. I have a queen bed and I always buy king in blankets and comforters.
posted by Oyéah at 3:02 PM on December 8, 2021

Response by poster: Thanks for the helpful recommendations! This would be for me to sleep in.

I have went ahead and tried this sage blanket from Amazon; if it doesn't work out, I can always just return it and try the other options recommended here. It's not cotton, it's polyester, but I realized that I'd be in bed most of the time when using it. It's also warmer and fits my budget.

Follow-up question: any ideas/tips on how to help repel electricity static when using a polyester blanket? Especially when getting up? My bedroom floor is carpet.
posted by dubious_dude at 6:53 PM on December 8, 2021

any ideas/tips on how to help repel electricity static when using a polyester blanket? Especially when getting up? My bedroom floor is carpet.

Humidifier? I've found the static in my house is much less when I've got a humidifier running. Also having slippers and not socks when you are walking around in your room.
posted by jessamyn at 8:08 PM on December 8, 2021

I keep a huge cotton beach towel near the bed to throw over the blanket when it's a bit colder than usual. Also handy to roll up if you need to elevate your knees or wipe up a water spill on the nightstand.
posted by a humble nudibranch at 11:07 PM on December 8, 2021

I really really like woven cotton blankets. I'll use them alone for less warmth but when I still need the weight of the blanket, and with a layer above, or above and below, to trap in warmth when it's cold. I've yet to try multiple cotton blankets... I've never been lucky enough to own more than one at a time.
posted by stormyteal at 12:10 AM on December 9, 2021

OMG OMG OMG I have your answer, but it's a little bit more expensive than your wishlist. They have been having a 25% code (COZY25) and you can use it on their imperfect blankets - I have two - a double and a queen. I'm waiting for color restocking so I can get a third (I know, blanket hoarding is an illness). They are yuuuuugley oversized; like, the queen one goes down to the floor on three sides of my queen bed. The double-sized one easily goes halfway over the mattress.

Seriously, I've never been so happy over a damn blanket in my life. I fight the dogs over it! It does get thicker and fluffier every time you wash it. The only downside is that because it's all cotton, it takes a long time to dry. But it is SOOOOO worth it!
posted by dancinglamb at 1:14 AM on December 9, 2021 [4 favorites]

And, yes, a humidifier and plants will help with static electricity. You can keep the potted plants on top of a tray of little pebbles that has water under them for even more help in keeping the air less dry.
posted by dancinglamb at 1:16 AM on December 9, 2021