What is a Fleece Blanket? How to Choose the Right One?

Learn about fleece blankets in this blog and discover factors to take into account before purchasing one.

Is there anything better than curling up in a fleece blanket in winter? Simply put, it is the coziest thing ever. A synthetic option, fleece is a polyester blanket fabric that feels fuzzy yet silky-smooth. Use fleece blankets, which may have less airflow than other materials, in colder settings.

The definition of a fleece blanket and a buyer’s guide will be discussed in this blog.

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What is a Fleece Blanket?

An insulating blanket made of a mixture of synthetic fabrics is called a fleece blanket. The term “fleece” often causes confusion, because it is sometimes used to describe part of the wool of sheep. In this context, however, it refers to a specific polyester fabric with no wool content whatsoever. Although there are other types of fleece, polar fleece is the most popular.

The fabric of this type of blanket is made by taking polyester yarn and twisting it tightly. The finished product is then sheared to make it all uniform after being tightened with rough wire to raise the surface.

Related:

• How Much Yarn Do You Need for a Blanket?
• How Many Skeins of Yarn for a Blanket?

A superior fabric known as non-pill, which doesn’t ball up after a few items of washing, is used to create nearly all varieties of fleece blankets. This material has a nicer surface texture overall than other fleece varieties.

Depending on how warm the finished blanket should be, one can choose from three different weight categories of fleece. The thinnest blanket, microfleeces, should only be used as a light blanket underneath a heavier one.

The next weight category, hundred-weight fleeces, is comparable in weight to a typical pair of sweatpants. Medium-weight fleeces are often used for jackets and vests and are ideal for a blanket used in cold conditions.

What to Look for When Buying a Fleece Blanket?

The ideal fleece blanket is ideal for cuddling on the couch or maintaining heat in your bed on chilly nights. It is soft and delicate yet toasty warm. The incorrect fleece blanket, on the other hand, can shed all over the house or turn into a pilly mess after the first wash. At worst, you might have an allergy to the fleece you purchased.

Materials

The term “fleece” has come to cover a range of materials and a variety of thicknesses. Some businesses (Polartec, ThermaCheck) have registered their fleece fabrics as trademarks, while others refer to their blankets by numbers like 100 or 200. Look for these crucial differences rather than getting bogged down by the terminology.

• Synthetic Fleece

Often referred to as “polar fleece” or microfleece, synthetic fleece was created as a lightweight alternative to wool. The end result is a soft, light blanket that is incredibly warm. Additionally, to be lighter than cotton fleece, it is typically more affordable. Although there are many fleeces with different trademarks available, the materials are generally very similar.

An important distinction to look for is whether the fleece is “pill resistant.” The fact that fleece can pill is a drawback. This is why it’s crucial to look for high-quality fleece, which keeps its original texture even after numerous items of washing and is pill-resistant. Lower-quality fleece blankets are prone to shedding.

The fact that synthetic fleeces produce a lot of static electricity, which can draw dust and hair, is another potential drawback. But don’t worry, we have the blog on How to Get Rid of Static in Fleece Blankets to help you remove static. It is possible to purchase high-quality recycled fleece even though polar fleece is typically made from petroleum products. Polar fleece can melt when exposed to high heat, so make sure to follow the drying instructions.

• Cotton Fleece

The fabric used to make cotton fleece is the same as that used to make cotton sweatshirts and sweatpants, but the soft pile is exposed on both sides because of the way the fabric is sewn. Although these blankets tend to cost more and weigh more than polar fleece blankets, they can still be just as warm, and some people prefer a little weight in their blankets.

Cotton fleece, which is made from natural fibers but is just as soft as polar fleece, is a great substitute for polar fleece for people who have allergies to polyester. An organic cotton fleece blanket can also be purchased. The drawback of cotton fleece is that it typically shrinks when washed; therefore, always follow the washing instructions and look for blanket makers who size their products accordingly.

Weight

Check the weight (or thickness) of the fleece before you purchase a blanket to make sure it is appropriate for your climate. Particularly with synthetic fleece, the weight of the fleece can significantly affect how warm your new blanket is.

• Light

The term “microfleece” can mean a number of things in the world of synthetic fleece. Microfleece is typically the lightest (or thinnest) type of polar fleece. It’s ideal for relaxing in front of the fire or in front of the TV, but it might not be very warm for your bed in the dead of winter.

But beware, because some companies use the term “microfleece” to describe the feel of the fabric. In this instance, microfleece is a smoother variation of fleece (as opposed to synthetic shearling or Berber pile), but it’s also possible that it’s the warmest blanket that company is offering. The recommended uses for the blanket of your choice can be found in the item description, so always read that first.

• Heavy

Which synthetic fleece blankets are thicker than others may not be obvious at first glance. This is due to the fact that the warmth of a polar fleece blanket can be significantly affected by a small change in thickness.

Look for fleece blankets that are rated for extremely cold nights or that have a number (such as 100 or 200) in the name. The step up from microfleece on the synthetic fleece scale is 100, and the next number is 200, which is probably the warmest you’ll see.

What Makes Fleece Warm?

In order to replace the natural wool fabric, fleece was developed. It is a great material option for hats, mittens, gloves, women’s fleece jackets, and blankets because it is warm, lightweight, and low maintenance.

In order to create the thick fabric that we know as fleece, fine polyester fibers are woven into a light fabric, which is then brushed out. One of the coziest and useful materials available is fleece, which has the special properties of retaining heat while remaining breathable.

What Can Cause Fleece to Lose Its Softness?

Fleece is delightfully soft when it is brand new. It almost feels like a hug when you put on a brand-new fleece sweatshirt, which is a sensation we can all relate to. But fleece can lose some of its softness over time.

Your fleece will rub up against the other items if you wash it in the washing machine along with clothing or a blanket that isn’t made of fleece. This friction “scrapes” the fleece and makes it a little less soft each time. The heat from the dryer increases this risk. Too much heat can melt the fibers and cause the fleece to pill and clump.

To keep your fleece as soft as possible, only wash it when necessary. Instead of placing a clean, unstained fleece blanket in the laundry with other non-fleece items like sheets, shake it out, fold it, and bring it out again as needed. If you need to wash your fleece blanket, it is best to do so in cold water with a mild detergent either by itself or only with other fleece items.

Next, hang up the fleece blanket to dry it or tumble dry it on low to remove most of the moisture, then hang it for the final drying. Maintaining that wonderfully soft fleece will take a little more time and care, but it will be worth it in the end.

Conclusion: What is a Fleece Blanket?

Due to its excellent weight-to-insulation ratio, fleece makes an excellent material for blankets. It is light enough to be carried on hiking trips or stowed away without difficulty in a closet, is soft and comfortable, and retains heat well.

The versatility of fleece blankets is what makes them so lovely. With a cup of tea and a good book, you can relax on your fleece throw while wearing your cozy pajamas. In the winter, you can keep a fleece blanket in your car just in case you end up stranded with mechanical issues.

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