Category Archives: Bedding

Find Your Perfect Sleeping Room Temperature

If asked to cite factors that contribute to a good night’s sleep, most people would probably list things like a supportive mattress, comfortable pillow, darkened room, and quiet environment. They might even go so far as to include on the list various lifestyle choices such as refraining from alcohol and caffeine consumption in the few hours before bedtime and banishing screens (smartphones, tablets, computers, and televisions) from the sleeping room.

But while all of those variables are indeed important to getting restful sleep, the most crucial part of the equation is ambient temperature. That’s because the ambient temperature in the sleeping room has a direct influence on body temperature, which in turn plays a major role in the sleep cycle. Your body temperature fluctuates throughout the day and begins to drop to a lower set point when your circadian rhythm indicates that it’s time to sleep. If the sleeping environment is too warm your body temperature will also remain elevated, thus making comfortable sleep more difficult to achieve.

So how can you find your perfect sleeping room temperature? Sleep experts advise settling on a “thermally neutral” ambient temperature (one in which your body neither shivers nor sweats) that is comfortable for you. For most people this typically falls between 60 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit year round. Since that’s a fairly wide range, the best way to determine your personal number is to test different temperatures and record the results.

Furthermore, if you live in an area where temperatures vary significantly with the seasons, then you’ll likely need the help of specialized products to regulate room temperature, including some or all of the following:

Thermostat adjustable heating and cooling units, such as central heat/air conditioning, window AC units, and ceiling fans
ChiliPad heating and cooling mattress pad that warms or cools your body based on custom temperature settings
Heated mattress pad, electric blanket, or heated foot-of-the-bed warmer for wintertime use
Cool Pad breathable cooling body pad for spring and summer use
Temperature regulating pillow that either heats or cools in response to the skin’s microclimate

If you’re having trouble getting restful sleep night after night, your bedroom temperature might be to blame. Try controlling the ambient temperature using one of the methods suggested above until you succeed in creating the perfect sleep environment for your tastes.

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Mother’s Day is May 8 this year, which means there’s not much time left to buy a great gift for your mom, grandma, aunt, or other influential woman in your life. Fortunately, with the help of this handy gift guide and our express shipping option, you’ll be able to get your shopping done before the deadline no matter how many people are on your list. Here are some of our bestselling products that are sure to be a hit this Mother’s Day.

For keeping warm while on the go

Active moms will love getting new gear to use or wear when traveling or participating in favorite outdoor winter activities such as hiking, skiing, motorcycling, and watching sports. If your mom is the type that doesn’t let bad weather slow her down, then check out our:

Deluxe heated car seat cover
Travel electric blanket
Battery heated ski gloves, glove liners, or mittens
Battery heated women’s soft shell jacket
Heated Puffy Jacket by WarmGear
Battery heated socks
Battery heated stadium seat cushion

For keeping warm at home

Does your mom always have cold hands and feet in winter, no matter the indoor temperature? Or does she like to keep the thermostat turned down in order to save money on heating bills? If so, she’ll fall in love with one of these great items:

Heated indoor/outdoor slippers
RugHeat heating system for use under area rugs
Electric foot of the bed warmer
Heated electric blanket or throw
Heated towel warmer
Heated chair cover

For keeping pets comfy

If your mom is a dog or cat lover above all else, then she will wholeheartedly welcome any of the following products that are designed to make her pet’s life cozier:

Outdoor heated pet bed or kennel mat
Heated dog bowl for keeping water at a drinkable temperature
Self-warming pet beds
Heated cat beds
Cooling pads, cooling collars, and cooling pet jackets for use in summer

All of the gifts listed here and plenty more are available right now at CozyWinters, so you’re sure to find something your mom will enjoy. Visit our site today to place your order and remember to select Express Shipping at checkout for delivery before May 8.

How To Store Winter Bedding

wool April is usually the month where overnight temperatures are mild enough that you can begin to put away your heavy-duty winter bedding. But if you want your electric blankets, thick wool blankets, and down comforters to stay fresh and clean for the next six months, you shouldn’t just stuff them in a closet and forget about them. Here’s how to store winter bedding the right way.

Preparation

Before storing your winter bedding prepare each piece by reading the care label or instructions provided by the manufacturer. Some general tips include:

Remove all cords and controllers from electric blankets and heated mattress pads and store them separately.
Hang down comforters on a clothesline in sunlight for several hours to thoroughly air and dry.
Launder any washable items, including electric blankets, duvet covers, and woolen blankets, prior to storage in order to remove odors, sweat, and body oils and inhibit mildew growth or permanent staining.

Assessment of available storage space

Once your winter bedding has been laundered or aired and is ready to be put away, take some time to assess the amount and kind of storage space available. Be sure the storage area is:

Cool, dry, and impervious to mold
Large enough to accommodate the kind of containers you wish to use
Relatively easy to access

Packing and storing

Now that you’ve washed your winter bedding and readied your storage space, you can finally pack away your blankets and comforters. We recommend:

Using vacuum storage bags to reduce the overall size and bulk of down comforters and keep out dust, allergens, and pests
Placing smaller items in plastic storage bins that fit neatly under the bed or on a closet shelf
Storing delicate or handmade items in a cedar chest or decorative trunk at the foot of the bed so you can easily air them out once every four to six weeks during the offseason

Taking the extra time required to store winter bedding properly will help ensure that each piece is in great condition when you need it next as well as extend the lifespan of every item in your collection. So follow these guidelines as you change over to your spring linen in the coming days or weeks.

Heated Throws vs. Heated Blankets: What’s the Difference?

Heated electric throws and heated electric blankets are two of the bestselling products on the CozyWinters website. Customers who own these items love having the ability to enjoy targeted warmth without having to run the furnace, fireplace, or space heater for hours on end. The result is total comfort and lower energy bills all winter long, which everyone can agree is a winning combination.

If you’re in the market for a heated throw or a heated blanket, you might be wondering what’s the difference between the two. While many people use the terms interchangeably, there are a couple of important distinctions with regard to purpose and size

Purpose

Heated throws are frequently kept in the living room, media room, home office, or vehicle, and may serve a decorative as well as functional purpose. They are often folded over the top of a sofa or armchair when not in use, so it’s advisable to select your throw in a color that complements your furniture. Throws are meant to cover a single average-size person during activities such as watching television, reading a book, or taking a nap.

Heated blankets are primarily used as bedding. Depending on overnight winter temperatures in your home, you can use your heated blanket alone or topped by a duvet or comforter.

Size

Since electric blankets are used on beds, they are available in Twin, Full, Queen, and King to coordinate with standard mattress sizes. Heated throws, on the other hand, do not follow any sizing guidelines, so you’ll have to check the specific dimensions for the product you intend to purchase. A common size for throws sold on the CozyWinters website is 60” x 45”, though smaller travel sizes are also available.

Now that you know the key differences between heated throws and heated blankets, you’ll be able to browse all of the available options at CozyWinters and purchase the best product for your needs.

Electric Blanket Safety Tips

For the most part, electric blankets are a very safe and cost-effective way of providing warmth and comfort in winter. This is particularly true if the blankets have an automatic shut-off feature or run on low voltage like the models offered at CozyWinters.

But just as with any other electric appliance that plugs into a wall outlet, electric blankets must be used with care in order to avoid potential short-circuiting, overheating, burning, and similar problems. Toward that end, here are some common electric blanket safety tips to keep in mind when using your warming product this winter:

Read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow all recommendations regarding usage and care.
When plugged in and turned on, try to keep the blanket as flat as possible and avoid folding, creasing, or pinching the wires.
Do not use if the fabric is frayed or worn through or if the wires or heating elements are exposed.
Do not run the power cord or control cords under the mattress or under any rugs. Doing so could cause the protective coating to deteriorate, which would then leave the wires exposed.
Turn off the electric blanket when unattended.
Do not use electric blankets with infants, small children, or anyone insensitive to heat or unable to operate the controls on their own.
Do not use electric blankets on waterbeds or mechanically adjustable beds.
Be extra cautious when using electric blankets around pets, as the wires and cords may present chewing temptations.
Frequently inspect your electric blanket throughout the season to ensure that it hasn’t incurred any damage and is still capable of operating safely.

Now that below-freezing overnight temperatures are a regular occurrence, you’re likely turning to your electric blanket to help keep you warm while you sleep. As long as you use the product as intended and follow the above safety tips, you should be able to enjoy the coziness and comfort of your blanket without incident for many years to come.

How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep (Even in Summer)

Numerous studies show that individuals have an ideal sleep temperature that allows them to fall asleep and stay asleep all night. For a majority of folks, the magic number is somewhere between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, but varies according to personal preferences and the seasons.

So wouldn’t it be great if your body temperature simply held steady all night long? That way, you could just choose a cooling gel pad or electric blanket and be assured of a comfortable sleep.

But that’s not the way temperature works in the real world. In many places, especially the southern states in late summer, outdoor temperatures fluctuate at night and impact your body temperature to the point where you might be sweating when you first hit the sheets, but shivering just a few hours later. Even attempts to control ambient temperature with the use of an air conditioner or heater may not be enough to ensure comfort. That’s where temperature regulating bedding can help.

Made of high-tech fabrics and utilizing phase change materials, temperature regulating bedding:

Proactively manages temperature
Helps prevent moisture (sweat) production before it begins
Cools you down by absorbing and storing body heat when you begin to get too hot
Warms you up by redistributing the stored heat when you begin to get too cold
Performs this function continuously throughout the night
Operates without batteries or electrical cords
Is perfect for year-round use

If you’re having trouble getting a good night’s sleep because you’re either too hot, too cold, or constantly shifting between the two extremes, it’s time to try temperature regulating bedding. Check out the wide selection of Outlast mattress pads, blankets, comforters, and pillows at CozyWinters today and enjoy the deep, restful sleep that the right temperature provides.

Understanding Down Bedding

Down bedding has long been prized for its warmth, breathability, and durability. Though more expensive than synthetic alternatives, the right down comforter or blanket can provide many years of service in warm, mild, and cold climates alike. To be sure you get the most out of your investment, it’s important to understand what to look for before buying. Here’s a brief guide to get you started:

Fill power

This term refers to the volume of one ounce of down and can tell you the relative warmth and quality of the bedding in question. For example, our Pacific Coast Light Warmth down comforter has a fill power of 550, which is a lighter weight suitable for summer and warmer temperatures. On the other hand, our Pacific Coast SuperLoft comforter has a fill power of 600, making it great for cold winter nights.

Construction

There are two major types of down bedding construction: baffle box and sewn through. The baffle box method incorporates vertical fabric walls throughout the comforter to keep the down in place, while the sewn through method simply involves stitching the top and bottom parts of the comforter together. Baffle box construction is recognized as superior since it helps distribute warmth evenly.

Ticking

The ticking is the fabric covering of the down product and is there to ensure the fibers don’t leak out. The Pacific Coast line of down bedding featured at CozyWinters is crafted with 400 thread count BarrierWeave fabric made of 100% cotton. BarrierWeave is not only tightly woven, but also specially finished to provide up to three times more leak protection than ordinary ticking.

Size

As with any other bedding product, the down comforter or blanket you choose should be based on your bed size. At CozyWinters, we offer down bedding in twin, full/queen, and king options to accommodate the most common mattress sizes.

Now that you know what to look for in down bedding, be sure to check out the full line of lightweight, medium-weight, and heavyweight comforters we have at the CozyWinters online store and buy the best one for your climate.

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