Category Archives: Heated Blankets

How To Store Winter Bedding

woolApril 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 blanket vs throw

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

macromink-heated-electric blanketFor 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 Clean Your Electric Blanket

With autumn quickly approaching, the nights will soon be cool enough to warrant use of an electric blanket. Whether you intend to purchase a new full-sized electric blanket, travel-sized electric blanket, or heated throw from CozyWinters or simply pull an existing one out of summer storage, here are some tips on how to clean it before use.

DO:heated blanket

  • Remove all cords and controllers from the blanket
  • Vigorously shake the blanket to dislodge dust, pet hair, and other debris
  • Presoak in a mixture of cold or lukewarm water and laundry detergent to help get rid of tough stains or musty odors
  • Follow the manufacturer’s washing instructions printed on the care label attached to the blanket
  • If the instructions are missing, run the blanket through the “gentle” or “delicate” cycle of your machine
  • Put the blanket in the dryer for no more than 5-10 minutes at the lowest heat setting
  • If necessary, gently stretch the blanket out to its original shape after removing from the dryer
  • Finish drying by draping the blanket over a clothesline
  • Hand-wash with cool or lukewarm water in a tub if your washing machine is not large enough to accommodate the blanket

DON’T:

  • Dry clean, as the chemicals used in this process can damage the wires and insulation
  • Wring or twist to remove excess water
  • Iron the blanket
  • Use commercial dryers found in laundromats since the heat they generate is too intense
  • Use clothespins, safety pins, or similar items to secure the blanket to a clothesline
  • Plug in a blanket with frayed or damaged wiring, cords, or controls

Nothing beats the feeling of snuggling up with a warm electric blanket on a cool autumn night. Follow the above steps to get your blanket looking and smelling as fresh as possible before you put it into use for the season.

When NOT to Use Electric Blankets

heated blanketUnder normal circumstances, electric blankets are a perfectly safe and inexpensive source of supplemental heat that can help keep you warm throughout the winter. When used at night in place of regular blankets, they allow you to turn your thermostat down several degrees without sacrificing any warmth or comfort. This green practice is not only good for your utility bills, but also for the environment.

Surprisingly, however, several myths about the supposed “dangers” of heated blankets are still floating around out there. For instance, some people believe that these products pose a major fire hazard or emit an electromagnetic field to rival that of the mysterious island from Lost. But the low-voltage wiring used in manufacturing today’s blankets has reduced the fire hazard to virtually nil, while the EMFs generated by a typical blanket is no greater than any other electrical appliance in your home.

Nevertheless, there are a few special cases where you should NOT use electric blankets. Some of these include:

  • When there are pets in your home that could chew or claw through the wiring
  • When you have nerve damage from diabetes or another medical condition that prevents you from sensing heat
  • When you are in the late stages of pregnancy and are worried about raising your body temperature too high

As you can see, the risks of using electric blankets are extremely limited in scope and are due to external rather than internal causes. This means most people will never have to worry about any ill effects from these products.

Now that you know how safe heated blankets are, you can visit CozyWinters.com to pick out the latest design for your bedroom, living room, or guest room.