September 14th, 2018 by Chris Chapman

Electric blankets have come a long way in recent years, meaning that more and more people are turning to them as a comfy and eco-friendly way to keep warm in winter. They’re a world away from the clunky and inefficient heated blankets of the past, and modern blankets can be luxuriously comfortable, easy to use, and most of all, warm. If you’re tempted by an electric blanket, there are a few things you should know before doing so. Read these quick tips to help you pick the best electric blanket for you!

Not All Electric Blankets are the Same

Think about where you’re going to be using your electric blanket. Are you going to use it on the sofa? On your bed? Alone or with a partner? There are many different blankets available for many different purposes. If you know you’re only going to be using your heated blanket in bed, you might get more out of a fully fitted electric blanket that fits onto your mattress like a mattress cover. If you want to use your blanket downstairs, an oversized heated throw might be better so you can use it to snuggle down on the sofa.

Look for a Deep Skirt

If you want to use an electric blanket in your bed, there’s no better option than a fully fitted electric blanket. This type of heated blanket fits over your mattress just like a fitted sheet. You probably know that you need to get the right size of blanket (single, double, king, or super king) to fit onto your bed, but you should also look out for blankets with a deep elastic skirt, too. Look for a blanket with a skirt of at least 30cm – like the Sweet Dreams fitted blankets, for example – as this will ensure your blanket fits snugly to your bed. This is important as it means your fitted blanket doesn’t crease or ride up, which in turn will stop the wires inside from bunching up. This means you’ll end up with a soothing and even heat across your whole bed with no patches that are too hot or too cold.

Make Sure Your Blanket is Easy to Clean

Almost all modern electric blankets can be put in the washing machine, but that isn’t quite the same as being easy to clean! To put an electric blanket in the washing machine you’ll need to detach your controller, so you want to make sure that process is quick and easy. You’ll also want to make sure your blanket dries effectively. If you take your blanket out of the washing machine and it’s still dripping with retained water, this can stretch the blanket material and displace the wires inside, meaning the blanket won’t distribute heat as effectively. Make sure you get a quality electric blanket from a trusted brand like Sweet Dreams, Homefront, or Dreamland to avoid this problem!

You Should Always Buy New, Quality Electric Blankets

When it comes to electric blankets, don’t take any chances! Buy new and buy quality to guarantee you won’t get any future headaches. If you’re buying an old or pre-owned electric blanket you might well save a bit of cash, but you don’t know the full condition of the blanket, what state the wiring is in, and if there’s any wear and tear that isn’t immediately obvious. Buying something new means it’s in pristine condition and, in the unlikely event that anything does happen, you’re protected by the warranty. Also, bear in mind that the saying “buy cheap, buy twice” is especially true when it comes to electric blankets! It might seem like a great deal to pick up an electric blanket for under £15, but the chances are these blankets aren’t very comfortable or very warm, so they’ll just end up stuck in your cupboard. Paying a bit more for a quality – but still affordable – electric blankets will also ensure you get an energy-efficient blanket that will save you money on your electricity bills in the long run.

Check You Can Run It Overnight

If you want to run your electric blanket all night long, make sure it’s suitable to do so. Many electric blankets can be used under your duvet and left on all night as they have overheat protection which shuts the blanket down if it gets too hot, however, not all blankets have this feature. Fully fitted electric blankets should have overheat protection as they’re designed to be used under your duvet but electric overblankets may not. Always double check this before you buy, and ask your place of purchase about overheat protection if you’re not 100% sure about using your electric blanket all night.