Winter Accessories - Bedding

Which is warmer, a quilt or a blanket?

A quilt is warmer than a blanket. Quilts are made from two layers of material with a filling inside. While not exactly a duvet, sometimes the words ‘quilt’ and ‘duvet’ are used interchangeably.

Quilts are generally thinner than duvets and often include patterned stitching. Think of them as a thin duvet with no cover.

Quilts are more popular in the US, where you often sleep between the bedsheet and a top sheet. The quilt then sits over the top sheet, providing extra warmth.

Adding a quilt to a duvet may feel too bulky. Blankets are better when you want a temporary new layer of insulation.

How much does an electric blanket cost to run?

Electric blankets are considerably cheaper to use than heating an entire house, or even a room, using central heating.

While prices change according to your provider and time of year, here are some estimated figures to help you see the difference:

• Electric blankets use about 0.1kW per hour. At the start of 2024, the average cost of electricity in the UK was 28.62p per kWh. That means it would cost about 5.7p to use an electric blanket for two hours.
• The average cost of gas in the UK over the same period is 7p per kWh. An average household boiler uses 24kW in an hour. That means it would cost around £1.68 to put on the heating at home for two hours.

How do you clean an electric blanket?

For safety reasons, you should always check the manufacturer’s safety and care instructions before cleaning or washing your electric blanket..

You can machine wash most newer electric blankets. However, before doing so, always check the blanket’s label to see whether your specific electric blanket can be machine washed.

Electric blankets must never be dry cleaned as the compounds used in the process can damage the inner workings of the electrical element

If your electric blanket cannot be machine washed then the other option is to hand wash.

This can be done using lukewarm water and soap. It is important only to dab or gently rub at the part you want to clean. Anything more vigorous, such as ringing the blanket, may damage the wiring inside.

What is the best blanket for winter in the UK?

Electric blankets are excellent if you’re looking for a heat source to cover your whole body. Not only do they keep every inch of you warm, from your toes to your chin, they also cost a lot less than putting on central heating or even using an individual heater.

Regular or weighted blankets are great for adding a bit of extra insulation to your bed and duvet set up.

Always check the age range when using a weighted blanket as some are not appropriate for younger children!