A weighted blanket is a therapeutic tool designed to provide Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS), using gentle, evenly distributed weight to promote relaxation and a sense of calm. The effectiveness of the blanket depends almost entirely on the material sealed within its fabric layers. The internal filling determines the blanket’s texture, maintenance requirements, and how uniformly the pressure is applied across the body. Understanding the filler is necessary for selecting a product that best suits personal sensory preferences and lifestyle needs.
Common Types of Weighted Fillers
The commercial weighted blanket market is dominated by two manufactured materials: glass micro-beads and plastic poly-pellets. Glass micro-beads are small, smooth glass particles that resemble fine sand. Due to their high density, fewer glass beads are required to achieve a specific weight, resulting in a thinner, less bulky blanket that drapes smoothly. This material is often considered a premium option due to its smoother feel.
Plastic poly-pellets are made from virgin or recycled polypropylene, a durable and safe type 5 plastic. These pellets are larger than glass micro-beads, typically about the size of a small pea, and are lighter in density. Because they are less dense, a much larger volume of poly-pellets is needed to reach the same weight, often making the final product noticeably thicker. This material is more economical to produce and is frequently found in budget-friendly weighted blankets.
Alternative and Natural Weight Sources
Beyond the standard commercial options, some manufacturers and DIY enthusiasts use alternative materials, including organic fillers, sand, or small metal weights. Dried foods such as rice, corn, or beans are inexpensive and popular for homemade blankets. However, these organic materials are porous and cannot be washed. Exposure to moisture can cause them to expand, rot, or grow mold and fungus, which risks attracting insects.
Sand is a low-cost option that offers a fine, quiet texture, similar to glass beads. Sand is difficult to distribute evenly, which can lead to clumping and an inconsistent feel. When sand gets wet, it retains water and clumps severely, making washing and drying difficult. A robust, non-organic alternative is steel shot, which consists of small, heat-treated micro-balls. Steel shot is exceedingly heavy, meaning less material is needed than glass beads, and it is fully machine-washable and mold-resistant.
Comparing Fillers: Properties and Maintenance
The choice of filler affects the blanket’s physical properties, especially noise and temperature regulation. Glass beads are nearly silent due to their fine, smooth structure, making them suitable for light sleepers or those with auditory sensitivities. Poly-pellets can produce a subtle rustling sound when the blanket is shifted, though this may be mitigated by using thicker fabrics. Steel shot beads also have the potential to be noisy, as the small metal balls can clatter against one another.
The materials also differ in their ability to manage heat. Glass beads are generally cooler and facilitate better airflow because their small size occupies less space within the inner pockets. Plastic poly-pellets tend to trap more heat, which can make the blanket feel warmer. Plastic, glass, and steel fillers are all machine-washable and durable, unlike organic grains or sand which must be spot-cleaned or dry-cleaned to prevent degradation.
Blanket Construction: Preventing Filler Shifting
Regardless of the material chosen, the blanket’s construction is essential for maintaining the filler’s function and ensuring consistent weight distribution. Weighted blankets are constructed using quilting or compartmentalization, rather than being simple sacks of pellets. The interior is sewn into a grid pattern of small, individual pockets or channels, which are then filled with the weighted material. This design prevents the filler from pooling at the edges or corners when the blanket is moved.
The size of these internal pockets is optimized to allow the filler to settle evenly while still providing flexibility to contour to the user’s shape. High-quality blankets often use reinforced or double-stitching to seal these compartments, which is important for containing fine materials like glass micro-beads or sand. Without this structural integrity, the weights would shift to the lowest point, rendering the product ineffective for providing uniform pressure.