Merino Wool Blankets
A warm, cozy blanket of merino wool will not only warm you up in long, cold evenings, but also give you comfort and pleasant sensations. Merino blanket is a profitable acquisition for the family of any wealth. A blanket with quality wool from the Australian sheep will serve a long service to all family members, as well as become the subject of a bedroom decor.
Merino blanket is a good option for a gift to friends and relatives.
Special features
Merino sheep wool is unique in its characteristics, which is why this type of wool is widely used not only in blankets and blankets, but also in the production of thermal underwear. Merino wool is one of the most expensive on the market, as it is trimmed from an elite breed of sheep. This breed was born in Spain in the XII century, but now the largest number of sheep is in Australia.It is on this mainland that the best conditions for the breeding of Australian merino are.
Australian merino is a small breed of sheepwhich is bred only for the production of fine wool. Despite the finest pile, the wool is very soft and warm, wear-resistant and durable. Thanks to the curly structure of the pile, blankets retain their volume and softness for many years, provided they are properly cared for and stored.
The highest quality wool can be obtained by cutting the animal from the withers in the spring.
Australian merino wool contains lanolin, a natural substance that, when heated from body temperature, penetrates the human body and gives a healing effect.
Lanolin is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. This substance has a beneficial effect on the joints, circulatory system, skin condition, helps reduce puffiness. Lanolin fights osteochondrosis, arthrosis, maintains a constant comfortable body temperature during sleep, has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Due to its healing properties, merino sheep wool, in contact with the skin, fights cellulite and rejuvenates.
Types and sizes
Merino wool is unique in its characteristics, therefore it is used in the manufacture of various products for sleep: blankets, quilted blankets, open-wool blankets, and bedspreads.
The most popular blankets with open wool. A blanket without a cover fits better with the body, and therefore the healing effect of merino wool is better. These blankets are made by weaving, in which the wool is subjected to a minimum amount of processing and retains its medicinal properties. Opening the blankets is light and thin, but at the same time warm.
There are varieties of such products:
- with open wool on both sides;
- with a sewn cover on one side.
Such products contribute to the improvement of blood microcirculation, improve metabolism, protect against electromagnetic interference. Moreover, the absence of a cover provides self-ventilation and ventilation of the product, which allows to increase its useful life.
Sizes of blankets:
- 80x100 cm - for newborns;
- 110x140 cm - for children;
- 150x200 cm - for a half-bed;
- 180x210 cm - double;
- 200x220 cm - "euro" size;
- 240x260 cm - king size, maximum blanket, king size.
The unique composition and properties of the wool of the Australian merino caused the use of this raw material in the production of blankets, rugs, blankets for all age categories.
Benefits
Finished merino wool products have the following advantages:
- natural ingredients are hypoallergenic;
- during sleep, the body remains dry at a constantly maintained temperature, due to its enhanced hygroscopic properties. Wool is able to absorb up to 1/3 of the moisture from its own volume, while the fibers remain dry;
- natural material is self-ventilating and allows the skin to breathe;
- thermoregulatory properties of the product are achieved due to the twisted structure of fibers that create air gaps in the product;
- natural material does not absorb unpleasant odors, and the porous structure prevents the accumulation of dust and dirt;
- antiseptic properties and therapeutic effect (for diseases of the musculoskeletal system, colds, to stimulate the metabolism) are provided by the content of natural lanolin in the fibers;
- using the highest quality raw materials from the withers of Australian Merino sheep breeds;
- long service life of the product due to the elasticity of the fibers, which after deformation return to their original shape.
These unique characteristics of products from merino sheep wool and cause high cost.
How to choose?
When choosing a quality blanket from the wool of Australian merino sheep, several aspects should be considered:
- The price of a quality product is not cheap. The starting price is 2100 rubles and grows depending on the size of the product and the brand of the manufacturer;
- when buying a blanket for adults, a guideline is the size of the bed sets and the bed;
- When choosing a baby blanket, pay attention to the durability of using the product, so it is much more profitable to take a larger baby blanket;
- in the store, you need to smell and touch. A quality product does not have a pungent smell, it smells like a natural nap, it feels soft and pleasant to the touch, after pressing and squeezing it should quickly restore its original appearance;
- when choosing a manufacturer, give preference to the company that offers the largest number of additional options (warranty period, additional removable case, storage bag, etc.);
- study the annotation and product tags.
How to care and store?
Blankets made of merino wool are unpretentious in care, but proper treatment will prolong the service life and preserve the original look of the product:
- Blankets made of merino wool do not need frequent washing - once every 2-3 years.
- Very often, manufacturers allow processing only in dry cleaning.
- Washing the product at home is permissible if there is an embedded tag on which the type of washing and the temperature mode are indicated. As a rule, it is a delicate or hand wash at low temperatures (30 degrees). When washing at home it is necessary to use liquid products for delicate fabrics.
- In the presence of a non-removable cover on a blanket, it is not necessary to wash the entire product. It is enough to stick the stains on the cover and dry the blanket well in the open air.
- Spots and dirt on the blanket with open wool are not necessary to wash, sometimes it is enough to use a special brush for wool products.
- To dry the washed product should be on a horizontal surface, avoiding direct sunlight. Wet blanket must often be turned over and shaken.
- Air blanket must be at least 2 times a year. It is better to air the blanket in the open air or on the balcony, avoiding direct sunlight and too windy weather. Airing in frosty weather is considered ideal.
- Pack and store a blanket should be in special bags or bags that allow the product to breathe. It is imperative to put a moth cleaner in the storage bag. Storage should be dry and ventilated (closet, drawer for bedding).
- After storage, you must give the blanket to finish, to be filled with oxygen for 2-3 days, after which the product will acquire its original softness and volume-fluffy appearance.
An overview of the popular model of merino wool blankets, see below.