There is nothing quite like crawling under the covers on a dark and cold night. That is, until you realize your bedding is freezing cold and don’t want to waste money by simply bumping up the heater. Nor do you want to plug in the high energy using electric blanket. For those of you looking for ways to stay warm without spending big on energy, you have definitely come to the right spot. Inside this post, we are going to go over several alternatives to an electric blanket, so you can once again look forward to crawling under those covers on a cold winter’s night!
Awesome Alternatives to an Electric Blanket:
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1. Use a Hot Water Bottle
Obviously, this isn’t a very new method. Many of you probably recall your grandparents telling you how they used to sleep with a hot water bottle to stay warm. By this, we are talking about those big, ugly red hot water bottles. While you can probably still find those same styles today, there are other ones that you can choose from.
One of the biggest benefits of using hot water bottles as alternatives to an electric blanket is that they actually do work to keep you warm and require very little energy. The only energy needed is what you use to heat the water. We will be 100% honest with you; most people find heating the water and filling the bottle quite inconvenient, but we won’t lie and say it doesn’t work because they do amazing.
One of the perks of using hot water bottles as a form of heat is that these devices are excellent at retaining heat for a long period. Plus, as time passes, the hot water bottles cool down. The cooling down ensures your body doesn’t overheat during the night, so there is no worrying about trying to escape the big pile of blankets because you broke out in a horrible sweat.
To use a hot water bottle to stay warm in the winter, you simply place it where you need it after filling it. Some people find that placing it down by their feet or around their knees is the ideal location. Others find that putting it in or under their pillow is the best way to stay warm. Play a round with where you place the hot water bottle to see what works best for you.
2. Warm Pair of Pajamas
Warm pajamas aren’t for everybody as alternatives to an electric blanket; not everybody can sleep in pajamas. Kind of like how some people prefer to sleep with socks on while others do not. And just a side note, adding a pair of socks to your feet at night is another great way to help you stay warm in the winter because body heat escapes through your feet and your head the most.
No matter how much or how hard you try to avoid it, your bedding will be colder than any clothes you wear during the winter. That means no matter how inviting it sounds to snuggle under the blankets, you will first experience a burst of cold. However, wearing warm pajamas can take the sting out of it because the cold sheets won’t be hitting bear skin!
When shopping for warm pajamas for those cold winter nights, you want to make sure you buy quality ones made from specific materials. The best pajamas to buy for winter wear are those made from flannel, fleece, wool, or polyester. For those of you who tend to get on the warm side while sleeping or those lucky enough to sleep next to a human heater, you might want to opt for flannel pajamas as they are the most breathable option.
3. Weighted Blankets
When you hear or think about weighted blankets, you probably assume they are only useful for people with certain health problems. While it’s true that weighted blankets are typically used by those who are struggling with anxiety or even depression, that isn’t all that they are good for. Those heavy-duty blankets are an excellent way to keep warm on a cold night.
The reason why they work so well is because of how thick and comfortable they are. But what also helps them keep you warm is their weight. These heavy blankets make you feel warm and cozy, so you are less likely to move around while sleeping. The less you move, the more your body stays covered, so the warmer you are. Even better is weighted blankets are made for adults and kids, so it’s easy to find the right weight for everybody!
4. Wool Duvets
We all know that layers of blankets are an excellent way to keep warm throughout the night, but not all of us enjoy sleeping under the weight of several blankets. If the thought of blanket after blanket laying on top of you each night makes you cringe, consider opting for a wool duvet instead. Not only will these beauties eliminate the need for all of those extra blankets to keep you warm, but they are also comfortable to sleep under.
With wool duvets, the wool fibers form several different layers throughout the blanket. These layers create air pockets that help trap warm air and allow it to circulate throughout the night. As an added bonus, wool duvet covers are also breathable. This allows the blanket to adjust to your body temperature as it fluctuates throughout the night, so there is no fear of overheating. For the wool duvet cover to work best at keeping you warm, consider pairing it with other wool-style bedding.
5. Warm, Fluffy Duvets
If the thought of a wool duvet isn’t to your liking, other choices are available as alternatives to an electric blanket. Wool isn’t the only material that can keep you warm on a freezing cold night, and there are plenty of other warm and fluffy duvets for you to choose from. If your current duvet choice is not keeping the chill off your body, chances are you are not using the right one for that time of year.
When looking at duvets, you must consider the tog. This is how the duvets are measured for warmth. With warm and fluffy duvets, you want to look for a high tog. Consider 13, 14, or 15 togs for winter warmth. In the summer, you want the number to go down to 4.
6. Something to Cuddle With
Suppose you have a partner to cuddle up with at night. That is a great way to stay warm, as the two of you can share body heat. However, not all of us have a partner, so that option doesn’t always work. If you have a furry friend letting them crawl into bed with you is another great way to stay warm. But again, this option isn’t for everybody. This brings us to a quality body pillow. Aside from helping you stay warm at night, they can help you maintain a better sleeping position.
7. Hot Pads
Many people assume this is the same thing as a hot water bottle, and while the two are similar, they are quite different. When talking about hot pads, there are several different kinds to choose from, and as we are trying to reduce the amount of energy used, we are not talking about the ones you plug in. These hot pads are typically used for treating injuries and can be used hot or cold. To use them hot, you simply warm them up in the microwave.
These gel hot pads work well at warming up a cold bed because they retain heat for a long time. Even better with the gel pads, there is no risk of anything leaking, which is a concern when using a hot water bottle.
Before you heat the gel pad in the microwave, you will need to remove it from the fabric it comes in. Warm it up for a couple of minutes at a time. Closely monitor how hot it is getting each time. The last thing you want is to overheat it and cause it to burst. In place of gel pads, you can also use rice packs or feed corn pouches to accomplish the same thing. Both can easily be warmed up in the microwave.
8. Raise Your Body Temperature
Sometimes raising your body temperature right before you crawl under the covers is the best way to keep your body warm. Even just a small rise in your body temperature can help you stay warmer at night while you are sleeping, but this isn’t always possible for people to accomplish. An easy way to raise your body temperature is to do some light exercises before tucking into bed. Exercise probably won’t be very helpful if you are the type of person who has trouble falling asleep. Instead, you want to try drinking something warm, but avoid anything with excess caffeine.
9. Flannel Bed Sheets
What kind of sheets you use on your bed in the winter also greatly affects how warm your bed stays. You can add the blankets you want, but without the right kind of sheets, it will feel like sliding into an ice box. The best sheets to help keep you warm and cozy in the winter are flannel, but cotton fleece ones also work well.
10. Heat Reflective Blanket
Electric blankets aren’t the best option for everybody, even if they aren’t looking to reduce their energy usage. For example, they are not a safe choice for senior citizens. For those cases, people often choose to use a heat reflective blanket, which uses infrared technology to help warm you up. The material in these blankets is similar to what runners use to warm up before and after a race.
A heat reflective blanket works faster than most blankets because it radiates a person’s body heat back to them. This warms people up 20% faster than even the thickest blanket. Plus, it’s lightweight enough to travel around the house with you without feeling like you are dragging it from one room to the other.
Final Thoughts
After reading this entire article, it’s easy to see that there are several alternatives to an electric blanket for people to use who want to learn how to stay warm without spending big on energy. The great news is that you don’t just have to stick to one method to try and help you stay warm during those freezing winter nights.
If a single method isn’t working for you, don’t be afraid to combine it with a second or even third alternative. For example, if a hot water bottle isn’t enough to last all night, pair it up with a pair of flannel pajamas and a wool duvet cover. The possibilities are endless. The goal is to keep you warm and comfortable in any way you can without having to rely on electric blankets or other energy-guzzling appliances. Try combining the options in this article with some of the ideas that we have published elsewhere on how to make your bed more comfortable for one of the best night’s sleep you’ve ever had!
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