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Weighted Blanket Fillers: The Complete Guide

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If you are considering a weighted product for yourself, a friend, family member or child: Please make sure you are well educated on the right weight to use, and whether use of a weighted product would be safe in your specific situation. If you are at all uncertain, please consult a qualified medical practitioner. Material provided on this site is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for qualified medical advice (more info about that here).

Last updated: 22nd October 2019

If you want to make your own weighted blanket, you’ll be pleased to know that there are several materials you can choose as filler. And If you don't, but still want to know more about popularly used materials, read on.

The most popular options are plastic poly pellets and glass beads, and sand (a budget choice). And we’ll get into more detail about them shortly. People have even gone as far as using metal weights and dehydrated organic food, but you can only imagine how uncomfortable or noisy that could be if it's not done right.

There are many things to consider if choosing one, and they will influence more than just how heavy the blanket will be, or how should you take care of it.

I’ll explore a few options so that you can make an educated decision on your preferred weighted blanket stuffing.

What types of fillers are there for weighted blankets?

As said before there are 3 weighted blanket fillers that are most widely used; poly pellets, glass beads and sand, but there are also a couple more that you might see being used by some manufacturers.

It's also good to know that some manufacturers stuff their blanket's pockets with cotton, to even out the filling and make it less lumpy, which I think is an excellent idea, but this increases the cost a bit.

Here are some popular weighted blanket manufacturers who use varying types of fillers in their blankets:

Image

Name

Fabric

Filler

Decorations

Prices & Details

Moonbow

Bamboo and polyester

Micro Glass beads

2 colors

Fun and Function

Soft Plush  cotton / polyester

Polypropylene pellets

1 color

Luxome

Ultra plush minky or luxury bamboo

Glass beads (certified lead free)

Many colours available

Mosaic 486x600

Mosaic Weighted Blankets

Cotton, minky and textured fabric choices

FDA compliant plastic pellets

Widest range of colors and patterns


Anyway, without further ado, these are the most common weighted blanket fillers to use:

Plastic poly pellets

They are small round plastic beads with a pebble-like texture. They are commonly made from ABS virgin plastic which means they have not come into contact with toxins and other chemicals.

Note that if you have skin or sound sensitivities, then this may not be the best option for you. A smoother texture may be better, like the one glass beads provide, for example.

If you choose to use plastic pellets inside a cotton stuffing, it could help a bit with the noise they make, but be aware that they might feel a bit uneven if they aren't carefully constructed. Your blanket might end up being lumpy, and this could irritate you at night if you are sensitive to that type of thing.

If you use minky or fleece fabrics with plastic pellets, you’ll have a softer texture due to the thickness of the material. You might still be able to feel the rougher texture of the pellets, but you won’t necessarily see it.

Image

Brand

Summary of product info

Prices & Details

ReachTherapy Solutions Poly Pellets

- Made in the USA

- Non-toxic

-Washer and dryer safe

- Available in 5, 7, 10 or 20 lbs

Victory Pellets

- Made in the USA

- Very comfortable

- 100% satisfaction guaranteed

- Non Toxic and Hypoallergenic

- FDA Compliant and BPA Free

RolyPoly Plastic Pellets

- Made in the USA

- Non-toxic, hypoallergenic, BPA free

- Mildew and mold resistant

- Machine washable 

- Durable

Micro glass beads

From ancient times to the modern day, the making of glass beads remained an art passed on from one generation to another. Scientists, historians and archaeologists still can’t determine where the knowledge of bead making came from, possibly ancient Rome or Egypt, maybe Mesopotamia? Wherever it is from, one thing is certain: once the production of beads started, it never stopped.

The glass beads were mainly made for decoration, and still are. But now they also have a utilitarian purpose! 

Micro glass beads and ceramic glass beads are the best option for filling your blanket if smoothness is what you’re looking for when you’re choosing your fillers. They’re texture is similar to that of sand. If you’re using glass bead fillers, you can be sure no bumps will appear as the beads are distributed evenly.

These beads are extremely tiny and have a similar look and feel to white beach sand or salt crystals. They kind of make me think of Xylitol, you know, the fake sugar.

They will feel much smoother inside your blanket too and are probably the best selection for people with any type of auditory, sensory and physical sensitivities.

They are also a bit heavier than their plastic counterparts, and therefore you’ll need fewer glass beads to achieve your goal than you would with plastic pellets. Great for someone who wants weight but not an extreme amount of bulk on top of them.

The glass beads are really tiny, and for that reason they need to be sewn into the blanket with extreme care.

If there's even a small hole in the blanket, the beads will easily fall out. A DIY blanket with glass beads shouldn’t be put in the washing machine. It’s better to wash it by hand than risk a ruined blanket or washing machine. 

Image

Brand

Summary of product info

Prices & Details

RolyPoly Glass Beads

- Made in the USA

- Twice the density of poly pellets (so you need less)

- Machine washable and dryable

- Earth friendly alternative to poly pellets

Pinwheel Blankets

- Premium quality glass beads

- Made in the USA

- Family and pet safe, non-toxic

- Easy to measure

- Buy back guarantee if not satisfied

Steel shot beads

Steel beads are very strong, heat treated hyper-eutectoid steel micro balls. They're super easy to wash, as they usually don't retain a lot of dirt between them because of their smooth surface, and will just last about forever.

These beads are slightly larger in size than glass beads but are heavier, so you’ll need even less of them in your blanket, making them perfect for really thin pockets. It's also great that, because they're bigger, it'll be harder for them to leak through the stitches of the blanket.

The only drawback is that they can also be a bit lumpy and noisy.

Sand

Sand is a somewhat decent (and very cheap) way of adding weight to your blanket or quilt, though it’s not the favorite, as it brings lots of problems.

What you must know about sand is that it has some issues being a semi-organic material (unless it's some sort of processed desert sand, which may be better and costlier).

Sand can be used as a filler for your weighted blanket

Sand doesn’t spread out as easily as glass beads or plastic pellets, and it is much harder to wash and dry than the non-organic fillers.

Sand will expand when it comes into contact with water and will bundle or cluster up inside the pockets of your blanket, causing large uneven bumps in your fabric.

It will take an exponential amount of time to dry and depending on the fabric you use, and the construction of the blanket, they will leak more or less faster in the long run, so you probably don't want to wash sand-filled weighted blankets a lot.

Weighted blankets constructed with sand are often some of the least durable, so be aware of that.

I’ll give you a little bonus filler you can use if you are closer to a river than to a beach:

Riverstone and smooth pebbles

As you can imagine these could be very cheap fillers to add weight to the blanket if going through a budget DIY route, but I'll tell you:

I wouldn’t really want to sleep under a weighted blanket filled with rocks.

Pebbles do however come in various shapes and sizes, and if you do wish to go this route, you’ll want to choose small stones that are the most uniform in shape and texture.

If not, the consistency will be rough, lumpy and irregular, there will be a lot of clatter when you move around under your blanket, and it might be quite uncomfortable.

What about weighted blankets filled with food?

What a great question. With a weird answer...

Yes, there are some great organic fillers you can use like dehydrated corn, beans, rice, barley and even dry pasta. They are inexpensive and of course, available everywhere.

But just remember, at some point or another you will want to (and you should) wash your blanket. This might not go down so well for a few obvious reasons.

You know that adding water to these edibles will expand them through the absorption process, leaving you with one big soggy mess.

They’ll also take forever to dry out, that is if they do. And if you’re that lucky, you’ll probably end up with a very strangely deformed blanket.

If you aren't lucky well... You'll wake up sleeping in soup.

The most significant disadvantage with food fillers is that they’re delicate, susceptible to mold, fungus, bacterial growth and insect infestation, and at some point, they will expire and rot. Not a pretty picture.

So, I don’t suggest going this route unless maybe you’re doing a fun science project. Or just want your blanket to last a month (or three if unwashed).

Based on all this information, I'd say you're probably better off using a long-lasting, durable, non-organic weighted blanket filler that won’t give you any hassles when trying to use, wash or store it.

Do you have to be careful with weighted blankets containing toxic chemicals?

The ‘poly’ in plastic poly pellets, stands for Polypropylene. A chemical compound that’s an artificial resin which is a polymer of propylene. It does have other uses such as in films, fibers, threads, or casting materials.

I know what you must be thinking. These plastic pellets must be covered in fire retardants, preservatives, PBA’s, plastic by-products and a whole range of other toxins and substances.

And yes, you may be right. With every non-natural product there is always the risk of toxicity but fear not, there is a bright side.

With strict regulations these days, manufacturers are obligated to follow strict guidelines and safety procedures during the manufacturing process.

Therefore, most commercially distributed fillers tend to be nonhazardous, chemical free, PBA free, hypoallergenic and safe to use externally.

For your peace of mind, you could ensure these items have been FDA approved by reading the label before you buy.

Bear in mind though, that with anything inorganic and unnatural, like plastic and glass beads, you must keep them away from children and they are certainly not safe to be ingested.

Sand and preservative treated food fillers also fall into the "unsafe to eat" category, so be aware of that too.

Image description: Banner linking to review summary page

I've put a lot of research into finding out which manufacturers have the best weighted blankets in the market in 2019, so do check them out if you are looking forward to buying one!

Help your friends and family learn about the amazing benefits of weighted blankets!
Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 27 comments
karim

Do weighted blankets really help with insomnia and anxiety ? do you know any research done about that topic ?

Reply
Sarah Hawbaker

Where is the best place to buy the appropriate size of steel shot?

Reply
dawn

can I use crushed buckwheat?

Reply
    Gentle Weight

    Hey Dawn, I think buckwheat is typically pretty light, but you could give it a shot

    Reply
Marianne

I am wondering why you recommend the blanket be washed frequently. If it was treated like a duvet and used in a cover would it not stay clean? I was thinking of making one with rice as the filler.

Reply
    Gentle Weight

    Hey Marianne,

    Depends on how you’re using it. If it’s just being used on your bed it would probably be fine – but if you’re using it in front of the TV and might spill food / drink etc. on it, you may need to wash it even if you’re using it within a cover (which is a good idea btw).

    Maybe you could give it a shot with rice and see how it holds up for you. All the best with it!

    Reply
Christen H

Have you ever heard of anyone using crushed walnut shells?

Reply
    Gentle Weight

    Hey Christen, no sorry – unless they were very finally crushed the sharp edges might be a bit problematic. Thanks!

    Reply
Carol Wheeler

I make and sell weighted blankets. I use small pebbles and poly-fil to fill the blankets. Keeps the cost down and they are more eco friendly than plastic.

Reply
AM

I understand the advantages of using the poly pellets, but aren’t those extremely bad for the environment? Those pellets are going to be around many, many years longer than anyone who will be using the blanket.

Washing the blanket does not have to be an issue. The weighted part of the blanket should be an insert that can be removed when the cover is washed. You could even have more than one cover.

I think I’ll try rice or lentils. Hey, if ever there’s a disaster, my family will have a source of food!

Reply
CHRISTINA Reynolds

Has anyone tried using aquarium rocks for filler. And could it be washed in the washing machine.

Reply
    Kari

    I think that is a great idea. I was thinking of pony beads but wanted something more natural. I wonder if using fish tank charcoal material would have any health benefits? It’d have to be washed VERY well, and I dunno if it would turn the blanket black with subsequent washings, but it’s definitely got my interest piqued. Thanks for starting me down this path, was thinking of using something pretty tough like unpopped corn (cold quick wash and thorough line / air dry?) or bird seed, millet etc….

    Reply
    Diane Waters

    So, I’m just picturing the 80’s. Everything that was “stonewashed”. So named because it was washed with rocks or stones to make it softer and worn. I think anything that has edges and points would wear down the fabric integrity as it tumbled against a hard surface in a washer or dryer. Would also be noisy when you roll or move under it. (picture a bag of those rocks being tumbled in your hands) I recently made a blanket, and the glass beads on amazon were actually reasonably priced. I wash it once every 2 weeks (so I can renew the fabric softener and lavender scent) It’s held up well, and that was about 8 months ago.

    Reply
KS

Does anyone have an easy way of shaking or lifting the blanket to get the pellets back evenly distributed throughout it? After I wake up in the morning I’ve found that parts of the blanket have considerably less pellets than other parts of it.

Reply
    Gentle Weight

    That might happen if the pockets the beads / pellets are sewn into are quite large. I haven’t had that issue on blankets with smaller pockets. Because of the weight I’d be careful lifting or shaking it too much – maybe massaging the beads / pellets back into place could help?

    Reply
Jessika

Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much
about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this
is wonderful blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.

Reply
Karen Featherston

I LOVE my weighted blanket!! Yes it certainly helps we with Panic and Anxiety issues. I sleep like a baby,no night terrors, screaming, or crying .

I bought mine on Amazon, it is a Queen. I did purchase a Purple Duvet for it (seems like blankets all are gray) as my Rottweiler loves to lay on top for the coolness of the beads I guess . I just throw it in the washer.

No, they are not HOT to sleep under, yes they are heavy but wonderful!!!

Reply
Shannon

I have a weighted pad for when I get a headache and I simply filled it with BB ammo I found in the sporting goods section. (zinc plated steel) They are much heavier than the poly fill and I think cheaper.

Reply
    Gentle Weight

    Thanks for the tip Shannon!

    Reply
Julie Reed

A friend bought a weighted blanket with glass beads. It is too small and she bought another one and wanted me to cut it in half and add to both sides of original blanket. Will it hurt my rotary cutter or sewing machine to do that?

Reply
    Gentle Weight

    Hey Julie,

    That’s a bit out of my area of expertise sorry, but one potential issue you might have is that wherever you cut you’re going to spill out the contents of the blanket, as they’re usually sewn into squares across the whole width of the blanket.

    If you want to cut over where there may be beads your rotary cutter I imagine it would probably be fine, the beads are very small, so would probably part with the cutter.

    Reply
DAve

Just got one. I so love it. Best blanket I ever had.

Reply
Gail

Can you tell me if there is a danger of lung health issues with using a weighted blanket that is made with a “propriety silica blend” for the weight filling? I am concerned if there was dust from the silica that came through the blanket material.

Reply
    Gentle Weight

    Hi Gail,

    That’s not something we can advise on sorry – I think glass bead fillings are a good way to go if they’re lead free.

    Reply

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