Recommendations for Wool & Fleece Bedding

Wool Blankets

• Wool makes an ideal choice for bedding material. It retains heat, is a natural fiber and can be dyed any color of the rainbow. Choose a wool blanket for bedding to cut back on your heat expenses. Wool is noted for being one of the best fibers for retaining body heat, so using a wool blanket on cold winter nights can allow you keep the house at a cooler temperature. Wool blankets can be woven, felted, knitted or crocheted, depending on the look and style you prefer. No matter how the blanket is made, it will retain all of wool's natural properties.

Fleece Blankets

• Fleece blankets are made from a durable synthetic material, usually polyester, and designed to be soft and comfortable. Fleece can be solid or printed and comes in a huge range of colors and patterns, so finding the right fleece bedding is not difficult. Fleece bedding is soft enough to use right next to the skin and will add warmth to the bed. While fleece is not as warm as wool, it is warmer than cotton and most synthetic materials, thanks to its dense construction. A fleece blanket can be used as a bedspread or under a spread or comforter, depending on the look you want. Fleece is a good value; most fleece products add plenty of warmth and style to a bed without requiring a huge investment.

Pillows and Accessories

• Bedding is more than just blankets. You can pick up decorative pillows of any size made from fleece or wool. Since both fleece and wool offer both good looks and durability, they are useful for decorative bedding and pillows, from neck rolls to throw pillows. Wool is also a popular material for bed roll pillows, or long, sausage-shaped pillows designed to accent the foot of a bed.

Considerations

• Wool and synthetic fleece have different care requirements, an issue that should be considered prior to purchase. A wool blanket has many benefits, but it will take a longer time to wash than its synthetic counterpart; you'll also need to allow a few days of drying time every time you wash the blanket. Choose wool when you are decorating an older child's or adult's room. Due to the amount of care needed, using wool for a toddler or small child's room might not be the best idea. The fun prints and easy care of fleece make it an ideal choice for a child's room or for any area that will get lots of use and abuse. Fleece can be washed and dried without any special care.