How to Choose a Weighted Blanket for Couples

Below, we’ll explore the merits of a weighted blanket and how to figure out what kind of weighted blanket is right for couples.

• What Is a Weighted Blanket?
• What Materials Are Used in Weighted Blankets?
• Can a Couple Share a Weighted Blanket?
• How to Choose a Weighted Blanket for Couples
• How Heavy Should a Weighted Blanket for a Couple Be?
• What Size Should a Weighted Blanket Be for a Couple?
• What Are the Benefits of Couples Sleeping With a Weighted Blanket?
• Additional Factors to Consider When Buying a Weighted Blanket
• Weighted Blankets FAQs
• Takeaways: Sleep Together, Under a Layla Weighted Blanket

What is a Weighted Blanket?

A weighted blanket, also sometimes called a gravity blanket, is designed to provide a comforting pressure for the user. So, do weighted blankets work? Yes, we’re happy to report that numerous studies have proven the real-life benefits of using weighted blankets regularly.

The science behind the weighted blanket can be explained by a special technique occupational and massage therapists call deep touch pressure therapy (DTP). DTP is a way to apply manual hand pressure in order to soothe sensory disorder issues, stress, anxiety, and insomnia.

There are many benefits of weighted blankets. Weighted blankets mimic the effects of DTP and can help ameliorate many different types of conditions. Using one of these specially engineered blankets helps your body release endorphins, aka the “feel good” hormones. DTP also promotes the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which deliver a sense of well-being and calmness. You know that happy feeling you get after returning home to a comfy couch or bed where you can finally decompress and relax? Those endorphins and neurotransmitters are swirling around, telling your body to chill out (we recommend you listen)!

But if you’re having issues relaxing, a weighted blanket for anxiety and stress relief might be the perfect tool to get back to your natural, happy state. In addition to making you feel good, weighted blankets can help sleep by allowing you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep for longer. And, if you’re sharing a bed with a partner, they might benefit from the perks of using a weighted blanket, too.

What Materials Are Used in Weighted Blankets?

There’s more than one type of weighted blanket, and it all depends on the materials used in weighted blankets. There are two types of materials to consider when choosing a weighted blanket for couples.

• Fabric: The fabric is what contains the weight of your blanket. It’s the outer layer that you feel directly on your skin. Weighted blankets can be made from just about every fabric, but some are better than others, depending on how you’re using your blanket. For example, if you’re a hot sleeper, you might choose a cotton fabric weighted blanket that’s breathable and moisture-wicking. Common weighted blanket fabrics include:
  • Cotton
  • Flannel
  • Linen
  • Bamboo
  • Minky fur
• Filler: Filler is what’s responsible for giving a weighted blanket its weight; filler usually consists of small pellets of either glass, plastic, steel beads, sand, or even rocks. Depending on how comfortable you’d like your blanket to be, it’s typically best to choose glass or plastic beads. Glass pellets offer the best airflow and the most comfort because they conform to your body. Steel beads can be loud when you’re moving the blanket around at night, and sand and rocks can be dangerous if the blanket rips open.

Can a Couple Share a Weighted Blanket?

Yes, but with some caveats. A weighted blanket for couples sharing a queen or king-sized bed should first make sure their body weights don’t differ too much. For example, if you weigh 120 pounds, but your partner weighs 240 pounds, the weighted blanket will likely be uncomfortably heavy for the lighter person, but not heavy enough for the person who weighs more. However, if you and your partner are similar weights or not far off, a shared weighted blanket might be advantageous.

When you share a weighted blanket with your partner, not only do you save on the cost by investing in one blanket instead of two, but you also can make your bed look more put together. Two weighted blankets on a bed might be an unsightly pile of crumpled fabric, or you may have to find another area in your home to store it when not in use. While that’s not the end of the world, it’s a consideration you’ll need to make.

With one weighted blanket, you can put it under your comforter or use it as your sole blanket covering without worrying about it getting rumpled with another competing weighted blanket. On the other hand, sharing one weighted blanket can make you vulnerable to a blanket-stealing thief.

How to Choose a Weighted Blanket For Couples

In order to choose a weighted blanket as a couple, it’s important to understand your size and weight differences. You’ll want a blanket big enough that easily covers you and makes sense, given the size of your bed. If you share a queen bed, a queen-sized blanket makes the most sense. And if you have a king bed, a king-sized blanket is the logical choice.

Learn more about choosing a weighted blanket for couples by reading our weighted blanket buying guide.

Next, you’ll need to take into account both of your weights, which we go into detail about below.

How Heavy Should a Weighted Blanket Be for a Couple?

So, how heavy should a weighted blanket be for a couple? The ideal weighted blanket for an individual is around 10% of their body weight. But when you add another person to the mix, things are a little different. For a couple sharing a weighted blanket, it’s ideal to have a weight of around 7.5% of their combined body weight. Our handy chart below shows you what blanket weight you might want to consider for you and your partner.

What Size Should a Weighted Blanket Be for a Couple?

For individuals, a blanket should be big enough to cover the body, but not so big that it drapes over the sides of the bed. Ideally, you’ll invest in a weighted blanket that fits the bed size while both you and your partner are resting comfortably under it.

You might be tempted to invest in an oversized weighted blanket, but that could result in a less effective distribution of weight. It means that your bed will be getting the beneficial effects of the weighted blanket, instead of your body. So, try to get a weighted blanket that’s the right size and the right blanket rather than going with a “bigger is better” mindset.

Keep in mind that even if you think you can share a weighted blanket, you might be happier with your own blanket. Make sure to do your due diligence and weigh the pros and cons before deciding on one or two blankets.

What Are the Benefits of Couples Sleeping With a Weighted Blanket?

There are many benefits of weighted blankets for couples. These include:

• Reduced Stress: When you’re in a relationship, you might feel some additional stress. After all, living with another person can be difficult. Even if there’s no stress within your relationship, you likely experience stress from other areas of life, such as work. Weighted blankets can help both you and your partner relax so you can enjoy each other’s company instead of worrying about other problems.
• Improved Sleep Quality: Weighted blankets can help couples sleep better, which means no more morning crankiness. With better sleep, couples feel more rested, and if you get the right size, no one will complain about you stealing the blanket at night.
• Reduced Nighttime Movement: If your partner has a problem with moving around at night to get comfortable, a weighted blanket can help keep him or her grounded. Even though a weighted blanket isn’t heavy enough to pin someone to the bed, it can provide their body with a little extra pressure to keep them from tossing and turning all night. Reducing movement can help both of you sleep better.

Additional Factors to Consider When Buying a Weighted Blanket

At the end of the day, you’ll need to decide whether you want to share a weighted blanket or buy your own individual blankets. There’s no wrong answer, it just depends on personal preference. One note, however, is that it’s not recommended to use a weighted blanket if you have a child that sleeps on your bed or pets. The weight can be overwhelming and unsafe for small frames. Don’t take risks you don’t have to take.

Another factor that might weigh into your decision (pun intended), is the actual construction and fill of the weighted blanket. Weighted blankets can be filled with a variety of materials, some better than others. While you might see plenty of blankets on the market filled with plastic pellets or even sand, your best bet is investing in a Layla Weighted Blanket, which offers an incredibly soft and comfortable weighted blanket experience.

Filled with micro glass beads, the Layla Weighted Blanket makes use of this environmentally friendly material, which provides a smooth, consistent texture. Carefully arranged between layers of poly-fill batting and reinforced by Layla’s hexagon stitching pattern, this blanket delivers evenly distributed weight. Other blankets often suffer from inconsistent, lumpy feeling textures that can be irritating and even exacerbate a sensory disorder the weighted blanket is supposed to help alleviate.

Plus, the Layla Weighted Blanket offers users two sides to choose from, just like our 2-in-1 mattresses that have a softer and firmer side. On one side of the blanket, you can choose to be enveloped in plush, mink-like fur for an extra-soft, cushy experience. On the other side is our soft 100% cotton with a 300 thread count.

The best part of the Layla Weighted Blanket besides the effects of its DTP-like pressure? You can throw it right into the washing machine, set it on a gentle cycle in cold water, tumble dry low, and your Layla will be fresh and clean, ready to help you go to sleep, and more importantly, stay asleep.

Many other weighted blankets can’t be washed, leaving them vulnerable to spills and other mishaps that you can’t easily fix with a quick pass through the washing machine. When you decide on a weighted blanket for your bedroom, consider your lifestyle and how important it is to have an easy-to-clean blanket as part of it.

Weighted Blankets FAQs

How much do weighted blankets cost?

Quality weighted blankets typically cost anywhere from $100 to $300. However, you can find a weighted blanket at just about any price point. Remember, it’s important to choose your blanket based on the quality of the materials used instead of the price.

Can weighted blankets be washed?

If you already know how to wash a down comforter and how often to wash a comforter, then you know how often you should wash your weighted blanket. While you’re not sleeping directly on top of your weighted blanket, it can still get dirty, just like your sheets. All weighted blankets can be washed, but how often to wash a weighted blanket depends on how much you use it. Additionally, how you wash it will depend on the care instructions on the tag; some weighted blankets need to be hand-washed, but most can be washed in a washing machine.

Do weighted blankets need a cover?

Weighted blankets do not need a cover, but it’s a good idea to get one to prevent stains. Covers are easier to clean, which means you can wash your weighted blanket’s cover more often to ensure your blanket is fresh and clean every night.

Takeaways: Sleep Together, Under a Layla Weighted Blanket

If you and your partner have been struggling with insomnia or just restlessness, a weighted blanket for adults can be a major boon for your sleep quality and overall happiness. Now that you know how to choose a weighted blanket for a couple, it’s time to find the right one for you and your partner. The Layla Weighted Blanket is specifically designed to help you and your bed companion with a night of restorative sleep, by providing you with a comforting, hug-like pressure you can enjoy throughout the night.

As you search for the right weighted blanket for you and your partner, use our guide to help you make the right choice. Before you know it, you’ll be sleeping soundly and wake up feeling cheerful and ready to take on the day. It’s time to treat yourself to the quality of sleep that has been missing from your life up until now. It all starts with a Layla Weighted Blanket.