In order for sleep to be deep and allow you to fully rest, several conditions must be met. Ventilate the room, regulate lighting, humidity, select a comfortable sleeping place, and, of course, choose the right blanket. The selection criteria for each person are different - thermoregulation, tactile sensations, age, and health status are taken into account. In order not to be guided only by appearance, fashion trends or price, it is better to know some of the features of each product so that there are no disappointments after the purchase.
Basic recommendations
Since in most CIS countries it is more common to use sheep wool, a camel wool blanket is bought for sleeping much less often, so you need to understand how to choose it correctly. In addition to the characteristics, advantages, and useful properties, it is important to consider some subtleties that will protect you from losing money and purchasing a low-quality product. Things to consider before purchasing:
- A camel wool blanket cannot be too cheap. (A low price may indicate that it is a fake).
- Covers should be made of natural materials.
- The quality of the seams is smooth, without protruding threads.
- No foreign odors.
- Wool processing - the higher quality it is, the softer the product. Poorly processed raw materials irritate the skin.
- Consider the seasonality; most likely, you will need different blankets for summer and winter.
On a note!
According to research, a heavy blanket helps you fall asleep faster and fall into deeper sleep. Such pressure is psychologically reminiscent of touch during hugs and stroking, and therefore causes a feeling of peace and calm. Under such conditions, the brain produces serotonin, which is converted into melatonin, which promotes deep sleep and maintains immunity.
Care
In order for the camel to stay warm for a long time and always look great, you need to follow the rules of care and know a few tricks.
- Duvet cover - of course, it’s a shame to hide the beauty, but in a duvet cover the wool will not get dirty and will not require washing longer.
- Ventilation – it is enough to leave a new blanket in the air, preferably outside, for about half an hour, so that it takes in oxygen. In the future, this procedure should be repeated every six months, shaking the product first.
- Washing - if there is no contraindication on the label, the blanket can be washed on a delicate machine cycle or by hand, but it cannot be actively tumbled. Soak, lightly mash, drain and drain.
- Use special balms for woolen items; ordinary powder will wash lanolin out of the fibers, and the blanket will lose the lion's share of its properties.
- Air dry, out of direct sun, on a horizontal surface.
The video shows how camel hair is harvested in Mongolia:
We recommend that you learn how to choose an anti-bedsore mattress.
Varieties of camel blankets
Blankets can be divided into several types - according to density and conditions of use, according to production method. For harsh winters, it is better to take a regular, denser one. For summer, there are lightweight models of lower density. For some, a universal option for all seasons is suitable. If we talk about production technology, then most often there are 2 options on the market:
- With open wool (usually thin blankets for summer evenings or for decoration). Usually very soft and tender to the touch, because they are made from the fluff of young camels.
- With closed hair. They are thicker and can be a little prickly, so they are sold in cases. They already use the wool of older camels.
In turn, closed models can also be divided according to the type of fastening inside the case:
- Quilted - the most common and inexpensive. The stitch that secures the filler is quite wide, so the wool inside can roll and get tangled over time.
- With patterned stitches - more of a decorative option, not sold so often. This type of fastening holds the contents inside more securely. At the same time, small fragments can often be knocked out through numerous holes in the seams.
- Cassette ones are the most expensive, but reliable. Diamond-shaped or rectangular stitches in the form of a geometric pattern firmly fix the wool over the entire surface, preventing lumps and delamination during use.
On a note!
Wool is used as a raw material, which is sheared or collected during molting periods. Usually this happens only once a year. The most delicate material, the undercoat or down, is combed out by hand from young camels.
Expert advice: the best filling for blankets
After the review, you know about the main properties of different models, which means you can decide which filling is best to buy a blanket with.
- If you want to close the issue with a blanket for the next 20 years, then the most durable models are made from silk, wool and down. For short-term use, a budget padding polyester is best.
- For people with heavy sweating, bamboo, eucalyptus or silk models will help.
- For those who want to reduce all the care of their blanket to machine washing once a year, it is better to choose a filling made from eucalyptus, linen, bamboo, polyester or cotton.
- Blankets made of wool and cashmere are perfect for people with painful joints.
- Allergy sufferers can choose not only synthetic fillers such as polyester or padding polyester. Bacteria bypass silk and cashmere, and bamboo, eucalyptus and linen are considered natural antiseptics.
Down is considered the airiest and lightest, while wool, cotton, linen, cashmere, and silk have a pleasant elasticity. But these divisions are arbitrary; heavy cotton blankets are a thing of the past, and all modern models are soft, light and pleasant to the body.
Benefits of camel wool blankets
Deserts have a rather difficult climate, in which it is very hot during the day and cold at night. Camel wool is adapted to sudden temperature changes, so clothes made from it allow you to feel comfortable in winter and summer. In addition, it also has the following advantages:
- stronger than sheep, products last more than 10 years;
- has less weight compared to sheepskin products;
- relieves static tension, reducing stress levels, relaxing the body;
- Thanks to wool wax (lanolin), it has a healing effect on the scalp, joints, and muscles. Promotes rejuvenation and removal of toxins.
Ease
The camel wool pile is hollow inside, so the total weight of the product is less than analogues made from other types of raw materials. In terms of weight, sheepskin is approximately 2 times heavier. The mass varies depending on the density; the higher it is, the more grams it contains. For those who are very cold and for winter it is better to choose a density of 420 g/m², the weight ranges from 3-4.5 kg, depending on the size. A universal option for all seasons - from 300 to 350 g/m², weighs about 2-3.5 kg. In warm rooms, even in winter, 220-260 g/m² will be sufficient. And for spring and summer, 145-200 g/m² is enough, by weight this is approximately from 1 to 1.8 kg.
Thermoregulation and hygroscopicity
The low thermal conductivity of wool, due to the natural conditions in which camels live, allows you to maintain a comfortable temperature regardless of the time of year and the weather outside the window. High ability to absorb moisture helps you stay warm in cold weather, but not sweat even in the hottest weather.
Durability, wear resistance
A quality product can easily last up to 30 years, passing from generation to generation. On average, from 7 to 15 years, depending on the density and raw materials used. In order to extend the life of a blanket, it is necessary to properly care for it, periodically cleaning and airing it. And so that over time it does not look old-fashioned, it is better to choose neutral colors and patterns.
On a note!
If you store without a cover, do not ventilate, or maintain high humidity in the room, there is a high probability of dust mites and moths appearing. All this significantly reduces the service life.
Elasticity
Due to the elasticity of the fibers, even after washing and cleaning, the blanket will not roll or bunch up, forming shapeless lumps. During long-term storage it does not cake, retaining its shape for decades.
Neutrality
Every day we are exposed to static electricity and electromagnetic rays. Camel hair neutralizes dangerous charges, allowing you to relieve voltage and reduce the negative impact of surrounding electrical appliances. In addition, other blanket fillings that are not capable of eliminating static more actively attract dust, which can cause illness and allergic reactions.
The ability to “breathe”, health benefits
Thanks to the cavity of the pile, the blankets are not only light but also “airy”, that is, they conduct air well without creating a greenhouse effect. Circulation occurs in both directions, which is why they warm perfectly, but allow you not to sweat when warming up.
It is also important for many that, in addition to warmth and comfort, such things bring many health benefits to our lives. Benefits include:
- improved blood circulation, which has a beneficial effect on tissue nutrition and metabolism;
- weakening the effect of toxins on the body;
- increasing bone elasticity with a further rejuvenating effect;
- removal of inflammatory processes;
- relief of pain syndromes in osteochondrosis, rheumatitis, arthritis, radiculitis;
- soothes nervous itching, regulating the functioning of the nervous system;
- accelerates the healing process for colds and sinusitis.
On a note!
For those who suffer from excessive sweating, such blankets help cope with heat rash. Recommended for people who have sensitive skin prone to irritation.
Comparison of camel pillows with other fillings
Conventionally, all pillow fillings are divided into 2 groups: synthetic and natural. The main disadvantage of all natural products is the risk of an allergic reaction. Some items are difficult to care for, such as a pillow made from seaweed. Swan down pillows often harbor mites. Camel litter does not have this drawback.
Artificial fillers quickly become confused and deformed. They do not absorb moisture well, retain unpleasant odors, and accumulate static electricity.
Flaws
If you analyze the pros and cons, then there are much more advantages, although it is worth considering the disadvantages that are important to know before purchasing. What can be considered as disadvantages:
- Possibility of allergies (asthmatics, and approximately 1% of the population at risk).
- Not suitable for those who already have an allergic reaction to wool.
- The likelihood of dust mites appearing (to combat it, you may have to dry clean it).
- High price.
- High maintenance requirements (not all blankets can be washed).
- Modest selection of colors (hard to paint, so the palette contains only natural shades).
- A “tidbit” for moths (you should pay attention to storage conditions and avoid high humidity).
On a note!
Perhaps the main advantage is naturalness and environmental friendliness! The products do not contain synthetic additives or dyes, and their appearance remains attractive for several decades.
Which blanket is better, camel or sheep?
Podpof is also used for production. Therefore, unlike sheep's, you warm up much faster under camel's.
For the same reason, a camel blanket is much lighter than a sheep blanket. The weight of the first product is 2 times less than the second. The next advantage of camel wool is moisture resistance, that is, under it a person will never wake up in sweat, even if it is warm outside, there is no risk of overheating.
Sheep wool is coarser, so with constant contact it can have an irritating effect, especially if the blanket or blanket has an open structure.
Author:
Zakharova Nina Afanasyevna
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