Nothing is more exciting than waking up Saturday morning and getting everything ready for a day at the beach. Choosing the right blanket is not always what comes to mind with many things needed. If you have a wool blanket and wonder if it would suffice, you will be happy to know you can take your wool blanket to the beach, and here is why.
A wool blanket is an excellent addition to any beach picnic. Wool’s fabric qualities make it ideal for absorbing moisture, transferring heat, and providing comfort. Wool’s innate water resistance and ability to wick moisture away are two of its best attributes.
A day at the beach comes with sunshine, and sometimes things heat up quickly. Using the wrong blanket that conducts heat could be uncomfortable and spoil your day. Wool fabric has the properties needed for the beach.
How Wool Blankets Are Suitable For The Beach
Whether you choose a sunny day or a bonfire at night on the beach, you will be glad you have packed your wool blanket.
Wool is a poor conductor of heat. It may appear strange, but it is a positive thing. Heat is transferred from one substance to another primarily by conduction. Due to its physical qualities, wool does not absorb heat and will not burn you if you sit on it after exposure to the sun.
Wool’s insulating properties have been known for thousands of years. Insulating is made possible by individual wool fibers’ cellular and chemical nature. Wool fibers trap air to keep your body warm since they contain natural kinks and bends. Wool is known for retaining heat, making it great for sitting around a campfire on the beach or watching the waves on an overcast day.
When it comes to water, wool blankets are fantastic. Two of wool’s finest qualities are its natural water resistance and quick-drying ability. Wool is known to adsorb 30 percent of its weight in water (not to be confused with absorbing). That’s a lot of liquid.
Your wool blanket will not feel clammy or damp to the touch after adsorbing so much moisture. It will ensure your comfort no matter what conditions you’re inโsea mist, the occasional splash, or even sitting on your blanket after a swim, your wool blanket can handle it all. Come rain or shine; your wool blanket is perfect for the beach.
What Wool Blanket To Buy For The Beach
Wool blankets have come a long way over the years and finding one that works at the beach can make it a lot easier for you. Because blankets are so helpful at the beach, manufacturers have designed wool blankets that cater to the wet sandy environment found when visiting the beach.
Your wool blanket can endure the demanding conditions you incur. The first thing to look for in a wool blanket for the beach is a nylon lining that prevents moisture and sand from getting onto your wool blanket.
The next step is ensuring the wool quality is suitable for water, sun, and sand. Luckily wool blanket manufacturers take the best grades when designing these outdoor blankets, and you shouldn’t be too concerned about choosing the wrong one. The lining makes it easy to roll up and usually comes with a strap to carry it.
Manufactured beach wool blankets do not mean that the wool blanket you have at home won’t suffice. It will do just fine for your beach outing. But if you want one that best suits the beach, finding one with a nylon lining has added benefits.
Caring For Your Wool Blanket After A Beach Day
After weathering everything thrown at your wool blanket, some care and attention can keep it lasting for many more fun days at the beach. A few simple steps will bring it back to life, ready for the next outing. Let’s look at some helpful things you can do.
- Before washing, shaking out your blanket is essential to eliminate sand and any loose dirt. This method goes a long way without washing and keeps it fresh. Brushing Your Wool Blanket in the same direction with a soft brush will remove embedded dirt.
- It would be best to take care of any stain at once before it sets in. You can treat the stain with a mild wool-friendly detergent and cold water. Do not use detergent not designed for wool to avoid damage to the fabric.
- Soak your blanket for 15 minutes, wash it with a gentle cycle for two minutes after soaking, then rinse and repeat.
- After a wash, your blanket will have absorbed a lot of water. Do not wring your blanket; roll it in a dry towel to press out the water.
- Air-dry your wool blanket outside, preferably not under direct sunlight, to avoid destroying your wool blanket. Air drying will keep it fluffy and prevent discoloration.
- Please do not tumble dry; it crushes and shrinks the wool fibers.
There are many remedies to help you take care of your wool blanket. The instructions mentioned above are an excellent start to keeping your blanket protected and lasting.
Is Seawater Harmful To My Wool Blanket?
Going to the beach and avoiding getting your wool blanket wet could be difficult. Although seawater isn’t suitable for wool, you should not let it worry you. Seawater can discolor the wool fabric if you neglect to act and take the necessary steps.
Wool fabric is tough, durable, and can take a lot of punishment. Saltwater, in general, is harmful to most materials, but a good wash should take care of that with ease. Don’t let your wool blanket stay soaked in salt water too long; try to avoid drying without rinsing the salt water.
Conclusion
Wool blankets should be the first thing you pack when going to the beach. Its qualities for absorbing moisture, transferring heat, and providing comfort make it a must. Finding yourself at the beach with sand baked by the sun can ruin the experience if there is no comfortable wool blanket to sit on, not to mention how happy you will be having your blanket if you need protection from the wind.
Even going to the beach at night becomes a pleasure now that your wool blanket is there. Sitting around the fire with friends, you will be the one envied with your wool blanket to wrap around your cold shoulders or keep the sand out of unwanted places. It can be a lasting companion when you go to the beach, and if you take care of it, it will take care of you.
References
- https://www.tripsavvy.com/best-beach-blankets-4158021
- https://www.minus33.com/blogs/allaboutwool/the-unbelievable-science-behind-wool
- https://www.thulatula.com/blogs/community/5-main-benefits-of-a-wool-blanket
- https://tollymcrae.co.uk/blogs/tolly-tales/how-to-care-for-wool-blankets-and-throws