If you want to know how to make a heated blanket, we have explained the process in three steps that you can make at home. You will use carbon heater tape as your source of heat and some other materials like wire, wire glue, female plug, and an optional hem tape if you don’t want to sew. This project is famous for DIY enthusiasts, and we will explain it in more detail to help non-techy people make their heated blankets.
If you already know how to sew a blanket, you can also use several materials to create a very cozy and warm cover electricity-free. You can read later on the best insulation materials.
Can You Make Your Own Heated Blanket?
Step 1. Construct the blanket
First, cut a piece of fabric according to the length you want and then put on the carbon heater tape. You can sew on the tape, but it’s quicker to use an iron-on hem tape. Once done, you can wire up the blanket using flexible wire and silver conductive wire glue paste.
Step 2. Add the wiring
Glue the wire in between two layers of tape until it dries. Then, cover the entire length of the wire with the hem tape and fold the fabric edge to iron it on. While the carbon tape should heat safely and the blanket will only draw about 40 watts, you can always add some insulating tape for added peace of mind.
Step 3. Finish the heated blanket
The final step is adding the second piece of fabric that you only need to iron in place because of the no-sew hem tape. Once done, attach a female plug by soldering so that you can connect the blanket to a power supply. This DIY tutorial by Shenzhen uses an AC laptop adapter, but you can always make a few tweaks between the blanket and the power to keep the current down safely.
How Do You Make A Blanket Warmer?
If you only have a regular blanket and you find it lacking warmth, you can always blow dry the sheets underneath, use fuzzy materials for the blanket, or add more blanket layers.
- Blow-dry the sheets
The quickest way to make your blanket warmer is by blow-drying the sheets underneath them. This way, the hot air will circulate between the blanket and sheets when you lie inside. It will also help if you use blankets with curly fibers that can trap the heat efficiently.
- Use fuzzy materials
The second method is by using the warmest blanket to begin with. Some materials like wool, fleece, and down are excellent insulators compared to other blanket types. You can also combine these blankets with a bed sheet made of flannel or anything fuzzy.
- Layer extra blankets
If wearing thick pajamas is not enough to get toasty warm, layer the blankets you have. You can add thicker blankets like quilts and weighted blankets to your usual cotton blanket. Even knitted blankets underneath your regular blanket can do wonders for extra warmth, and best of all, you can make one even without knitting skills by using the finger knitting method.
Is An Electric Blanket Cheaper Than Heating?
If you want to use an electric blanket, you’ll be pleased to know that it is cheaper and more energy-efficient than having a heater on. The US Department of Energy has compared the wattage of a space heater and an electric blanket, and the cost breakdown showed that the blanket is the clear winner.
How much electricity does an electric blanket use?
An electric blanket typically only uses up to 45 amps, and if you run a 50-watt blanket for 8 hours, it will mean that it only takes 0.35 kWh. However, every electric blanket is different, so the wattage will also vary. The main takeaway here is that the cost to run an electric blanket will easily be cheaper than the consumption of a heater.
How Warm Does An Electric Blanket Get?
The maximum heat an electric blanket can provide will vary for every model. But generally speaking, you can expect a heated blanket to produce up to 77 to 132°F. Be sure to check the product’s settings, so you can troubleshoot and fix the electric blanket if it’s not heating up.
Can you leave your electric blanket on all night?
You don’t need to leave the heated blanket throughout the night unless it has an all-night mode. The risk of damaging the cord can be hazardous, so the best case is to only run it at an average setting for half an hour. You can also use the timer to switch the blanket off automatically since the warmth will be trapped all night anyway.
What’s Inside A Heated Blanket?
A heated blanket uses an exterior made of cloth, the heating element such as insulated wire, and the power cord and control. Every manufacturer differs, but the cloth is usually a blend of acrylic and polyester, while the wiring is encased in plastic for insulation. The power cord and control, on the other hand, are typically metal and plastic.
Conclusion
Heated blankets are surprisingly DIY-friendly. A quick recap on this three-step guide on how to make a heated blanket is essentially sandwiching carbon tape and wire between two fabric pieces without sewing. You can always check online forums on how to modify this heated blanket, but if you already made one, let us know how it goes!