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Certain fabrics are visually very similar until you take a closer look or research something more about them. For example, the characteristics of Sherpa and fleece can be confusing if you are not sufficiently informed about these materials. When buying a new blanket, you need to consider some of the advantages and disadvantages of Sherpa and fleece to find out which fabric best suits your needs. You can find blankets with various “fillings” on the modern market.
Depending on your taste and budget, you should know that each material has its own characteristics and properties. We will help you understand what suits you best and decide on a material that meets your requirements. Based on that, you can go to the store and get the blankets you really need.
1. Warmth
Fleece fabric is characterized by naturalness and increased heat performance. In addition, it is very light and easy to use. There are variants of materials that have different weight, thermal insulation characteristics and thickness, depending on the density. However, wool has natural insulating properties and moisture-absorbing properties that keep you warm in winter conditions. It is definitely the warmest material you can choose. Sherpa is also heavier than other types of material.
2. Thickness
Fleece materials are usually soft and smooth, with a smooth and moist feeling. The main characteristics of this material are high wear resistance, elasticity, thermal insulation, light weight, aeration – the ability to “breathe”, practicality, hypoallergenic. It is easily permeable to air, but does not absorb moisture. The optimal fiber structure allows the skin to breathe, so the person will be neither cold nor hot in fleece clothes. It dries quickly.
After washing, the product will dry much faster than clothes made of any other fabric. It does not require special care. Fleece does not spoil when washed in a washing machine. It has low weight. A warm fabric made of this material will not bother a tourist in a backpack. Although fabric has many advantages, there are several disadvantages of fleece products. The main thing is static electricity that accumulates in the tissue. Sherpa blankets are often softer and warmer than fleece blankets.
3. Appearance
Although the material is equally warm and looks like sheared sheepskin, fleece production has nothing to do with natural fabrics. Modern manufacturers offer several types of fleece, which differ in several parameters: weight, density, processing methods and colors – all this affects the appearance and structure of the fabric.
Standard canvas has the same sides, but there are double-sided types in which the upper layer of material is denser for protection from the wind, and the lower is fluffy, which has high quality thermal insulation. You can buy fleece in camouflage colors, with children’s or floral prints and much more. The modern industry is not limited in the choice of colors and patterns for fabrics.
4. Maintenance
Taking care of your Sherpa blanket will prolong its service life, make it softer and will look fluffier for longer. It is not demanding to maintain and is actually very easy to wash. If you want to avoid shedding, it is best to put the blanket in the bag while washing it. Most lambs wool blankets can be washed in automatic washing machines and, if done correctly and in stages, you will eventually get a clean and undistorted product.
However, not all wool products are made equally. Ways of making woolen blankets and the way of processing fibers influence the choice of cleaning the product. This means that you will not be able to wash some Sherpa blankets in the washing machine. Fleece blanket must not go in the dryer unlike Sherpa. If you want to find out more about maintenance of fleece blankets check this. Also pay attention to the temperature, because Sherpa is washed exclusively at low temperatures.
5. Production
Fleece material is made of polyester or synthetic microfiber. Primary raw materials are not always used for production, sometimes recycled products obtained from plastic bottles or films are used. Modern technologies enable obtaining the highest quality products from recycled materials. The canvas is processed on an apparatus, in which threads are extracted from it with the help of rollers and numerous hooks. In this process, the integrity of the material is preserved, a fleece made of polyester fibers is obtained, in which there are many air pores.
The resulting fabric goes through another phase of special treatment – anti-peeling, which prevents the formation of pellets. The process ends with the impregnation of the material with special substances, for example, water-repellent or antibacterial. The main difference between fleece and wool is that fleece refers to the wool from the wool that covers the woolly animal, while wool refers to the material obtained after shearing the fleece and preparing it to make fabric or yarn. However, this is not the only difference between Sherpa and fleece.
6. Drying
If you are planning to buy a blanket for a child, you need to pay attention to this item. Children are very naughty, especially if they are young. In that case, all the liquid or food can end up on the fabric. It is important that it can dry, because otherwise you can throw it away. If we compare Sherpa and fleece, we will realize that Sherpa dries much faster, which makes it the perfect choice for your child.
It is very similar in its characteristics to pure cotton, because it efficiently wicks away moisture. This will keep your child warm and dry at all times. It also prevents excessive accumulation of sweat during sleep, which is a common case in younger children, but also in adults.
7. The price
In the end, we must not forget the difference in price. If we compare Sherpa and fleece, Sherpa convincingly has a higher price. The price depends on the density, the manufacturer and many other factors. Each manufacturer can incorporate its own properties into its process in order to achieve the optimal result.
Conclusion:
Now that you know the main differences between these two types of blankets, don’t forget to consider the important items. This refers to the time of year during which you buy this fabric, coating, sewing method, hypoallergenic properties, weight of the cover and all other important factors that directly affect your choice.