Infrared blanket: the benefits of infrared heat
In short
A warm blanket warms your skin. The heat from an infrared blanket feels deeper and calmer, and you notice that straight away at home.
- Infrared warms your body, not the whole room
- IR-A, IR-B and IR-C differ in depth
- Many people choose sessions of twenty to thirty minutes
- No warm up time and no separate room needed
Infrared heat is one of the calmest ways to get warm at home. Where a heater warms the whole room, the heat from an infrared blanket goes straight to your body.
In this article you'll read what infrared actually is, which types there are and what you do with it in everyday life. No big promises, just an explanation that holds up.
What infrared heat is
Infrared is heat radiation that you can't see, but can feel. It's the same kind of warmth you notice when you stand in the sun on a cold day, or when you hold your hands above a warm stone. The air around you doesn't need to get hot for that.
That difference is exactly why many people find an infrared sauna blanket more pleasant than a classic sauna. You breathe in normal room air, while your body still gets warm. For anyone who feels stifled in a hot room, that's a big advantage.
The three types of infrared
Infrared is usually divided into three ranges. They mainly differ in how deeply the heat penetrates.
- IR-A, also called short wave infrared, penetrates the deepest.
- IR-B sits in between and feels warm and direct.
- IR-C, also called far infrared or FIR, stays closer to the surface and feels soft and enveloping.
Most infrared blankets work mainly in the IR-B and IR-C range. The heat is released evenly through the inner surface of the blanket, usually PU leather or Oxford fabric. As a result the warmth feels roughly the same across your whole body, rather than like a hot spot in one place.
Warmth and muscles after a long day
Many people reach for the blanket at moments when their body feels stiff. Warmth has long been used to help muscles feel looser, and that's one of the reasons a session after a busy day can feel so good.
- After exercise, to round off your cooldown
- After a long day sitting at a desk
- When your neck, back or shoulders feel stiff
You don't need to do anything special. Lie down, choose a temperature that feels comfortable and let the warmth do its work.
Warmth and relaxation
Besides the physical side, there's something else that's at least as important. A session is half an hour in which you don't have to do anything. No phone, no housework, no screen. Many people find that the best part of all.
For many people, the combination of calm warmth and lying still works like a switch to slow down. If you do it a few times a week, you'll often notice it naturally becomes a fixed moment in your week.
Sweating without a hot room
During a session you'll sweat, even though the room is just at room temperature. That's part of it. So make sure you drink enough water before and after your session, and that you cool down calmly afterwards instead of rushing straight on.
A thin cotton layer or a towel underneath you is handy. It feels nicer on your skin and keeps the inside of the blanket clean.
Put a glass of water within reach before you start. Then you won't need to get up halfway through your session.
Infrared warms you, not the room. At home, that's exactly the difference.
Why people choose to do this at home
A sauna needs space, warm up time and planning. A blanket mainly needs a spot on the sofa. That makes it easy to get started, and it's exactly that low threshold that helps people keep it up.
- No separate room or renovation needed
- Ready to use quickly, without a long warm up time
- Foldable, so you simply put it away after use
Which infrared blanket suits you
The differences between models are mainly in size, finish and the number of settings. The Luxyor Slimline 100 is a compact choice for anyone who mainly wants to get started quickly and simply. If you want more room and more settings, the Deluxe 310 comes into view. Still unsure? Then it helps to first think about where and when you'll be using the blanket.
If you'd like to compare the models on the numbers rather than on feeling, the rating plate of an infrared blanket will help: it explains, field by field, what the wattage, the range of 30 to 80 degrees and the time setting on the label mean.
- Generous size with adjustable temperature and timer
- Soft finish and easy to fold up
- 60 days to change your mind and a 2 year warranty
To sum up
Infrared isn't a magic fix, and it doesn't need to be. It's a calm form of warmth that you schedule yourself at home, whenever it suits you. Want to see which models are available? Take a look at the collection of infrared sauna blankets. Would you like more background first? Then read on at your own pace in the knowledge base on infrared sauna blankets.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference with a regular electric blanket?
A regular electric blanket mainly warms the fabric and, through that, your skin. With infrared, the heat is released as radiation and feels deeper and more even. The room around you hardly gets any warmer.
How long does a session usually last?
Many people keep it to twenty to thirty minutes. Start gently, see how it feels and only then build up. Longer isn't automatically nicer.
Which temperature do I choose at first?
Start in the middle range and stay there for the first few times. That way your body gets used to the heat. Only increase it if it keeps feeling comfortable.
What's best to wear during a session?
Thin, breathable cotton clothing works well. A towel underneath you is nice too, because it absorbs sweat and keeps the inside of the blanket clean.
Can I use it every day?
You can, as long as it keeps feeling good and you drink enough. Many people choose a few times a week, simply because that fits their schedule better.
