Stay Cozy This Holiday Season with These Eco-Friendly Blankets

Winter is coming (can we still make GoT references, or has that ship sailed?), which means one thing: it’s time to cozy up at home to stay warm. This season especially, it’s imperative to remain snuggled up indoors, as COVID-19 cases are surging again across the country. And as the days get shorter and the nights get colder, there’s nothing more comforting than burrowing under a thick pile of blankets and switching on your favorite Netflix show or curling up with a good book.

However, there’s one thing about blankets that isn’t always comforting: many are made with synthetic materials, such as plastics and toxic chemicals, that are harmful for the human body and the planet. That’s why we’ve made a list of our favorite eco-friendly blankets created with gentle, organic and natural materials, so you can stay snuggled up without losing sleep about your environmental footprint. Check them out:

Photo by Sarah Dorweiler

1. Boll and Branch - Chunky Knit Throw Blanket

Boll and Branch insists that this chic throw looks great draped over a chair, but that you’ll want it draped over you instead — and we couldn’t agree more. Woven with organic cotton, this cozy blanket displays a beautiful basketweave knit for an extra touch of added depth and texture.

2. Echoview Fiber Mill - Organic Cotton Geo Panel Throw

Made with 100% organic California cotton, this elegant, simplistic throw is perfect for wrapping yourself in on chilly evenings. We especially love Echoview Fiber Mill, given that it’s a women-owned and operated Gold LEED certified spinning mill, knitting operation, and design house all in one. Sustainability is at the heart of all they do — and they prove sustainability doesn’t have to come at the cost of quality designs.

3. Parachute - Cloud Cotton Quilt

Who doesn’t want to sink into a Cloud Cotton Quilt at the end of a long, chilly day? Los Angeles-based home goods brand Parachute makes this cozy quilt with Oeko-Tex certified, long-staple Turkish cotton, so you can sleep soundly knowing no harmful chemicals were used in its production.

Photo by Francesco Cavallini

4. Coyuchi - Wool and Cotton Throws

Coyuchi makes it possible to stay warm and save the planet: this brand makes blankets using 52% recycled cotton and 48% organic cotton. What’s more, Coyuchi ships its products in polybags made with 100% recycled content of pre-consumer waste.

5. Bearaby - Weighted Blanket

Who doesn’t love a good weighted blanket? Unfortunately, many weighted blankets obtain their heaviness by being stuffed with plastic. Bearaby skips the synthetics, opting for organic, long-staple cotton that is GOTS, BCI, OEKO-Tex 100 and Fair Trade certified. What’s more, organic cotton is not only a better choice for your body, but also the environment: organic cotton farming uses 85% less water than conventional methods, and it’s free of harmful chemicals, pesticides, fungicides, and artificial softeners.

6. Minna - Handwoven Blankets & Throws

These handwoven blankets are a must for lovers of bold, artistic prints and design. Each truly looks like a museum-grade piece of art, and best of all, they’re ethically made by master artisans in Central and South America.

7. Rumpl - Recycled Bottle Blankets

For those of you still willing to brave the outdoors in winter, Rumpl makes blankets tough enough for camping excursions and other adventures. They’re made of recycled water bottles, which are transformed into polyester thread, fleece and insulation. In 2019, Rumpl reclaimed more than 3,000,000 discarded plastic bottles for their products, virtually eliminating the need for virgin plastic.

How are you staying snuggled up for winter this year?

Cecilia Seiter

Cecilia is a freelance writer and contributor to Slow North. She writes largely about sustainability, especially as it applies to beauty, wellness, and the future of technology. She is a graduate of the journalism department at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and is based in Los Angeles, CA.