Forget bickering over when to switch on the heating, or worrying about the energy price rises. When it comes to a harmonious home, you can’t beat a cosy warm throw.
Hands up – I’ve had one for years. I grew up in a house without central heating, in the days of ice inside the windows on winter mornings, so electric blankets take me back to childhood. There’s something familiar and lovely about the gentle warmth, soothing away aches and pains.
When I was tasked with snoozing on the job to find out which was best, I knew exactly where to go – Lakeland make seriously good heated textiles.
I’ve had quite a few of theirs over the years. There’s a full range this autumn and winter, with prices starting at £39.99.
Last time I got the gorgeous dark velvety blanket and current favourite is the StaySnug Bubble Faux Fur Lakeland Heated Throw. Made from the softest faux fur, this luxury heated throw blanket has me toasty warm in no time.
With nine heat settings, which are easily switched between using the easy-to-use controller, it offers the perfect temperature at the press of a button.
It also has nine time settings, so I can relax knowing that it will turn off if I doze off in front of the TV, or reading a book. There’s built-in overheating protection, so I can set the heat and time easily before sprawling out across the sofa, or get the bed nice and cosy.
Can you wash an electric blanket or heated throw?
Best of all – given I live in a house filled with children and dogs – it’s machine washable, so if it’s ever starting to look a little too well-loved, I can unplug the controller and throw the electric blanket into the washing machine at 30°C to get it looking – and smelling – fresh again.
It has that reassuring feeling of quality that all Lakeland things offer. Just going into one of their shops I feel like life might be a tiny bit better. The staff are helpful and the aftercare is the stuff of dreams. Last year I returned a pan the handle had broken off, but I couldn’t find my receipt, and not only did they manage to track down where and when I’d bought it but had a replacement out to me the next day.
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How much does it cost to run?
Given more than half of a typical household’s fuel bills goes on heating and hot water, finding alternative ways to keep warm – and heating the person, rather than the whole home – is always a good idea.
This says on the box it costs pennies to run – on my tariff, depending on the setting it seems to be 3.7p an hour on the highest setting, but I usually have it lower, so I’m guessing more in the 2-3p bracket. That’s money well spent, in my book, as I’m toasty warm in no time.
It’s not limited to evenings either – working from home can be chilly in the daytimes, but I’m always snug with my blanket on my lap.
As cost-per-use items go, this one has to be one of my best buys. I use it every day in the winter, and with prices starting at £39.99, plus cheap running costs, mine paid for itself ridiculously quickly.
Plus, I can feel virtuous about not turning the heating on, while I’m warm and cosy. Now I just need to get one for the whole family.
