An old friend of mine opened a surplus store and I had the opportunity to check it out. I was looking at the wool blankets he had in stock and saw a nice cheap grey one called a "Wool disaster blanket". I had seen these on-line at different places and they were always enticeingly cheap in price. Now I know why. They are essentially a blanket made out of dryer lint and held together with just enough wool to do the job. This one said right on it, "Do not launder or dry clean". It would never hold together.

seriously?
they use laundry lint!!!!?

how can they get away with this?
Laundry lint, from clothes/fabrics that were once dirty.

that is SICK!!!

How does one get the lint to hold together at all? I prefer the wool ones but they make some people itchy - still very warm and a lighter non wool blanket can be used underneath.

Da! afterthought - how can they call these blankets "wool" if they are made of dryer lint?

Make sure you roll it all over your body as its coated with a nice dose of small pox

Originally posted by burntheships

I try and recylcle all of my everything recylclable.
Now they make "clothes" out of this stuff?

Edit to add, are there certain brands that dont use bottles?
Anyone?

If you are buying fleece, you are buying a garment that is made from polyester (i.e. petroleum product) and in *Most cases it's also wholly or partially made from recycled material. It doesn't matter if you buy cheap or expensive (i.e. NF, Patagonia, Mtn. Hardware, ArcTeryx, etc.). You can find 100% polyester that is not made from recycled material, but don't assume, based on brand or price. Remember - the recycled materials are marketed as better for the environment and therefor, the In Vogue thing to buy. (ETA) Not suggesting don't buy them of course, but quality counts ...

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wow this thread is sad.

People actually thought they were made out of laundry lint for real?

this site is getting worse and worse

The military blanket is the way to go. I am an antique dealer and I have one that I kept for myself from WWII - warm and in excellent condition. I always put it in the car in the winter in case I get stuck and its cold.

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Disaster Blankets =Disposable Blankets


Do a Google search for Disposable Blankets. That is what you have got there. One time temporary use only. There are never meant to be re-used.

Just a bit of info about wool and natural fabrics

Most disaster blankets which the OP writes about are made from recycled clothing and fabric, its shredded, and then pressed into whatever form needed. The slight wool feel to it is caused by the amount of wool fabrics used, which creates a binding effect.

A much safer bet, and a better buy is simple wool fabric. If you can find them at garage sales cheaply are the 100% wool army blankets, the old ones from WWII, if not those, keep your eyes our for large pieces of wool fabric.
Wool comes in many weights, refinements, and thicknesses. ANY wool fabric is better than a manufactured from scrap or man made material blanket and here is why- Wool blankets and fabric are just that, fabric that is spun from wool fibers. If left in its original state its warm, and waterproof. When processed it takes on other properties, it thickens and shrinks some as the fibers pull together, which makes it warmer and even more waterproof. If it shrinks too much it can be stretched out to its original form while wet, and left to dry in that shape.
Two layers of thin wool fabric over a flannel shirt and pants in the winter time will make you warm enough to sweat because it repels all air. It will also wick moisture to the outside and away from your skin, while warming you.

I make time period accurate costumes, and on occasion wear them- I can tell you from experience, I have worn a full length long sleeve linen undergown beneath a full length wool gown on a 100 degree day and been comfortable in the sun or shade, and worn the same clothing on a 9 degree day in the winter and been comfortably warm and not needed a coat.

Natural fibers are also easier to clean, and soften and mold to your body with wearing. A wool coat that might not fit just right the first couple of times you wear it will fit better the longer you have it on. Cotton and linen wash clean with water, wool doesn't even have to be washed, it can be sprinkled lightly with water and hung to dry, or if you have it handy sprayed lightly with grain alcohol and hung to air dry which produces the same effect as a professional dry cleaning.

Just some bits of fabric trivia