Selecting a blanket ought to be an easy process. You feel it, you love it, and you carry it home. But the moment all the products in the store are literally named “fleece,” the situation becomes very muddled in no time at all. Some blankets are authentically fleece, whereas there are others that just use the term and leave you with dissatisfaction after the first wash.
This guide will help you how to tell if a blanket is fleece through an authenticity test that you can do at home without any difficult knowledge. No more worries about being deceived by the soft and warm blankets that only look like fleece; you’ll be able to tell the difference between them and the real ones with the help of this manual.
What Fleece Really
Fleece is a fabric that is intended to provide warmth without the burden of heavy fabric. It was invented as a less thick, softer substitute for wool, particularly for those who desired heat without the discomfort of itching or sensitivity to wool.
Polyester is the main source of fabric used to make fleece blankets, but there are still cotton fleeces and their mixtures. The uniqueness of fleece does not only come from the material but rather from the finishing treatment of the fabric. Tiny fibres are raised by brush work, giving an extremely soft and fuzzy surface which is capable of holding heat through trapping air. The air that has been trapped is the main reason for the fleece’s warmth.
If a blanket is warm only because it’s thick and heavy, that’s not fleece. Real fleece works smarter, not harder.
Feel the Blanket First
The simplest method for identifying a fleece blanket is to check its surface. True fleece provides a comfortable, fluffy, and silky feeling that is more or less immediate. The hand could easily pass over it, and it would give a warm impression without being heavy or hard.
If a blanket has a slick, flat, or strangely smooth feel—similar to a raincoat that has been to finishing school—it is probably not fleece. The genuine fleece blanket, however, has a somewhat “alive” touch to it, just like a soft fuzz that reacts when your hand moves.
If it feels warm right away without being heavy, you’re on the right track.
Look for the “Nap” or Fuzzy Surface
Now take a close look at the blanket. Fleece has a characteristic called a nap, which refers to a soft surface covering that is made up of tiny individual raised fibres. Some fleece blankets are fuzzy on both sides, while others have one side smooth and the other side brushed.
If an area looks even and interlaced, similar to a bedsheet or a fine knitted sweater, it is probably not fleece. Natural fleece lets you see and feel its softness even from a distance. It should be visually inviting—like a couch that indirectly speaks, “Come napping here.”
Check the Weight-to-Warmth Balance
It is a usual misunderstanding that heavier blankets are the only ones that can be warm. The case is entirely different from fleece. Among its most important features is that it is weightless and at the same time, it gives out superb heat.
A strong fleece indicator is if you uncover a blanket and it feels surprisingly light for how warm it looks. If it feels bulky and heavy just to do its job, it is definitely another fabric in a fleece costume.
Read the Label (Yes, Really)
Having labels is sometimes quite boring, but they are reliable—usually. Authentic fleece blanket made of materials like polyester, cotton fleece, or a cotton-polyester blend will often be labeled in this manner. Also, polar fleece, microfleece, and sherpa fleece may be mentioned among other terms.
Watch out for obscure terms that do not mention fibre content or just use expressions like “ultra-soft fleece feel.” Such expressions are frequently marketing codes for “not really fleece at all.”
Reading the label is a key step in understanding how to tell if a blanket is fleece, especially when shopping online.
Know the Common Types of Fleece
Different types of fleece can be different in terms of feel, which is perfectly acceptable. Among all kinds, polar fleece is the classic one—gentle, warm, and frequently employed. Microfleece is lighter, softer, and very comfortable too. Sherpa fleece comes with a fluffy side resembling wool and a smooth backing, while coral fleece gives a dense, velvety, and almost plush-toy soft feeling.
If a blanket of fleece or having either of these conditions, there is a chance for it to be a genuine one.
Watch for Quality Clues
Genuine fleece can take one wash and remain intact. The thick, quality fleece bears the pilling very slowly, which means it won’t have those fabric balls that everyone hates very soon. Besides, it shouldn’t get rid of its fibres to the extent of being soft only for the first night of use.
Pay attention to the edges too. A quality fleece blanket is usually made with strong and neat stitching. On the contrary, loose or uneven hems are a common practice among manufacturers that cut costs during production.
Try a Simple At-Home Test
If you have the blanket, washing it would probably be a good idea as it can reveal a lot. Authentic fleece dries fast, does not crease and most of the time, comes out of the dryer ready to be used. It may acquire a slight static charge, which is normal for polyester fleece.
If a blanket becomes rough, lumpy, or disappointingly flat after washing, it is likely not true fleece to begin with.
About Us
At PeachFur Fleece, our only concern is fleece—nothing more. Our more than 21 years of providing first-class, non-pilling goods experience allows us to assist customers and organizations in finding reliable fleece blankets wholesale by taking away the uncertainty involved. If you purchase fleece from professionals, you will not have to question its authenticity; you will be able to perceive the difference right away.
How to tell if a blanket is fleece does not require professional skill, just basic understanding. The use of your hands, sight and a fast label inspection can prevent you from purchasing a blanket that seems comfortable but isn’t really.
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