Throw blankets serve many uses for both our homes and us. Whether you are in the market for a new home accent throw blanket or you’re looking for the perfect one to relax on a cold night with, you want to make the right purchase.

Sustainable blankets are a great way to keep the cozy vibes in and the toxins out of your home. Before you start shopping you’ll want to know what makes the difference between a traditional throw and a sustainable one.

This guide will be talking about what to look for when shopping for eco-friendly throw blankets and adult weighted blankets. Plus, featuring a few brands that I recommend for shopping sustainable throw blankets.

This post does contain some affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase The Honest Consumer may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

What’s Wrong with Conventional Throw Blankets?

There are three main reasons why traditional blankets aren’t a great option.

Toxic Materials

Conventional throw blankets can be bad for the environment and your health.

Traditional blankets can be made with toxic chemicals, like formaldehyde, polyester, etc.. These chemicals can potentially cause illnesses, and they never truly leave the blanket.

The next time you’re cozying up with a blanket, think about the materials that are touching your skin.

If not properly discarded your throw blanket can end up in a landfill. Depending on the material your blanket may or may not break down.

If it does break down there is the potential of micro plastics and other harmful materials getting released into waterways.

Mass Produced

Similar to fast fashion, home decor and blankets are mass produced.

Most often, the factories that make the traditional throws don’t treat the workers fairly either. They are subject to unsafe working conditions and they don’t receive fair wages. On top of this, the mass production of home decor uses a lot of energy and resources.

What Makes Eco-Friendly Throws Good?

High quality materials are key to making a sustainable throw blanket. It’s important to consider the impact of the materials on the environment and the durability of the blanket.

Natural, Recycled, & Organic Materials

There are several different types of natural and organic fabrics that you’ll want to look out for when looking for your next go-to-blanket. On top of natural fabrics, you can also look for recycled materials.

Here is a list of eco-friendly fabrics to consider when shopping for throws.

Organic cotton
Linen
Organic Wool
Alpaca Wool
Hemp
Bamboo
Tencel

Clean Dyes

Along with the fabric, it's important to consider the dyes. Look for blankets made with plant based or natural dyes.

Third Party Certifications

There are a few third party certifications you can look for to make sure your blanket is responsibly made.

NBC News also suggests looking for certifications on your potential new throw like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification.
STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified products have been tested for 350 toxic chemicals.
MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® labeled products are made in factories with eco-friendly practices and transparent supply chains.
Fair Trade Certified is a certification that ensure fair wages and healthy working conditions.

7 Sustainable Throw Blanket Brands

Now that you know what to look for in an eco-friendly throw, here are a few brands, along with some specific eco-friendly blankets, for you to check out.

Healthier Homes Natural Blankets

The founders of Healthier Homes like to describe their company as Whole Foods for your house.

They got started after cofounder Jen started having health problems. Jen and her husband Rusty found out it was their house to blame for her illness.

This inspired them to learn about how to create a home that was free of toxins, irritating chemicals, and allergens.

healthier homes throw blanket — Healthier Homes

They even published a book about all that they learned. Each product on their site is put there with the goal of improving the customer’s wellbeing, while also being good to the planet.

Butterscotch Cream Wool Blanket: Our first throw blanket is made of 100% thick woven merino wool with tasseled ends. It’s a beautiful ivory color and it would be the perfect blanket for cozying up on the sofa.
Groovy Alpaca Wool Throw Blanket: The wool that comes from the alpacas that make these organic throw blankets are pasture-raised in the Andes mountains on sustainable farms. You have two fun colors to choose from, light green and sky blue.
Camel Hair Throw Blanket, Flatweave: Organic throws made of camel hair aren’t as common in the U.S., but this is a great choice if you are looking for one. There are two beautifully rich colors to choose from, brown and tan. It’s the perfect way to add a bit of comfortable flair to your home.

Use the discount code HONEST for 10% off your Healthier Homes order!

shop healthier homes

Newly's Blankets Made with Post-Consumer Materials

Newly was created in 2016 as a joint effort between five friends. They wanted to create goods made with recycled content.

As of January 2022 they have recycled over 55 thousand plastic bottles to make blankets. The company has also saved over 10.3 million gallons of water through their blanket manufacturing process.

Circo Massimo Throw Blanket: Inspired by a large oval track the Romans used for chariot races, this blanket is sure to make a cozy statement. This throw was made with no chemicals, so it’s safe for you, your home, and the environment.
Ziggurat Throw Blanket - Marine: This geometrical design was inspired by ancient Mesopotamia. It’s made from 51% recycled cotton and 12 water-bottles worth of plastic. If you are searching for a soft throw that will keep you cozy, this may be the one you want.
Cross Throw Blanket - Marine: The last throw I’m featuring is a cozy classic. It would make a perfect statement throw or it can of course be used to keep you warm on a cold day/night. Like the other throws from Newly, it’s made from 100% recyclable material.

shop newly

Saatva’s Organic & Responsibly Sourced Cotton Blankets

Saatva prides themselves on using the finest quality natural fabrics, sourced and crafted with the highest standards of economic, social, and environmental responsibility.

This brand focuses on naturally hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking fabrics and other hypoallergenic materials to help allergy sufferers enjoy more restful nights.

Saatva Weighted Blanket: This eco-conscious weighted blanket is made from ethically sourced cotton free of potentially harmful chemicals and non toxic eco-friendly dyes, as well as all-natural glass beads.
Saatva Diamond Knit Blanket: This blanket features 100% ethically sourced cotton knit and is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified free of harmful chemicals.
Organic Velvet Diamond Quilt: This velvety quilt is ethically made 100% GOTS certified organic cotton velvet which is great for cozying up in.
Organic Cotton Channel Quilt: This blanket is great for cold months and is responsibly made with 100% GOTS certified organic cotton.

Shop Saatva

Bearaby's Sustainable Weighted Blankets

Bearaby places a high value on both self-care and making the world a better place.

They are doing both one weighted blanket at a time.

Founder Katherin Hamm fell in love with the feeling of sleeping under a weighted blanket. She now gives others that same feeling through the blankets her company makes.

Weighted blankets are great for a variety of reasons including anxiety. They stimulate the production of serotonin, reduce cortisol, and increase melatonin.

Each blanket that Bearaby makes is made without plastic materials or synthetic fillers, making them a great choice.

Cotton Napper: The Cotton Napper comes in five different colors and four different weights. These chunky knits are made from organic cotton that is fairtrade certified.
Tree Napper: This 15 pound weighted blanket is made from natural eucalyptus fibers, also known as TENCEL. TENCEL is a great material because it’s more absorbent than cotton, softer than silk and cooler than linen, making it perfect for hot sleepers. The Tree Napper comes in five different colors and three different weights.
Velvet Napper: If you’re looking for the perfect blanket for snuggling up with, this is the one. This weighted blanket is made with eco-velvet that was spun from ocean-bound plastic. It comes in seven different colors and three different weights.

shop bearaby

West Elm's Organic & Fair Trade Throw Blankets

West Elm was the first home retailer to join Fair Trade Certified.

They are passionate about doing good for the Earth. A few of West Elm’s sustainable practices include using 100% cotton that is sustainably sourced, training farmers in sustainable practices, and more.

non-toxic chunky throw blanket — West Elm

Here are some throws that are made with sustainability in mind.

Chunky Soft Corded Throw: This beautifully textured throw is STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® Certified, so you can trust you are bringing something safe into your home. The neutral color will pair well in any room and design that you have.
Happy Habitat Puzzle Eco Throw: Add a fun accent piece to any room with this Happy Habitat Puzzle Eco Throw. It comes in three different colors, so you can choose how bold you want to be with the design.
Marled Basketweave Throw: There are two different color options for this cozy throw. It’s handcrafted, so you are getting a unique blanket. The throw was made in a fair trade factory in India. Which means that the crafter that made this throw is treated fairly in an empowering workplace.

shop west elm

Eighth Generation's Blankets Made with Natural Fibers

Eighth Generation is owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe and is the first Native-owned company to produce wool blankets.

There are 25 native artists currently that make up the Eighth Generation. This company proudly creates 100% Native designed products, instead of “native inspired” products.

eighth generation throw blanket — Eighth Generation

Classic Woodland Throw Blanket: The inspiration behind this throw was to remind us of the beauty and reinvigorating energy of spring time. It was created by artist Sarah Agaton Howes. The throw comes in two different color options, but much like blooms in springtime features a variety of colors in the blanket.
Butterfly Dreams Throw Blanket: This blanket was made by artist John Isaiah Pepion, who is a part of the Blackfeet reservation. It is believed that the butterfly brings good dreams, which was the inspiration for this throw.
Balance Throw Blanket: I think we all could use a little more balance in our lives, right? The design of this throw, created by Michelle Lowden, represents balance and more intentional living. The beautiful earthy colors on the throw does a great job at getting the theme across.

shop eighth generation

Made Trade's Stylish Sustainable Throw Blankets

Made Trade is a woman-owned, family-run small business.

This company was born out of the idea that shopping for ethical and sustainable home decor, and clothing should be simple.

Made Trade carries products from 150+ brands, small businesses, makers, and artisan collectives, but they don’t just carry anything. Each product gets vetted to make sure it adheres to at least two of their eight core values.

Those values are fair trade, handcrafted, made in the USA, BIPOC owned, Sustainable Materials, Upcycled/Recycled, Vegan, Woman Owned.

cozy sustainable throw blankets — Made Trade

Here are a few examples of throws that made the cut.

Cable Knit Throw Blanket: This cable knit throw is fairtrade certified and comes in two different colors, white and light slate. It’s made of 100% hand-spun organic cotton, making it the perfect cozy throw for lazy days and cold nights.
Boho Throw Blanket: If Boho is more your style you’ll love this eclectic throw. You’ve got three color options, rust, off white, and sage white. This is a handmade throw perfect for wrapping around your shoulders on a chilly day/night at a bonfire, football game, or any other outdoor activity.
Toast Merino Throw Blanket Made with 100% Merino yarn and certified eco Swiss dyes, this stylish throw is the perfect way to dress up any space. It’s also handmade so you know that a lot of care went into making it.

shop made trade

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn is based in San Francisco, California, but their products are loved worldwide. They have taken big strides to make an impact on the world.

Some of these eco-conscious practices include committing to plant 6 million trees by the end of 2023 by partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation, working to reach 100% responsibly sourced cotton (they are at 91% as of January 2023), and they launched Pottery Barn Renewed - a line that helps restore imperfect items and keep them out of landfills.

Colossal Handknit Throw: This throw comes in 12 rich color options made from yarn-dyed fiber. It’s sustainably sourced and certified nontoxic as well. The chunky yarns and cable knit adds so much coziness to this throw. You’ll love it during cold movie nights, or anytime you just want to feel cozy.
Fireside Cozy Sherpa Reversible Throws: Whether you are out in the yard hosting a bonfire, or sitting on the sofa reading your favorite book, this throw is the perfect addition. This certified nontoxic throw comes in two different colors, so you can choose what best matches your style.
Bayside Seed Stitch Throw: The chunky seed-stitch knit that this throw features adds style to a cozy statement piece. There are many different color options to choose from, making this a throw that everyone can love.