Muslin Blankets in Winter: How to Use One All Year

Muslin blankets have a reputation as a summer blanket, and it is easy to see why: they are light, breathable and comfortable on warm nights. But a 100% cotton muslin blanket can be just as useful when the weather turns cold. The trick is knowing how to use it in each season.

Here is how to get year-round use out of one muslin blanket, from hot July nights to January.

Why muslin works in more than one season

Muslin is a light, loosely woven cotton. A layered muslin blanket stacks several of those thin layers and stitches them together, and small pockets of air form in between. Those air pockets are the key to its versatility:

• When the room is warm, heat and moisture pass through the open weave, so you don't feel trapped or clammy.
• When the room is cool, the trapped air gives gentle, breathable warmth.
• Because it is cotton, it absorbs moisture rather than holding it against your skin.

Our 100% cotton muslin blanket is 100% cotton with six muslin layers, which puts it in that middle ground: light enough for summer and substantial enough to be a useful layer in winter.

Summer: use it on its own

On warm nights, use the muslin blanket as your only cover over a cotton sheet, or even on its own. If you run hot, it gives you the comfort of being under a blanket without the stuffiness of a duvet. We go deeper on this in our guide to blankets for hot sleepers.

Spring and fall: the in-between layer

Shoulder seasons are where a muslin blanket really earns its place. Nights can swing from cool to mild, and a heavy comforter is often too much. Use the muslin blanket as your main layer and keep a second throw at the foot of the bed for colder nights.

Winter: how to layer a muslin blanket

In winter, think of the muslin blanket as a breathable layer rather than your only cover. There are two simple ways to use it:

1. Under your duvet or comforter

Place the muslin blanket over your top sheet and put the duvet on top. The cotton next to you stays breathable, so you are less likely to overheat under the duvet, and you can push the duvet back on milder nights while keeping the muslin on.

2. Over your duvet

Draped over the top of the bed, the muslin blanket adds a little extra warmth and a soft, relaxed look. It is also handy to pull up on the coldest nights.

If you like extra coziness in the evening, a plush throw on the sofa pairs well with a muslin blanket on the bed. Our Sofa Throw Blanket is a soft option for movie nights and reading corners.

Muslin vs fleece for winter

Fleece is built to insulate. It is plush and warm, which is great for the sofa or a very cold room, but it can feel too warm if you tend to overheat in bed. Muslin keeps you more comfortable across a wider range of temperatures and is easy to layer. Many people use both: muslin on the bed, fleece on the couch. For a full side-by-side, read our muslin vs fleece comparison.

Couples with different temperatures

If one of you runs hot and the other runs cold, layering solves a lot of arguments. Put the muslin blanket across the whole bed and add a second layer only on the colder sleeper's side. The warmer sleeper stays under breathable cotton and the colder one gets extra warmth.

Picking the right size for year-round use

If you plan to layer the muslin blanket with a duvet, a little extra width helps it tuck neatly around the edges. Our Muslin Cotton Blanket comes in Queen (80 x 90 in) and King (88 x 94 in). See our Queen vs King blanket size guide for exact overhang on each bed size.

Caring for it through the seasons

Using one blanket all year means more washing, which is fine for cotton muslin. It gets softer with each wash. Wash cool on a gentle cycle, skip fabric softener and dry on low heat or air dry. Our full muslin blanket care guide has the details.

FAQ

Are muslin blankets warm enough for winter?

On their own in a cold room, usually not as warm as a heavy comforter. As a breathable layer under or over a duvet, they work very well and help stop you overheating.

Can you use a muslin blanket in summer?

Yes. It is one of the best choices for warm nights because the open cotton weave lets heat and moisture escape.

What is an all-season blanket?

One that is comfortable across a range of temperatures. Breathable natural fibers and a layered, airy construction, like cotton muslin, are what make a blanket work in more than one season.

Should the muslin blanket go above or below the duvet?

Either works. Below the duvet keeps breathable cotton closest to you; above adds a little extra warmth and a softer look.

Is muslin better than fleece?

They do different jobs. Muslin is breathable and versatile for the bed in every season; fleece is plush and very warm, great for the sofa or cold rooms.

One blanket, every season

If you want a single blanket that works in July and January, a 100% cotton muslin blanket is hard to beat. Use it alone when it is warm, layer it when it is cold, and let it get softer every time you wash it.