Mink, minky or fleece? What's actually in a "mink" baby blanket

First up, nobody is skinning any minks. Not us, not anyone selling a "mink blanket" at the shops.

We named our business Blue Mink, so we figured we'd better explain. The word "mink" gets used for a few different blankets in Australia, and they're not the same thing. Here's the rundown.

The big heavy "mink blankets"

If you grew up in an Aussie household, there's a fair chance you had one of these on a bed. The thick, heavy, two-layer blankets, often with a big tiger or a rose printed on them. They're usually called Korean mink blankets.

They're 100% polyester, knitted with a deep, dense pile so they feel like fur. They're warm, and they're heavy. A queen-size one can weigh three or four kilos. Great for a cold bedroom in July. Not really what you want around a baby.

Minky

Minky is what our blankets are made from, and it's what most people mean when they say "mink baby blanket".

It's also 100% polyester, but it's a much finer, shorter plush. Think of the softest teddy bear you've ever held. It's light, it's smooth, and it's very soft against skin, which is why it's so popular for baby blankets and comforters. You'll see it called minky, mink, or "minkee" depending on who's selling it.

The other thing minky is good at is holding printed colour. That matters for us, because our blankets are printed with full artwork and a name across both sides. The pile is short enough that the detail in the illustrations stays crisp.

Fleece

Fleece is the stuff in most hoodies and cheap throw rugs. Again, it's polyester. It's thinner and lighter than minky, a bit less soft, and cheaper fleece can bobble (pill) after a lot of washing. It's fine, it's cheap, and it does the job, but it doesn't have the same "oh that's nice" feel when you pick it up.

So which is best for a baby?

For a baby blanket that's going to be cuddled, dragged around and washed a hundred times, minky is hard to beat. It's soft without being heavy, it washes well if you treat it right (we've written up how to wash a minky blanket), and it doesn't feel scratchy.

Whatever fabric you go with, remember the safe sleep basics for little babies. Red Nose recommends no loose bedding in the cot. We've written more about baby blankets and safe sleep here.

Ours, specifically

Every Blue Mink blanket is double-layered minky, with a different design on each side, and your child's name printed into both. They're 100 × 75 cm, and they're printed and sewn to order here in Australia.

Have a look at the full range of designs.