Costco Plush Blanket: Microplush, Sherpa, and Softness Ratings Explained

What Is a Costco Plush Blanket?

A costco plush blanket refers specifically to the soft, pile-surface blankets that Costco Canada stocks in its bedding section, primarily during fall and winter. These are distinct from Costco's cooling or cotton blankets. Plush blankets prioritise tactile softness and warmth retention, and Costco carries them across several constructions, each with different feel and performance characteristics.

This guide focuses specifically on the plush category, covering microplush, double-sided Sherpa, and the factors that determine how soft a plush blanket actually is, how that softness holds up over time, and how to wash and care for it correctly.

Types of Plush Blankets at Costco

Microplush Blankets

Microplush is the most common type in Costco's plush category. It uses ultra-fine polyester fibres, typically less than one denier per filament, woven into a densely packed, short pile. The fineness of each individual fibre is what creates the characteristic smooth, almost velvety surface. Because the fibre ends are extremely small, they cannot be felt individually by the skin the way coarser fleece fibres can.

Microplush blankets at Costco typically arrive in queen (approximately 200 x 220 cm) and king (approximately 220 x 240 cm) sizes, often packaged with a gift box or bag during the holiday season. Prices generally fall in the $35-$60 CAD range, depending on the specific product and whether it is a seasonal promotion. They come in a wide range of colours, which is another reason they are popular as gifts.

Weight and GSM (grams per square metre) are worth checking on the packaging. A microplush blanket at 350-450 GSM will be noticeably warmer than one at 200-280 GSM. If Costco has two microplush options at similar prices, the higher GSM is generally warmer and feels slightly more substantial.

Sherpa Blankets

Sherpa blankets are double-sided: one face is smooth polyester fleece or microplush, and the other is a textured Sherpa material that resembles the fleece of a sheep. The Sherpa side creates small, looping fibres that trap a greater volume of warm air close to the blanket surface, making Sherpa blankets among the warmest non-wool options available.

The dual-side construction means you can orient the blanket according to preference. The smooth side against skin creates a sleeker feel; the Sherpa side against skin provides a more textured, enveloping warmth. Most people use the smooth side against the body when sleeping and the Sherpa side facing out.

Costco Sherpa blankets are frequently sold under private label or by Berkshire Blanket, a company that specialises in high-softness synthetic bedding. Pricing is typically $50-$85 CAD for queen or king sizes.

Plush-to-Plush (Double Microplush) Blankets

Some Costco plush blankets are double microplush, with the same microplush fabric on both sides rather than a Sherpa reverse. These are slightly thinner and lighter than Sherpa but offer maximum softness on both faces. They suit people who want an extremely soft surface without the bulk of a Sherpa reverse.

What Determines How Soft a Plush Blanket Feels

Factor	Effect on Softness	What to Look For
Fibre fineness (denier)	Lower denier = finer fibre = softer feel	Microplush (sub-1 denier) or ultra-microplush
Pile height	Taller pile = more cushioned feel; too tall = matting	3-6 mm for microplush; 6-12 mm for Sherpa
Pile density (fibres per cm2)	Denser = more consistent softness across the surface	Hold fabric up to light; denser pile shows fewer gaps
GSM (weight)	Higher GSM = heavier and warmer, but not necessarily softer	350-500 GSM for cold-season plush
Finishing treatment	Some blankets are given a softening wash at the factory	First wash feel; improves slightly after initial home wash

How Softness Holds Up Over Time

New plush blankets often feel exceptionally soft in the store and then harden or develop pilling after washing. Understanding why this happens allows you to prevent it.

The two main culprits are fabric softener and high heat. Fabric softener deposits a coating on polyester fibres that initially makes them feel slippery and soft but then causes the fibres to clump together in subsequent washes, creating a dull, less responsive surface. High heat in the dryer partially melts polyester fibre tips, fusing them together and producing a slightly scratchy sensation where the pile once felt smooth.

A plush blanket cared for correctly should maintain most of its softness for 3-5 years under regular washing. Signs that a plush blanket is nearing the end of its soft life include persistent pilling that brushing does not remove, a flat pile that does not spring back when pressed, and a general roughness that was not present in the first year of use.

Washing Instructions for Costco Plush Blankets

Follow these steps to preserve softness as long as possible:

1. Water temperature: Cold or cool water only. Warm water loosens the fibre structure faster.
2. Cycle: Gentle or delicate. Agitation damages pile fibres.
3. Detergent: Mild liquid detergent. Avoid powder detergent, which can leave grit in the pile.
4. No fabric softener: This is the single most important rule. Even one application begins the coating process that degrades softness over multiple washes.
5. No bleach: Bleach breaks down polyester fibres and causes discolouration.
6. Drying: Tumble dry on low heat with one or two clean tennis balls or dryer balls, which help re-fluff the pile during drying. Air drying is also excellent.
7. No ironing: Ironing polyester plush flattens and fuses the pile permanently.
8. Wash separately: Wash away from items with hooks, zippers, or Velcro that can snag and pull the pile fibres.

Plush Blankets and Sleep Temperature

Plush and Sherpa blankets are warm options best suited to cold sleepers or cold bedroom environments. In Ontario, where overnight temperatures from November through March regularly drop below freezing, a thick Sherpa blanket serves a genuine purpose even in a heated home, particularly for older housing stock that loses heat quickly overnight.

Hot sleepers should avoid microplush and Sherpa. Polyester does not breathe the way cotton or bamboo does, and plush pile traps warm air by design. If you already know you sleep hot, a lighter cotton blanket is a better starting point, or one of the bamboo or Tencel cooling options from the spring rotation.

For cold sleepers, pairing a plush blanket with a mattress that holds warmth well, such as a foam or hybrid with a thicker foam comfort layer, creates a consistent warm sleep environment. A plush blanket on top of a very firm, open-coil mattress may feel chilly at the sides if cold air circulates freely through the coil system. A mattress topper in memory foam adds a warm, conforming layer underneath that complements the blanket above.

Plush Blankets as Gifts

Plush blankets are among Costco's most popular gift items during the holiday season. The high perceived softness at first touch, the variety of colours available, and the well-presented packaging (many Costco plush blankets come in decorative storage bags or boxes) make them easy gifts for people of most ages.

For gift-giving, the main risk is choosing the wrong weight for the recipient's climate or sleeping temperature. A thick Sherpa blanket gifted to someone in a condo with good heating may sit unused most of the year. A lightweight microplush gifted to someone who sleeps in a cold bedroom may not provide enough warmth. Knowing something about the recipient's living situation makes the choice more useful.

Plush Blankets for Children and Families

Microplush blankets are popular for children's rooms because of their softness and machine-washability. The tactile appeal is high for kids, and the durability of polyester means frequent washing for spills or illness does not degrade the blanket as quickly as it would a natural fibre equivalent.

For children under 12 months, no blanket should be used in the sleep environment due to suffocation risk (as per Health Canada and the Canadian Paediatric Society guidelines). For toddlers and older children, lightweight microplush in a smaller size is appropriate. Costco occasionally carries children's plush blankets separately from the adult bedding section, often in character or novelty prints.

References

1. Berkshire Blanket & Home Co. (2024). Product care guides. https://www.berkshireblanket.com
2. Textile World. (2022). Microfibre and microplush fabric technology overview. https://www.textileworld.com
3. Canadian Paediatric Society. (2023). Safe sleep for your baby. https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/sleep/safe-sleep-for-your-baby
4. Costco Canada. (2024). Bedding and home. https://www.costco.ca
5. Sleep Foundation. (2024). Best blankets. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-blankets

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