On average, we sleep for 8 hours a day. That’s one-third of our day. Too big a figure to disregard, don’t you think?
You can either have the most restful sleep of your life or experience a night of twisting and turning that leads to increased coffee intake to keep you functioning through the day.
While our quality of sleep is influenced by several factors like screen time, outside noise, and diet, bedsheets and pillowcases are often major players. Bedding has the potential to make or break the quality of your sleep.
A Guide To Choosing The Right Bedding Fabric
There’s a wide variety of fabrics being used in bedding. Determining which fabric will allow you to have well-rested sleep is not an easy task. Let’s take a look into the different bedding fabric types, complete with their benefits and drawbacks so you can make an informed decision before you hit “buy.” Finding a quality bed blanket can depend a lot on the bedding fabrics you choose. Materials such as bamboo, cotton, eucalyptus, microfiber, polyster, linen and sateen are alternatives for your bedroom linens.
Bamboo
Bamboo pulp fabric is a form of rayon that’s gaining popularity every passing day because of how soft it is. It may actually be the best possible choice for bedding.
Bamboo fabric is a revolutionary bedding material. It delivers the softest, most comfortable bedding sheets that can amp up your sleep quality. Bamboo sheets are generally considered sustainable because the bamboo plant usually doesn't require pesticides or fertilizers and grows fairly quickly.
Not only is it an excellent alternative to silk, bamboo is also breathable and durable like cotton. It stands the test of time while giving you the same luxurious feel of Egyptian cotton fabrics.
Bamboo can be used in bedding such as bamboo sheets, bamboo pillowcases, bamboo duvet covers or bamboo sham sets. Bamboo fabrics offer various pros and cons for bamboo bedding.
Some of our comforters have bamboo bedding fabric on one side letting you choose between a side of warmth and a side of coolness. Viscose from Bamboo is also used in our bed sheets. Bamboo bed sheets are often very soft to sleep in.
Pros:
- Good for people who are prone to allergies and/or have sensitive skin
- Thermoregulator
- Eco-friendly
- Moisture-wicking properties
Cons:
- Can shrink
- Prone to wrinkles
Cotton
A lightweight and soft fabric made from the cotton plant, cotton is the most popular fabric used to make sheets and other bedding items.
Cotton keeps you cool and comfortable in the summer by drawing heat away from your skin. It also takes care of your skin by absorbing superfluous moisture and repelling dirt. Bed fabrics made of 100% cotton are hypoallergenic, making them great for people with allergies and sensitive skin.
However, it’s also important to note that cotton does not insulate well. So, on colder nights, it’s not going to be much help. You can opt for a brushed cotton (flannel) instead since it’s designed to be fuzzier and softer, keeping you cozy during the long, cold winter nights.
Additionally, if you’re someone who sweats a lot, it’s better to look at alternative fabrics as cotton tends to hold moisture against your skin, potentially increasing the risk of developing bacteria.
Thread count is often used to judge the quality of a cotton sheet but sometimes you have to take into account the materials used rather than just thread count. It can be a misconception to judge cotton sheets just by their thread count. Thread count refers to the number of vertical and horizontal threads per square inch.
Pros:
- Low maintenance
- Durable
- Available in all sizes, pricing structures, and quality
Cons:
- Prone to shrinking
- Fibers tend to wear down faster
- Susceptible to wrinkling
Photo Credit: Pexels/Vie Studio
Eucalyptus
Most eucalyptus sheets are made from Lyocell, a generic term for cellulose fibers that are converted to fabrics from wood pulp. Instead of calling it by this name, most people and production houses tend to name it after the plant the production material is sourced from, eucalyptus.
Eucalyptus fabric is also an environmentally friendly fabric as it requires less water, chemicals, and energy during production.
Eucalyptus fabric is a cool fabric but it’s not as breathable as cotton. However, it has its fair share of impressive qualities. It’s soft, durable, and has a sheen to it. It is naturally antimicrobial, thus helping protect your body from the onslaught of microbes, is luxuriously soft, and has a texture similar to that of silk.
Pros:
- Breathable
- Resists wrinkling
- Durable
- Eco-friendly
- Hypoallergenic; good for people who are prone to allergies and/or have sensitive skin
Cons:
- Higher price-point
- High-maintenance
Photo Credit: Pexels/Rachel Claire
Linen
Linen is a natural fiber made from the stems of flax plants. Although a little rougher than cotton, it gets smoother with every wash. It’s a naturally luxurious fabric that is commonly used for sheets and sleepwear.
Linen has a natural pH balance and is bacteria-resistant, making it a great bedding fabric for those who have allergies or skin issues. Linen is also heavier than cotton, contributing significantly to its durability.
The intricate woven structure of the linen fabric offers a smooth and comfortable feel and is usually used for upscale bedding. It is perfect for both summers and winters as it is not only breathable but can also draw moisture from the body.
Pros:
- Lasts decades, super durable
- Easy to care for
- Sustainable
- Moisture-resistant and antibacterial
Cons:
- Wrinkles easily
- High price point
Photo Credit: Pexels/Monstera
Microfiber
Microfiber is a man-made fiber and is commonly used as bedding fabric. It does not wrinkle easily and is fairly low maintenance. It is very soft to the touch and less prone to shrinkage.
However, microfiber is a tightly woven polyester. So it’s not exactly the top contender for the most breathable bedding fabric, despite being incredibly soft. It’s a synthetic material. However, microfiber is an allergy-safe fabric, with certain woven microfibers even being hypoallergenic.
Microfiber is pretty durable. And that paired with its strain-resistant property makes it a welcome change of bedding for families with kids. It is also less prone to shrinking compared to a lot of fabrics used for bedding like cotton and linen.
Microfiber can be ofter used for duvet, duvet covers, throws and more.
Pros:
- Low-maintenance
- Affordable
- Wrinkle resistant
- Withstand repeated use without wearing down
Cons:
- Thin
- Heat retention
Polyester
Polyester is a man-made fabric made from the same polymers as the ones used in plastic bottles. It is often combined with other fabrics like cotton to make it more durable.
Polyester is stain-resistant and is perfect for families with kids. However, this also makes it a non-breathable fabric that does not absorb moisture, such as sweat. Because of this, polyester can get very hot against your skin compared to other bedding fabrics. Although, polyester does dry fast and is very low maintenance.
Instead of using it for bedding sheets, you can use it as a filling for both comforters and quilts.
Pros:
- Lightweight and durable
- Easy to wash
- Doesn’t wrinkle easily
- Affordable
Cons:
- Hydrophobic; does not absorb moisture
- May trap heat
- Can cause skin allergies
- Not eco-friendly
Photo Credit: Pexels/Wallace Chuck
Silk
Even the name has a luxurious feel to it. If you’re looking for luxury and indulgence, you can’t do better than silk. Silk is a soft fiber produced from silkworms’ cocoons. Because it is a naturally occurring fabric, it requires very little energy during production, making it environmentally friendly.
Silk is lighter than cotton and is naturally hypoallergenic, the right fit for those with allergies and skin sensitivities. It is incredibly versatile and makes for excellent bedding fabric if you can disregard just how gently and carefully it needs to be handled.
Silk is also a great thermoregulator, keeping you cool in the summer and warm during the winters. But note that silk strains easily, so any bedding item you use will require frequent washing.
Pros:
- Super soft
- Great insulator
- Naturally hypoallergenic
Cons:
- Can be expensive
- Collects moisture
- Some people complain that silk sheets are too slippery
The Takeaway
When it comes to sleep, comfort should be the priority. Be it a good night’s sleep or a brief siesta, you want to sink into comfort when you close your eyes. We aim to cover everything you need to know about bedding fabrics. Our Sunday Citizen fabrics are composed of some of these bedding fabrics.
As you've also seen some bedding fabrics require different care than other's that's why we've prepared our care guide for our bedding.
But if you’re still uncertain, you can always enlist the help of a local retailer to explore different fabrics and feel their touch against your skin. It’s the easiest way to understand what your skin agrees with.
Remember, you’re one bedding fabric away from having the best sleep of your life. Now that’s a change we support.