The material your sheets are made from can significantly impact how well you sleep. Certain materials feel cool and smooth against the skin, while others are warm and cozy. Find the one that’s right for you.
Fabrics like cotton, percale, and flannel feel wonderful against bare skin, but some prefer bedding with a silky texture or a soft fleece finish. Here’s a rundown of the most common types of sheet materials to help you find what feels great against your skin — and keeps you comfortable all night long.
Bed Sheet Materials Explained
When buying bedsheets, there are many important factors: thread count, color, material, and style. However, the most crucial element of all might be material.
Most of us have probably never even thought about the material our bedding is made from before purchasing. We choose a color, pattern, or design that complements the rest of our bedroom, and we’re done. However, selecting a suitable material can play a huge role in comfort and quality of sleep.
With so many bedsheet materials available on the market, choosing one for your bedroom can be challenging.
For example, as we sleep, we sweat. As a result, our bodies produce heat, and our bedding absorbs this. Depending on the material used to make your bedsheets, the amount of moisture they drink can vary greatly.
Fortunately, choosing a suitable material for your bedsheets is a simple process. There are various materials that sheets can be made out of, like cotton or flannel, but not all types of materials are suitable for your bed.
The material you choose can make a big difference in your sleep experience when it comes to bedsheets. There are many factors to consider, including durability, softness, breathability, and care instructions.
The following is a list of some common bed sheet materials and everything you need to know to make an informed decision on whether they’re the right choice for you.
Cotton Sheets
Cotton is one of the most popular materials for bedding, and for a good reason. It’s versatile, durable, breathable, and offers year-round comfort. Cotton sheets can be made in different styles with various weaves, including percale (a tighter weave that feels crisp), sateen (a softer, smoother feel), jersey knit (stretchy and casual), flannel (warm and cozy), and more. Cotton comes in a range of prices depending on the quality of the cotton fibers used.
Cotton has its benefits, but it also has its flaws. No fabric is perfect! If you’re considering 100% cotton sheets, make sure you think about how much time you want to spend caring for your bedding. Cotton requires frequent washes to avoid wrinkling and shrinking over time.
Cotton Sheets We Love
Flannel
Flannel is a thick, fuzzy material with a tight weave that makes it ideal for chilly winter nights. Flannel sheets are soft, loose, and fuzzy; it’s made from either wool or cotton and typically brushed to create the signature “fuzziness.” This fabric is excellent for retaining warmth and making you feel cozy, but it may pill after multiple washes.
Flannel sheets are warm and cozy when the weather gets cold, but they may be too much for hot summer nights unless you want to be warm year-round.
Flannel Sheets We Love
Egyptian
Egyptian cotton is among the most popular types of cotton for bedding since it’s soft and durable. This variety of cotton is grown from heirloom seeds and is handpicked from small crops to ensure excellent quality.
The finest cotton in the world, Egyptian cotton is handpicked to ensure that only the finest fibers are used. The extra-long fibers result in a fabric that is softer, finer, and far more durable. Compared to other cotton, Egyptian cotton creates sheets that have a longer lifespan and a luxurious feel. It is worth it to invest in Egyptian cotton sheets for all of their benefits. They are soft, strong, and with proper care can last up to 15 years or more.
Egyptian cotton is considered one of the best cotton due to its extra-long fibers that result in a luxuriously soft feel but can cost significantly more than other cotton varieties.
Egyptian Cotton Sheets We Love
Jersey
Jersey is a type of fabric made from interlocking loops of yarn. It has been used to make clothing for hundreds of years, but it wasn’t until the 1800s that they explicitly developed jersey for use in bedding.
In the early days of jersey, the fabric was made from wool, but technological advances have led to cotton and synthetic fibers as the preferred materials. At first, it was because cotton jersey was less expensive than wool, but then, as technology advanced, people realized that synthetic fibers make the fabric more durable.
Jersey is a knit fabric that is light, flexible, and warm. It’s perfect for making sheets but is commonly used to make t-shirts and other clothing.
Jersey Knit Sheets We Love
Pima/Supima
Simply put, Pima is a type of cotton with longer fibers than other types of cotton. These longer fibers make it softer and more durable, so many people like Pima sheets. Pima cotton is another variety of high-quality cotton known for its softness and durability. These sheets also tend to get softer with each wash.
But, imagine this same cotton but with even longer fibers, making it stronger, softer, and more durable— and that’s Supima. In addition, Supima cotton is produced exclusively in the United States, so when you buy Supima sheets or clothing made from this material, you know that they are authentically U.S. grade Supima cotton because this brand has strict regulations over its production.
Pima/Supima Sheets We Love
The Breakdown: High-Quality Cotton Sheets
For the best night’s sleep, you need a comfortable bed, the right pillow, and high-quality sheets. The type of sheets you choose can have a big impact on how well you sleep.
Polyester
Polyester sheets are an affordable option for those wanting a low-maintenance and durable sheet set. Made with synthetic fibers, polyester fabric is often labeled “microfiber,” which can be composed of a blend of materials or purely polyester.
Polyester sheet sets are an excellent option for those on a budget, as they are typically quite affordable. Even if you choose a higher thread count, polyester sheets are generally less expensive than cotton.
Polyester fabric is more durable and less prone to wrinkling, shrinking, or fading than cotton. So if you want your sheets to last for several years, polyester is an excellent choice for you.
However, it’s important to note that polyester is not naturally breathable. This lack of breathability means it does not regulate temperature well and can cause sleepers to overheat. If you already tend to sleep hot, consider choosing bedding made from a material other than polyester.
Polyester Sheets We Love
Linen
Linen is another popular and durable material that’s more expensive than cotton but softer than polyester. Linen is often favored by people seeking an eco-friendly option because it’s made from flax, a plant that requires less water than traditional cotton plants.
With the growing trend of natural fiber products, linen sheets have come back in recent years. These sheets are soft, beautiful, and durable. In addition, the fibers are smooth, so they won’t irritate the skin like some other fabrics. Linen is also an excellent choice for allergies as it is hypoallergenic and antimicrobial.
As durable as it is luxurious, genuine linen is a natural fabric that offers a variety of benefits. For example, linen helps regulate your body’s temperature, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer by wicking away moisture from your skin.
Linen Sheets We Love
Microfiber
The difference between microfiber sheets and cotton sheets is that they’re made out of synthetic fabrics like nylon, polyester, and rayon. Microfiber is measured by its density or each fiber’s thickness. The weave of a microfiber sheet affects its durability and quality.
A microfiber sheet with a flat weave is the most durable, resistant to stains, and repels moisture. A waffle weave microfiber is highly absorbent and traps heat.
The good thing about sleeping on microfiber sheets is that it’s soft and smooth yet affordable. You can’t go wrong with purchasing good-quality microfiber sheets with a flat weave for your child’s bed in case of accidents.
Microfiber Sheets We Love
Silk
If you’re looking for the perfect luxury bedding to elevate your space and ensure a comfortable night of sleep, look no further than silk sheets.
Not only are silk sheets soft and smooth, but they’re also durable and hypoallergenic. Silk sheets are ideal for anyone looking for exceptional temperature regulation.
Silk sheets are a luxury bedding choice that offers more than just a soft, smooth feel. The lustrous look of silk sheets can elevate the style of any bedroom. And, you won’t wake up with dry skin or curly hair, thanks to the smoothness of this material. So, why not sleep on a silk sheet set if you want to sleep in luxury and comfort each night?
Silk Sheets We Love
Percale
Percale is a plain-weave fabric made from combed and carded yarns, which results in lightweight soft sheets with smooth finishes and a crisp feel. Cotton percale sheets are cool and crisp to the touch, perfect for those who like smooth fabrics. These sheets usually have a thread count of at least 200 but can go as high as 800.
Due to their structure and material, they are a top choice among buyers. There are some advantages of including percale in your sleeping routine. They’re durable. Percale has a tight weave that creates a strong composition that makes percale resistant to tearing and stretching.
They’re breathable. The airy qualities of percale sheets allow them to stay cool while keeping you covered during the night. This quality makes them perfect for hot sleepers or those who live in warm climates. They’re affordable. Percale sheets are generally less expensive than other options due to their mass production and popularity.
Percale Sheets We Like
Satin
Cotton satin sheets have a silky feel and are strong and durable. This fabric has a slight sheen to it, which gives it a luxurious look. Cotton sateen comes in many different thread counts, so you can find the one that’s right for you.
Satin sheets are perfect for use in any season. When the weather is warm, these sheets are cool against your skin. In cooler temperatures, they will warm up with you and your bedding.
Satin bedding also offers tremendous aesthetic advantages with its shiny nature and classic elegance. The shine and texture of satin fabrics helps create a serene atmosphere conducive to relaxation while adding style to any bedroom décor. Satin has been used as a classic element in interior design for many years due to its sleek appearance and complementing other fabrics.
Satin Sheets We Love
Bamboo
Made from bamboo grass that is pulped and then woven into sheets, bamboo fabric is known for its softness and sheen. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies, the natural antibacterial properties of bamboo sheets could be just what you need. They’re also highly breathable and therefore ideal for hot sleepers. Bamboo sheets can be made silky smooth with a sateen weave or have a more textured feel with a percale weave.
Bamboo sheets are often touted as being more sustainable than cotton because bamboo grows faster and requires less water to grow. But before you rush out to buy bamboo-based bedding, make sure it’s actually made from bamboo fibers. It may be called “bamboo bedding,” but there’s a good chance it’s actually made from rayon or viscose — fabrics created from bamboo pulp. While these are still soft and durable fabrics, they aren’t as sustainable as actual bamboo fiber sheets.
Bamboo Sheets We Love
Tencel
Tencel sheets are a sheet made from the wood pulp of certain plants. Sheets made from Tencel come with many potential benefits and a higher price tag than many categories of sheets, but they may not be suitable for everyone.
Originally named lyocell, Tencel was trademarked by the Austrian company Lenzing in 1994. You can apply the name to several different types of fabric produced by Lenzing, including denim, lyocell, and modal.
Tencel Sheets We Love
Flat Sheets Vs. Fitted Sheets.
Flat sheets are rectangular pieces of fabric that sit on your bed. They are also known as top sheets and are placed between the mattress and comforter, but they can also be used alone as a lightweight coverlet in warmer months. While you may tuck flat sheets under the bottom edges of your mattress, they do not have the stretch of a deep fitted sheet and therefore may not stay in place as securely.
Like all bed linens, flat/top sheets are made from various materials, including cotton, linen, and microfiber, to name just a few. If you sleep hot, consider lighter options like cotton or microfiber that may help keep you cool at night. On the other hand, those who don’t mind snuggling under some extra layers during the winter months may prefer a heavier material like flannel or linen.
Flat sheets offer many benefits that fitted sheets do not. Because they’re larger than fitted sheets and have no elastic, flat sheets can be used as a blanket on top of your bedding set.
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a flat sheet and a fitted sheet? Well, wonder no more because the difference is explained below.
Any bedding set starts with a fitted sheet, also known as a bottom sheet. You can recognize it by its four corners that are specially designed to hug the edges of your mattress.
Fitted sheets create an added layer of comfort and protection between you and your mattress. Fitted sheets have elastic corners that hug the perimeter of your mattress to stay in place, and they usually come in standard sizes such as twin, queen, or king.
When you’re looking for a new fitted sheet, one of the first things to consider is the fabric composition of your sheet. From luxurious sateen sheet sets to airy linen sheets, there are various options available. In addition, each material has its benefits and drawbacks, meaning each type of fitted sheet will have its pros and cons.
Softest Sheet Material
You can have the best mattress and pillows on the market, but if you don’t have soft sheets that allow you to sleep comfortably, then you’re going to feel like you’ve been sleeping on a bed of nails every night.
The softest sheets depend on the type of sleeper you are. Some people prefer super soft sheets to keep them fresh and cool during the summer, while others prefer cozy and warm sheets.
If you are looking for the softest sheets out there, here are a few different types of sheets that you should keep in mind when shopping for your next set.
Bamboo, jersey, silk, cotton, linen, and flannel are all very soft sheets!
