What to Look For in a Microfiber Sheet
You’re likely here after hearing about an industry secret: the microfiber sheet. Slowly gaining popularity, microfiber sheets have great benefits in comparison to the standard cotton sheet, and even linen and silk sheets. This soft, durable material does wonders for your skin and hair and may be the next change you need for your bedding. In this article, you’ll learn about what sets a microfiber sheet apart from the rest, where to find one, the factors that go into creating the best quality microfiber, and the top four favorite product picks.
What is Microfiber?
Microfiber is a synthetic fiber made with machinery that contains different materials including polyester and polyamide (nylon), sometimes a mixture of other materials as well. Do you know the soft, silky cloth that comes with a new pair of glasses for cleaning the lenses? That’s an example of microfiber. The fibers of the materials are split into very thin strands and woven to be extremely durable. Microfiber has many applications depending on its thickness. These include towels, plush blankets feeling similar to fleece, thick cleaning towels, and the waffle-weave found in dusters. In terms of cleaning, microfiber is a much more desirable option in comparison to cotton. The hundreds of thousands of little strands on microfiber are actually tiny hooks that efficiently clean up messes without leaving any residue– and it can absorb up to 7 times its weight in liquid. They don’t leave any lint or scratches, which is why they are popular for cleaning glasses.
Microfiber Alternatives
So, what is microfiber’s competition? For bedding, these are cotton, linen, and silk.
Linen
Bed linens come from the natural fiber linen, which is derived from the flax plant. Linen is usually thicker than cotton and is intricately woven, giving it a smooth texture. Linen gets softer the more you wash it. Linen is also more breathable than cotton, so they will keep you cooler instead of trapping too much heat. They also have moisture-wicking properties, are biodegradable, and are hypoallergenic.
Cotton
Cotton is the most popular and common material for bed sheets. This cotton plant fabric is very affordable as well as warm and breathable. Within cotton there’s even more variety– you can choose from percale and sateen, which are simply different types of weaves. Cotton also softens with each wash but is less durable than linen and tends to shrink over time.
When choosing a cotton sheet, you’ll want to know the differences between Egyptian, Pima, and Supima cotton. These are the three most commonly used types of cotton for bed sheets. Egyptian cotton is a luxurious material– it’s grown along the Nile River in Egypt and is very expensive in its pure form. To lower the price, it’s usually mixed in with some other lower-quality materials. Pima cotton, which feels silky and soft, is more affordable than Egyptian cotton and comes from Peru. It is also mixed in with some low-grade fiber to lower the price. Supima cotton is a type of Pima cotton, with just a name brand. It’s Pima cotton grown in the United States and is the most affordable out of the three and represents a small percentage of cotton used in the world.
In addition to the type of cotton, the type of weave is another factor to take into consideration that can greatly alter the feel of the cotton. The two main types include percale and sateen. Percale sheets have a tightly woven lattice weave that is actually cooler than sateen because they are thinner. Sateen sheets have a buttery soft feel: they have a loose three over one weave but are thicker, so they provide warmer sleep than percale. It has a flossy, satin-like finish.
Silk
Silk is an expensive yet luxurious option for bedding. It is very smooth and derived naturally. It is cooling and is the longest-lasting natural fabric, is anti-bacterial, and hypoallergenic. If you are considering silk, know that silk has its own grading system. Pure mulberry silk that is grade A is going to be your best bet in terms of quality. Lower-grade silk bedding may be a trick– it is likely mixed with lower quality fabrics or has a very low thread count. It arrives in many colors, typically more neutral tones, and has a glossy appearance.
Microfiber Sheets Pros and Cons
So why pick microfiber over cotton, linen, or silk? First, microfiber is a very durable material. Your sheets will withstand any cleaning products and will hold up after endless washes and uses. A microfiber sheet is wrinkle-resistant as it is man-made, and is also cheaper for this reason. This also means that they can withstand high heat in the washer and are easily machine washable. The material itself feels uniquely soft compared to other options and its synthetic properties allow for many designs and colors to pick from.
Microfiber is also all the rage in the beauty and hair care industries. The material is very gentle on hair and skin, which reduces friction that could cause irritation or hair loss. Stylists recommend using microfiber towels to dry your hair and skin, also because the material dries much faster because of its high absorption. A microfiber pillowcase will also eliminate frizz.
Cons of microfiber include mainly the environmental aspect of the material. It’s synthetic, so it isn’t naturally derived like cotton or silk. It is created from petroleum waste and the process that converts this waste into microfiber isn’t good for the environment. It’s also a flammable material and its electrons store fibers like hair. Lastly, the material can be rather thin.
What Makes a Good Microfiber Sheet Set
Now you know what microfiber is and some of the other materials you can purchase for your next bedding. But within the microfiber, how do you know which product is best?
Thread Count
Thread count plays into the durability and quality of a sheet. It represents the number of threads woven into a single square inch of fabric. As a minimum number, don’t settle for anything with a thread count less than 200– it won’t last. Different materials and weaves have different optimal thread counts. For microfiber, the range is large. Generally, anything with a 200 to 800 thread count is a good, durable microfiber product. You should always strive for at least or around 400. Note that the lower the thread count, however, the more breathable the sheet.
Return Policy
Always note the company’s return policy or money back guarantee before purchasing. Do they offer sleep trials? A sleep trial is where you can try the product out to see if you like it, and if not, you can return it after a certain period of time for a full hassle-free refund. Other companies will promise full refunds, no questions asked at any point after the purchase. Some companies offer free refunds, and others are paid.
Maintenance and Care
You’ll need to wash your microfiber sheet set. A good product will usually have some instructions on how to wash correctly so that you don’t ruin the product, as durable as microfiber is. Generally, microfiber has some pretty straightforward care instructions. Machine wash your sheets in warm or hot water using a mild detergent and no fabric softeners (it can clog open spaces in the fabric). Try not to wash cotton with microfiber, because the microfiber will grab onto the lint. Separate darks and lights. After washing, you can either air dry or use a dryer. Air drying is always best, and microfiber dries relatively quickly. If you do opt for a dryer, use a low or no heat setting. Do not use bleach.
Design
Comfort is the most important part of a quality bed sheet set, but we can’t just forget about aesthetics. Microfiber is a synthetic and therefore versatile material that is typically offered in more colors and patterns than you can imagine, both bright and neutral. Look through different products to find the exact pattern or color you want and see who offers it to narrow your search.
Microfiber vs Cotton Sheets
The main difference between microfiber and cotton sheets is that cotton is naturally derived while microfiber is synthetic. Microfiber is made of polyester and is cheaper than cotton, but cotton is more breathable. Cotton sheets have a soft and fresh feel, while microfiber is more ‘slippery’ and satin like. Because of breathability, cotton is cooler while microfiber can get hot. When washing, cotton sheets tend to get softer with each wash without wearing down. Microfiber may feel staticky if you aren’t washing correctly, and it doesn’t get softer with washes.
Top Four Best Microfiber Sheet Sets
You’ve read up on microfiber and are ready to make your purchase. This list compiles the top five best customer favorites for a microfiber sheet set. These products are all affordable and made with high-quality microfiber.
by Amazon Basics
#1: Amazon Basics Lightweight Microfiber Bed Sheet Set
This Amazon Basics product is a #1 bestseller and offers one of the greatest varieties in color, size, and style ever. This set includes two pillowcases, one elastic fitted sheet, and one flat sheet. You can choose from King, Queen, Full, Twin XL, Twin, Standard, and California King and purchase a full sheet set or a set of two microfiber pillowcases. The sets arrive in a total of 44 different colors and designs ranging from solid neutrals to bright patterns including poppies, plaid, medallions, stripes, and more.
The product is 100% imported polyester microfiber and cleans best on machine wash warm without bleach. Price changes depending on size, but a white twin set is only $12.23 and a California King white set is $25.99. Who wouldn’t buy a 100% microfiber bed sheet set for under $30 that’s guaranteed to last you years? The certification companies for the product also ensure environmental standards are met, making it a Climate Pledge Friendly product.
by Mellanni
#2: Mellanni Bed Sheet Set – Cooling Microfiber
The Mellanni microfiber bed sheet set from Amazon arrives with a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two pillowcases. It has a great size and color variety, including all the standard bed sizes as well as RV/Short queen and split king. You can purchase an ‘extra deep pocket’ set as well instead of the standard for each size if you prefer. Their microfiber is stain and wrinkle-resistant and doesn’t fade in color. The Mellanni Lifetime promise offers a refund policy like no other: if you aren’t satisfied with the product at any point in time, you can return it for a full refund, no questions asked.
Prices start at $30.57 for a standard twin set and are three dollars more for an extra deep pocket twin. The largest size, split king, sells at $36.52 and is eight dollars more for an extra deep pocket option. There are 40 total colors and patterns to pick from to match absolutely any bedroom. This product is machine washable, has an elastic fitted sheet, fits mattresses up to 16 inches deep (without extra deep pocket option), and are recognized for their breathability.
by Utopia
#3: Utopia Bedding 4 Piece Microfiber Sheet Set
Utopia Bedding’s microfiber sheet set arrives with an elastic fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two pillowcases. You can pick from a variety of silky finished solid colors and neutrals, as well as any standard size (twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king). This Amazon Choice product ranges in price from $13.95 to $27.95 depending on size.
These exceptionally soft sheets are made from quality brushed microfiber and keeps cool in the summer, but warm in the winter, and its machine washable and shrink resistant. Utopia Bedding’s sheets are unique for their plush fabric feel making them extremely soft. The fitted sheet features a 15″ deep pocket to fit a variety of mattresses.
by Sweet Home Collection
#4: Sweet Home Collection 1800 Thread Count Egyptian Quality Brushed Microfiber Sheet Set
Sweet Home Collection proudly offers 36 color and pattern options for their Egyptian quality microfiber sheets. This luxurious brand offers all standard sizes including twin, full, queen, king, California king, and split king. You can purchase the full sheet set of two pillowcases, flat sheet, and fitted, sheet, or just the fitted sheet alone. There’s also an extra deep pocket option for each size and all of their fitted sheets have built-in elastic sheet straps to keep it secured on your mattress.
What sets this set apart from the rest is the quality of their microfiber– it has a very high thread count of 1800 which is the equivalent of Egyptian cotton. The fitted sheet standard option has a 14-inch deep pocket, and the two deluxe pillowcases are embroidered and dust mite resistant.
Summary
Microfiber is one of the most versatile and high quality materials for bed sheets and towels alike. This fabric is man-made from thinly woven polyester strands. It’s extremely soft and silky, absorbent, affordable, cooling, and plush. In terms of bed sheets as a whole, the main options you have include microfiber, cotton, linen, and silk, with silk being the most expensive. Within cotton, you can pick from pima, supima, or Egyptian cotton, as well as a percale or sateen weave.
The pros of microfiber include its resistant properties. It doesn’t shrink like cotton, wrinkle, fade, and it’s resistant to dust mites. It is excellent for hair and skin because it’s so gentle and avoids friction that could potentially cause acne, frizz, and hair loss, not to mention that it’s affordable. Cons of microfiber include the environmental aspect– microfiber is made from petroleum waste and the conversion process can be harmful to the environment.
If you are ready to purchase a microfiber sheet, you should know what you want in your product. Try to opt for a high thread count, or one of at least 200. Thread count is the amount of weaves in a fabric, and while a high thread count means it’s less breathable, it also means it is much more durable. Note the company’s return policy and what color or pattern you are looking for. Lastly, always measure twice before purchasing and familiarize yourself with how to clean microfiber before giving it a try to avoid any damage. Microfiber is easy to clean and machine washable with warm or hot water as it can withstand high temperatures.
The top four microfiber sheet sets include those by Amazon Basics, Mellanni, Sweet Home Collection, and Utopia Bedding. These products were all selected for their high ratings, affordability, good thread counts, high quality and pure microfiber, and color/size variety. You don’t need to worry about where to find a microfiber sheet set that’s trustworthy anymore!
