What Type of Bed Sheets Should I Use?
A quality sheet set makes your bed an inviting and comfortable sleep space. You can switch up your bedroom style easily with the wealth of fabrics and colors available. When shopping for new sheets it is easy to become confused with the thread count, weaves, and sizes. Let’s discover the best type of bed sheets for your needs.
Common Bed Sheet Materials
Cotton Bed Sheets
Pima cotton is found in tropical and sub-tropical regions and is naturally occurring from G.Barbadense. It produces white fluffy seeds from which long staple cotton fibers are converted into tensile yarn. 100 cotton is widely available and 100% cotton and high thread counts Egyptian Cotton can feel like silk and are luxurious high thread count bedding.
Polyester Bed Sheets
Polyester is a synthetic man-made material that is widely used for clothing, sheets, and other home furnishings. Polyester bedding may not suit hot sleepers as they can retain heat. If you usually feel chilly in bed, polyester bedding may be useful and less prone to wrinkling.
Flannel Bed Sheets
Flannel sheets are soft cotton with loose fibers on the surface that feel warm and comfortable. Flannel brushed cotton sheets are perfect for cold climates as they retain heat. The thick and fleecy feel is soft and will keep you warm all night. However, flannel sheets aren't a good fit for hot sleepers.
Linen Bed Sheets
Linen is derived from the flax plant and creates linen sheets that are breathable and perfect for hot climates and hot sleepers. Linen sheets come in various thread counts and have a luxurious lightweight feel. However, they come at a premium price tag.
Microfleece Bed Sheets
Microfleece is a type of polyester but feels like flannel. They retain heat so are great for cold climates and chilly sleepers, but not ideal for anyone who struggles with night sweats. Microfleece is a machine washable material that dries easily and is widely available.
Tencel™ Bed Sheets
Derived from the cellulose fibers of trees, Tencel™ is a great botanic-origin option for eco-conscious shoppers. Tencel™ is environmentally friendly and made from fast-growing trees. Tencel™ sheets are cooling, moisture-wicking, durable, and feel soft to the touch.
Silk Bed Sheets
Silk sheets are a luxurious choice and made from the fibers created by silkworms. They are great for all seasons and hot sleepers too. However, silk sheets require special cleaning as the material is not machine washable and the price can be a drawback for many people. But, if willing to take care of them, they are durable and will provide much sleep comfort.
Viscose from Bamboo Bed Sheets
Viscose from bamboo sheets are lightweight but durable, breathable, and moisture-wicking—everything hot sleepers need for year-round cooling comfort. Nolah currently offers a luxurious blended option with 60 percent cotton and 40 percent viscose from bamboo; check out our Deep Pocket Blended Cotton Sheets.
What Else Should I Look for When Shopping for Sheets?
Thread Count (Cotton)
When shopping for cotton sheets you will come across thread counts. The higher the thread count the better the overall quality and feel of the sheets. For cotton, between 300 and 500 thread count should be enough to provide super soft and cozy bedding. One hundred percent cotton will provide an extra long staple premium cotton feel.
Weight
The weight of your sheets refers to their thickness. The thicker the sheets the greater their ability to retain heat and keep you warm. Flannel sheets may be thicker than 100% cotton and silk sheets. Depending on your climate and whether you sleep hot or cold, a medium weight should be ideal to cater for all seasons.
Weave
The most common sheet weave is the percale weave. A crisscross pattern with an even weight of thread across each side. Twill weave gives the appearance of denim fabric and is a strong and durable sheet. Sateen weaves have the look and feel of silk, are luxurious, and smooth. A patterned weave provides a vintage look and is heavier but expensive.
Types of Sheets
Flat Sheets
Flat sheets are larger than fitted sheets and can be used on top of a mattress as a fitted sheet. They can also be used under a duvet or comforter so you lay under the flat sheet and duvet when sleeping.
Fitted Sheets
A fitted sheet has elastic sewn into the fabric so it hugs the corners of the mattress.
FAQs
What Types of Sheets are Best?
The best bed sheets feel soft, are durable, comfortable, and affordable. Bamboo viscose, cotton, Tencel™, and linen are all super comfy and widely available. Polyester and flannel sheets may not suit hot sleepers as they retain heat.
It's also important to consider the other types of bedding and accessories you'll use with you sheets. For example, selecting a duvet vs. comforter or a foam pillow vs. feather pillow are important to consider to meet your sleep comfort needs.
What Are the Most Comfortable Bed Sheets?
Cooling bed sheets provide a breathable sleep environment and are made of cotton, linen, or silk. A viscose from bamboo/cotton blend is an affordable breathable mix that is widely available in a range of styles. Depending on whether you sleep hot or are a chilly sleeper, choose a thicker fabric if you sleep cold and a thinner weight fabric if you sleep hot.
What Kinds of Sheets Do Hotels Use?
Hotels typically use wrinkle resistant bedding that is durable and comfortable. Many premium hotels use white Egyptian cotton bedding of high thread count as it feels silky soft, easy to maintain, and is comfortable for their guests. Coupled with a mattress topper and opulent duck feather pillow, hotel beds usually offer a luxuriously comfortable sleep space.
Conclusion
The beauty of quality sheets is that they have become more widely available and affordable than ever. The various colors and styles can easily change your bedroom aesthetic and provide much comfort for cozy nights.
Disclaimer: Nolah does not provide medical advice. All resources on the Nolah blog, including this article, are informational only and do not replace professional medical counsel. Talk to your doctor about any health, mental health, or sleep-related issues.
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