November 09, 2022 4 min read

Your sleep preferences are uniquely yours, which means there’s no universally best material for bed sheets. But we’re here to help you figure out what the best bedding materials are for you. We’ll guide you through what to look for when choosing bed sheets, the benefits of various textiles, and anything else to consider when finding the best fabric for bedding to meet your needs.

What is the Best Fabric for Sheets?

Is your bedding the reason why you can’t sleep at night? Maybe! The quality, comfort, and material of your sheets can seriously impact your rest. But the good news is that you can do something about it!

Blue Sateen sheet set Cream sateen sheet set

Navigating the best fabrics for bedding isn’t always easy. We’ve all left the bedding department confused, trying to figure out the differences between packages of seemingly identical bed sheet fabrics. But the biggest difference isn’t even about the materials — it’s the quality.

At Or & Zon, we partner with independent artisans who exclusively use traditional methods to craft the highest quality textiles. By working with responsible weavers, following sustainable practices, and choosing the greenest materials possible, we achieve a standard that’s impossible to meet through mass production. And that’s a difference you can feel in our bedding.

After all, the best fabrics for bed sheets are ones created responsibly.

How to Choose the Best Material for Bed Sheets

What Type of Bedding Keeps You Cool? Best Bedding for Hot Sleepers

Determining the best fabric for sheets for your sleep preferences makes restful snoozes so much easier to come by. Getting your eight hours is impossible if your sensitive skin is constantly irritated by rough sheets or if your bedding traps all your sweat. So consider these qualities when searching for the best fabrics for sheets:

  • Breathability.Tightly woven fabrics trap heat: a no-go for sweaty sleepers. But even the tightest woven cotton will always be looser than any microfiber. For optimal breathability, aim for less dense, loosely woven materials. Pro-tip: better airflow also helps warm you up on cool nights!
  • Texture. Stiff bedding or sheets that pill easily might keep you up at night or even irritate sensitive skin. Look for textiles made from long-staple natural fibers to reduce pilling, choose stonewashed fabric for a more relaxed feel, and learn how various weaves affect a material’s texture.
  • Sustainability. Ethics are as important as any other factor when choosing the best material for bedding. Synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon are filled with chemicals that harm the planet — and the people who work with them. On the other hand, natural textiles like cotton and linen are durable and safe for all, then biodegrade naturally.
  • Weight. The heavier a fabric is, the more warmth it will hold. And it’s also a good quality to consider when it comes to layering bedding. An easy way to identify a fabric’s weight is by checking out its thread count or grams per square inch (GSM). The higher this number is, the heavier the textile.
Sage green percale cotton bed sheets

Benefits of Percale Bedding

Organic cotton percale is a crowd-pleaser. It's one-yarn-over, one-yarn-under weave makes for a lightweight, airy fabric that lets you breathe. Meanwhile, those long-staple organic cotton fibers are incredibly soft and effortlessly durable. Skipping the harsh chemicals makes a huge difference in texture and longevity!

Think of percale as the linen of cotton. It boasts that classic breezy sensation and laid-back crinkled look while being irresistibly soft right out of the package. Plus, organic varieties are easier on the environment — and more absorbent — than conventionally-grown crops.

Pair percale’s gentle texture and breathability with the cozy familiarity of cotton, and you have one of the universally best fabrics for bed sheets.

Benefits of Cotton Sateen

If luxury is the name of your game, organic cotton sateen is the best bedding material for you. This one-yarn-under, three-yarns-over weave creates a heavier fabric with a beautiful sheen. It’s almost silky — yet made from cotton!

While sateen may be denser and more delicate than other weaves, it’s still much more airy and durable than other materials. And thanks to its unique thread pattern, organic cotton sateen is irresistibly smooth on your skin.

You never have to worry about appearance when it comes to sateen. This wrinkle-resistant textile is the best bedding material for indulgent folks without time to spare. It always looks and feels perfect — and doesn’t require any extra care.

Benefits of French Linen Bedding

Flax-based French linen is one of the best fabrics for sustainable bedding. It’s 100% biodegradable, has a minimal environmental impact, and requires little human intervention to thrive.

French flax linen bedding offers incredible breathability and can absorb up to 20% of their weight in moisture. Still, it dries fast, so sweaty sleepers can snooze soundly. But its superior airflow means you’ll stay toasty on chilly nights too! It’s not magic — just thermoregulation.

Most linen sheets need some wearing in, but not Or & Zon’s. Our stone washing process removes any stiff or scratchy bits, so you can experience natural linen how it was meant to be enjoyed.

Final Thoughts on the Best Fabrics for Bedding

Ultimately, finding the best bedding material is all about personal preference. Noticing the type of breathability, weight, texture, and sustainability you need to sleep soundly will help you identify the best fabric for bed sheets. Cotton percale is a crowd-pleaser, organic sateen has a heavier, luxurious feel, and French linen is as light and breathable as they come. Choose any of these from Or & Zon, and you’ll have sweet dreams — guaranteed!