What is the Best Fabric For Sheets: A Complete Guide

November 09, 2022 8 min read

Your sleep preferences are uniquely yours, which means there’s not just one correct answer when it comes to choosing the best fabric for sheets. Fortunately, 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 the best bed sheet fabric, the benefits of various textiles, and other important things to consider when searching for the best material for sheets that will meet your needs.

In This Article

What Fabric is Best for Bed Sheets?
How to Choose the Best Material for Bed Sheets
What Are the Healthiest Sheets to Sleep On?
What to Avoid When Buying Bed Sheets?
Benefits of Percale Bedding
Benefits of Cotton Sateen
Benefits of French Linen Bedding
Final Thoughts on the Best Fabrics for Bedding

What Fabric is Best for Bed Sheets?

Before we discuss the best bed sheet material, let’s go over some of the most popular options out there, and what makes each one unique. Keep in mind that some of these may not suit you perfectly, while others will be right in line with your unique preferences and needs. Here are some of the characteristics, benefits, and a few drawbacks of each type to help you get a better idea of which bed sheet materials are right for you.

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Before we discuss the best bed sheet material, let’s go over some of the most popular options out there, and what makes each one unique. Keep in mind that some of these may not suit you perfectly, while others will be right in line with your unique preferences and needs. Here are some of the characteristics, benefits, and a few drawbacks of each type to help you get a better idea of which bed sheet materials are right for you.

Linen sheets This lightweight material is harvested from the flax plant, making it a sustainable and eco-friendly option. This highly durable material has exceptional moisture-wicking properties and it’s naturally temperature regulating, which makes it a great option for people who sleep hot and for those who suffer from night sweats. One major perk to buying linen sheets is that they become incredibly soft and get even softer after every wash. These extremely high quality sheets have a luxe look and feel, but they are more expensive than some other options available to consumers.

Cotton sheets Many consumers choose cotton bed sheets due to their affordability, but not all cotton sheets are the same. Egyptian cotton has long cotton fibers that give these sheets an extremely soft, breathable feel. Pima cotton sheets are also high in quality and feature long fibers for plushness and durability. Cotton sateen is a type of weave that makes sateen sheets feel smoother and thicker than traditional cotton with a subtle sheen for a luxe look. If you prefer natural fabrics, choose organic cotton sheets which are made without harsh toxins and chemicals. While cotton is comfortable and breathable, it also wrinkles easily, tends to shrink, and isn’t as durable as some other high quality sheets.

Silk sheets With their smooth texture, silk sheets make every night more luxurious. This material is hypoallergenic and works well for those who may have sensitive skin. Silk bed sheets are also great for regulating body temperature, and they also have moisture-wicking properties. It’s important to make sure that you wash and dry your silk sheets exactly per the care instructions since this material is extremely sensitive and not as durable as cotton or linen.

Microfiber sheets This material for bed sheets is made from a type of polyester that consists of fine, tightly woven fibers. These synthetic fibers are quite wrinkle resistant, so they make it easy to give your bedroom a crisp, clean look. Brushed microfiber has a soft, luscious feel but it’s not quite as breathable as cotton or linen. If you have hot sleepers in the home, these may not be the best sheets for you. However, microfiber is one of the most affordable options on the market today. It also comes in an extremely wide range of colors and patterns, making it easy to switch bedding whenever you want if you’re on a budget.

Bamboo sheets Most bamboo bed sheets are actually made from rayon bamboo, which is a material that comes from bamboo pulp made using a chemical process. If you want the real thing, look for sheets made from 100% organic bamboo fibers. These sheets are quite soft and breathable, so they work well if you want to stay cool for a good night’s sleep. They’re also slightly stretchy and durable, so they do cost more than most traditional cotton sheets.

How to Choose the Best Material for Bed Sheets

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What’s the best material for sheets? Determining the best fabric based on 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 asking, what is the best fabric for sheets:

Breathability.Tightly woven fabrics trap heat, which is 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: the best fabrics for bedding have better airflow which 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 just as important as any other factor when choosing the best bedding material. Synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon are filled with chemicals that harm the planet — and the people who work with them. Those chemicals can also cause people with allergies to experience more symptoms and flare-ups. 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, which is great 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.

What Are the Healthiest Sheets to Sleep On?

Of course, it’s important to consider your health when you’re searching for the best fabric for sheets. Those with allergies, people who tend to get hot at night, and anyone with skin sensitivities should stick to options made of natural fabric and organic materials like 100% organic linen or cotton. Organic fabrics are devoid of dyes, toxins, and other harsh chemicals that can make allergies and skin issues worse. Linen, organic cotton, and real bamboo are all naturally hypoallergenic, so you won’t have to worry about suffering from any adverse and potentially dangerous reactions when you go to bed.

Breathable bed sheets are another important thing to consider. Heavier materials like flannel sheets and synthetic polyester sheets tend to trap body heat, making you feel hot and sweaty throughout the night. Choose cooling sheets made of moisture wicking materials such as linen so that the sheets trap moisture from the body and “wick” it away from your skin. These sheets will prevent your body heat from increasing, so you stay cool and comfortable while enjoying a higher level of sleep quality.

What to Avoid When Buying Bed Sheets?

Here are some tips for what to avoid when you’re looking for the best material for bed sheets:

Avoid buying anything made of low quality materials like synthetic materials such as nylon or polyester, as these sheets can cause a variety of reactions including worsened allergy symptoms, night sweats, respiratory issues, and skin irritation.
Be wary of misleading marketing claims that state bedding is organic. Unless the materials undergo a stringent manufacturing process that includes strict oversight of the growing, harvesting, and processing of the materials, it’s unlikely that the sheets are actually made of only 100% natural fibers.
Not all high thread count sheets are the same. In most cases, a thread count of between 200 to 800 should be enough, and manufacturers who claim to have thread counts of 1,000 or higher could be manipulating the real numbers.
Check the care tag of your new bedding to ensure that it contains the proper care instructions. Incorrect information could cause your brand-new bed sheets to bleed, shrink, or get damaged in the wash.
Learn the red flags of low-quality bed sheets so that you can make more informed decisions and avoid the most common mistakes that many consumers make.

Benefits of Percale Bedding

Organic cotton percale is a popular crowd-pleasing fabric for bed sheets. Its one-yarn-over, one-yarn-under weave creates 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 not just safety, but also 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 and much easier to clean!

While sateen may be denser and more delicate than other weaves, it’s still much airier and more 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 cotton sateen. This wrinkle-resistant textile offers the best bedding material for indulgent folks without tons of extra time to spare. It always looks and feels perfect — and doesn’t require any special 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 its weight in moisture. Still, it dries fast, so sweaty sleepers can snooze soundly and keep cool all night. Its superior airflow means you’ll stay toasty on chilly nights too! It’s not magic — just natural 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 your needs and personal preferences. 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!