Who knew shopping for new bed sheets could be so difficult? However, choosing from the many materials and variants of each can be challenging. White cotton sheets are no longer the only option available. You can find anything from synthetic to organic, from cotton to bamboo, on the market right now. Is it true that organically made bedding is superior to conventionally made organic bedding sets? Longer lasting? Healthier? So much information! But have no fear, for we shall lead you. First, we’ll go over some of the common materials used to make sheets, and then we’ll talk about why organic sheets are the best option.
Bedding Fabrics
Let’s start with the many materials from which sheets can be crafted. The following materials may appear in your sheets, but keep in mind that many sheets are offered as blends of multiple fabrics. As a result, you’ll have a firmer grasp on why organic sheet sets are preferable to conventional ones.
Cotton
Cotton is by far the most widely used material for bed linens due to its many desirable qualities, including its affordability, softness, durability, and ease of care. There are a variety of cotton fabrics available, even within this broad category.
Egyptian
Egyptian cotton sheets are the softest and highest quality sheets you can buy, and they also happen to be the most expensive. These sheets are made from cotton that was grown in the warm, dry climates of North Africa, and its extra-long fibers make for a luxuriously smooth and soft fabric.
Pima
Cotton grown in the southwestern United States produces the medium- to extra-long fibers used to make Pima cotton. The fabric is prized for its natural softness and shimmer. Pima is a registered trademark for fibers and fabrics made entirely of American Pima cotton.
MicroCotton
Another trademarked cotton brand, this time identifying an exceptionally fine cotton thread created in India. The fabric’s long-staple cotton fibers make it not only strong but also very soft and absorbent.
Linen
Natural fibers from the flax plant are known for their longevity, and linen is no exception. Europe, and more specifically Belgium, is where you’ll find the highest quality linen because of the country’s ideal climate and rich soil for growing sturdy, aesthetically pleasing flax. The thicker nature of linen’s fibers means that a lower thread count is required to produce a high-quality, long-lasting linen fabric.
Flannel
Flannel, a well-known fabric, is made from cotton that has been combed to make the fibers fluffy. This creates the famously warm nap of flannel, which helps to trap the wearer’s body heat. When comparing the quality of flannel to that of other bedding materials, ounces per square yard are used instead of thread count.
Silk
Silk is a famously luxurious fabric made from a silkworm’s cocoon. Genuine silk sheets are naturally hypoallergenic and will keep you cool and comfortable. Unfortunately, due to the delicate nature of silk fibers, it is both expensive and time-consuming to care for.
Polyester
Polyester is a manmade fiber that is created from the same polymers used to create plastic water bottles. If polyester is the only thread used, the resulting sheets can be stiff and scratchy. As a result, it is frequently blended with a more affordable fabric like cotton to create low-priced sheet sets. Microfiber is sometimes sold as a very finely woven polyester that can be very soft but does not provide the same breathability as cotton. However, they hold up well and don’t show stains easily.
Bamboo
Sheets labeled as “bamboo” are typically made of rayon, which is what results from a chemical process applied to bamboo pulp. After the pulp has been dissolved and resolidified, it is spun into a thread. Manufacturers’ claims of bamboo sheets’ eco-friendliness are often exaggerated, as the production process often involves the use of harmful chemicals and can be taxing on the environment. It’s not as breathable as cotton, but the resulting fabric is incredibly smooth, soft, and long-lasting. Although bamboo can be woven into cloth without the use of chemicals, the resulting fabric is typically quite rigid and coarse.
It’s important to remember that the weave of a set of sheets can affect its feel just as much as the fabric it’s made from when you’re shopping for a new set. It can also affect the price and how long the organic bed sheets UK last. A plain weave, which uses an equal number of vertical and horizontal yarns, is the most affordable option, while percale, which uses a thread count of 180 or higher and is known for its durability and crisp feel, is among the most luxurious. However, sateen weaves feature more vertical than horizontal yarns, making for a very soft fabric that is also easily pilled and torn because of its fragility.
