As comfortable as your Orange County mattress may be, getting the best quality sleep goes way beyond just a good mattress. In fact, your sheets also play a huge role in how well you sleep. This is because not all sheets are created equal- different fabrics can either take away or add to your sleep quality. Because of this, it’s important that you understand the differences in sheets and how these fabrics can impact your sleep. Read below to learn all about the most popular sheet materials on the market so you can pick the best option for you.
Cotton
Cotton is probably one of the most common bedding fabrics you’ll find. It’s praised for its durability, general affordability, breathability, softness, and easy care instructions. However, cotton is a broad fabric category. There are various types of cotton sheets that range in durability, price point, and softness. Here are some of the more popular ones:
- American upland- American upland offers an incredibly affordable price point. While inexpensive, American upland is still highly durable, making it a classic favorite for many households. However, one of the biggest issues people have is that it’s quite rough and lacks that luxuriously soft feeling many want their beds to have.
- Egyptian cotton- Egyptian cotton is often thought of as one of the most luxurious sheets money can buy. And for good reason! Of all the cotton sheets, Egyptian cotton is the most durable, breathable, and soft. Of course, sheets this amazing comes with a stipulation: they can get quite high in price. Overall, Egyptian cotton will be the best option for those who are willing to splurge on their bedding for that extra boost of comfort and quality.
- Pima cotton- In terms of price, durability, quality, and softness, Pima cotton sheets land somewhere in the middle between Egyptian and American upland. That makes Pima cotton the best choice for people who want butter soft sheets and great quality without sacrificing their wallets.
- Flannel- Flannel is the ultimate wintertime sheet material. Its ability to trap body heat means it can keep sleepers toasty warm on even the coldest nights. Not to mention, the flannel is super soft! Unfortunately, since flannel does such a good job at keeping you warm, this might not be the best option for those who overheat easily in their sleep.
- Percale- Opposite of flannel on a scale of temperature is percale. Percale is very lightweight and breathable, leaving the material with a very cool texture. Because of this, percale is best suited for those who prefer to sleep in a cooler environment.
Polyester
Like cotton, polyester is a broad category for more specific types of fabric. Two of these are nylon and microfiber. In general, the two are similar in that they are both synthetic manmade fibers that make for an inexpensive yet durable and soft set of sheets. On the downside, microfiber isn’t breathable, so it isn’t the best choice for those hot summer nights, and nylon isn’t the easiest to care for in terms of washing and drying.
Silk
If you’re looking for pure luxury for your mattress, silk sheets are the way to go. This fabric feels so unlike anything else on this list- they’re butter smooth, cool, and soft to the touch. It’s also hypoallergenic, so if you suffer from allergies keeping you up at night, silk sheets may be able to subside some of those symptoms so sleep comes easier to you. On the downside, silk sheets are less durable, more difficult to care for, and are incredibly expensive.
Linen
Linen can best be described as a thick fabric, almost bordering on the side of a quilt like texture. Given that it is so thick, linen is a popular favorite for parents with small children who need all the extra durability they can get! This fabric also doesn’t have any particular heating or cooling properties, but it is quite breathable, so it can comfortably be used during any season.
And there you have it- a quick rundown of the most common bedding materials. Use this list the next time you’re in the market for a new set of sheets to find the perfect set for you!