What Materials Are Best For Sheets?

By now, everyone knows that the right mattress is essential to making sure you get the best night’s sleep possible. But, did you know your bedding can have a pretty big impact on your sleep, too?

There’s more to selecting sheets than picking the perfect pattern or color. The wrong material could mean the difference between sleeping comfortably and waking up covered in sweat.

Yuck.

There are so many opinions on what the right materials are that it can quickly go from confusing to intimidating in the blink of an eye.

We’ve put together our list of the best natural materials for your sheets to help clear up a little of the fog.

Cotton Sheets

There’s a reason cotton is one of the most well-loved materials out there. It’s breathable, flexible, and versatile.

What is the Best Type of Cotton for Bed Sheets?

You’re probably heard of Egyptian cotton. But Upland cotton and Pima cotton are also commonly used for bedding.

Upland cotton is the most widely available and affordable cotton. Chances are, if your cotton sheets aren’t labeled as Egyptian or Pima, they’re made of Upland cotton. 

Egyptian and Pima cotton are higher-end materials made from longer cotton fibers which are softer and more flexible ― ideal for bedsheets ― as opposed to the shorter, sometimes rougher fibers of Upland cotton. 

The main difference between Egyptian and Pima is where they’re grown. Egyptian cotton is (surprise!) grown in Egypt. Pima is grown in Southwestern States in North America, like Arizona. 

When shopping for cotton sheets, seek out organic cotton, if possible. Organic cotton is better for you, for farmers, and for the planet!

Pros:

• Affordable for most budgets
• Comes in many varieties
• Great year-round material
• Widely available

Cons:

• Can get expensive. Egyptian cotton can sell for hundreds ― sometimes thousands ― of dollars

• It can be hard to be sure you’re getting the kind of cotton you want. Unless a label says Egyptian or Pima, assume you’re getting Upland cotton

Sateen Sheets

Do you know that saying: “all Bourbon is Whiskey, but not all Whiskey is Bourbon”? That’s Sateen. 

But with fabric.

Sateen is a special method of weaving cotton. Woven like (you guessed it) satin, Sateen sheets are soft, smooth, and have a luxurious weight to them like satin, but have the strength and versatility of cotton. Plus, Sateen is resistant to mold, mildew, and dust mites, making it hypoallergenic ― just like silk.

Sateen cotton is tightly woven to keep you warm and cozy during the winter, yet light and airy to cool you down in the summer.

Try our SmartHouse Collections Organic Cotton Sateen Sheets to experience the luxurious, silky smooth feel of sateen for yourself!

Pros:

• Lustrous, luxurious sheen
• Hypoallergenic
• More durable than silk 
• Machine washable - easy to clean/ care for

Cons:

• Not completely wrinkle free
• Price can vary, ranging from affordable to higher price

Silk Sheets

You already know that silk is smooth, sleek, and slinky on the skin. 

But did you know that silk is regarded by many to be the strongest natural fabric on the planet?

Many beauty experts recommend that you use a silk pillowcase to keep your hair from getting frizzy or to avoid having all that night cream absorbed by “lesser” fabrics, leaving you feeling like a dried-up husk.

Silk is naturally resistant to common allergens like mold and dust mites, making it a safe bet for even the most sensitive skin.

Pros:

• Strong
• Flexible
• Hypoallergenic

Cons:

• Expensive. Even lower-grade silk can be more costly than even Egyptian cotton.
• Silk can wrinkle fairly easily and requires more gentle care.

Linen Sheets

Made from reed-like flax, linen is one of the stronger fibers out there. Not quite as strong as silk, but a close second. It’s more breathable than most materials due to its “crisp” feel. 

There’s a reason you like to wear linen in the summer!

It starts out on the stiffer side and after a few weeks of use and a few washes, it becomes beautifully soft and supple. It’s this crispness that makes it so breathable, allowing air to circulate around you while you sleep.

Linen is more absorbent than cotton, so making sure that you’re going to bed clean and sweat-free is a must or you might find yourself doing laundry more often than you like. On the bright side, greater absorbency could be a great thing if you suffer from night sweats!

Pros: 

• Very breathable
• Lightweight
• Perfect for warmer months, but heavy enough for winter

Cons: 

• Can be expensive, especially if you go for Belgian varieties
• Wrinkles easily
• Cheaper linen can stay stiff and feel scratchy

Which Material is Best for Your Sheets?

In our opinion, the best materials for bed sheets come from natural materials like cotton, sateen, silk, and linen. But the best sheets are the ones that you love - so try out some different (natural and organic) materials and find the perfect set of sheets just for you.

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