When it comes to shopping for bed sheets, sometimes it can be a little confusing, and at times even overwhelming. There’s so many different types of materials from Cotton to Silk to Bamboo and more, and that’s not even getting into thread counts yet. There are also health considerations to be aware of. For instance, if you suffer from allergies, it’s recommended to invest in hypoallergenic bedsheets. Here’s a quick look into different types of sheets, and a couple of their pros and cons.

Cotton

The most common, and well-known fabric for sheets is cotton. They can run the scale from inexpensive to high thread-count sheets that cost a pretty penny.

Pros

• Naturally Temperature regulating means it keeps you cool in the warmer temperatures and warm in cooler temps.
• Quality cotton sheets improve over time, becoming softer and more comfortable
• Widely available for every budget, style, size.
• Common variations like flannel (warmer) and percale (cooler) sheets are often made from cotton

Cons

• Prone to wrinkling, so it might be hassle making it look the best on your bed
• Cheaper cotton sheets can deteriorate with time, causing tearing and thinning
• Takes time to break in

Silk

Perhaps the most luxurious of any sheets (read: most expensive) is silk. While the look may not fit everyone’s style, there’s no denying the quality of a good set of silk sheets and pillowcases.

Pros

• Even better insulations properties than cotton
• Naturally hypoallergenic, meaning it resists mold, dust mites, and mildew
• Moisture absorbency helps keep skin feeling soft, actually helping achieve ‘beauty sleep’

Cons (other than price)

• Difficult to care for; It’s not recommended you machine wash them, better to do it by hand
• Feel isn’t for everyone, as some people don’t like the slippery feel
• Did we mention price yet?

Microfiber

Just a fancy word for polyester (and sometimes nylon) microfiber, this synthetic material has become a very popular material not just for bedding, but for furniture as well.

Pros

• Due to the fibers being extremely tiny (hence ‘micro’), and tightly woven, it inherently repels stains and water, making them easier to maintain than other sheets
• It holds color very well. Where colors or patterns on other materials may fade with time, microfiber really retains them, making them great for sheets with vibrant colors and designs.
• Like silk, microfiber is hypoallergenic. Unlike silk, it’s more budget-friendly.

Cons

• Very susceptible to wrinkling, and wear down over time. You’ll have to replace these more often than other types of sheets.
• Unlike natural materials, microfiber is created from petroleum waste products. This doesn’t effect your sleeping, but some people prefer to sleep with something more organic.
• They’re very static and can conduct electricity. This can cause an undesirable feeling when getting in and out of bed

Bamboo

It seems like bamboo is everywhere now, even in your bed. Bamboo sheets have become increasingly popular over the last few years. You might have not considered them before, but they’re definitely worth a look.

Pros

• Incredibly soft to the touch, even more so than cotton.
• More breathable, allowing heat to escape and keeping you from being too warm at night.
• Naturally hypoallergenic and moisture reducing, limiting your exposure to dust mites and mildew.
• More durable than sheets of any other material, staying true to bamboo characteristics

Cons

• As with any new trend or style, bamboo sheets tend to be pricier than other types of sheets (other than silk)
• There are wide quality gaps in bamboo sheets, a cheaper set may have been made with chemicals that can minimize it’s benefits.

There you have it; a few of the different types of sheets you can buy along with some of their pros and cons. Hopefully, this will help you make an informed decision on something that really impacts your quality of sleep.

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Natasha