How to Select the Best Bed Sheet?

More often than not, people relate a good night’s sleep to a good mattress. The perception is that the body rests directly on the mattress during sleep. Thus their focus is on the quality and structure of the mattress. However, this is just half the story. The other half is a good bed sheet.

It is wrong to think that our body rests directly on the mattress when we sleep. We forget that there is an in-between layer that separates the mattress from our body. That layer is the bed sheet. Our body and skin is in touch with the sheet, not the mattress. Thus, it should matter as much as the mattress. We also have pillows. In fact, we spend one-third of our lives resting our head on a pillow. Which is why I equate good pillows with good sleep, as much as I do with a good sheet.

The importance of good bed sheets for a good sleep cannot be downplayed or ignored. There are vital considerations to buying the right bed sheet.

Why and When to Change Bed Sheets?

We literally ‘wear’ the bed sheet while we sleep. Like our clothes during the daytime, it is in close contact with our skin at night. And that’s for a good seven to 8 hours out of the 24! Hence, we should buy our bed sheets as carefully as we buy our clothes. The bed sheet should be made from high grade natural or synthetic fibers and free of allergens. It should offer comfort and smoothness. It should allow the skin to breathe. Nonetheless, it should have a refined look and an excellent finish.

Like our clothes, the bed sheet too faces the wear-and-tear from regular use:

The fabric’s surface withers from friction with the skin and weather elementsA regular wash with detergents damages the fabricIt also fades the fabric and makes it look dull and lifelessThe bed sheet absorbs dirt and sweat from the bodyFallen hair and dandruff collect over itDead skin cells are deposited on the bed sheet

As a result, the bed sheet not only withers but also becomes unhygienic for use after a certain time.

That’s why and when one needs to go shopping for new bed sheets at regular intervals.

Most manufacturers offer e-commerce experiences these days. Many also offer online as well as an offline purchase at their brick-and-mortar stores. Whatever be your shopping preference, you are sure to get spoilt for choice.

But there is a difference between choice and right choice. Below, I provide a break-down of what goes into the making of a good bed sheet. I have already reviewed a couple of sheets for you; you can check out those sheet reviews if you wish.

What to Look for in A Good Bed Sheet?

There are multiple factors at play, beginning with raw materials and their sourcing. Then, there is technology and the manufacturing process. Coming to product specifications, there is the fabric structure, the luster, and the aesthetics. All of it together makes a great sheet.

Which Are the Best Raw Materials for Bed Sheets?

There are two types of materials from which bed sheets are made – cotton, and a blend of cotton and synthetic fiber.

Different Types of Cotton Used for Making Sheets

There is cotton, and, cotton. Some commonly used cotton types for bed sheets are:

100% Egyptian cotton – this is the ‘elite’ league of cotton, the best in the world. It offers unmatched strength and fiber length. Egyptian cotton is very skin-friendly and gives comfort, coziness, and excellent breathability. The world’s best bed sheets are made from Egyptian cotton.100% Pima Cotton – It is also known as Supima cotton. It is the second-best cotton and goes into the making of several luxury bed sheet brands. Supima is almost twice as strong as standard cotton. It is light-weight yet durable, and once can breathe easy with it.Upland cotton – It has medium-to-short staples. It is the functional material with average to below-average counts on fiber-length, smoothness, and longevity.

Cotton-Polyester Blend

These materials come in a combination of cotton and synthetic materials. A good example is a cotton-polyester blend. A combination that has between 90% and 70% cotton makes a good utility bed sheet. Its qualities are durability, affordability, and good surface characteristics such as softness and wrinkle resistance.

Polyester

Bed sheets made from polyester are made to last. Apart from offering excellent durability, they are water and stain resistant, shrink-resistant, and are easier to care for.

Tencel

Also known as Lyocell, this is a naturally regenerated material obtained from wood cellulose. It is ideal for responsible shoppers who prefer environment-friendly and sustainable materials. Tencel shrinks less, is smooth, and offers good breathability. It is also long-lasting.

These are the different materials from which your favorite bed sheet is made.

What Are the Different Types of Bed Sheets?

Apart from the mainstream woven bed sheet, you will encounter several other types in the market – knitted, rayon, flannel, microfiber, and linen. Below is a brief exposure to each type.

Knit Bed Sheets

Knit bed sheets are manufactured from pure cotton as well as blended materials. They give that additional warm and pampering feeling that knitted fabrics and yarns are associated with. This is due to the 4-directional stretch that the knit fabrics offer. Because of their extra warmth, knit bed sheets are the winter favorites of many consumers.

Interestingly, the density of knitted bed sheets is measured in weight per square yard. This is in contrast to the thread-per-count measurement of woven bed sheets. I will review both these measurement matrixes separately in another section.

Rayon Bed Sheets

Rayon is derived from chemically treated bamboo fibers. Being a natural material, it enjoys the patronage of conservationists and environmentalists.

Rayon is very adaptive. It can be made to feel like silk, cotton, or even wool. Hence, rayon bed sheets appeal to a wide range of buyers. The best part is that rayon that is a silk-lookalike is not as expensive!

Apart from this versatility, rayon bed sheets also offer the following unique features:

It regulates the body temperature. This phenomenon can be best understood when we compare a rayon bed sheet with an air conditioner. Lying on a rayon sheet, a person’s body temperature adapts to the ambient temperature.Rayon is an absorbent material. Hence, these bed sheets suck out excess body moisture or the dampness around the bed.Rayon can be easily dyed with almost any color.

Flannel Bed Sheets

This material is a symbol of warmth and coziness. On bitterly cold nights, a flannel bed sheet is warm and inviting for a tired body and mind. Its soft and slightly cushiony feel invites peaceful sleep.

Flannel can be made from various materials – wool, cotton, blended, or synthetic materials. Being a woven fabric, flannel is long-lasting.

Microfiber

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