Talk Sheets to Me: Sheet Education

The average person spends 8 hours a day or up to ONE THIRD of their lifetime sleeping! That’s a lot of time spent in your sheets. Sheets matter, preferences vary, which is why we’re here to help you make the best decision for your snoozing needs.

Classic Cotton

The most popular fabric used to make sheets and bedding is Cotton. Why do people love cotton? Cotton is crisp, it’s comfortable, it’s stain resistant, and it wicks moisture away from your body as you sleep. For you cold-side of-the-pillow types, Cotton is the sheet you need to keep you cool while you sleep.

Other types of Cotton Sheets

We all have that beloved, worn-in cotton t-shirt that we practically live in and often wear to bed. With the Jersey Knit sheets, you can sleep in sheets just as soft. Think sheets as comfortable as your favorite tee minus the embarrassing sorority logo.

If warm and cozy beds are your MO then Cotton Flannel sheets may be for you.

These sheets are made with thicker cotton so they offer the same breathability, but the thicker threads make these incredibly WARM and soft! Plus, they often come in cool flannel prints and kitschy patterns— what could be better than snuggling up in a polar bear printed sheet set with a cup of cocoa on a cold winter night?

If you know you want cotton but are looking for a more affordable option, you should consider the Cotton Rich sheets. These sheets are a blend containing a mix of polyester and mostly cotton. The polyester enables the sheet to be more wrinkle resistant unlike than the classic Cotton sheet. Freedom to leave those sheets in the dryer overnight? Yes, please!

Thread Count 101

Thread count is actually the number of fibers per square inch of fabric. Contrary to popular belief, high thread count does not always indicate better quality.The higher the count, the more fibers per square inch, meaning that a 1,000 thread count sheet is much heavier than a 300 thread count sheet. What it really comes down to is personal preference and time of year. A good guide to shop by is to avoid anything less than 200 thread count as these will likely feel coarse. A 300-400 thread count sheet is typically your best bet as they’re mid-weight, luxurious and soft.

Microfiber

Microfiber sheets are composed of finely woven fibers that make for a thin, yet strong sheet that is very smooth and comfortable. They are wrinkle resistant and repel stains and water due to the tightly woven fibers. These are perfect for someone who is not looking to make an investment but wants a soft sheet at an affordable price.

Tips and tricks for shopping Microfiber Sheets

When shopping Microfiber sheets you’ll want to look for the GSM, which stands for grams per square meter. The higher the GSM, the thicker and plusher the sheet will be. The GSM of most Microfiber sheets ranges from 75-120 GSM, the standard being typically being 90 GSM. Also, a “brushed” Microfiber sheet is going to have a much softer, jersey-like feel to it than the standard Microfiber sheet.

Bamboo Rayon

Looking to try something new but still craving the softness of cotton? Feel the ultimate in softness of the Bamboo Rayon sheet, these plush and luxurious sheets will keep you comfortable all night long. Bamboo Rayon sheets are naturally hypoallergenic resisting pollen and dust mites.

Tips and tricks for shopping Bamboo Rayon Sheets

Like cotton sheets, Bamboo Rayon sheets are woven, which means you’ll want to take notice of the thread count when purchasing your sheets. The material is naturally so plush that a 200-300 thread count Bamboo Rayon sheet is going to capture that touchability of a 300-400 thread count cotton sheet.

RECAP of the three common sheet fabrics

Cotton: crisp, breathable and comes in a variety of styles (Classic Cotton, Jersey Knit, Flannel and Cotton Rich)

Microfiber: smooth and wrinkle resistant, hypoallergenic and affordable

Bamboo Rayon: luxuriously soft and hypoallergenic

Bottom Line

Now that you know the different types of sheets and the varying benefits of each, the choice is yours. Sheets are a matter of preference, so use your new-found sheet knowledge to make the choice that’s right for your sleeping needs.

June 23, 2017

Tags: 100% cotton 1000 thread count 400 thread count bamboo rayon bamboo rayon sheets cotton flannel cotton rich sheets cotton sheets differences in sheets GSM jersey knit micofiber microfiber sheets sheets sheets education

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