Bedding materials: why is it important, and which to choose?
We understand how hard it can be to find the bedding of your dreams. Let’s be honest… It sometimes becomes like an algorithm.
(Thread count + Weave) x Material = Quality of bedding.
We just made this imaginary algorithm up, but there is a little sense of truth to it… In fact, there are three main factors to consider when you look for quality bed linen – thread count, weave, and material. From the three, material will have the highest significance.
So, why is the material you choose so important? And most specifically, what material to choose to get quality bedding?
The material used in your bed linen will impact breathability, the capacity to absorb moisture, and the comfort of your duvet set and sheets. Not only this, but it also influences heat retention and cooling properties, as well as have a role in your skin health. Below we will give explanations of some of the main materials used in bedding to help you decide on what’s best for you.
Cotton
Cotton is an all-time favourite because it is breathable, moisture-wicking, healthy for your skin and easy to care for. It can also be treated in various ways, such as brushed for a super soft feeling with heat retention proprieties – perfect for cold winters. Although it is a flexible material to work with, it uses more resources to be grown as it is a natural fibre, which is why selecting durable cotton products is essential to minimise textile wastage. This of course comes at a higher purchase price, but in the long run, it will have a much higher value for money than lower quality products.
Polyester
Polyester is often used in bed linen as it is cheap material and makes it more affordable for both buyer and seller. It is one of the easiest to care for, but it also lacks in quality compared to all other materials. Polyester, either by itself or blended with cotton (polycotton) tends to trap heat without the capacity to absorb moisture. Aside from the promise of a stuffy night, it is also likely to irritate sensitive skin, due to it being a synthetic fabric. Many fluffy bedding products are made with polyester (such as teddy bedding), making them very soft and comfortable at first. Nevertheless, the material degrades after only a few washes and is more prone to rapid textile wastage.
Linen
Linen has become very popular in recent years, despite its higher price. It is a material that is both durable and breathable and will help you keep cool on summer nights. Although the material itself is one of the roughest at first touch, it does tend to improve in softness after washes. It is also easy to care for, with its naturally wrinkly look, and is one of the more sustainable materials.
Eucalyptus
This material is not new, but it has been opted for more recently as people search for higher quality bedding and more sustainable options. Eucalyptus is sustainable thanks to its durability and has a wonderfully airy feeling to it. It also has a cooling capacity along with good breathability, making it perfect for hot nights. The downside is that it is not as affordable and trickier to care for compared to other materials.
Silk
Silk has become the go-to for people who prioritise their skin and hair health. The material makes for a super smooth and soft fabric, which is also hypo allergenic. It has a natural shine to it that can give a more luxurious look to your bedding. However, it is also highly priced and if you’re not a fan of the wrinkled look, silk sheets are not the right choice for you. Although silk sheets use a lot of resources to be produced, they are usually very durable, helping to avoid textile wastage.
There are always pros and cons for all materials, and we have only mentioned the basics above. Within each material type, there are different variants. For cotton, these would be organic cotton and Egyptian cotton, which have benefits and downsides of their own. What is also good to keep in mind is where the product is made - this will have an impact on quality and durability through the skill of craftsmanship.
The most important is for you to determine what your top goals are for your bedding. The choice of natural fabrics over synthetics will be advantageous for healthier sleep. However, it can be complicated when you are looking for a specific style, on top of your chosen material and quality.
At HolyCosy, we value quality, comfort, and style, for the perfectly balanced bedding. Browse our range for high quality duvet covers, fitted sheets and pillowcases made in Portugal with 100% cotton.
