How to Choose New Bed Sheets

If you’ve taken a gander at new bed sheets recently, either online or in a store, you’ve pry realized the profuse number of options available. There’s a chance you have more questions than answers... Do you need cotton or linen? Bamboo or sateen? What does thread count matter? What does weave have to do with it? With so many different bed sheet materials and options, it’s easy to get confused or overwhelmed. So here is where you start when you want to buy new bed sheets: this handy guide will cover the basics of buying sheets to remove the confusion.

First, keep in mind that the best sheets will depend on what you're looking for personally as a sleeper. For example, if you suffer from sleep heat or get hot a lot during the night, organic cotton, linen or bamboo will work best because they're lightweight and wick away moisture, including sweat, from your body as you sleep. Cold sleepers, alternatively, may find the most comfort with flannel, cashmere or microfiber bed sheets to keep comfy and warm.

Here are things to look at before you buy new sheets:

Size

Make sure the sheets are the same size as your mattress, including its thickness. Standard sheets fit most mattresses, but thicker mattresses may need deep pocket sheets. Keep in mind that standard size bed sheets (i.e. queen and king) don't account for the depth of your mattress. So if you use a mattress topper, for example, be sure to measure your mattress before you purchase any sheets.

Materials

There are a variety of materials to choose from when you’re looking at bed sheets. Cotton is a popular choice because it's soft, durable, and breathable. Egyptian cotton is considered top-of-the-line because its long fibers produce thinner, stronger yarns. Other materials include linen, flannel, bamboo and bamboo blends, and polyester. Breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics like lightweight cotton percale, breathable TENCEL™ Lyocell, cooling rayon made from bamboo blends, or airy linen keep you cool and comfy all night long.

1. Cotton: Consumers love cotton because it’s breathable, durable and easy to care for. There are different types of cotton sheets, including but not limited to organic cotton, Egyptian cotton and Pima cotton. Try the TENCEL™ Modal sheets, which are blended with luxurious long-staple cotton for extra cozy comfort, if you’re interested in cotton sheets.

2. Bamboo: Bamboo sheets, like Purecare’s Bamboo Rayon Sheets, are exceedingly soft and offer excellent breathability. Consumers love bamboo because it’s hypoallergenic, wicks away moisture from the skin, and is extra gentle on sensitive skin. Generally, bamboo rayon sheets are machine washable.

3. Linen: Linen bed sheets have many benefits. Linen is naturally temperature-regulating, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer. Due to linen's excellent heat conductivity and breathability, it can direct heat away from the body in warmer weather. Linen is breathable, durable, and hypoallergenic as well.

4. Flannel: Flannel sheets can be a good choice because they are soft, cozy, and help you stay warm. Flannel is made from brushed, woven threads that are napped, or brushed after weaving, to create a fuzzy texture. The fuzzy fibers trap air, creating warm pockets of insulation that can be comforting against your skin. Flannel is also breathable, though it's generally warmer than cotton sheets.

5. TENCEL™ Lyocell: Naturally resistant to moisture, these sheets feel silky smooth on the skin. One of TENCEL™ fiber’s greatest strengths is that they have exceptional thermoregulating and breathable properties. This microfiber makes TENCEL™ bedding sheets feel cooler to the touch. They’re also renowned for being more wrinkle-resistant than other fabrics. Try Purecare’s Refreshing TENCEL™ Lyocell Sheets, which retail for $240.

6. Silk: Silk is a natural fiber that offers exceptional ventilation. The structure of the silk fiber promotes air circulation, keeping silk sheets dry and cool. Silk's temperature-regulating properties make silk fitted sheets popular, especially as the temperature soars. Silk is breathable, hydrating, hypoallergenic, and minimizes sleep wrinkles. Silk pillowcases are especially beneficial for your hair and skin.

7. Microfiber: Microfiber sheets can be a good choice for bedding because they are soft, breathable, and durable. They are also hypoallergenic, wrinkle-resistant, and stain resistant. Microfiber sheets are made from synthetic fibers like nylon, polyester, and wood pulp, and they can be a good choice for people who sleep hot, have sensitive skin, or have eczema.

Thread count

Thread count is another thing to pay attention to when sheet-shopping. It refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads per square inch, which affects the sheet's softness and how well it wears. Generally, higher thread counts are better, but some say thread count isn't always an indicator of quality. A higher count generally means softer sheets. A count of 200–300 can indicate good quality, while 300–500 can provide a balance of breathability and a smooth feel. However, sheets with very high thread counts might not be ideal for everyday use. A good rule of thumb is 200–300 for percale sheets, 300–600 for sateen sheets, and 80–120 for linen sheets.

Weave

Weave refers to the feel of a sheet and the general rule of thumb is that looser weaves will make the sheets feel lighter. Different weaves are available with the primary options being percale and sateen. Percale is a basic weave that feels light and crisp; sateen is a satin weave and feels silky smooth. Percale is sometimes called a plain weave and is a one yarn over, one yarn under weave. The sateen weave is known for being silky, smooth and shiny.

A good set of sheets for a queen-size bed should cost around $100 to $275. They should have a thread count between 200 and 400 and should be made from long-staple fibers. However, the cost of quality sheets can vary depending on material, brand, and size. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that a high thread count is all you need for nice sheets! Take all the factors above into consideration when buying new bed sheets and you’ll be happy with your purchase.

Need help choosing bed sheets? Stop into Sleep Architecture Mattress Store anytime to consult with a sleep architect or view our selection of bed sheets at www.sleeparchitecturemattress.com/products.