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Our beds are one of the most important places in our home. They allow us to rejuvenate after a long day, bring us comfort when we are ill, and are the center focal point of our bedroom. The sheets we choose for our beds influence both the look and the feel of our beds. If you are looking to buy new bed sheets in Canada, we have all the information you need to make the perfect purchase that will improve your comfort.

What To Consider Before Shopping For Bed Sheets in Canada

What To Think About Before Shopping For Bed Sheets in Canada

Before you shop for sheets it is worth taking some time to picture your perfect bedroom appearance and sleeping style.

  • What temperature do you like to be when you sleep?

If you prefer a warm and cozy bed or a cool and refreshing place to slumber, it will make a difference in what bed sheet material is best for you. Thread count can also influence the breathability of your sheets and whether you tend to have a warmer or cooler sleeping experience.

  • Does your room have a certain aesthetic or visual appearance that you want to maintain?

Not only will this influence the colour or pattern of the sheets you shop for, but it could also help determine what materials you should consider. Sheets that are made of satin have a luxurious glossy appearance, percale sheets create crisp smooth surfaces, and the texture of flannel can give a room a sense of warmth.

  • Do you have allergies or skin that is easily irritated by certain textures or other environmental factors?

Today’s bed sheet selection in Canada has enough variety that those with sensitive skin should be able to find sheets made from hypoallergenic materials such as bamboo or Tencel. If rough materials irritate your skin, lean towards extra soft options such as Egyptian cotton.

Taking time to think about your perfect sleep space will help you in your search for the best sheets in Canada at your local Canadian retailer.

The Importance Of Thread Count

Thread count tells someone the number of vertical and horizontal threads a sheet has per every square inch of material. Many consumers believe that picking out the best Canadian bed sheets is as simple as choosing the highest thread count available. However, experts know this isn’t exactly true.

Sheets with a very low thread count, less than 200, may feel rough and scratchy against your skin. On the other hand, sheets with extremely high thread counts, higher than 600, can become heavy and prevent air from circulating well through the sheet.

If you are looking for an ideal thread count, material experts say you should hunt for sheets with a thread count between 200 – 300. This count is high enough to provide plenty of threads for softness without creating a sheet so dense it becomes heavy and uncomfortable.

Picking The Right Bed Sheet Fabric in Canada

Picking The Right Bed Sheet Fabric in Canada

Bed sheets can be made from almost any material, but not all materials are created equal. The material you choose will influence the texture, durability, sleeping temperature, and overall look of your bed.

The way a sheet feels and functions have mostly to do with the weave and type of fibers used to make the sheet. Knowing the ins and outs of common bed sheet materials can make selecting the right sheet set easier for you.

100% Cotton Sheets

Bed sheets that are labelled as 100% cotton are made from short-grain cotton that is grown in many places around the world. It is a multi-purpose and easy-to-find fiber that can be woven in many different ways. 100% cotton sheets are a traditional sheet style that is chosen for their moisture-wicking properties, ease of cleaning, and durability.

Egyptian Cotton Sheets

Egyptian cotton is a long-grain cotton that is also highly durable. Where regular cotton sheets may pill or fuzz after a few washings, Egyptian cotton sheets should stand the test of time remaining soft and smooth.

Egyptian cotton sheets are softer to the touch and lighter overall. If you are someone who regularly overheats when sleeping, sheets made from Egyptian cotton can help keep you cooler than regular cotton sheets. Egyptian cotton sheets can be purchased in Canada and are a great step up from traditional cotton options.

Satin Bed Sheets

Satin is extremely smooth, cool to the touch, and has a luxurious appearance. If you like to moisturize or use other beauty creams before bed, satin sheets and pillowcases are a great option. Satin does not wick away moisture in the same way cotton does which means that your lotions will stay on your skin and off your bed.

If you want a sheet set that is visually stunning and silky to the touch, consider purchasing satin sheets for your bed. Do keep in mind that satin isn’t the most durable option for sheets and may be prone to showing signs of wear if not properly cared for. Many satin sheets are also not washer-safe and need to be dry-cleaned when dirty.

Polyester Bed Sheets

Polyester is a synthetic or man-made fiber commonly used in bed linens. It is an affordable option for many consumers that comes in a wide variety of colours and prints to match the visual aspect of any room. Polyester bed sheets are some of the easiest to care for as they are lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, and easy to wash and dry at home. Polyester makes having affordable, comfortable, and functional sheets a possibility for everyone.

Flannel Bed Sheets

Flannel sheets in Canada can help keep everyone warm on cold winter nights. Flannel is one of the warmest materials for making sheets and is very durable. Flannel comes in a wide range of colours and patterns and is also one of the easiest bed sheet materials to care for. Because flannel can shrink when washed and dried, we suggest purchasing flannel blend sheets that contain small amounts of other fibers to help prevent this problem.

When shopping for flannel sheets you will not typically find a thread count as you would with other sheet options. Instead, flannel is measured by weight. The grams per square meter can be used to assess the quality of the flannel sheets you are purchasing. To get the best quality flannel sheets you will want sheets with at least 170 grams per square meter.

Silk Bed Sheets

If you are on the search for a luxurious bed sheet that is perfect for all seasons and temperatures, silk bed sheets are your answer. Silk is a natural fiber with good durability and a silky smooth texture. It absorbs moisture and pairs well with blankets to keep you warm and dry during the winter while keeping you cool on its own in the summer.

Silk has several varieties, the most common of which is Charmeuse silk – a lightweight silk that is glossy on the top side and has a matte finish on the bottom. This silk is purposely farmed from silkworms and is a great first silk for those new to the fabric. For the highest-end silk sheets, you will want to purchase Mulberry silk, a silk that comes from silkworms fed a special diet of mulberry leaves to create a silk that is the smoothest and strongest anywhere in the world.

Linen Bed Sheets

Linen sheets provide a crisp, durable alternative to cotton sheets. Linen is made from the fiber of the flax plant. It is self-cooling with long grain fibers that wick moisture and allow for air to breathe through the material. Linen sheets are a great option for those with allergies as they create little to no lint and are anti-microbial. It’s worth noting that linen sheets are a touch heavier in feel than cotton sheets and may start a bit stiff, but do soften after the first few washes.

Bamboo or Tencel Sheets

Bamboo sheets and Tencel (Eucalyptus) sheets are both plant-based fibers that are a good alternative to cotton sheets. These sheets are a top choice for those who have sensitive skin or allergies. They are lightweight and breathable like cotton but have been proven to be less irritating to skin conditions. Bamboo is hypoallergenic and can keep away dust mites that prefer warmer conditions. For those wanting an eco-friendly option bamboo and Tencel are both great choices.

Percale Bed Sheets

Percale bed sheets are named for the weave of the fabrics that bind the sheet threads together. Percale sheets are often made from cotton fibres and are put together in a traditional criss-cross pattern and are the sheets many people imagine when they picture a bed with fresh sheets ready to host a guest.

Percale sheets are a bit stiffer than the other sheet options on this list but make crisp smooth edges for a well-made bed. They are a great option for those who want to have one sheet type all year round as they do a good job of regulating temperature without being too cold or hot and are appropriate for any season. Percale sheets are durable, easy to wash, and able to be found at a wide variety of price points.

Sateen Bed Sheets

It is certainly easy to confuse the terms satin and sateen when talking about bed sheets but these are two different materials. Sateen sheets are made from a spun yarn blend that is loosely woven together. They are sleek and eye-catching but not as shiny as satin.

When it comes to durability, sateen sheets fall in the middle of the pack by being more durable than satin but not as strong as percale or flannel. The biggest perk of sateen sheets, when compared to satin, is that sateen is machine washable, while many satin sheets are only safe to be cleaned by a dry cleaner.

Find The Right Canadian Bed Sheet Size

Find The Right Canadian Bed Sheet Size

As you might predict, bed sheet sizing aligns closely with the standard bed sizes of twin, full, queen, and king. You can also find smaller sheets for toddler beds or cribs and extra large beds such as the California King.

The exact dimensions of your sheets will depend on whether the sheet you are purchasing is a fitted sheet that is designed to wrap tightly around your mattress or a flat sheet.

Fitted sheets often have elastic trim encased in sheet material that helps them stay in place on your bed. These sheets wrap around the mattress, serving two jobs, protecting your mattress and creating a more comfortable sleeping surface for you. Most fitted sheets have a pocket/depth measurement between 14″ – 17″ to help the sheet reach around the sides of the mattress.

Flat sheets are usually larger than fitted sheets because they are designed to act as a layer of cover between you and your blanket, quilt, or comforter. They need to be able to wrap around your bed and have enough room for you to fit comfortably between the sheet and bed when you sleep. Flat sheets do not have elastic edges and often have a more decorative top edge that adds a polished touch to beds when the covers are pulled back.

For reference, the standard sheet sizes for most bed sheets in Canada are:

  • Twin

    • Flat: 183 x 257 cm (72″ x 101″)
    • Fitted: 99 x 190 cm (39″ x 75″)
  • Full

    • Flat: 218 x 257 cm (86″ x 101″)
    • Fitted: 138 x 190 cm (54″ x 75″)
  • Queen

    • Flat: 244 x 269 cm (96″ x 106″)
    • Fitted: 152 x 203 cm (60″ x 80″)
  • King

    • Flat: 279 x 269 cm (110″ x 106″)
    • Fitted: 198 x 203 cm (78″ x 80″)

If you want to be certain of a sheet’s size most packaging is labelled with both the standard bed size the sheet is designed for and an exact measurement in both metric and imperial measurements.

How Bed Sheets Are Packaged For Purchase in Canada

How Bed Sheets Are Packaged For Purchase in Canada

In stores, bed sheets in Canada are often sold as sets that may include a blend of flat and fitted sheets, matching pillowcases, and sometimes comforters or blankets. Some stores will also sell individual flat or fitted sheets. Knowing what to expect from each packaging option can help you get exactly what you need to make your bedding set complete.

Comforter Sets

Knowing that many people enjoy having sheets that closely match their bed’s comforter in colour and style, sheets are often sold as part of a set that includes a comforter. Comforter is the term for the heavy outer blanket on a bed. Comforter sets are sometimes labelled as a ‘bed in a bag’ or ‘all-in-one’ bed set.

A typical comforter set will include a fitted sheet, flat sheet, pillowcases, and comforter that are styled to go together visually and are all one-bed size. Oftentimes the comforter will have a pattern or other decorative design while the sheets are a solid colour that matches one of the comforter colours.

Comforter sets are great for someone who wants to be able to quickly set up and prepare a room without having to shop for a mix of items. Because so many people purchase sheets as part of comforter sets, they are easy to find locally in most locations and often come in a wide array of coordinated colours and patterns.

Multi-Sheet Sets

If you already have a quilt or comforter that you love but your sheets need an upgrade, you should have no problem finding a complete sheet set locally. Sheet sets are packaged together to include a coordinating fitted sheet, flat sheet (sometimes two), and 2 – 4 pillowcases. Sheet sets will not include a heavy blanket or comforter.

Many people will buy a comforter set and then an additional sheet set to keep on hand for when one is being laundered. Sheet sets are also a good option for those who like to change their sheets seasonally with a warm set such as flannel in the winter and a cooler sheet set made from something such as bamboo in the summer.

Purchasing Single Sheets

For those who need to replace one part of their bedding or who want to blend sheet types, sheets can often be purchased as single items. Purchasing individual sheets is usually more costly than buying sheets as a set if you need to outfit an entire bed but can be helpful if one sheet tears or you want to try a different material for your flat or fitted sheets.

By taking into consideration your perfect sleep setting, exploring the available fabric fibers and weaves, and knowing the dimensions of your bed, you can quickly and easily find the best bed sheets that will help give you a sound night of sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bed Sheets in Canada

Bed sheets in Canada are best washed on the hottest water the fabric can handle. Washing sheets in hot water helps to disinfect the sheets and can cut back on dust mites and other build-ups that can gather on sheets over time. A mild detergent will help clean sheets while protecting the integrity of the fabric.

Most sheets can dry by being hung or tumble-dried on low in an electric dryer. White sheets can benefit from being dried in the sun which can lighten stains on the fabric. Coloured sheets can lighten and lose the vibrance of their hues if left to hang in the direct sun

If you have silk or satin sheets, a dry cleaner is likely your best cleaning option.

The exact steps for washing sheets will depend on their specific material and you should always read the instructions printed on the label attached along the inside edge of most sheet sets.

While ironing is often the best way to remove wrinkles from bed sheets, it isn’t always an option. The first step of wrinkle prevention happens during the washing and drying process. Do not overload your washer or dryer when cleaning your sheets. Washing only one to two sheets at a time prevents the tangling of the material and lessens the presence of wrinkles.

If the wrinkled sheet in question is already on your bed, you can remove some wrinkles without removing the sheet. This process requires water and tension. Smooth your sheet over your bed with the fabric pulled as tight as possible, tucking long ends of flat sheets under the corners of the bed. Then with a water bottle set to a light mist setting, spray the sheet lightly with water. With the sheet pulled tight as the water dries, wrinkles should release from your sheet!

It is generally recommended to replace your bed sheets every two years. With gentle use and proper cleaning, sheets may last longer than two years but you will likely see a decline in the fabric’s softness and quality as time continues. Sheets with heavy staining, holes, or odour should be replaced even if two years have not passed.