Are you looking for new bed sheets but are not sure which bed sheets are the best for you? With so much to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. Is it better to choose durability or luxury, or can you combine the two? What thread count and material are the best for you?
In this bed sheet guide for your home, we cover all the key factors to consider when choosing bed sheets. It will give you a good understanding of how to choose the right fabric, weave, size, and style for you to help you pick the sheets that support a good night’s sleep.
Choosing the Best Bed Sheets for Your Home
Your bed sheets should fit your mattress right to stop them from coming loose or wrinkling excessively while you sleep. They should also add to the look and feel of your bedroom. However, most importantly, they need to feel great and help you sleep better.
Together with your mattress, pillows, and duvet, your bed sheets will have an impact on how your bedding feels and how well you sleep. Different bed sheet fabrics and weaves can feel very different because of their different characteristics. The best sheets are made with the best quality natural materials and will be woven to high standards.
When choosing new bed sheets, think of your sleeping habits. For example, if you often feel hot and sweaty during the night, you might like to choose sheets that have cooling qualities. Or perhaps you would like your sheets to help you keep warm and cozy in your bed. Having a clear idea of your preferences will help you pick the right bed sheets.
Cotton Bed Sheets
Cotton sheets are among the most commonly bought bed sheets in Canada. Cotton is a natural material, which is biodegradable, breathable, and feels great next to your skin. There are various types of cotton and the best quality options for bed sheets are Supima cotton and Egyptian cotton.
Supima Cotton
Supima cotton, which is also called Pima cotton, is grown in the United States. It was also created in the US as a material that could compete with Egyptian cotton. Supima cotton is made from long fibres, which give the material its luxurious properties.
Egyptian Cotton
Egyptian cotton is known as the finest quality cotton for bed sheets around the world. Bed sheets made of Egyptian cotton are not just great feeling, they are also light, strong, and breathable. One of the greatest qualities of Egyptian cotton is that it improves with each wash and the more you use the bed sheets.
The cotton used in Egyptian cotton sheets comes from a different plant than regular cotton. The Egyptian cotton plant has extra-long fibres that can produce thinner and smaller threads and yarns. Although Egyptian cotton threads and yarns have a smaller diameter, they are still stronger than other kinds of cotton, which means the thread can be used to weave durable and luxurious fabrics.
Brushed Cotton
Brushed cotton is made from cotton that is loosely spun. Brushed cotton bed sheets have been brushed carefully to create a fuzzy and soft raised texture that holds in body heat. If you like bedsheets that are breathable, warm, and cozy, then brushed cotton sheets are a great option.
Sometimes brushed cotton bed sheets are called flannel sheets or flannelette sheets. However, there is a difference. Flannel and flannellete sheets are brushed on both sides, while brushed cotton sheets are only brushed on one side.
Polycotton
Polycotton bed sheets are a mix of natural cotton and man-made polyester. They are cheaper than sheets made only with cotton and they are very easy to care for. The fabric dries quickly and if you like ironed bed sheets, polycotton sheets are easy to iron.
However, if you are after luxurious-feeling bed sheets, then polyester is not the best option. They are also not ideal for people who get very hot during their sleep because the fabric does not breathe as well as natural fibres.
Nor are they the best choice for anyone who makes environmentally conscious choices. Polycotton sheets are not biodegradable and can shed plastic microfibres when washed which often end up in rivers and seas.
Linen
Linen bed sheets are made from the hollow and long fibres of the flax plant. Mainly, flax is grown in Europe and Belgian and French flax is considered to be of the highest quality. Linen bed sheets are naturally breathable. They also have insulation properties, meaning they offer great temperature regulation throughout the whole year.
Bedding made with linen is long-lasting because the fabric is durable and strong. Linen sheets are also an eco-friendly option because the fabric is biodegradable and renewable. It is also antimicrobial, which makes linen sheets a great choice for anyone who suffers from allergies or has a skin condition.
Linen may not feel as soft as cotton at first, but the bed sheets will get softer with each wash. If you would prefer the sheets to feel softer when you first start using them, buy prewashed linen bed sheets.
Silk
If you want a really luxurious and smooth feeling against your skin, then silk is a great choice. The sheets are made from silk spun by silkworms, making it a breathable material that helps you stay cool during the night. Silk also has anti-bacterial properties like linen.
There may also be beauty benefits to silk sheets as the proteins and oils that occur in the fabric naturally can help care for your skin. Also, because silk is so smooth, there is less friction to pull on your skin and hair during your sleep. This could mean a smoother complexion and fewer tangles in your hair when you wake up.
However, silk bed sheets require more care than linen or cotton sheets. They should not be machine-washed or tumble-dried. Washing them by hand and letting them air dry requires time and effort. Silk also wrinkles easily so if you like sharp-looking sheets, then linen may not be the best option.
Bamboo
Bamboo bed sheets are quite similar to cotton sheets in softness, durability, and breathability. They are considered a sustainable type of bed sheets because the bamboo plant grows quickly. However, the process of dissolving bamboo pulp uses chemicals to extract cellulose that can be spun into fibres.
If you prefer a chemical-free bamboo sheet, then look for bamboo linen, which uses a mechanical rather than chemical process. However, bamboo linen sheets can wrinkle easily and feel somewhat coarse against your skin.
Bed Sheet Weaves
Once you have decided on the best bed sheet fabric for your home, you need to decide on the weave. This will also make a difference in how you feel in your bed.
Percale
Percale sheets are made with a tightly woven weave and feel crisp and cool. They are also lightweight, and these qualities combine to make them a favourite among hot sleepers. Percale bed sheets can be made with pure cotton, bamboo, or with a cotton and polyester blend.
Sateen
Bed sheets with sateen weave have a slightly silky, soft feel. It is also luxuriously smooth, which is why sateen weave is often chosen for luxury bed linen. Sateen sheets resist wrinkles but retain more heat than percale sheets. Therefore, they are not the best option for hot sleepers, but ideal for those who are looking for a warm feel.
Twill
Sheets made with twill weave have a distinctive textured herringbone pattern. While they are known to be supple, they are not the smoothest bed sheet option because of their texture. However, if you are looking for durable sheets, the twill woven sheets can be a great option.
Other Weaves Used in Bed Sheets
Other weave types can be used on bed sheets although not as commonly as percale, sateen, or twill. Waffle is a three-dimensional fabric, which is highly textured. Jersey sheets use the same cotton mix as can be used in, for example, t-shirts. While jersey sheets are stretchy and soft, they are not very durable and can bubble easily.
A satin bed sheet can sometimes have been made with silk, but more often, it will have been made using synthetic fibres. The bed sheets can feel silky and smooth, but they are not very durable and will often feel hot. Microfibre sheets are made with synthetic fibre that creates durable, soft, and wrinkle-resistant bed sheets. They can feel hot and sweaty during hot weather.
Thread Count
Another quality to look for is the thread count if you are buying cotton sheets, GSM for linen sheets, and Momme for silk sheets. The right thread count combined with a great quality fabric is the best way to get bed sheets that feel luxurious and durable.
Cotton
The thread count refers to the number of threads that have been woven together per square inch of fabric. The higher the thread count is, the more threads have been woven together. Bed sheets with higher thread counts have a more luxurious and smooth feel than those with lower counts.
The typical thread count range for bed sheets is 200-800. However, you can find sheets that have a thread count of 1,000 or more. While thread count is important, the quality of the cotton and the weave will affect the quality of the sheet more since it is possible to have sheets with a high thread count but with poor-quality cotton.
Your bed sheets should have a thread count of at least 200. If the thread count is lower, the sheets will wear badly and rip easily. However, sheets with a thread count over 800 can be stiff and tricky to iron.
Linen
If you are buying linen sheets, look for the GSM measurement which refers to grams per meter. The typical sheet will have a GSM between 100 gsm and 200 gsm. If the GSM count is smaller, the sheets are likely to be too thin. On the other hand, above 200 gsm is likely to be too rough on the skin and too heavy.
Silk
A Momme measurement describes the weight and density of silk and is used instead of thread count because silk fibres are thinner than cotton fibres. A higher momme count means there are more strands of silk used for each hundred yards of fabric. The measurements range from 11-25 momme, with 20-22 momme often considered the ideal count for the best quality silk bed sheets.
Choosing the Right Size and Style
Before you purchase your bed sheets, check the size of your mattress. However, knowing whether you need full, queen, or king-size sheets is only part of choosing the right size and style.
Choosing the right style of the sheet is important, too. You need to decide whether you want a flat sheet or a fitted sheet. If you go for a flat sheet, ensure you choose a big enough sheet so there is enough to fold under the mattress to hold it in place.
A fitted sheet has an elastic edge that keeps the sheet in its place. When choosing a fitted sheet, you also need to know the depth of your mattress to get the right fit. If you use a mattress topper, include its depth in your measurement, too. You may need to choose deep or extra deep sheets for the best fit and to prevent it from coming loose during the night.
Conclusion
When choosing new bed sheets, luxury and durability often go hand in hand as sheets with a more luxurious feel, such as Egyptian cotton sheets, are often the more durable, too. Choosing the right material and weave are most important when choosing bed sheets, followed by the thread count.
To view a great selection of bed sheets in Canada, this article from Made in CA reviews the best bed sheets in Canada in 2023. Whether you decide to go with cotton, linen, or silk sheets, you can find a recommendation for great sheets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bed sheet depends on what you are looking for in a sheet. For example, do you want something warm and cozy or do you prefer a sheet that will keep you cool? Look for the best fabrics and weave, and a thread count between 200-800 for the best comfort.
Bed sheets made with natural, carefully selected, fine materials will give you the most luxurious feel when in bed. Choose sheets made with long fibres that have been spun into high-quality threads. Egyptian cotton sheets are generally considered among the most luxurious bed sheets.
You should wash your sheets with similar colours to preserve their colour and to prevent the colour from leaking to other items you are washing at the same time. Follow the care instructions for your sheets when setting the temperature and spin on your washing machine.
If you are using a tumble drier, dry the sheets in small batches to reduce creasing or let them air dry on a clothesline. Bed sheets are best ironed when they are still a little damp.
