When it comes to choosing the perfect bedding fabric, there are a lot of never-ending debates and questions. There are two constantly evolving or 'eternal' questions in the natural bedding community – Are linen bed sheets worthy compared to cotton ones? & How are linen bed sheets superior to cotton ones?
In this article, we will give you the answers to these questions once and for all.
The most reliable materials for bed sheets
It is no secret that there are quite a few choices for you to choose from – synthetic or natural materials. But everything comes down to the feel it can give you.
The ultimate goal with any bed sheets you put on your bed is to make you feel comfortable and warm; a space where you can relax and wind down after a long day. So, choosing the suitable bed sheet material can help you have that desired deep sleep. We will briefly break down the materials that you can find on the market and what kinds are the best ones.
Synthetic materials. These materials are human-made, which means that humans create them. Mostly you can find polyester and microfiber. Of course, you need to be careful with synthetic materials as they cannot be the best choice for your healthy sleeping habits.
Natural materials. These materials are pretty treasured around the world. They are natural, non-toxic bed sheets that you don't need to worry about when sleeping. Natural bed sheets are great for your sleep and the environment; they are easier to recycle, upcycle and last longer than synthetic ones. To break it down for you, what kind of natural materials you can find on the market would be these – silk, satin, hemp, cotton, and linen.
If you are looking for smooth and delicate natural fabric – silk and satin will be a great option. Even though these materials are naturally hypoallergenic, the care and maintenance can be pretty demanding.
So, if you still look for that smooth and delicate natural fabric but don't want to have a burden of demanding maintenance – hemp, cotton, and linen will be a great option. Hemp bedding has similar properties just like linen – both are durable, hypoallergenic, have thermoregulatory properties and get softer with every wash.
While having these many options for your bed sheets, still, people tend to lean towards the two most popular ones – cotton and linen bed sheets. They have been respected throughout the centuries, so they are often compared.
Linen sheets vs. cotton sheets
We have already mentioned that linen and cotton sheets are often compared. They are both considered luxury bedding materials. These two excellent natural materials look gorgeous inside and out, but some subtle differences can help you decide which one to choose.
So, to help you decide which bed sheet to choose, linen or cotton, here are a few differences that can help you make that crucial decision:
The feel of the fabrics. Pieces made from cotton material are known for their softness, and there are a lot of opinions that linen bed sheets are more on the rough side. Yes, that can be true, but the linen bed sheets have a unique ability to soften up after time. Every time you take care of linen, it becomes softer. It is not that strange to see the linen sheets passed down from generation to generation.
The strength of the fabrics. In general, linen is the most potent natural fiber you can find. The reason for this statement comes from the thickness of the linen fiber. Cotton fibers are not that thick, so multiple threads have to be spun into yarn and then made into the cotton fabric to achieve such thickness. But everything comes down to the care. If you take proper care of cotton, it can last up to 3-5 years before the wear shows. And if you have good quality linen and take adequate care, it can last up to 30 years.
The health factor of the fabrics. Both materials have unique health-improving and assuring factors, like breathability and thermoregulation. But linen has the upper hand here since the linen fiber has a unique bacteriological barrier for the dust mites, fungi, or germs, and because of that, they can't stay in bed linen sheets. That's why most health professionals recommend linen sheets for children. Take a look at our blog if you want to know more about the benefits of baby linen.
Caring for bed linen sheets
Have you ever heard the phrase: 'It's difficult to care for linen'? Well, this is entirely wrong. Linen sheets or any other linen pieces are effortless to care for. It doesn't require much exceptional care; besides, linen bed sheets will become softer after each wash. To further debunk this saying, here is how you can take care of linen fabric:
Stain removal. Staining can happen; no one is protected from it. So, before the main wash, remove any unwanted spots or deep stains that might bother you later on.
Washing the bed linen sheets. The washing part is vital because it helps clean out any impurities while using the bed sheets. So, to wash your linen, you will need to use mild liquid detergent and wash it in the washing machine with the temperature set to be no hotter than 104℉ (40℃). For maximum result, wash the sheets alone; it will get more room and be cleaner.
Drying linen sheets. Drying is relatively simple. You can choose from two options: hang-dry or machine-dry. Hang-drying is the better option because it allows the bed sheets to naturally dry, and this way, they come out less wrinkly. If you don't have that option, use the gentle cycle on the dryer and remove while 90-95 % dry. Before storing, let it dry completely.
If you want a full-on instruction that is step-by-step in taking care of bed linen sheets, check our fabrics care guide.
Final words
Now you can see the primary arguments for linen bed sheets. Of course, the final decision is yours to make which material is the best for you, but you might consider trying linen bedding.
Check out the linen bedding collection if you want to see more linen pieces that can elevate or change your sleep quality.
