Whether microfiber is "bad" to sleep on depends entirely on your personal sleep preferences. While they are hypoallergenic and budget-friendly, their synthetic, tightly woven nature can trap heat and create a plasticky feel, making them uncomfortable for hot sleepers.
Yes, sleeping on microfiber is generally considered safe, especially if you opt for high-quality brands certified by OEKO-TEX to be free of harmful chemicals. However, because it is made of tightly woven synthetic plastics, it has some distinct pros and cons regarding your health and comfort:
The healthiest fabrics to sleep on are breathable, moisture-wicking, and free of harsh chemical dyes or synthetic treatments. Top choices include organic cotton, linen, and Tencel (Lyocell). These materials are hypoallergenic, reduce bacterial growth, and help regulate body temperature to prevent night sweats.
High-quality, clean microfiber is chemically non-toxic and inert. However, it is a synthetic material made from petroleum plastics (polyester and polyamide/nylon). Because of this, its safety depends heavily on how it is manufactured, how it is used, and its environmental impact.
Cotton sheets are breathable, soft, hypoallergenic, and eco-friendly but cost more, wrinkle easily, and require careful care. Microfiber sheets are silky, durable, affordable, and low-maintenance, though they're less breathable, can trap heat, and aren't as eco-friendly.
Hotels look for a fiber and natural materials that are durable, easy to care for, and comfortable. Overwhelmingly the common types of fibers 5-star hotels will choose are cotton or a blend of cotton and polyester. Types of cotton include USA, Supima cotton, Pima cotton, Upland cotton and a wide range of others.
Materials and Chemicals You Should Avoid in Your Bedding
Microfiber itself—which is typically made of polyester or polyamide—is not inherently considered a carcinogen. However, the health concerns surrounding microfiber center on two main areas:
Depends on what it came into contact with, but in general if a microfiber touches the ground it is at the very least downgraded from touching any paint. Use it around the house or for cleaning the tires, but don't use it on any sensitive surface, no matter how much you wash it.
To minimize exposure to harmful chemicals, avoid synthetic and chemically treated fabrics. These materials are often derived from petrochemicals and treated with toxic finishes. The most concerning fabrics and treatments to steer clear of include:
Body Oil Transfer
Sebum naturally produced by your skin transfers to sheets every night. As these oils oxidize, they leave yellow stains and tinting, especially on cotton materials.
In the Bible, the prohibition against mixing wool and linen—known in Jewish tradition as sha'atnez—is found in Leviticus 19:19 and Deuteronomy 22:11.
Avoid synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, and rayon, and instead choose natural fabrics that allow your skin to breathe. Whether you prefer crisp percale or smooth sateen, cotton—especially Supima cotton—remains the best choice for restful sleep in every season.
Yes, microfiber textiles (specifically synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, and acrylic) are a major source of microplastic pollution. Washing these clothes releases millions of tiny, non-biodegradable plastic fibers—known as microfibers—into wastewater, which often bypasses treatment systems to enter oceans and ecosystems.
Yellow sheets on your boyfriend's side of the bed are completely normal and usually come down to biology. Men naturally have more active sweat and oil glands and higher testosterone levels than women, which leads to body oils and sweat oxidizing in the fabric.
Microfiber traps heat more easily than cotton. The material is better suited for colder climates and people who tend to sleep cold. Cotton's natural fibers assist in regulating temperature for a cool and dry sleep. They are ideal for sleepers who run hot at night.
The Amish wash clothes using non-electric wringer washers powered by diesel, gasoline, or compressed air. More traditional groups rely on hand-cranked agitators or heavy-duty washboards. They clean the garments with homemade soaps made from lye, lard, and natural oils, enhanced with washing soda and borax.
Swap out plastic-based fabrics (think: polyester, nylon, acrylic, and lycra) for certified Organic, plant-based products (such as, Organic cotton or Tencel - check out MATE's Tencel line here). The lower percentage of synthetics and the higher the percentage of natural fibers, the better.
Even the polyester clothes people keep can leach microplastics into the environment when they're washed, said Aron Stubbins, a professor of marine and environmental sciences at Northeastern University. "That flows away and has to be treated and hopefully gets taken out … but not always," he said.
Microfiber cloths are popular cleaning tools thanks to their excellent absorbency and ability to grab onto dirt. To keep them working as intended and avoid lint transfer, wash microfiber towels separately from non-microfiber fabrics in cool water without fabric softener.
One big bath towel and one small towel. The smaller one is for drying off before heading back to the changing room. Number three, no phones to prevent any privacy problems. Don't use your phone in the bath or going in the changing room. Number four, keep your voice down.
Yes, but only in small amounts for hand washing. Dawn is excellent at breaking down grease and dirt, but it creates a massive amount of suds. Using it in a washing machine can cause soap overflows.
Microfiber is synthetic—it's made of polyester and other materials—and can release chemicals like phthalates and formaldehyde into your sleep space. According to research, phthalates are used to make plastic more flexible, but they can also be hormone disruptors and may cause birth defects if you're pregnant.
With organic cotton, linen, hemp, ramie (Chinese grass), kapok (fruit of the kapok tree) and jute, you can be sure that there is no microplastic in the fibre. Clothes made of tencel, lyocell and modal are also a safe options, as they are man-made fibres of vegetal origin.
The healthiest sheets are made from natural, breathable fibers processed without toxic dyes, bleaches, or synthetic finishes. The best options—GOTS-certified organic cotton, bamboo viscose, and Eucalyptus Lyocell—minimize chemical exposure, regulate temperature, and prevent skin irritation.