Cotton has a clean, cool, and soft feel and gets softer with every wash. These sheets are a good option for those with sensitive skin. These sheets are easy to clean and less likely to shrink.
100% Cotton bedding is naturally hypoallergenic, and breathable, making it the most desirable option for allergy sufferers. People with allergies or sensitive skin often find that Polycotton bed sheets make them itch.
Yes, certain sheets can soften over time. Linen and luxury cotton sheets tend to break in and get softer with age. On the other hand, low quality sheets will likely pill and wear out, which can make them feel coarser over time.
Low-quality bedding is often made with short cotton fibers, which poke out of the weave and can make them feel rough.
Material. Most of the sleep experts I spoke to agreed that sheets made of natural fibers, like cotton and linen, are your best bet for sweaty sleepers because they're the most breathable (and therefore cooling).
Cotton fares a little better in the moisture-absorption area than polyester microfiber. But it's still not great. For starters, the higher the thread count on your cotton sheets, the less breathable they are. So put down the 800 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets if you're a hot sleeper.
Cotton, linen, or bamboo sheets may suit hot sleepers best, as they are lightweight and breathable. These materials allow for airflow and the absorption of moisture.
You probably know that high-quality, gentle detergent is crucial for maintaining the beauty and integrity of your Egyptian cotton sheets. However, you might not realize that the simple process of washing your sheets can help make them soft and supple to the touch.
Wash Multiple Times
Yes, it sounds like a lot of work and it may not be so environmentally-friendly, but that double wash can do wonders when it comes to the softness of your sheets. Generally speaking, good quality sheets will continue to become softer after every wash, dry, and iron cycle.
Wash Sheets Multiple Times
This tip is time-consuming, but as a rule, the more you wash sheets, the softer the bedding becomes with every cycle. Adding fabric softener to the wash helps add an even more soft quality to your bedding.
Luckily, cotton sheets are very easy to care for. Simply toss them in the washing machine with your favorite detergent on a warm water setting for the best results. Line dry or tumble dry on low or medium heat and promptly remove from the dryer for less wrinkles.
If you use a sheet set every day of the year, you'll need to replace it after about two years. However, luxury cotton sheets, like percale and sateen, can offer another year or so of use. And with linen, you'll get three to five years — sometimes more.
Brand new sheets (of any material) usually come with a chemical coating that make them look and feel crisp (i.e. stiff) so they look better in the packaging. Older sheets can feel rough if they were washed and/or dried improperly. Sheets that have been in storage for a long time can dry out and feel rough.
However, in recent years, fabric specialists have discovered that the origin of the cotton makes an incredible difference to the quality, durability, longevity of the yarn, and Egyptian cotton is considered to be the best.
The difference between the two terms is that one refers to the actual material, that is, cotton. Percale is the style or design of weaving that makes the material strong.
Washing your cotton sheets on a cold setting is ideal, but if you have any stains on the sheets use warm water no hotter than 105 degrees. Always wash your sheets in the washing machine by themselves. Washing sheets alone gives sheets more room to circulate in water and get nice and clean.
Lesser quality bedding is typically made with short staple cotton fibres. These poke out of the weave, making your sheets rough and prone to pilling. There's no magic way of turning these into the soft cloud of comfort only quality sheets can provide.
Vinegar is a household staple that we mostly associate it with cleaning, but it can help you soften your t-shirts too. This method is best for fabrics that are either 100% cotton/organic cotton, or a blend that is primarily made up of cotton.
You should be looking for a range from 200 to 400. If the number is between 150 and 180, then the sheets are going to be rough and not at all soft. A number over 400 means that the fibers are likely woven together to get an inflated figure.
Laundry detergent residue can build up on the sheets leaving them with that stiff feeling. If you don't use a fabric conditioner at all, the fabric fibres can become brittle, leaving them feeling scratchy. Overtime bobbles and pilling starts forming on the sheets creating a surface that can feel rough.
Translation: Before you go buck wild on a fancy bed sheet spending spree, try washing an affordable set (or the cheap ones your great aunt gave you at Christmas) in baking soda and vinegar to see if the show's results ring true for you, too.
Cleaning cotton sheets once a week is usually often enough to ensure a healthy sleeping environment but not so much that you'll break down the fabric prematurely. Weekly washes should include your pillowcases, fitted sheet and top sheet if you use one, as these pieces are in direct contact with your skin.
Cotton. Cotton is one of the coolest fabrics for summer and hot weather. Not only is it cheap and hugely available, but it is also great for the heat. Cotton is soft, lightweight, breathable, and soaks up sweat, allowing heat to escape the body and for you to stay cool.
Best Percale Cooling Sheets
If you prefer the crisp and airy feel of percale sheets, these long-staple, Egyptian cotton sheets from Parachute are your best option. They're comparable to a button-down shirt in terms of feel, thanks to the one-thread-over, one-thread-under percale weave.