The Best Bedding For Your Needs: Cotton, Silk, Or Something Else?

Winter has arrived and there’s no better time to start considering some new bedding ideas. The colder nights mean you’ll undoubtedly want to change to warmer types of bedding and be thinking about the most stylish way of doing this.

The best bedding is subjective, with each choice having unique merits and being better suited to different types of sleeper. Here, TEMPUR® explores the benefits that some of the main bedding types have to offer, so you can make an informed choice about which is best for you.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF BEDDING FABRICS

When it comes to choosing the best bedding materials, you’ll need to balance practical considerations, such as comfort, with aesthetic demands. Matching the design of your bedding to your bedroom décor is something we all want – jarring patterns and colours are unlikely to create the soothing ambiance needed for a peaceful sleep.

However, considering the material of your bedding is even more important. Low-quality fabrics that scratch your skin or fail to keep you warm will inevitably have a negative impact on your sleep. Choosing the right material for you and ensuring it’s of a high quality is imperative for ensuring a truly rejuvenating sleep.

Cotton:

Cotton bedding is the most popular choice and with good reason – it’s affordable, soft, and durable. Suitable for all climates, cotton is a good option for most sleepers, offering comfort while also being easy to clean and maintain.

Cotton comes in a range of qualities. Most sheets will be made from Upland cotton, the most grown cotton in the world, which is relatively inexpensive. Egyptian cotton is the most luxurious and high quality, consisting of extra-long fibres which create a silky texture. Pima cotton is also naturally soft, and perfect for bed sheets.

Further, cotton’s ability to absorb and transmit heat makes it a great material for both summer and winter temperatures. Natural ventilation means cotton sheets can absorb and release your body heat in summer, but also retain it to keep you warm in winter.

Silk:

Silk is a beautifully rich fabric, and when used as bedding, can have multiple benefits. Despite its light touch, silk regulates temperature brilliantly, wicking away moisture in the summer to keep you cool and retaining heat in winter to keep you warm.

Its natural hypo-allergenic qualities mean silk bedding is a great choice for people with sensitive skin or allergies, such as eczema, psoriasis, and asthma. The amino-acids found in silk bedding are said to promote good skin and healthier hair, reducing split ends, and preventing knots.

The downsides of silk are that it’s difficult material to care for and is more expensive than other options. Silk is therefore the best bedding choice for those with allergies or those willing to pay a bit more for its luxurious feel.

Flannel:

The bedding many sleepers switch to at this time of year, flannel is perfect for the cold. Both soft and snuggly, flannel traps in heat which is essential as winter approaches. The softness of flannel bedding means it’s also a great choice for people whose skin is irritated by the more common cotton.

Other Blends:

Blends are often a popular choice, as they are both affordable and extremely soft, due to high thread count. Bamboo blends are becoming increasingly popular, due to their temperature regulating and antimicrobial qualities.

Blends are a cheaper alternative, with benefits such as durability and a crease-free finish.

DIFFERENT WEAVES OF BEDDING

There is also ‘weave’ to consider when choosing bedding, including percale sheets, which provide a crisp texture, or jersey sheets made from flat knit for a more stretchy and softer feel.

That concludes the TEMPUR® guide to bedding materials. Alongside a high-quality mattress and pillow, the right bedding is crucial for a great night’s rest. TEMPUR® offers a range of bedding, including TEMPUR-Fit™ Pillow cases which are 100% cotton, and TEMPUR-FIT™ Fitted Sheet that is created using the finest quality cotton and blended with elastane.