Picking The Right Sheets for The Best Sleep

Sleeping on the best bed sheets can be just as important as having the top memory foam mattress when it comes to getting the most resftul sleep. It is important to understand what makes the best sheets when seeking to purchase a set.

There’s nothing better than crawling into a freshly made bed with crisp sheets at the end of a long day, right? How you choose to dress your mattress has almost as much to do with your comfort level at night as the type of mattress you own. There’s an overabundance of options when it comes to bedsheets – different thread counts, feels and fabrics.

Let’s break down all you need to know to pick the best sheets for your bed.

What does thread count mean?

The thread count of sheets is written across bed sheet packaging but what does it mean and is it important when choosing new sheets?

Thread count is often used as the barometer of a sheet’s smoothness and durability. However, this measurement, which should refer to the number of threads woven into a square inch of fabric, isn’t always reliable. High thread count is a factor, but the type of cotton can be more significant.

Look for a minimum thread count of 200, but no higher than 600. (Anything over 600 is likely to uncomfortably trap body heat.)

What sheets should you buy for your bed?

When shopping for sheets you need to take a few things into consideration:

Are you a hot or cold sleeper?

If you’re constantly warm while sleeping, you’ll want a more breathable, lightweight sheet. Stay away from sateen or satin sheets as they’re lightweight but not very breathable, trapping in heat. If you’re wrapped in a cocoon of sheets and blankets because you’re cold while you sleep, you’ll want a warmer, heavyweight sheet – flannel or even a sateen blend.

Who are the sheets for?

If you have kids, a cotton-poly blend is probably best because they’re durable and easy to clean. If you are shopping for an elderly parent, again keep in mind that when you’re older your blood flow isn’t what it used to be and you tend to run cool. Your elderly parent may need a heavier weight sheet to stay warm while they sleep.

Material matters!

The material is one of the most important things that you are going to need to consider with bed linen. There are lots of different ones on the market, but here is a rundown of the most popular:

Silk

This material is one that seems to trap and contain heat, so if you live in a cold climate, these will be worth the investment. If you live in a warmer place, you may want to reconsider. They feel lovely on your skin and scream elegance and luxury, but with this luxury comes expense and you will need to remember that good quality bed sheets made from silk are going to require a trip to the dry cleaners. The cheaper versions can be washed at home, but they won’t feel as nice on your skin.

Linen

This is one of the strongest materials you can get, and it also conducts heat well, making it perfect for hotter climates rather than the cooler ones. The only problem with bed linen, (just like linen clothes) is that it wrinkles in a second and proves to be rather high maintenance.

Cotton and polyester

These are the sheets that you are likely to get for cheap, and there is a reason behind this. They may do the job intended but they won’t feel as nice on your skin. However, they will look good though as you can normally get pretty much any color or design that you like.

Muslin and/or percale

The difference between muslin and percale bed linen is the thread count. If it is over 180, it is percale, with some of the most luxurious ones going over 300! The ones that fall in the range of 140 to 180 are muslin. See more about thread count further down.

Egyptian cotton and puma

These are the same thing; don’t be confused by the name. This is very soft, much softer than normal cotton varieties, but can be expensive, especially with higher thread counts.

Flannel, sateen, Oxford, and Jersey Knit

These are basically just different finishes of the cotton itself. Flannel is the warmest of the four, sateen is silkier, Oxford is heavier and jersey knit is stretchy. The Oxford ones are the ones that you will typically find in your grandma’s closet.

Little tips and hints

If you are going shopping for bed linen, these tips may help you to make a more educated decision:

Cotton looks best when it has been ironed.

The same most definitely applies to linen, so if you are the type of person that hates ironing, it might be better to opt for a different fabric!

Don’t always opt for a single color

You can get amazing designs and colors of bed linen these days, so rather than choosing the same old white crisp bed sheet, add a splash of color. You will be surprised at how this can completely transform the bed, as well as the entire appearance of your room.

You can add more to the transformation effect with throw pillows and decorative cushions

Try not to put too many on there, though, you want it to look peaceful and tranquil to get a good night’s sleep.

If you can’t afford to get new bed linen, but still want to change the colors or styles of your bed, you will find that chucking a throw over the bottom of the bed is a cheaper equivalent, especially if the sheets and duvet covers beneath it are a neutral color.

Once you’ve found the right sheets for you, take care of them so they’ll last longer than just one season. Experts recommend stripping the bed weekly to remove a build-up of dust, debris, sweat, that take up residence in your bed. If you sleep in the nude, consider changing your sheets twice a week for hygienic reasons.

If you’ve just bought new sheets and still aren’t sleeping as soundly as you’d like, it might be time for a new mattress. We recommend our WHISPER mattress, made from memory foam like Quantum foam, which is a moldable material that also responds to temperature and weight, and has hypo-allergenic properties. You won’t have to worry about the heat trapped in your sheets when your mattress auto-regulates its temperature to keep you comfy at all times.