How Cotton Stacks up To Other Bedding Materials
Trying to find the right bedding material for you? Here’s everything you need to know about cotton versus other materials.
Ever stopped to consider what material your bedding is made of? Most people don’t until it’s time to replace their old sheets and blankets.
While linen has been increasingly popular over the past few years, Textile Exchange reports that cotton is still one of the most popular bedding materials available — hardly a surprise, given that it’s the single most widely used natural fabric and is grown worldwide.
But cotton bedding isn’t only great merely because it’s commonly-used — the material’s qualities lend themselves especially well to what you’d want from a sheet or duvet. Cotton is famously soft, durable and breathable. What more could you ask for?
While it is popular, however, cotton isn’t the only option. Bedding is also made from other natural materials like linen, wool, silk, and even bamboo! There are also plenty of synthetic alternatives out there.
So, how does cotton stack up to the rest? Here, we’ve broken down how cotton bedding compares to other popular options to help you make the right decision for your bed.
Cotton versus linen
Cotton and linen are both popular options for high-quality bedding, but how do the two compare? While these natural materials share some qualities, there are also important differences.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help weigh up between cotton versus linen for your bedding upgrade:
- Temperature regulation: Cotton and linen are both excellent temperature regulators, but cotton fabric is generally more insulating. This makes it comfortable in warm climates, but also warm enough to help you stay cosy during the winter.
- Ease of care: Cotton and linen fabrics can usually be washed in the washing machine, making them both very easy to care for. Compared to linen, cotton is even easier to take care of as it can be washed in warm water and tumble-dried without being damaged.
- Style: Cotton and linen are both stylish fabrics. While linen bedding generally has a slightly crumpled, lived-in look that evokes easy luxury, cotton bedding offers clean lines and a smooth finish for hotel-like perfection.
- Feel: Cotton and linen fabrics can be very soft to the touch, making them perfect for bedding. Cotton bed sheets often have a delightfully smooth, crisp feel, while linen fabrics can be buttery soft and luxurious against the skin.
Cotton versus synthetic materials
Synthetic materials are those that are manufactured via artificial processes, rather than grown and harvested. Like natural materials, plenty of synthetic and semi-synthetic fabrics are used to make bedding.
Here’s how a few common options measure up to cotton:
- Cotton versus nylon: Nylon is a popular synthetic material often found in fabric blends used in a range of bedding items. While strong and durable, nylon retains heat and moisture, unlike cotton, which is breathable and moisture-wicking. Nylon’s tendency to retain heat and moisture can disrupt sleep and contribute to an uncomfortable sleeping environment.
- Cotton versus rayon: Rayon is a semi-synthetic fabric made from reconstituted plant material. It’s generally silky soft to the touch and comfortable to sleep in. However, rayon retains more moisture than cotton fabric and is generally more prone to damage and tears.
Cotton versus polyester
Polyester is one of the most popular synthetic fabrics used in bed sheets and bedding. Its popularity is thanks in part to how cheap it is to make. Polyester fabric can also be highly durable, stain-resistant and moisture-repellant.
While polyester sheets are affordable, easy to look after and long-lasting, there are some qualities that make polyester bedding less comfortable to sleep in compared to cotton.
- Insulation: While cotton bedding is often highly breathable, polyester fabrics tend to hold onto heat. This can easily lead to overheating, causing night sweats and disrupted sleep.
- Pilling: Despite its durability, polyester fabrics tend to pill, especially with regular drying in the tumble dryer. This can lead to a scratchy texture over time, whereas high-quality cotton fabric can maintain its smoothness for much longer.
- Moisture-repelling: Polyester fabrics can effectively repel moisture, making them resistant to stains and spills. However, this also means that polyester bedding tends to trap body moisture perspired during sleep, leading to discomfort, sweats and potentially even mildew growth.
Cotton versus other natural fibres
There are plenty of natural fibres used to make bedding. Each has its own distinct qualities, so it’s important to differentiate between them if you’re in the market for bedding made from natural materials.
Here’s how some of the most popular natural materials compare to cotton bedding:
- Cotton vs bamboo fabric: Bamboo is an increasingly popular fabric for bed sheets and bedding. It can be smooth to the touch, moisture-wicking and durable. However, cotton is generally more breathable than bamboo fabric and is better for temperature regulation. Cotton fabric can also be more durable and pill-resistant than bamboo, making it easier to wash and care for.
- Cotton vs wool: Wool is an excellent insulating material widely used in a range of bedding items – sometimes even bed sheets! Compared to cotton, wool is generally more warming, but also more prone to damage, requiring careful washing to avoid shrinkage and tearing.
- Cotton vs silk: Silk is an incredibly soft, luxurious fabric, making it a popular luxury bedding material. Silk also tends to be more insulating than cotton, trapping moisture and heat in warmer climates. What’s more, silk can also be extremely delicate and has specialised care requirements to keep it in shape.
Health benefits of cotton bedding
When it comes to sleeping well, cotton bedding is one of the best options available.
In addition to being delightfully soft from the first use (and softening with every wash!), cotton pillowcases and sheets are also a gentle option for your skin, thanks to the healthy sleeping environment they help to maintain.
Here are some qualities of cotton bedding that can benefit your health:
- Hypoallergenic: Cotton fabric naturally inhibits the growth of allergens like bacteria, mildew and dust mites. This helps you to rest better by preventing allergies, skin irritation and breakouts from forming while you sleep.
- Breathable: Cotton provides excellent air circulation throughout the night in different climates. This helps to maintain the ideal body temperature range for sleep of around 20 degrees Celsius, leading to a more restful sleep every night.
- Naturally cooling: Cotton fabric is naturally cooling thanks to its breathability and excellent moisture-sicking properties. This makes cotton a great choice for maintaining restful sleep in hot conditions, which can reduce sleep quality and disrupt sleep.
Sustainability benefits
While cotton bedding can be a great choice for comfort and your wallet, it can also be a strong choice for the environment.
As a natural fibre, cotton is biodegradable and doesn’t shed microplastic fibres like synthetic fabrics do. Microplastic fibres come off synthetic materials with every wash and accumulate in rivers, waterways and oceans, harming plants, animals and ecosystems.
Cotton fabric, on the other hand, doesn’t contain any plastic materials and breaks down naturally when it’s time to retire.
If you’re looking to make the biggest positive impact on the environment, opt for GOTS-certified organic cotton. Organic cotton surpasses conventionally-grown cotton in terms of its impact on the environment, health benefits and the people engaged in the industry.
Organic cotton is also grown without toxic pesticides or synthetic fertilisers, which benefits soil health, aquatic ecosystems, as well as the people who farm, harvest and manufacture cotton textiles.
Organic cotton farming practices can even improve water retention in soil, reducing the amount of water needed to grow cotton crops.
