The Best Material for your Bed Sheets: 6 best-selling fabrics compared

Maybe you like to be draped in something that feels heavy but breathable. Or maybe you’re that person who kicks the covers off every night – even in Winter. 

The best material for bed sheets depends on what you need and what feels good for you. It will be different for everyone. So, close your eyes for a minute and imagine your dreamiest bed. Go on. Now, ask yourself:

• How warm or cool is it?
• How does it feel?
• How does it work with your skin and hair?
• Do you need something hypoallergenic?
• Is it made of natural materials?
• What’s the drape – how does it fall when you make it?
• Is it simple to wash and dry, or does it require a bit of careful TLC?
• What sort of investment do you want to make?
  
  

Lots to consider, isn’t there? Let’s take a quick look at some of our best-selling fabrics to help you get clearer on your choice.

The crowd favourites at Sheet Society HQ are pretty consistent: cotton, linen, flannelette and silk. Our newest addition is quickly finding a cult following, too: bamboo. Let’s compare them.

Linen is for everyday luxury. Here are the best bits about linen bed sheets.

• They’re breathable and durable and get softer over time.
• They’re thermo-regulating to keep you cool in Summer and warm in Winter.
• Linen is natural, hypoallergenic and odour-resistant.
• Our Eve Linen is OEKO-TEX certified.
  

Our Eve Linen sheets might be for you if you like lightweight comfort year-round and want sheets that will last you through life’s seasons. You can also choose recycled linen to treat yourself and the planet. Here’s a bit more about the range to help you decide.

Lightweight comfort

Our much-loved Eve Linen is known for its premium quality and elegant feel. Made from 100% French flax linen, our pre-wash process ensures it’s soft from day one. Highly breathable, easy to care for, and softer with every wash – Eve linen offers you everyday luxury.

Made to last

Linen fibres are naturally 30% thicker and stronger than cotton, making this a smart, long-term investment. We’re meticulous about how we source our linen, rejecting products that others might sell on because they don’t meet our standards for finish or durability.

Perfect for every season

Despite what you might think, linen is ideal year-round thanks to its thermo-regulating properties, making it light and breathable in Summer and cosy and warm in Winter.

Toxin-free

Linen is one of the most sustainable fibres in the textiles industry. Our Eve Linen is certified by OEKO-TEX, which means these sheets are free from up to 350 toxic chemicals.

Okay, Linen sounds like a dream to sleep under. But what about when it comes time to wash it? We all know how quickly love can fade if it requires too much TLC on laundry day.

How to care for your linen sheets

1. Use a small amount of laundry powder or liquid, then wash on a cool setting.
2. Give your sheets a good shake after washing, then tumble dry on a cool setting or hang in the shade.
3. If tumble drying, pull them out when they're 80% dry, shake them out gently, then hang inside until 100% dry.
4. If ironing, turn inside out first
5. Make sure your sheets are completely dry before storing them. And, don't store in plastic.

Now, let’s look at the cult classic of bed sheet materials – cotton.

Whether you choose organic, sateen or percale, cotton is a crowd favourite for a reason – it’s breathable, durable and feels soft against your skin. With that crisp, familiar feel, it’s great for Aussie climates year-round. Here’s what you need to know.

• 100% cotton is breathable.
• It’s natural, hypoallergenic and odour-resistant.
• Our ranges are OEKO-Tex certified: No harsh chemicals or dyes.
• And it’s pre-washed and ready to use.
  
  

Eden Cotton is our signature staple. Why is it so well-loved year in, year out?

Silky-soft feel

Our best-selling Eden Cotton is known for its smooth, soft feel and luxurious draping. It’s made from 100% long-staple cotton with a sateen weave and subtle sheen.

Durable and breathable

The 400 thread count, long staple cotton fabric will not only feel better and last longer, but will also be much more breathable than a higher thread count fabric. Hang on – have you been told that higher thread counts are always better? 

High thread count bedding is normally made by jamming threads that are short, stubbly, and clog up the fabric. Longer term, they’re prone to pilling compared to the long-staple cotton that we use in Eden Cotton.

Toxin-free

Eden Cotton is naturally hypoallergenic, odour resistant, and is certified by OEKO-TEX, which means your sheets are free from up to 350 toxic chemicals.

Year-round comfort

This range is designed to be enjoyed year-round. But if you get cold in Winter, Eden Cotton’s tighter weave creates a slightly warmer fabric and helps to retain heat better than other ranges, such as Leo Washed Cotton.

How is stonewashed cotton different?

Although still 100% cotton, our Leo Washed Cotton has a different look and feel. Choose it for everyday comfort. 

The lightweight fabric has been finished with a stone wash treatment, giving it that lived-in look and comfy feel. Known for its relaxed, matte finish and airy breathability – it’s our lightest, dreamiest fabric. The simple but durable percale weave allows more air between the fibres, so you can stay cool all night long. Perfect for hot sleepers or those long Summer nights.

Caring for your cotton sheets

1. Use a small amount of laundry powder or liquid, then wash on a cool setting.
2. Give your sheets a good shake after washing, then tumble dry on a warm setting or hang in the shade.
3. If tumble drying, pull them out when they're 80% dry, shake them to release steam, then hang inside until 100% dry.
4. If ironing, turn inside out first
5. Make sure your sheets are completely dry before storing them. And, don't store in plastic.
   

Now, what do you know about bamboo sheets? Our newest arrival might surprise you.

Our Kane bamboo might just be our softest sheets yet. With the natural ability to wick moisture from your skin and allow air to circulate, it’s the fabric for every sleeper (yes, everyone!). Even better if you value sustainability. Here’s why Bamboo is one of the best materials for bed sheets.

• Our bamboo sheets are made from 100% Bamboo lyocell fibres – no nasty chemicals.
• They have a smooth sateen weave, sandwashed for a soft matte finish.
• They’re OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified.
• Bamboo is natural, hypoallergenic and odour-resistant.
• They’re pre-washed and ready to use.
  
  

Kane Bamboo is finished with a sandwash technique to give it an ever softer feel, an incredible lustre and a beautiful drape. It’s also hypoallergenic and thermoregulating to keep you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. Basically, it’s a dream to sleep in — for even the pickiest sleepers. 

Like cotton, bamboo is breathable to keep you comfy in every season. Our Kane Bamboo uses a finer yarn than cotton, keeping it lightweight and silky smooth.

Serious comfort made better

Transforming bamboo into a fabric can be complicated, and there are many different ways to produce it.

Bamboo Lyocell fabric is made using the Lyocell process (which is what we use). This is where the fibre is created in a closed-loop system using organic solvents – unlike the Viscose or Modal process, which use nasty chemicals (no thanks!).

When wash day comes around

1. Turn inside out before washing.
2. Cold machine wash separately on a gentle cycle with similar colours.
3. Do not tumble dry.
4. Line dry in the shade.
5. Iron on a cool setting if needed.
   

And now, let’s take a look at our decadent mulberry silk.

Silk sheets are luxe and indulgent in all the best ways.

• 100% Mulberry silk is regarded as the highest quality silk available. Ours is sandwashed for a soft matte finish.
• Our silk sheets are 19mm (momme, the standard of measuring silk) which we believe is the perfect balance between quality, strength and breathability.
• Silk helps retain moisture in skin, which can prevent creasing and visible signs of ageing.
• It helps keep hair tangle-free and prevent frizz.
• Our sheets are OEKO-TEX certified: No harsh chemicals or dyes.
• And they’re pre-washed and ready to use.
  
  

Let’s delve a little deeper.

Buttery-soft lustre

Fleur Sandwashed Silk is our most luxe fabric, characterised by its incredibly soft feel and beautiful lustre. Made from 100% Mulberry silk (regarded as the world’s highest quality silk) and sandwashed for a soft matte finish.

The ultimate indulgence

Sandwashed silk has a more elegant drape and elevated finish than standard silk (think soft and matte, not satin and shiny). Beyond feeling luxurious on your skin, Fleur Silk has many beauty benefits – it prevents bed hair (and is a curly girl’s best friend) and skin creases, plus it absorbs moisture whilst letting your skin breathe. It’s also durable despite its delicate feel.

Year-round luxury

Silk is a natural insulator, keeping you comfortable in every season.

Toxin-free

Fleur Silk is naturally hypoallergenic, odour resistant, and is certified by OEKO-TEX, which means your sheets are free from up to 350 toxic chemicals.

How to care for your silk sheets

1. Machine washable on a cold delicate cycle.
2. Turn inside out for washing, or use a delicates wash bag.
3. Remove from wash promptly after cycle.
4. Do not rub, soak, or wring dry.
5. Line dry in shade.
6. Dry cleanable.
7. If you wish to iron, use the lowest/coolest setting and always iron inside out (or on the reverse side).

And what about our cosiest fabric, Frankie Flannelette?

Flannelette is as warm and cosy as your nanna’s kitchen. But it’s also breathable. Your flannelette sheets will trap tiny pockets of warm air while allowing proper ventilation. So you’ll feel warm and snuggly but not too toasty. Flannelette sheets are also softer and thicker than regular cotton sheets, keeping you warmer when needed. 

• Our Frankie Flannelette is super soft and cosy, 100% double-brushed flannelette.
• It’s OEKO-Tex certified: No harsh chemicals or dyes.
• It’s natural, hypoallergenic and odour-resistant.
• It’s pre-washed, but due to its fluffy nature, we recommend you wash these at home before sleeping together.

Considering cosying up your bed? Here are some things to think about.

Flannelette sheets are warm

The brushing process creates tiny fibres on the fabric's surface, making it fluffy, warm, and inviting. So no matter who you share with, you’ll stay comfy and cosy all night long. Perfect for the Winter months or cold sleepers.

They’re snuggly and comfy

Flannelette sheets are incredibly soft and gentle on your skin. Made of cotton, they’re also a popular choice for people with sensitive skin. Whatever your skin type, the fuzzy texture feels lush and snuggly all night long.

Flannelette is tough and durable

Flannelette is made of sturdy cotton fibres, so they’re more durable than some other types of sheets. They can withstand regular washing and last longer than other materials, so they’re an excellent investment in the long run.

Flannelette care

1. Use a small amount of laundry powder or liquid, then wash on a cool setting.
2. Give your sheets a good shake after washing, then line dry in the shade.
3. If ironing, turn inside out first.
4. Make sure your sheets are completely dry before storing them. And, don't store in plastic.

The other thing to consider is how your sheets look – do they subtly shine, or do they sit quietly underneath a bold statement quilt? Two things that affect your colour choice are the weave and finish of your sheets.

So if you’re looking for, say, the best white sheets for your room – you might think about whether they’re made with a sateen or percale weave, or whether they’ve been stonewashed for a lived-in look for example. Weave and finish will affect how each colour fits in with your bedroom styling.

Phew, that’s a lot! Here it is in a nutshell.

Linen: Long-lasting comfort. Good in all seasons.

Cotton: The everyday classic. Good in all seasons.

Flannelette: Your cosiest sleep. Great for cold nights.

Silk: Luxe indulgence supporting skin and hair. Good in all seasons.

Bamboo: Lightweight all-rounder. Good in all seasons, shines on hot nights.

Hopefully now you feel more confident about the best material for your bed sheets. But have none of these quite taken your fancy? Consider chambray bed sheets – the cool, casual vibe of denim but with the softest touch.