What material is better to buy bed linen from?

Last but not least, bed linen is responsible for the quality of our sleep: its tactile and operational properties. But what material is better for bedding?

What to consider when choosing?

There is no clear answer to the question of which textiles are the best for bed linen. Everyone will have their own answer. What does it depend on? There are many factors influencing the choice:

• tactile perception of the fabric surface;
• presence of a tendency to allergies;
• features of human heat and moisture exchange;
• season;
• everyday life or festivity;
• practicality of care;
• durability;
• financial component.

Some people like harder surfaces, others like cool and slippery ones. Someone is limited in their choice by the body’s reaction to the composition of fibers or dyes. For increased sweating, more hygroscopic materials that can absorb body moisture and breathe well are suitable.

For winter it is better to choose denser, softer, pile materials, for summer - thin and smooth ones. For special occasions, more expensive fabrics are chosen, but for everyday use they are often not practical. Here, on the contrary, durability, the ability to retain shape, structure, color for a long time, and withstand frequent washing are more valued.

Plus, you need to take into account the color scheme of the sets. And here there can definitely be no consensus. Some people like printed fabrics, while others find them annoying. Some people prefer the 3D effect.Some people prefer light colors, others consider them to be dirty and impractical.

Therefore, the choice of fabrics for bed linen consists of all these aspects.

Classics of the genre

There are several types of textiles that have been used in the manufacture of bedding sets for decades. They are time-tested and have a wide range of colors, textures, and densities.

• Linen. A natural, eco-friendly, hypoallergenic material that gets dirty less than others, is easy to wash, and dries fairly quickly. An important quality is that it prevents the growth of bacteria, so the laundry from it will not smell of sweat during use or musty smell when stored in a closet for a long time.

But this textile also has disadvantages. It wrinkles a lot, has a limited color palette, and seems harsh to many. In addition, natural flax is not cheap.

Do not dry linen completely. Material wrinkled during washing is very difficult to smooth out when dry. It is better to iron it semi-damp.

• Silk. Very durable textile, breathable, smooth and pleasant to the touch. Sleeping on such linen is very comfortable. During use, it retains its original shape well. True, the price of natural silk is also very high.
• Crepe silk. A type of silk fabric. It is characterized by higher strength and elasticity, thanks to the special weave of threads. This fabric is very soft and has a pleasant shine. During its manufacture, synthetic fibers can be added, which slightly reduces the price. The fabric is very practical, easy to wash and practically does not require ironing.
• Cotton. Lightweight, durable, easy-to-care fabric with high hygroscopicity. Thanks to this, a cotton bed is warm in winter and cool in summer.Available in a wide range of colors.

Most often, low-quality fakes are made from cotton. Therefore, treat the low price tag appropriately: it is better not to buy such a kit - its quality will also be low. These are unstable dyes, multiple weaving flaws, which is why the fabrics become loose and heterogeneous. They don't hold their shape well, they fade and shrink after washing.

The low quality of such sets is also indicated by sloppy seams with protruding thread remnants, the use of small width pieces sewn together, and careless packaging.

• • Satin. Silky textile made from cotton fiber. Soft, with a beautiful sheen, very durable, practically wrinkle-free, breathable, satin is very, very durable. It does not lose shape and color for years. Satin rightfully occupies a leading position in the ranking of bed linen fabrics. But you will have to pay a considerable amount for this.
  • Batiste. Beautiful, elegant, festive cotton fabric. Sets for special occasions are sewn from it: with frequent use, it wears out quickly, since it is very thin and delicate.
  • Calico. Another type of cotton textile. It has all the advantages of cotton: breathable, absorbs body moisture, hypoallergenic, easy to care for, durable. Calico is very dense, which is why it can last for years. But for people with sensitive skin it may seem harsh.
  • Poplin. Its characteristics are similar to calico (sometimes it is even called “European calico”), but it is smoother, softer, shiny and cheaper, which makes it popular among consumers.

• Percale. Made from high quality long staple cotton. It is considered the most durable and durable bedding material.It has a pleasant velvety texture to the touch, practically does not shrink when washed, does not form pills, and retains its shape and color for years. The high price justifies the quality.
• Flannel. Warm, fluffy and cozy fabric for the cold season. Made from cotton or wool fibers. It remains just as soft after washing. However, it does not like high temperatures, is not durable and quickly forms unsightly pellets.
• Jacquard. It is considered an elite textile. It is made from silk, linen or cotton fibers. A distinctive feature of jacquard is the high density of complex weave threads. Jacquard is pleasant to the body, durable, and dries quickly after washing. But this fabric is quite capricious. It should be washed in warm water on a delicate cycle, dried in the shade, and ironed inside out.

A touch of modernity

Recently, many new ones have appeared in the range of bedding and linen materials, combining hygienic properties with the achievements of the textile industry in the field of fiber composition, their processing, weaving, and finishing.

• • Bamboo. In terms of hygienic characteristics, bamboo fiber is in many ways similar to flax. It is antibacterial, hypoallergenic, breathes well, and does not absorb foreign odors. Bamboo is pleasant to the touch and retains its color and shape for a long time. Practical, comfortable, durable bamboo bedding is becoming increasingly popular.
  • Tencel. Natural textiles made from eucalyptus fibers. Thanks to special processing, Tencel has increased strength. It does not cause allergies, is hygroscopic, dries quickly and is almost wrinkle-free. It is one of the most expensive fabrics.
  • Mahra. Natural cotton fabric, the surface of which is covered with small loops, which makes it more durable, perfectly absorbs moisture and retains body heat, and has a light massage effect on it. True, such laundry takes much longer to dry.

• Microfiber. This is a polymer textile, affordable, but of very high quality: hygroscopic, durable, shape-stable, retains its bright color for a long time and does not require ironing.
• Ranfors. To produce this textile, high-quality cotton fibers are used: thin but durable. It has all the characteristics of cotton fabrics, but ranfors is dense, soft and durable, retains color and does not shrink. Also not the cheapest option.
• Polycotton. This is a mixed fabric consisting of cotton with the addition of polyester. The higher the percentage of synthetics, the less expensive, but also less comfortable, a set of polycotton underwear will be. In addition, such fabric will become electrified, absorb moisture poorly, lose color faster, and form pills. Not suitable for people prone to allergies. It is optimal if the share of synthetics does not exceed 15%.

Tips for choosing bed textiles

So, to choose bedding, you need to consider many factors.

• Fabric structure. It should be remembered that the more synthetic fibers a material contains, the worse its hygienic properties. However, their minimal content allows you to make textiles more durable and durable. People prone to allergies should choose completely natural textiles, preferably cotton or linen.
• Appearance. This is the main characteristic for determining the quality of fabric “by eye”.It must have a uniform surface, uniform coloring, and the products must have smooth, strong seams, without loose thread ends, knots, or sewn parts of the fabric.
• Density. The strength of the linen directly depends on it. The higher the density, the more dimensional stable and durable it will be. The highest density is for jacquard, poplin, satin, medium for linen, low for cotton.
• Comfort. If we take as a basis the body sensations from contact with textiles, then it should not cause unpleasant sensations: be hard, very slippery, electrifying, but it should absorb moisture well, allow air to pass through, and be non-allergenic.
• Practicality. It is important for housewives that bed linen can withstand frequent washing, dry and iron well, retain its shape and do not require a delicate approach. For special cases, these characteristics can be ignored.
• Seasonality. Flannel and terry are ideal for winter.
• Price. It is worth considering that high prices can be found for products made from high-quality natural fibers that have durable coloring, high wear resistance, environmental friendliness, beautiful appearance and perfect seams.

Attention to quality

There are simple ways to check the quality of products that will help you purchase bed linen, the price of which will correspond to the characteristics:

• Check textiles for light penetration. When viewed in the light, it should not be translucent, especially uneven, or contain noticeable nodules, compactions or thinning in the structure.
• Note the weave. If the fabric looks quite loose, but is somewhat harsh to the touch, it is most likely treated with a special impregnation to retain its shape, which will wash off when washed.The fabric will shrink and may warp.
• Turn on your sense of smell. Good textiles should not have a strong chemical smell. Its presence indicates the low quality of raw materials and dyes. This, in addition to loss of color, also has a high risk of allergies.
• Rub a small area of ​​textile between your fingers thoroughly. The paint should not remain on them.
• Feel the fabric. If at the same time it stretches or forms puffs, such a purchase will not be practical.
• Pay attention to the design of the kit: the quality of printing on the labels, the presence of all labels, the absence of flaws in the packaging material, the kit corresponds to the size and quantity stated on the label.

The range of bed textiles is striking in its diversity. You can choose your own among all the options by carefully studying the characteristics of the proposed material and correlating them with the needs of the specific people for whom the kit is intended.