What Are the Different Types of Cotton Sheets?
Learn about the different types of cotton sheets and what to look out for when shopping for new bedding.
Anyone who has recently shopped around for a new set of cotton bedsheets is probably familiar with the overwhelming variety out there.
Between the wide range of fabric types, materials, thread-counts, and different weaves, weights and wefts (oh my!)... it can all be a bit much.
Thankfully, learning how to find the right bedsheets is much more straightforward once you know the basics. Below, we break down some of the tricky terminology and major types of cotton sheets to help you in your quest for the perfect night’s sleep — no Sleepmaxxing required.
Types of cotton weaves
As far as bed sheets are concerned, there are a few important types of cotton weaves to know about. While each has its own benefits, some are better for staying cool and comfortable across the seasons.
Here are a few of the most common types of cotton weaves:
- Percale: Soft, crisp, breathable and cool to the touch. Durable, long-lasting and perfect for year-round use.
- Sateen: Silky-smooth, slightly warmer to the touch. Often has a shiny finish. Can be delicate and prone to damage over time.
- Flannel: Warm, slightly fuzzy and super snuggly. Typically used in cool climates only.
- Twill: Durable and weighty, while still soft to the touch. Not as breathable as lighter weaves.
Organic vs non-organic
Another big differentiator in cotton sheets (and cotton bedding of all kinds) is whether they’re made from organic cotton vs non-organic cotton.
Compared to organic cotton, non-organic (or conventional) cotton farming often has a greater environmental footprint, including higher levels of pollution and environmental degradation.
In addition to the environmental considerations, there are also plenty of practical reasons to pick organic over conventional cotton for your next set of sheets.
Organic cotton
There are several important benefits to organic cotton. Here are a few to keep in mind when deciding on a new set of sheets.
- Better for allergies: The synthetic fertilisers and chemicals used in conventional cotton farming can sometimes remain as trace irritants and allergens in cotton bedding. Organic cotton farming avoids toxic chemicals, making organic cotton products better for allergies. This also makes organic cotton great for sensitive skin!
- Better for people: Growing and manufacturing organic cotton textiles is healthier for the farmers, communities and workers too, as it doesn’t utilise the same harmful, toxic chemicals as conventional cotton.
- Transparent supply chains: Organic cotton certification standards often come with supply chain transparency and verified labour practices — both of which are better for people and the planet.
What does it mean to be GOTS certified?
The Global Organic Textile Standard, or GOTS for short, is one of these certifications. GOTS is a worldwide, voluntary standard system and organisation that works with cotton growers, manufacturers, weavers and distributors — essentially every step of the global cotton supply chain.
GOTS contracts independent organisations to verify cotton textile production according to organic standards, fair labour practices and human rights guidelines, from cotton farming to product packaging.
When a product is GOTS certified, you can rest assured that it contributes to the sustainability of the textile industry and the empowerment and independence of communities around the world.
Quality
Not all cotton is created equal! While organic cotton doesn’t always mean better cotton, GOTS certification does require fabric producers to meet important quality standards.
These quality requirements, along with transparency and regular auditing throughout the organic cotton supply chain, mean that GOTS-certified producers often make higher quality cotton products.
Signs of quality
While GOTS certification can indicate great cotton, there are a few other characteristics of cotton sheets that are sure signs of quality:
- Weave type
- Durability
- Ease-of-care
- Breathability
- Temperature regulation
Sheet types
When shopping for sheets, pay attention to the different sheet types available to make sure you get the bedding essentials that suit your needs.
- Flat sheet: Flat with no elastic or ‘box’ shape. Flat sheets are usually layered beneath blankets or duvets, providing softness, comfort and breathability.
- Fitted sheet: Sheets that come with elastic or stitching to help secure them to the mattress. Fitted sheets are slept on top of and protect the mattress while providing comfort.
Sheet sizing
Just like most bedding items, sheets are sized according to standard bed sizes, like double, queen, king and so on.
There’s also some variation among these standard sizes, which can affect how particular sheets fit on mattresses, and how much (if at all) they drape down the sides of the bed when it’s made.
As a rule of thumb, always double-check the dimensions and look out for sheets that match the standard size of the mattress they’re intended for.
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