But first, why do bedsheet materials matter?
The average person spends around 26 years of their lives in bed.
With sleep being such an important aspect, people would naturally use considerable amounts of time in selecting their mattress. However, by the time it comes to their bedsheets, some will just compromise out of convenience/decision fatigue/cost concerns.
Cutting these corners are a massive mistake, as your sheets are the only thing that has a direct & long-term contact with your skin & body. Your bedsheet choice can make or break your sleeping experience, as it affects the feel, comfort, and can even alter the ambience of your sleep sanctuary. Not to mention, it's always better to buy it nice, than to buy it twice, right? Paying a bit more for something that last & feels right for your sleep is never a bad idea.
We know that researching on bedsheet materials can be both time-consuming & overwhelming, so we've put together a short read below to help you find the type that is right for you.
1) Bamboo Bedsheets
Bamboo sheets have been gaining popularity lately, and for good reasons.
Given our hot tropical climate, it's cooling nature excels at regulating your body temperature throughout the night with it's superb breathability. It's ability to wick moisture away also helps to keep you & your bed dry and makes it ideal for the humid weather.
In terms of feel, some sleepers have described it as a blend of cotton & silk when it comes to softness & smoothness. As for health advantages, it's a great choice for people with sensitive skin, pregnant mothers, & babies as it is hypoallergenic and resistant to bacterias & odours.
At Awan, we're big fans of Bamboo and have handpicked it because of it's unique & compelling characteristics.
That said, nothing is perfect, and bamboo sheets does have the disadvantage of being easily wrinkled, are sensitive to high heat, are generally harder to find in the market, and are more expensive.
Although it's higher initial cost could be justified by it's durability, allowing it to last for years to come.
2) Cotton Bedsheets
Cotton is one of the most popular bedsheets out there, with a plethora of options to choose from, one would not have any troubles in finding a type that suits their needs & budget.
Generally speaking, cotton offers excellent breathability and softness for comfort. It is also easy to care for and durable, which is great for something that you'll be using every day.
You'll have no issues in our hot & humid weather as well due to it's hypoallergenic & moisture-wicking abilities, which doubles up as great sheets for people with sensitive skin.
Some minor cons to note are that cotton sheets may be prone to wrinkle, and have longer drying times. More importantly, it's quality & durability is highly subjected to the type of cotton, which can vary drastically in price.
Overall, cotton is an all-rounder choice, but some time & research has to go into understanding the different offerings & price range in the market, to selecting the one that best suits you.
3) Tencel Bedsheets
Tencel has also been a popular bedding material as of late, and has successfully made it's way to the mainstream market. Tencel, which is derived from eucalyptus trees, shares a lot of common traits and similarities as Bamboo fabric.
Like Bamboo, it's very soft, breathable, & moisture-wicking, making it a viable choice to stay cool in our tropical climate. It is also relatively durable & shrink-resistant.
One key difference is that it's not completely hypoallergenic, though it possesses some of this quality. That said, sleepers with sensitive skin shouldn't have any issues with it.
As amazing as Tencel is, it's prone to wrinkles, sensitive to high heat, and sits on the pricier side. But is still a sensible choice as it's benefits are undeniable.
4) Silk Bedsheets
It's hard to ignore the allure of silk, as it's often seen as the epitome of luxury.
It possesses some of the best qualities you can ask for in a set of sheets, which includes being incredibly soft, cooling, breathable, hypoallergenic, and moisture-wicking.
It checks all the boxes of what a luxury sleeping experience should be. The only knock on Silk is that it's very expensive, and also extra delicate.
Requiring not only extra care & maintenance, but it may not last as long as other fabric options. Some may also not fancy it's (overly) silky texture and look. But if it's luxury you're after, this could be the choice for you.
5) Microfiber / Polyester Bedsheets
If you're on a tight budget, then a Microfiber / Polyester Bedsheet may be the one for you.
Made out of man-made synthetic materials, it's main advantage lies in the fact that it is usually at an approachable price-point, while offering superior durability.
It is also wrinkle-resistant, and easy to clean & maintain.
When it comes to sleep comfort, this is where it's limitation starts to show, as it has poor breathability, might irritate sensitive skin, and may feel scratchy & stiff.
This may not be the best option if you value sleep comfort, as it struggles to stay cool in our hot climate.
At the end of the day, it's about what you're willing to trade-off, and if you need to stretch your dollar, then a microfiber sheet can still get the job done.
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So there you have it, although not exhaustive, these are some of the choices & materials typically used in our tropical region.
Back to the million dollar question, which material is truly the best?
In the end, only you can decide what's best for you, as everyone's needs & preferences are different.
If you still have questions, feel free to reach out, we're here to help you make an informed decision, and would be glad to be of service.
Remember, life's too short for bad bedsheets, so choose wisely!
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