Everything you put on your bed has an impact on your sleep quality. It’s no different when it comes to sheets. Mostly, people debate between microfiber VS cotton sheets.
Do you know the microfiber sheets pros and cons, do you even know what are microfiber sheets? I’m sure you already know a little about cotton sheets but it’s still worth mentioning.
Buying high-quality sheets is vital for a good night’s sleep. After all, sheets are the thing that touches your skin. You probably don’t want your sheets to be rough and unpleasant to touch.
Also, you want them to be practical. That’s why I’m going to cover microfiber VS cotton sheets which are some of the most popular types of sheets.
Table of Contents
What Other Kinds of Sheets Are There?
Before we get to the microfiber VS cotton sheets comparison, it would be best to first get to know what other kinds of sheets there are, and only then compare these two popular options to see where they stand. So, let’s see.
Polyester Bed Sheets
Polyester sheets are quite a popular option for children’s beds. The main reason for that is that they’re easy to wash. If you have a child, you probably already know that there are all kinds of accidents that can happen, so sheets being easy to launder is a huge benefit.
What is more, this option is very cost-effective, which is once again great for children.
Also, if you’re looking to experiment with room decor and want to change up colors in your room, you might want to get polyester sheets before investing in a more expensive type of sheets, as if you end up not liking it, there’s not as much money wasted.
However, there’s one thing that could be considered a disadvantage. Polyester traps heat. While it might be good for colder winter months, you really don’t want to be sweating under polyester covered blankets.
So, knowing that it’s not breathable, you might want to opt for a natural choice.
Bamboo Rayon Bed Sheets
Another type of sheets is bamboo rayon sheets. They're quite different from the polyester sheets, simply for the fact that they’re made of natural material. Meaning that the material is breathable and it doesn’t really trap heat. That makes it a perfect type of sheet for warmer summer months.
Another advantage is that just like polyester sheets, bamboo sheets are easy to clean. Also, it’s worth mentioning that they're mildew-resistant as well as antimicrobial. That makes it a great type of sheets for those who struggle with allergies.
On the other hand, the price of the sheets might deter people from buying them. Buying bamboo rayon sheets is quite an investment, therefore it’s not the type of sheets you’d want to buy when experimenting with colors or buying them for short-term.
Flannel Sheets
One more type of sheets, that’s actually made out of cotton, as it is a cotton blend is flannel sheets. However, they’re not the same thing as cotton sheets, so, don’t confuse them. Flannel sheets have a fluffy finish, making them great winter sheets.
They’re not that hard to clean. While it might not be as easy to launder and not as stain-resistant as polyester, it’s still a good option if you want something that wouldn’t require so much effort. What you have to do is just wash them with lukewarm water and mild detergent.
Linen Bed Sheets
Linen bed sheets share very similar qualities with bamboo rayon bedsheets. Just like the latter, it also has a great temperature control rating, meaning that linen sheets are a great choice for hot nights when you want a breathable option. Also, it keeps you dry, as linen absorbs moisture.
The main disadvantage might be the fact that they’re not exactly the cheapest option. However, if you want to invest in high-quality, durable sheets that also are breathable, definitely consider linen.
Silk Bed Sheets
The last type I’d like to mention is silk bed sheets. Silk is considered to be one of the most luxurious materials. Therefore, you might already guess what that means, yes, the price is rather high for this type of sheets. However are they worth it?
Well, this type of sheets has some great properties. First of all, they're hypoallergenic. That means that these sheets are resistant to mold, dust mites, and mildew. Also, they have great insulation properties. Another pro of the silk sheets is that they are moisture absorbent. Meaning that you won’t likely wake up covered in sweat.
On the other hand, there are some cons to the silk sheets. The one that usually is a huge con to many, as mentioned before, is the price. Silk sheets can get really expensive, especially compared to some cheaper alternatives such as flannel.
What is more, silk is hard to wash. It is not recommended to put silk in the washing machine, as it will likely not end well. You’re going to have to do it by hand. Another minor drawback is that not everybody likes the slippery feeling of silk, so before buying them, make sure that you’re not one of these people.
So, while silk sheets are a luxury product, it might not suit everyone. Also, it’s hard to launder, therefore not really great for everyday use. You might want to keep them to impress your guests or only buy them if you really are committed and won’t get tired of taking care of the material by washing it by hand.
Now that you know the basics about some of the most popular types of sheets, let's begin the microfiber VS cotton sheets comparison.
What Are Microfiber Sheets?
It’s not that hard to answer the question “What are microfiber sheets?”. As the name suggests, microfiber sheets are made out of microfiber. Microfiber, unlike cotton or linen, is not a natural material.
Usually, microfiber sheets are made out of polyesters and polyamides, but you might also come across those made out of wood pulp.
There are many things made out of polyester, the main ingredient in the microfiber sheets. Most clothes are made by adding some polyester threads to the material. Clothes such as yoga pants are mainly made out of polyester, granting the stretchiness of the clothes.
Now that you know the answer to “What are microfiber sheets?”, let’s learn about the difference between microfiber sheets VS cotton ones.
Microfiber VS Cotton Sheets
Now the time has come to compare cotton VS microfiber sheets, and also see the cotton sheets' as well as microfiber sheets' pros and cons. They differ in quite a few aspects, so which ones you should get depends on your needs.
Price
The first thing I’d like to compare in this cotton VS microfiber sheets tutorial is the price of each set of sheets. There’s quite a comparison between cotton and microfiber sheets pros and cons, as the price is a pro for microfiber and a con for cotton.
As we’ve already established, microfiber is a man-made material. That means that it can be produced on demand. There’s no time spent growing the material, taking care of it, and eventually harvesting. It can be created in a matter of minutes.
The difficulties that are faced when making the sheets influence the price a lot. Therefore, cotton sheets are much pricier than microfiber ones.
Durability
Following this cotton VS microfiber sheets pros and cons, I also have to mention the durability. While microfiber threads are fairly weak on their own, they are woven very tightly when made into materials. Therefore, they become quite durable.
However, there’s one thing that is worth mentioning when it comes to cotton sheets, the thing is, they’re not only durable, but they also become softer and more comfortable with time.
However, if cotton sheets are of lower quality, they might deteriorate with time. Therefore you must make sure that you’re buying sheets made from high-quality cotton.
When it comes to microfiber VS cotton sheets, it’s quite hard to tell which one is more durable. While cotton sheets can last for a long time and even become more comfortable with time, there still is a possibility that they will deteriorate. However, microfiber sheets are known to be quite durable.
Care
Care is also a very important factor when it comes to choosing sheets. So let’s compare cotton VS microfiber sheets when it comes to how much effort it takes to take care of them. First, let’s talk about microfiber sheets pros and cons when it comes to laundering and ironing.
It’s fairly easy to care for microfiber sheets. You will not likely have to worry about stains much, that is because if you spill something on microfiber sheets, you can quickly clean it off and it won’t leave a stain. However, once the sheets are stained, it’s not so easy to get the stain out, so, make sure to act quickly.
When it comes to laundering, there’s not much to say here. Microfiber is easy to launder and requires no special conditions. Also, one more advantage of microfiber sheets is that they dry quickly. That is because microfiber threads are thin, and that makes the whole fabric thin as well.
Also, another great advantage of microfiber is that you won’t need to iron it. Do you just hate the sight of wrinkled sheets on the bed? Well, choose microfiber sheets and you can forget about that sight.
Now, since it’s a microfiber VS cotton sheets guide, and we already talked about microfiber, let’s concentrate on the care of cotton sheets. Taking care of cotton sheets isn’t that much different from microfiber sheets.
You should wash cotton sheets in warm water, or according to the label if it’s stated differently on it. However, when it comes to stains, it might not be as easy to deal with them as it is when it comes to microfiber sheets. Cotton sheets are more absorbent. However, it will likely wash out of the material.
What is vital to mention in this section of the microfiber VS cotton sheets guide is that cotton sheets tend to wrinkle. If you have an image of terribly wrinkled sheets in your head, you’re probably imagining cotton sheets. So, keep that in mind before choosing what type of sheets you’re going to buy.
Warmth Levels
Another factor I couldn’t omit in this microfiber sheets VS cotton is the warmth of the sheets. While the main factor of keeping you warm is the blanket, sheets also have a great impact.
That’s because sheets are either temperature insulating or not, either moisture absorbent or not which affects whether you feel comfortable sleeping or not.
So, let’s see what it’s like when it comes to microfiber sheets. Well, if you live in a country with a colder climate, you’ll probably love microfiber sheets. They’re very insulating, because, as you’ve already learned before, the fabric is woven very tightly, meaning that very little air can escape from under the sheets.
However, that means that they’re not very breathable. Microfiber sheets are not very suitable for hot summer nights or those who tend to sweat a lot. So, you’d better avoid them if you live in a hot climate, or keep them for the colder nights only.
When it comes to cotton sheets, they’re great at temperature regulation. That means that cotton sheets will keep you warm on colder nights, and won’t have you sweating too much on hotter nights. This natural material is very breathable, therefore it has these properties.
Conclusions
When it comes to microfiber VS cotton sheets, you can find quite a few differences. The main difference is that cotton is a natural material, while microfiber is man-made. Some of the cotton VS microfiber sheets' pros and cons include that microfiber sheets are a bit easier to clean, and they might be more durable.
Also, while cotton will likely keep you warm, microfiber sheets are just a bit better at this. However, it’s important to keep in mind that microfiber is not really breathable, therefore you might sweat more than you would if you chose a natural, breathable material.
Also, you might want to check out other types of sheets, if you realize that neither of these two suits you.
So, now that you know the distinction between microfiber VS cotton sheets, you might want to go check out the best sheets guide to choose the sheets for yourself.
Also, what you shouldn’t forget is that other factors that greatly influence your sleep are a good mattress and a suitable pillow. So, take a look at the best mattress guide, as well as the best pillow guide.