Polyester vs Cotton Sheets: Which is Better?
The average person spends a third of their lives sleeping, which means a lot of time is spent in bed. Having the right bed sheets makes a difference in the quality of sleep we enjoy, so taking the time to find the best sheet for a good night’s sleep is a worthwhile investment, especially in warmer months.
While it may be tempting to go with cheap and cheerful, there can be a big difference in sheet quality and fabric type. If you’re curious about polyester vs cotton sheets for summer, let’s run through the main differences.
What’s the difference between polyester fabric and cotton?
Polyester is a man-made fibre, created chemically with a combination of alcohol, carboxyl acid, petroleum by-products and coal, then processed at high temperature to create long polymer strands that are woven into fabric.
By comparison, cotton is a natural fibre derived from plants. Cotton is very durable, as well as naturally resistant to odours, and is hypoallergenic. Because cotton is organic, it’s also recyclable, which makes it better for the environment.
Polyester vs cotton sheets
Polyester fabric sheets are colourfast, water-resistant, and long lasting. While this is great for clothing, it’s not ideal for sheets as they are less breathable and trap heat from your body through the night.
Polyester sheets are also more prone to static, are more absorbent of body oils (making them harder to treat for stains), and pill if tumble-dried which can make them feel rougher on your skin.
Cotton sheets are woven using multiple threads – the higher the thread count, the higher the quality because they use longer fibres which make them softer – and can last many years without degrading in quality. Cotton sheets will feel smoother on your skin, and if you have sensitive skin you’ll find them much less irritating due to their hypo-allergenic nature.
When considering polyester vs cotton sheets, it’s important to note that cotton is also the most naturally breathable of either fabric, which makes them a much cooler choice for summer. Cotton sheets are also machine washable on a normal wash cycle, and can be tumble dried without risk of pilling.
Choosing the right cotton sheets
Investing in a good quality set of breathable 100% cotton sheets can make the difference to enjoying a comfortable night’s sleep, especially in summer. When comparing polyester vs cotton sheets, cotton sheets win in durability, comfort and breathability.
Zip Sheets specialise in 100% premium 300 thread count cotton sheets, with a range of vibrant colours and sizes to suit the whole family, adults and children alike.
Zip Sheets are double stitched, with sturdy zips either side of the sheets, making them easy to get in and out of, and for making the bed. If you’re looking for high-quality sheets that will make that third of your life you spend in bed much, much more comfortable, Zip Sheets are the ideal choice.