Spoiler alert: The answer really depends on how you sleep.
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When it comes to sheets, people can beverypicky.
Perhaps the most important factor though is material, andcotton reigns supremein the bedding industry.
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Its natural, soft, and universally beloved.
However, microfiber sheets are also becoming increasingly popular, thanks to its affordability.
Below, we debate microfiber versus cotton sheets.
What is Cotton?
Cotton is one of the oldest, most important raw materials in the textile industry.
Kaplan goes on to explain that there are different types of cotton to consider as well.
It has a silky touch and is regarded as one of the finest types of cotton in the world.
Its extra-long fibers also make it smooth and resistant to tears.
Supima Cotton
Supima is exclusively grown in the U.S. and is strictly regulated.
It is an extra-long staple cotton that yields a soft, strong, and high-quality fabric.
Supima cotton is known for having the most consistent fiber quality.
Staple refers to the length of the cotton fibers, the little strands that make up cotton.
Some types of cotton have short staple fibers, while others have long ones.
Typically, as staple length increases, so does cottons silky feel.
and handpicked in Egypt.
Sheets made with Egyptian cotton are extremely soft and long-lasting.
Plus, this fabric gets softer and better with each washing.
It is used to produce a variety of fabrics, including percale, sateen, flannel and jersey.
Look for certifications like theGlobal Organic Textile StandardandOeko-Tex Standard 100so you know those sheets have been properly vetted.
Cons of Cotton
There arent too many drawbacks to using cotton, but therearea few.
For instance, they wrinkle quite easily.
They can also get pricey, costing more than $300 for a set.
If you sleep hot, apercale weaveis bestthis weave helps with airflow throughout the night.
If youre normally frigid, a flannel or jersey might be better.
But if youre somewhere in the middle, a sateen will hit the sweet spot.
As for thread counthigher doesnt always mean better.
Thread count just refers to the total number of yarns per square inch of fabric.
When looking at thread count, consider the quality of the cotton and the pop in of weave.
What is Microfiber?
Microfiber is a synthetic (or man-made) fiber made of polyester, nylon, or wood pulp.
Microfiber sheets are typically less prone to shrinking compared to natural fibers, and they dont wrinkle as easily.
Theyve also been engineered to be extremely soft and silky.
Plus, theyre very affordable.
They can also get very staticky after you pull them from the dryer.
But perhaps the biggest disadvantage of microfiber sheets is that theyre not the most eco-friendly.
So Who Wins in the Microfiber vs. Cotton Debate?
Softness
Technically, both microfiber and cotton are quite soft.
Though if we had to choose, microfiber is the softest, at least starting out.
Its often described as silky.
The more you wash cotton sheets though, the softer they get!
(This also means theyre not as durable as microfiber.)
Breathability
Cotton wins out on breathability.
The natural fibers allow for more air circulation.
Microfiber notoriously traps heat, making it a poor choice for hot sleepers.
Maintenance
Both are fairly easy to care for and dont require much special treatment.
Microfiber sheets are less likely to pill or shrinkafter washing though, compared to cotton.
Environmental Impact
Cotton is a renewable resource and its a biodegradable material, whereas microfiber is not.
