Choosing Bed Sheets: The Ultimate Bed Linen Buying Guide

Beds are intrinsic to being human. In most parts of the world, people start their day by getting out of bed and end it by returning to that same bed. The average person aims to sleep 8 out of 24 hours and thus, in a typical lifespan of 79 years, they should be sleeping for approximately 26 years.

Not only do we spend a great deal of time on it but it also accommodates the most crucial moments of our lives. From providing a respite for the sick, weak and tired, it also hosts numerous other activities. Despite the fact that we devote such a large fraction of our life to lying in our beds, many mysteries still remain about what makes a bed ideal for great sleep.

Before moving on to the considerations, you’d need to think about how to choose bedsheets suitable to your needs and budget. Read on because this bed linen buying guide will dive deep into what you should know about them - from the materials, care requirements, cost, and everything in between!

The definition of bedding and bedlinen have been interpreted differently across different cultures and even brands. In this article, we define them as:

Bedding: All products that make up the bed such as pillows, mattresses, blankets, and more.

Bedlinen: The textiles used to cover your bedding such as pillowcases, duvet covers, fitted sheets, flat bed sheets, and more. The term bedlinen can be used interchangeably with bedsheets.

 The main similarities between the two is that they both provide comfort for your overall bed.

The history of bed sheets dates back to 3000 BC when Kings of Egypt raised their beds from the floor and decorated their bed tops with rich, high-quality sheets. The Roman Empire also used different paintings, gold, silver, and bronze to decorate their mattresses. 

As mentioned, ideal bedding sets need textiles or coverings other than bedsheets - not just for aesthetic purposes but for protection as well. Now, let's dive into the comparison between duvet covers and pillow cases.

Now, let’s dive into the question: what are the best bed sheets to buy?

It goes without saying that the material of your bed sheet set plays a vital role in determining your comfort level as you lie in bed. Be sure to look into the characteristics of each fabric and the production methods behind it before you buy bed sheets.

TENCEL™ is the brand name for semi-synthetic fibres like Modal and Lyocell. Produced by the Austrian textile business company Lenzing AG, these two materials that are frequently used in Singapore bedding and clothes. TENCEL™ bedlinen is especially loved for its silk-like smoothness, softness, and breathability.

Wood-based cellulose fibres make up the bulk of the market for Lenzing. They produce Viscose, Modal, and Lyocell. All of which are made from sustainable wood and pulp sustainably sourced from approved and regulated sources. Wood pulps are dissolved in a solvent to create this substance, which are then used to extrude fibres through tiny pores. Next, the manufacturers process and spun these produced fibres into yarn. TENCEL™ Lyocell is the best material for bed sheets if you're looking for top-notch and eco-friendly options.

A natural fibre, cotton is harvested from the cotton seed pod of cotton plants. It's one of, if not the most, commonly used material. From using an ultra soft cotton towel to wipe our faces in the morning to donning our go-to cotton t-shirt to slipping into crisp cotton bed sheets at night, cotton fabrics always find their way to our households.

The seeds from the cotton boll and any dirt from the cotton are removed using a machine called a cotton gin in order to produce cotton fabric. The raw cotton fibres are then "carded," or made into long strands, from the process. Afterward, these lengthy strands are spun into yarn, subjected to a number of chemical processes, and coloured. Eventually, the threads are weaved into the textile material of choice, such as bed sheets or clothing.

It is important to note that not all cotton bed linen sets are made the same and their quality can be determined through various factors - thread count, ply, staple length, yarn count, and types of weave. We'll discuss these in detail later in the article. 

Plant-based textiles like bamboo sheets in Singapore have recently gained popularity as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fabric. Bamboo grows abundantly like eucalyptus and this is why bamboo and TENCEL™ sheets are often compared with each other. Being a self-regenerating and quickly expanding plant, it is also natural to think that its fabric would be sustainable and ecologically benign.

Bamboo cloth can be produced either mechanically or chemically. For mechanical manufacturing, bamboo plants are manually crushed into mush. After being broken down using natural enzymes, the fibres are spun. Bamboo linen is another name for bamboo bed sheets produced mechanically.

However, out of the two processes, chemical processing of bamboo fabric is more common. Instead of employing natural enzymes to speed up manufacturing, harsh chemicals like sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide are used. It clearly takes less time, but the harsh and poisonous chemicals have a detrimental effect on the ecosystem. So if you’re someone looking for safe bedsheets, choose mechanically produced bamboo bedlinen and other toxin-free options. 

Linen is an all-natural fibre made from the stalks of the flax plant. It is manufactured through an extensive process of harvesting the flax plant, drying it, and threshing it to remove the seeds. The threshed stalks are then dampened and undergo more processes to remove the woody bits from the flax fibre, then polishing and finally spun through a yarn.

This meticulous manufacturing process allows linen bed sheets to stand out compared to regular cotton sheets in terms of durability. They are also naturally hypoallergenic and breathable, making them great options for those with sensitive skin. Belgian linen, in particular, is thought to be among the highest quality types of linen and is often used in making luxury bed sheets.

Silk fabrics were first produced in Neolithic China and as weaving techniques improved, the demand for Chinese silk increased exponentially across the dynasties. It was even seen as a valuable commodity where bolts of silk were often used as a form of currency, thus, silk sheets have always been seen as one of the most expensive bed sheets.

As silkworms transform into silk moths, they spin themselves into cocoons. The manufacturers then harvest incredibly soft and smooth fibres from these cocoons in their raw state by boiling them in hot water and finally spinning them into fabrics. This time-consuming and intricate process is reflected in the steep cost of silk fabrics.

While they are known to be extremely smooth, the unethical production process and high cost often urge consumers to switch to eco-friendly alternatives that provide almost the same texture, such as TENCEL™ Lyocell or bamboo.

As you can guess, this fabric originates from the island of Jersey, situated between England and France. It can be produced using a knitting machine or by hand to make small, even, close-grained stitches. 

Unlike silk or other luxurious bedding materials, jersey sheets makes up for its down-to-earth element with its incredibly comfortable feel that makes going into bed feel like slipping into your favourite cotton t-shirt.

Polyester is a synthetic fabric that is commonly found in apparels such as raincoats, swimsuits, and workout attires due to its wrinkle-free and budget-friendly element.

Polyester fibre is created through a chemical reaction involving coal, petroleum by-products, alcohol, and carboxylic acid. These components are then processed through a vacuum at extremely high temperatures to produce long polymer strands. They are stretched while hot to create the extremely durable, wind, and water-resistant material that many people love.

However, the qualities that make a polyester jacket desirable are what makes polyester bedlinen less breathable and moisture-wicking, which could be considerably uncomfortable to sleep in.

Microfibres are finely woven fibres made from wood pulp, polyester, or nylon polymers. Unlike their polyester counterparts, microfibre sheets are softer and less prone to wrinkling and shrinking as compared to all-natural fabrics such as cotton.

The softness and strength of a microfibre bedlinen depends on the thickness of the strands used during the weaving process, a concept similar to that of cotton sheets thread count.

Not all fabric is the same and its quality can be determined based on overarching factors that affect their texture, appearance, breathability, and more.

As discussed in the previous sections, there are different types of materials that affect the look and feel of your sheets. 

The total number of threads woven into one square inch of cloth (the warp) and horizontally (the weft) is referred to as the thread count. It is generally accepted that higher thread counts result in softer and smoother sheets, although this may not always be true.

A thread count of 150 (75 each for the warp and the weft) produces muslin, which feels a little rough, whereas a thread count of 200 will feel finer and perhaps softer. However, this does not mean that you should be rushing to purchase bedding with the highest thread count you can find. As a thread count sheets guide, choose the best thread count ranging from 400 - 600 made with quality cotton fibres. These numbers are enough to make soft and luxurious cotton sheets. Note that the ideal range may vary depending on the type of material.

Though important, thread count should not be the sole indicator when looking for quality sheets. Manufacturers and marketers may occasionally use deceptive computations to manipulate their figures as a promotional tool since bedsheet thread count has a significant impact on consumers' decisions.

To demystify this conspiracy, Consumer Reports hired an independent textile lab to count threads in a queen sheet set with the stated thread count of 1200. However, results showed that there were only 416 threads per inch, 35% of what was initially claimed.

Think of ply as braiding hair, threads are taken and spun together to make one thick yarn of fabric. Single-ply fabrics are made with a single thread, double-ply fabrics with two threads twisted together and so on and so forth.

Just as how the weave of fibres greatly affects the end product, the number of ply has an effect on the overall feel of bed sheets as well. Multi-ply or double-ply strands are commonly composed of short-staple cotton threads, which are weaker and less expensive. In an effort to enhance their strength and durability, these threads are twisted together before being woven. Ideally, premium sheets should have 400-600 thread count with single-ply strands.

Another metric closely intertwined with thread count, yarn count, is a metric to define a material’s fineness or coarseness of a yarn. Fibres with longer diameters take up more space and will hence have a smaller yarn count. This could result in a more durable fabric with a ‘rougher’ finish. Whereas smaller fibres will need more threads to fill the same square inch, and hence have a higher yarn count (around 80s to 100s) to produce a smoother, more beautiful sheet. 

Another factor that can affect yarn count is how loosely or tightly the yarn is woven. When fine fibers are tightly woven together, the yarn count will be boosted and vice versa. Tighter weaves with quality yarn are usually the most desirable as it can produce a fabric that has peak functional and aesthetic attributes.

A simple rule of thumb when understanding yarn count would be:

Higher Yarn Count = Finer thread diameter and/or more tightly woven yarn
Lower Yarn Count = Wider thread diameter and/or more loosely woven yarn

In the world of cotton, the length of the fibre may be a more reliable indicator of quality. Staple length, also known as the length of the fibres, is one of the most important factors in determining the softness of fabrics. It is most commonly associated with cotton fabric. For example, extra-long staple cotton makes sheets and fabrics that are finer, smoother, and lighter.

It is important to ensure that the type of cotton that the fabric claims to be from is verified or certified.

For example, cotton that is grown in Egypt, both long and short staple, can be technically labelled as Egyptian cotton, which makes it hard to guarantee the quality of the ‘Egyptian cotton bed sheets’ that you’re buying. And there are a lot of fabrics claiming to be Pima cotton that are actually just a blend of Pima. Hence, look out for a verified Pima cotton or Supima instead.

The weave of a fabric is considered a design or construction of the yarn to achieve a particular pattern, which determines its texture and durability. Three of the most popular types are sateen, percale, and twill, which we'll compare below:

Bed linen may experience natural wear and tear, including fading, pilling, thinning of fabric, or slight fraying at the edges. This is a normal part of usage over time.

On average, well-maintained bed linen can last anywhere from two (2) to 10 years or more. But remember that sheets are crafted from a variety of materials, each with their own level of durability. Thus, the lifespan can vary depending on several factors, such as the fabric quality, frequency of use, bedding care and maintenance, etc.

If you lead a busy life that doesn’t leave you much time for laundry or tidying up, it may be advisable to buy bed sheets that are long-lasting plus easy to clean and care for.

Promoting a healthy sleep environment entails choosing non-toxic products. The good news is, it’s now easy to spot bedding safe for your family and loved ones with the help of the following certifications.

With a wide variety of options available in the market, selecting the right bedding can be a daunting task. However, understanding a few key considerations and these tips can make the process much simpler. Now, let’s find you the perfect sheets that offer both comfort and style, shall we?

There is a multitude of bed and mattress sizes across different countries, such as Singapore, Australia, Europe, and the United States. Here is a quick summary of their differences.

This means that if you want to purchase a Queen size bed sheet in Singapore, you may also purchase an Australian Queen, Euro Queen, or US King.

In order to ensure you have an accurate measurement of your mattress, remember to remove all sheets from your bed before using a measuring tape to measure its width, length, and height.

The chart below should help you determine which bed sheet size you should pair with each classic mattress size. Weavve's sheets are aligned with Australian sizes with deep pockets so they are slightly bigger than Singapore standard sizes and can accommodate larger beds.

As a rule of thumb, you should pick a fitted sheet size proportionate to the mattress size. For example, King bed sheets will perfectly fit a King mattress size.

Bed sheet colours are an easy yet impactful way of giving a bedroom personality as the bed is the focal point of the bedroom. They can instantly change up the mood and also encourage better moments of rest.

If you are one for bright colours and livening up your room, pink, purple, and sky blue bed sheets may be just the shade for you. Or if you’re looking for earth tones to make your bedroom feel a little homier and bring in a touch of nature, green and light brown never fail to impress. White bed sheets are the classic that go with any room. They can make you feel brighter, airier, and fresher.

However, if you are someone who’s practical and worries about your bedding looking dirty, darker colours like dark blue or grey-coloured sheets would make a better choice. When selecting bed sheet colours, four things to consider are your personal style, overall home design or colour scheme, sleeping style, and if you are one for mix-and-match or prints. 

If you are someone who is prone to sweating in your sleep and struggles to find bedsheets to keep you cool throughout the night, or someone living in a warm climate, looking for materials that are moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating would do wonders.

For example, Singapore's warm and humid weather demands bed sheets that excel in moisture management, allowing for adequate airflow and evaporation to keep you cool and dry throughout the night.

You should take into consideration your own taste and whether they are a good fit for you and your sleeping habits. The most expensive and luxurious bed sheets may not be the best option for you if they do not work for your lifestyle. Here is our humble attempt at categorising your personal preferences:

With a wide variety of types and blends, there is surely something for everyone at different price points. Here’s a table to help you find the one tailored to your budget.

Note, however, that actual prices can vary based on bed linen brands and quality, so be sure to do your research and check all your options before coming to a decision.

If you're looking to buy bed sheets online, there are several reputable platforms and stores where you can find a multitude of options to suit your preferences. You can shop on online marketplaces or you may visit online sites of bedding retail stores in Singapore.

Trusted brands like Weavve Home offer different types of bed linen for you to choose from. Whether you love the silky smoothness of TENCEL™ sheets or the buttery soft feel of cotton sheets, you are off to a great night’s sleep. You may even avail of free delivery for orders above $50.