Ever since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the world has been more concerned about germs and microbes than ever. From using personal protective equipment to sanitizing our belongings, there has been a growing trend toward staying hygienic and germ-free.
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Companies from around the world are regularly coming up with innovative products designed to keep us safe. These also include hygienic bedding items, which are indispensable considering the amount of time we spend in the bedroom.
If you’re looking for a new set of bed sheets, you might want to add antibacterial properties as one of your considerations along with thread count, ply, weave method, fiber quality, and more.
What Does Antimicrobial Mean?
The term antimicrobial refers to resistance to bacteria, mold, fungus, and a variety of other hazardous germs that thrive in warm and damp environments. Antimicrobial products have to undergo rigorous testing by the FDA to ensure their claims are justified before market release.
How Antibacterial Bedding Works
Fabrics are often breeding grounds for bacterial growth because they can retain moisture and also have a large surface area. This is why commonly used bedding such as bed sheets, pillows, weighed blankets, duvets, and more are often infused with antiseptic solutions.
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Antimicrobial bedding works by inhibiting the growth and reproduction of microorganisms. It does that either by rupturing the microorganism’s membrane which limits its supply of nutrients or by attacking its proteins which hampers its vital functions
This antibacterial technology becomes a permanent part of the fabric, preventing the growth of malodorous and stain-causing microorganisms that accumulate on it.
How Are Antimicrobial Bed Sheets Made?
There are two ways of making antimicrobial bedding:
- One is by making antimicrobial fibers into threads and then weaving them into a fabric. Antimicrobial fibers are synthetic fibers with properties that help suppress bacterial growth. They are extensively used to make bandages and medical gauze.
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- Another way is through adding a topical solution to the fabric during the finishing process. Topical solutions contain chemical compounds that prevent or eliminate the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
6 Benefits Of Antimicrobial Bedding Sheets
Antimicrobial bedding sheets have a multitude of benefits other than just keeping you safe against germs.
Fight Allergens
Textile contact dermatitis is a medical condition characterized by the onset of allergies triggered by wearing certain fabrics.
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Antimicrobial sheets are not only easy on the skin but also combat allergens. They are made by weaving silver threads, which are finer than human hair, in each fabric. Bacterial growth is naturally inhibited by silver.
The silver, which has a positive charge, attracts the bacterium, which has a negative charge. This attraction ruptures the bacteria's cell wall, killing the pathogenic organisms before they can proliferate.
Enhance Skin Health
Since bacteria can trigger acne, acne patients are advised to regularly wash their pillowcases to prevent breakouts.
Antimicrobial cooling sheets however will keep all those dreadful microbes away from your face and prevent the buildup of germs from dust and dirt. They have a comparable effect to the antiseptic sprays recommended by some doctors but without the undesired chemicals and hassle.
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While there is no alternative for frequent washing, antimicrobial linens can help decrease bacteria growth on pillows and battle acne. Other items such as anti-bacterial bath towels have the same microbe-fighting abilities and can stay fragrant for weeks at a time.
Steer Clear Of Bad Odor
Our bodies emit all sorts of fluids when we slide into our covers at night, even if we've just washed. After eight hours, most sheets will have picked up some sort of odor, which will only become stronger by the day.
Antimicrobial sheets do not give germs as much room to thrive as they do on ordinary linens, you can enjoy sheets that are not only cleaner but also smell nicer for a longer time. Hence, you’ll get the feeling that you are sleeping in a fresh, newly-made bed if you use these sheets every night.
Help Maintain Good Hygiene
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Note that liquid resistance is important for cooling bed sheets because it prevents contamination by sweat and other bodily fluids.
Antimicrobial sheets undergo a hydrostatic test which measures the resistance of a membrane to allow water to pass through it. This makes them resistant to bacterial growth by liquid contamination.
Reduce Frequent Washing
Since bacteria have a hard time growing on antimicrobial sheets, you don't need to launder them nearly as frequently as you would with regular bedding. If you normally wash your sheets weekly, you may expect to do three times less laundry using antibacterial textiles, saving you time, effort, and money. Not to mention how this can help the fabric last longer.
Featuring Mundo Eco Laundry Detergent Sheets
The drying step might also be time-consuming if you want to avoid shrinkage in the machine dryer. Silver-infused bedding materials dry faster and keep their structure better. They also use less water and detergent to clean than standard fabrics, which means you can also save money on your energy bill and washing materials.
Make Sheets Softer
Some people believe that because silver is associated with strength and durability, antimicrobial bedding will be less soft than conventional fabrics.
The truth is that if the correct materials are utilized, antibacterial textiles are incredibly soft and pleasant. In addition to that, most of the bed sheets for sensitive skin sold today are made from the best materials, such as TENCEL™ and 100% cotton, which make them softer than regular sheets.
Common Types Of Antimicrobial Fabrics
Some textiles are more effective at fending off microorganisms than others. Note that the following may not be automatically FDA-certified antimicrobial sheets unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. But they can help protect you against bacteria and sweat because of the fabrics’ inherent moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating abilities.
TENCEL™
The best TENCEL™ sheets in Singapore are ideal for hot sleepers and people living in warmer countries since their breathable fabric absorbs night sweats. Because of this absorbency, it is also hypoallergenic.
Featuring Weavve’s TENCEL™ Classic Set in Sand Taupe
Now, are TENCEL™ sheets good for the environment? The answer is a definite yes! TENCEL™ Lyocell is made using a closed loop process, which ensures that any waste produced during the process is recycled. This makes it an ideal bedding material for environmentally conscious customers.
Cotton
Cotton is the most used fabric in the world. The advantage of using it in bedding is that it softens up over time and washes without wearing.
Featuring Weavve’s Cotton Classic Set in Glacier Blue
Cotton sheets are a great option for individuals with sensitive skin since they are naturally hypoallergenic. Though organic cotton is not inherently antimicrobial, it can be treated with an antibacterial solution.
Akin to TENCEL™ sheets, they also do not cause itchiness or irritation, improving your quality of sleep. But when it comes to TENCEL™ vs cotton, the former is more sustainable.
Bamboo
Similar to TENCEL™ sheets, bamboo is an eco-friendly material used in bedding. Besides being naturally relatively wrinkle-resistant, anti-odor sheets made from bamboo are breathable and softer than linen or polyester. This is because its fabric is made of viscose which is naturally round and smooth.
Silk
Silk is made through a complicated and labor-intensive process that involves silkworms, thread-extraction, dyeing, spinning, weaving, and printing.
Featuring Weavve’s Silk Pillows
Because of its high production costs, silk is incredibly expensive. Producing just one kilogram of silk requires more than 5000 silkworms so it may not be the most eco-friendly.
Besides TENCEL™ bed sheets, silk sheets are twice as good as cotton and at wicking away moisture and excess heat. This reduction of moisture makes them especially good for allergy sufferers. They are also beneficial for people who want to improve their skin complexion because silk is naturally smooth and reduces friction on the skin.
Polyester
Polyester blends are more commonly used in bedding than 100% polyester, due to the latter’s rough nature. Their advantage is that they don’t get wrinkles and are relatively inexpensive.
Polyester sheets are exceptionally durable and therefore ideal for people who want low-maintenance bed sheets that do not wrinkle while drying. They are also long-lasting and don’t wear out, fade, or shrink easily.
Linen
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While it doesn’t get as soft as cotton, linen also lightens up with subsequent washes and makes for airy bedsheets .
Linen sheets are hypoallergenic like TENCEL™ sheets, and are thus preferred by allergy sufferers and those with sensitive skin. They are perfect for all seasons as they have the ability to automatically adjust temperature. They also offer exceptional filtration, microbial resistance, ventilation, moisture absorption, and evaporation properties.
Microfiber
Microfiber is essentially a refined form of polyester. It is made by blending polyester and polyamide in an 80:20 ratio respectively, which creates ultra-fine fibers.
Microfiber is used in making cleaning products, face masks, and filtration mechanisms. Microfiber sheets are for people who want the softness and smoothness of silk but don’t want to pay a high price. The good thing about microfiber is that it doesn’t stain and is low-maintenance, making it ideal for kids.
Satin
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Satin is made from either synthetic fibers such as nylon or polyester, or natural fibers such as silk. It has a non-sticky nature which makes it comfortable for people who have trouble falling asleep. Satin also does not retain dust, which makes it more hygienic than other sheets.
Are Antimicrobial Sheets Safe And Comfortable?
Antimicrobial bedsheets, weighted blankets, and sets of duvet in Singapore have to undergo rigorous testing by the FDA before being sold. This is to ensure their claims are justified before being sold and that they are not harmful in any way. They are also made using smooth and breathable fabrics to provide maximum comfort.
EXPLORE WEAVVE’S BEDDING COLLECTION
TENCEL™ Lyocell Bed Sheets
Featuring Weavve’s Signature TENCEL™ Classic Set in Mist Grey
Our TENCEL™ bed sheets are packed with best Lyocell fibers (100% Lenzing TENCEL™) spun into the finest 80s yarn count threads. To enhance strength, smoothness, and breathability, these fine single ply threads are woven into 400 thread count fabric.
Shop TENCEL™ bedsheets Singapore
Cotton Sateen Bed Sheets
Featuring Weavve’s Cotton Deluxe Set in Midnight Blue
Our cotton sateen sheets are made with extra-long staple cotton fibers to ensure durable and soft material. Since Weavve’s threads are finer (100 yarn count), high-quality fibers are woven together in single ply threads, resulting in an honest high thread count.
Shop Cotton bedsheets Singapore
TENCEL™ Lyocell Duvet Cover
Featuring Weavve’s Weighted Blanket in Singapore and TENCEL™ Duvet Cover Set
Combine our comforting weighted blanket with the best duvet cover in Singapore and you are off to a blissful night! Our signature TENCEL™ duvet cover has a silky touch and a sheeny texture, making them incredibly smooth and gentle to the skin.
If you’re confused whether you should get a duvet, a quilt, or a comforter, get to know the differences between them to help you choose the one perfect for you.
Shop Weighted Gravity Blanket + TENCEL™ Duvet Cover Singapore
RESPONSIBLY MADE
Here at Weavve, we pride ourselves on being committed to responsible sourcing, production, sale, and use of our products. We take a great effort in ensuring that our decisions account for all the people who help build our products, the environment, and our consumers. From Standard 100 by Oeko Tex® certified sheets to SEDEX certified factories, Weavve makes sure that everyone is cared for at every step of the way.
