What to Consider When Buying New Bed Sheets | Ethical Bedding

Buying new bedding is an essential task, but that doesn’t mean it should feel like a chore. In fact, choosing new bed sheets can be an exciting time, giving you the chance to inject a little high-quality luxury into your space. After all, we spend around a third of our lives in bed, so why settle for second best?

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But what factors should be front and centre of your mind when buying new bedding? To help you choose the perfect size, style, and fit, we’ve delved into the nine essential considerations you should make when browsing bed sheets. 

1. Bed size

Perhaps the most important thing to remember when buying bed sheets is choosing a size that comfortably suits your mattress. 

If you size down, it won’t fit, and you’ll spend half the time tucking it back in (and you’ll wake up sleeping on bare mattress with your sheet halfway down your bed) and if you size up you risk your bed looking scruffy and unmanageable. The main bed sizes include single, double, king, super king, and emperor, but if you have a three quarter or queen size mattress, make sure to buy accordingly. 

And, even if you do double check your mattress to choose the right size bedding, there’s always the chance that it won’t fit anyway. For instance: Is your mattress taller than typical? Do you sleep with a mattress topper? Even if you think you know your mattress size, measure the length, depth, and width one more time, to help you find a well-fitted sheet. 

2. Fitted sheet or flat sheet

Another important consideration to make when buying new bedding is whether you favour a fitted sheet or flat sheet. Each come with their own benefits, so it’s largely down to personal preference. 

A fitted sheet is designed to fit snugly around your mattress to provide a secure fit that doesn’t move during the night. Often-elasticated corners offer practicality, while the close fit gives you a smooth sleeping surface. 

A flat sheet, on the other hand, is simply a large sheet of fabric that spreads over your mattress and requires tucking in. This can give your bed the luxury look of a five-star hotel and make folding and storing a breeze.

If you’re interested in learning more about the differences between flat sheets and fitted sheets, read our handy guide. 

3. Thread count 

While thread count is of course an important consideration to make when buying new bed sheets, it’s not the be all and end all. In fact, there comes a point where a higher thread count doesn’t actually feel softer, and you just end up paying a premium price for a similar standard of product. 

Generally speaking, bed sheets with a thread count of around 300 are considered high-quality and luxurious, which is exactly what you get when you choose our super-soft bedding. 

When browsing new bedding, though, one thing you need to be aware of is the ‘ply’. Single ply means each thread is made of just one fibre, while 2-ply refers to two smaller fibres twisted together, and so on. A lot of bedding manufacturers try and hoodwink customers by including each fibre in the thread count, when the reality is a 2-ply 300 thread count sheet has a true thread count of 150. 

You can find out more about which thread count is best for bed sheets. 

4. Fabric

An essential consideration to make when choosing between the various types of bed sheets is the fabric, so take the time to research and review each bedding material before committing to a purchase. Examples of popular bed sheet materials include:

Cotton: high-quality cotton, such as authentic Egyptian cotton, is ultra-smooth, and typically gets softer after each wash. It’s also breathable and excellent at keeping you comfortable no matter the temperature. 

Linen: a natural fibre, linen is both strong and durable, and is often used to produce high-quality bedding. It’s naturally breathable and hypoallergenic, and stylishly enhances a chic aesthetic. 

Bamboo: bamboo is often seen as a luxury alternative to cotton, with softness, durability, and moisture-wicking coming naturally to this eco-friendly fibre. 

Eucalyptus silk: considered by many to be the best material for bed sheets, eucalyptus silk is a super-smooth fabric that’s an ethical alternative to the real deal. It’s soft and cosy, earth-friendly, wrinkle-resistant, and long-lasting. 

If you’re still unsure which to choose, read our useful guide that explains the softest bed sheet materials. 

5. Weave

You may have heard or seen the word weave used in reference to bedding, but what does it actually mean? 

Well, it essentially refers to the structure in which the fibres are interlaced, fwith different weaves providing varying results. The two most common types of bedding weave are sateen and percale:

Sateen: a sateen weave refers to a one under, three over construction, which results in a silky-smooth fabric. 

Percale: a percale weave refers to a one under, one over construction, which results in a crisp and breathable fabric. 

Choosing between different weaves is entirely down to personal preference, so do your research and find a style that suits you. 

6. Cleaning & care

Keeping your bed sheets in a great condition is of vital importance, so it’s crucial you choose new bedding that’s straightforward to clean and care for. 

For instance, while it’s considered a luxury fabric, traditional silk isn’t the most practical when it comes to putting a wash on, with most manufacturers recommending you either clean your sheets by hand or include them in a silk-only load. 

In short, it’s important to follow the care guidance to improve your bedding’s durability - for instance, knowing how to wash bamboo sheets will help you enjoy quality comfort all year round.

7. A chemical-free process

Knowing where to buy bedding that hasn’t undergone harmful processes is essential, so, before making a bed sheet purchase, clarify if there were any chemicals that were used in production. 

Unfortunately, you may find that some manufacturers load up on harmful chemicals to improve anti-wrinkling and softness, without explaining the negative long-term impact to both you and the planet. 

While organic fabrics are typically chemical-free, this isn’t always the case and can’t be relied upon 100% of the time, so look out for official identifiers and specific information about the manufacturing process. 

8. Certifications

Whenever you’re browsing for new bedding, make sure to keep an eye out for any certifications, as this gives you an indication of the quality, sustainability, and safety of the product. 

For instance, all Ethical Bedding bed sheets are woven exclusively from Oeko-Tex certified earth-friendly fibres, which essentially means the fabric that goes into each flat and fitted sheet has been rigorously tested to exceptionally high standards to ensure it’s safe for both you and the planet. 

If you’re interested in making luxury bedding choices that also benefit the environment, you might also want to keep an eye out for:

Carbon neutral processes and eco-friendly packaging: choose a manufacturer that considers their carbon footprint (and complements your own efforts to become carbon neutral), offsets emissions, and delivers your new bedding in eco-friendly and recyclable packaging. 

Minimal impact on the environment: did you know that bed sheets made from eucalyptus silk use 95% less water and 30% less energy in production than equivalent sheets made from cotton? Choosing bed sheets that are manufactured from unproblematic fibres will help to reduce your own impact on the planet. 

Sustainable commitments: when buying new bedding, aim to opt for brands who are actively making long-term commitments to sustainable and earth-friendly practices. 

9. Returns policy

Finally, it might sound straightforward, but before committing to a purchase, check whether the bedding you’re about to buy has a reasonable refund policy. 

After all, there are a number of reasons you might want to return your bed sheets; whether they’re not the right fit for your mattress, you’re not quite as keen on them as you first thought, or you’ve noticed a slight defect, knowing you can simply send them back to the supplier will give you peace of mind – especially if you’re splashing out on a luxury set. 

Just be sure to read the terms before returning your bed sheets, as the manufacturer will likely stipulate that they must be unused and suitable for resale to be eligible for a full refund. 

While buying new bedding can be extremely exciting, it’s not always easy knowing what to look out for, so hopefully you now feel a little more confident choosing the perfect fit for your space. With that in mind, discover our bestselling luxury bedding, or for even more useful insight from our sleep experts, head on over to the Ethical Bedding blog.

Colour

Typically, hotels favour white bed linen above all. Why? An international symbol of luxury, visually dazzling white linen creates the illusion of peace, luxury and above all, a restful place to sleep. It's simple, clean and inviting which is exactly what guests need when looking to evaluate a guest bedroom and some studies have shown it also enhances the sense that a room has just been redecorated – even if only the bedding or bed has been changed. Find out more about why hotels use white bedding.

Satin stripe options are a go-to bed linen look that is sure to make bedrooms look elegant, luxurious and ensures the bed is the focal point whilst the plain options are really great for creating a simple and neat finish. Why not try the V200 200 thread count 100% cotton duvet cover for a truly lavish and high-end look?

Different Types Of Bedding Fabric Weaves

Percale

A type of weave used when manufacturing bedding, the percale weave is a one-under-one-over weave which ultimately produces a stronger fabric. The result is that a percale weave is sufficiently durable, even after multiple washes and it's generally found on the higher thread count bedding. The threads in a percale weave are tightly woven to ensure a fine texture and finish.

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Sateen

A sateen weave is used using a four-over-one-under process. The result is a lustrous and shiny, almost satin-like feel to the fabric. Typically associated with high-end bed sheets and accessories, sateen sheets are incredibly soft and are great for sleeping during the winter months whilst percale bed sheets offer a cooler feeling when under them.

Jacquard

Jacquard weaving is an intricate and delicate type of weave where a pattern is woven into a fabric and jacquard designs have been commonly seen in linen damask tablecloths and napkins, handkerchiefs and damask bed linen, such as those associated with our prestigious luxury brand, Vision V. Jacquard designs can be created through the raising of the original fabric or from fabrics woven into the fabric from coloured yarns. Jacquard weaving is one of the oldest forms of weaving being used to this day and is woven directly into the cloth as opposed to being printed on separately meaning it's more likely to retain the detailing wash after wash.

Damask

A term used to describe fabric with a patterned weave; damask weaves are commonly found in the higher end linens but have also been noticed in tablecloths, napkins and bedding. The name comes from Damascus; once the centre of cloth trade between the East and West. As it's a lustrous cloth with an unmistakeable sheen, it later became integrated into everyday fashions of the time and is identified by the damask being visible on both sides of the fabric. Irish damask is perhaps the most famous due to its shamrock and Celtic patterns.

Do I Choose Natural Filled Bedding or Synthetic Filled?

Vision has a wide range of duvet fillings designed for every eventuality and every purpose. Our polyester duvets can provide warmth during winter whilst we also offer cosy duck or goose feather and down options, as well as cashmere duvets, which are sumptuous and lavish.

For a long-lasting duvet designed to suit any season, consider a polycotton. Or, to emulate the opulent feel of down without the worries of amplifying allergies, just like down duvets are an ideal alternative.

We also stock flame retardant duvets which are designed specifically with demanding environments in mind. Tested to British and European safety standards, the flame retardant line of products from our specialist collection have been stringently checked and approved by various fire and rescue services across the UK.

We've also put together a detailed article on the types and benefits of natural and synthetic bedding.

How Does an All-Seasons Duvet Work?

The all-seasons duvets from the Vision range consist of two individual duvets which are held together at various points to provide a superior level of insulation.

One duvet is a lighter tog rating, which can be used as a stand-alone duvet during summer whilst one, featuring a heavier tog rating, is perfect for colder weather. When required, simply put them together to provide a snug, cosy duvet perfect for winter weather.

Which Tog Rating is Best For a Duvet?

The lower the tog rating, the lower level of insulation it offers. Therefore, tog ratings of around 4.5 are lighter and perfect during summer months when a low level of insulation is needed due to the surrounding temperature.

A 10.5 tog rating is generally better during the spring or autumn seasons or with a blanket during winter whilst a 15 tog offers one of the highest levels of insulations for when the temperature is at its lowest and will therefore keep the body comfortable, snug and ultimately, warm.

What Duvet Dimensions Does Vision Offer?

Below we've put together a table of the most common sizes of duvet that you can buy here on visionlinens.com as well as each sizes measurement in centimetres. However, please be aware that some duvet sizes can slightly differ, so always be sure to check the information on our product pages so that you know you're buying the correct size.

Vision Duvet Sizes and Measurements

Duvet Size

Measurements

Single

Single XL

145 x 217cm

145 x 235 cm

Double

Double XL

213 x 217 cm

215 x 235 cm

King Size

King Size XL

241 x 236 cm

243 x 255 cm

Super King

Super King XL

275 x 236 cm

280 x 255 cm

How To Care For Your Bed Linens

Like all your fabrics, when washing and laundering your bedding, you should always follow the care instructions on the care label.

Wash your bed linen before using it to freshen and remove any treatments and if you have the chance rest it for a few days. Lying bedding flat allows fibres to relax and this will elongate the life cycle.

Never overload your washing machine when washing bedding as it needs room to move in the drum to get rid of stains or odours. Washing at 40˚ kills most bacteria and smells, but if you want to be sure and the care label agrees you can go to a temperature up to 60˚.

If the weather doesn’t allow line drying, tumble dry on a cool setting to protect your linens. If you intend to iron your bedding, remove it from the line or drier when still slightly damp as it will be easier on the iron.

For more specific and detailed guides to caring for your linen, check out our linen care hub. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Hotel Bedding

What is an Oxford pillowcase?

An Oxford pillow or an Oxford border refers to the sewn border of fabric that runs around the edge of the pillow or duvet cover.

What is a housewife pillowcase?

Housewife pillowcases have a sewn edge that meets the edge of the pillow.

What is an envelope-style pillowcase?

Envelope pillowcases feature a panel of fabric that folds over the pillow inside the outer pillowcase. This secures the pillow in place. You can get envelope pillowcases in both Oxford and Housewife designs.

What is a bag style duvet cover?

A bag-style duvet cover is usually longer than the duvet itself and is designed to tuck under the mattress for a tidy look. Commonly found in hotels they do not have poppers, buttons or zips. Also available are bag-style covers with shoulders, which can be left untucked as the shoulders hold the duvet in place. Confused about all the different styles of duvet covers? Read our duvet cover style guide.

Which is best, a fitted or flat sheet?

Fitted sheets are made to fit your mattress. Each corner of the sheet contains elastic that can be stretched tightly around your mattress. Fitted sheets are perfect for base sheets. For more on this, read our article on the difference between flat sheet and fitted sheet.

Flat sheets as the name suggests are pieces of fabric that when laid on a bed lie flat. The flat sheet needs to be tucked under the mattress and the weight of the mattress and sleepers hold the sheet in place. The flat sheet can also be used as a sheet that lies between you and your duvet

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