Bed linen advice: flannelette, cotton or seersucker
Bed linen is available in a number of different materials besides flannelette and cotton, but how do the exotic-sounding names such as seersucker, maco satin and percale actually differ? And which is the best? It all depends on what you want from your bed linen. Do you prefer it cosily warm or pleasantly cool? We present the most popular materials and their features.
Cotton
Cotton bed linen is skin-friendly, hypoallergenic, very absorbent and easy to clean. Do you toss and turn a lot in the night? That can wear the bed linen over a longer period of time — cotton is particularly robust in this regard, but it also creases more easily. It has a cooling effect when it absorbs a lot of moisture, which is very pleasant in the summer. Incidentally, many popular materials are often differently woven or manufactured versions of cotton, which we present below.
Flanelette
Fleecy flannelette bed linen helps to prevent cold feet in winter. The thick, napped cotton fabric is pleasantly plump and stays nice and warm. It is also absorbent and easy to clean.
Flannel
Flannel is made of 100% cotton and is an especially popular choice in winter thanks to its cosy, warming properties. Just like flannelette bed linen, flannel has a napped surface, but the finer threads make it somewhat lighter. And like flannelette, flannel is good at absorbing moisture and easy to keep clean.
Terry
It is the characteristic loops of thread on terry cloth that make it so fluffy and absorbent. That is why it is especially used for making towels, bathrobes and fitted sheets. Terry cloth can have loops on just one side or both sides. It is usually made from cotton, but is sometimes also mixed with microfibre. Terry bed linen is particularly suitable for people who perspire heavily during the night.
Jersey
Non-iron and easy-care — those are the main features of jersey bed linen. A fine knitted structure also makes the material elastic. Jersey can be made of cotton and synthetic materials. It is pleasantly soft and absorbent and is especially recommended for hot summer nights.
Linen
Linen also has a cooling effect on warm nights, because it holds only a little heat and absorbs and wicks moisture well. The material is made from flax fibres. It is somewhat stiffer and creases easily, which lends itself perfectly to the stylish creased look. Since it is a natural fibre, allergy sufferers in particular appreciate its anti-static and thus dirt-repellent and germicidal properties.
Percale
Soft, smooth percale bed linen feels especially light and cool on the skin, which makes it a popular choice in the summer. It is also favoured because the fine, closely woven cotton fabric is absorbent and breathable.
Renforcé
Renforcé is a kind of plain weave. Cotton threads are woven particularly densely to produce a medium-fine, soft material with a smooth surface that is nonetheless especially robust and absorbent and perfect for year-round use as bed linen.
Satin / maco satin
Satin bed linen is popular mainly due to the soft sheen of the surface. The so-called satin weave can be used with silk, but also cotton, viscose or polyester. Maco satin is made of 100% high-quality Egyptian cotton. It regulates moisture, is breathable and easy to clean and is suitable for use as bed linen in both summer and winter.
Seersucker
Seersucker has a crimped structure, producing alternating strips of smooth and ruffled fabric. This makes the bed linen non-iron and the air can circulate better through the ruffled surface. In absorbent, breathable cotton and cotton mix fabrics, seersucker is also ideal for hot summer nights.
You can find top care tips for bed linen, duvets and pillows at www.persil-service.de »
