Sleep quality is something we care deeply about at OLARA. So it is concerning that 4 in 10 Australian adults are not getting enough good quality sleep.
If you’re one of the many people who regularly suffer from suboptimal sleep, there might be a surprising reason you’re struggling to drift off into a deep sleep.
Bedding plays an important – yet often overlooked – role in sleep quality.
Yes, the difference between restlessness and sweet dreams might be as simple as the sheets you’re snuggled up in.
And considering the innumerable benefits of a good night’s sleep, from better physical health to improved mental performance, the best sheets are a small investment in a better quality of life.
OLARA’s top 8 tips for choosing the best bedding:
- Go for 100% organic (bamboo is best)
- Avoid synthetic fibres
- Breathable, insulating fabrics keep you cosy all year
- Look beyond the thread count
- Wash every 7-10 days using mild detergent
- Experiment with layering to find your style
- Know your weave types
- Opt for OEKO-TEX® certification
In this guide, we’re going to outline everything you need to know about choosing the best sheets to create your rejuvenating bedroom sanctuary.
How bedding impacts your sleep quality
Bedding is one of the most consistent factors affecting your ability to drift off to sleep without disruption and wake up feeling refreshed.
Poor-quality bedding disrupts your sleep in several ways:
- Keeping you too hot or too cold
- Retaining sweat and moisture
- Clinging to your skin
- Trapping bacteria, dust and odours that trigger allergies
It all adds up to a night of tossing and turning.
On the flip side, the right combination of pillowcases, fitted sheet, flat sheet, and duvet cover made from high-quality fabric can make all the difference.
Temperature
Air escapes through your feet and fingers at night to cool the body down. But if that warmth has nowhere to go, your body can’t cool down enough to sleep soundly.
Synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon are known to trap heat. Similarly, flannel, usually a blend of cotton and wool, retains warmth on cool winter nights.
The ideal ambient temperature for sleeping is around 18°C. This means the best sheets for summer will be lightweight and breathable to let warm air escape
Related: Are you a hot sleeper? Read about these creative ways to cool down before bed.
In winter, thicker sheets might seem cosy, but they can quickly warm you up more than you need. Instead, choose an insulating sheet and doona cover, possibly paired with a heavier duvet.
Insulating fabrics like 100% organic bamboo and Egyptian cotton with a high thread count can keep you cosy year-round. In fact, 100% bamboo is proven to regulate heat better than cotton.
Sweat and moisture
Sweating is the body’s natural heat regulation technique. Usually, sweat evaporates from our skin, carrying heat away from the body to cool us down.
The trouble is that most fabrics are terrible at absorbing and evaporating moisture. The short-staple cotton fibres in everyday textiles retain excess moisture, leading to an uncomfortable situation where you wake up with your bedding clinging to your perspiring skin.
Bamboo fabric wicks away more moisture than cotton due to the thick, breathable fibres that allow moisture particles to pass through and evaporate in the air.
Allergens
The best bed sheets for sensitive skin are made from Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified material. OEKO-TEX® certification guarantees the fabric is made without potentially harmful chemicals.
Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX is a good benchmark for fabric for babies, kids with skin issues, and adults sensitive to allergens.
There are other ways to eliminate allergens and microbial build-up:
- Bamboo fibres are naturally antimicrobial and hypoallergenic
- Avoid harsh detergents, bleach and fabric softener in the wash
- Hang dry sheets or tumble dry on a gentle setting
- Fold sheets neatly and store them in a cool, dry linen cupboard
- Keep pets off the bed
If you’re resorting to hot wash cycles, harsh detergents, fabric softener or other chemical additives to keep cotton sheets clean, it might be time to toss those old sheets.
Bamboo fabric is naturally hypoallergenic. Harsh chemicals degrade bamboo’s natural antimicrobial properties and durability, so a 30°C or 40°C wash cycle and mild detergent is optimal.
Choosing the best sheets for your sleep style
Some people are hot sleepers. Some like the weight of a heavy doona. Some couples share a blanket; others like the Scandi-inspired single duvet system.
There is no “best bed sheet” for everyone. But whoever you are, and however you sleep, we’ve got you covered.
Material
While there’s no single defining factor in choosing the best sheets, the material is an excellent place to start. We’ve already seen how synthetic fabrics are poor temperature regulators and cheap cotton traps moisture.
Here are other things to look for when shopping for bedding:
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100% organic fibres: Organic material without chemicals or toxins are softer on skin.
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Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX®: Independent lab-tested certification that proves the standard of bedding and textiles.
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Australian-based companies: Traceability and higher manufacturing standards mean better bedding.
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Sustainable sources: Choose bedding that’s soft on the environment.
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Avoid synthetic blends: Check the fibre to ensure there is no polyester or nylon woven in.
Thread count
High thread count does not always mean better quality bedding.
Thread count (TC) is merely a measure of the warps and wefts in a square inch of material. It does not indicate the quality, sustainability, comfort or durability of those threads.
Take OLARA bamboo bedding, for example. Our thread count is 500TC by Aus standards (or 400TC by USA standards), the highest you can find in bamboo bedding.
Compared to cotton with thread counts over 1000TC, our sheets will always feel silkier thanks to the natural softness of 100% organic bamboo fibres.
So rather than buying purely based on high thread counts, we recommend investing in the long-lasting softness of bamboo bedding.
Weave type
Bedding comes in a range of weave types. Sateen, percale, twill… it’s easy to get in a twist about weave types, so let’s help unpick the mysteries:
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Sateen weave: Tightly woven threads provide buttery softness and a refined drape.
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Percale weave: A standard over-under weave makes for a light, strong and breathable all-rounder.
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Twill weave: Also known as natural weave, twill’s looser weave makes the fabric more tactile.
Thicker fibres at a higher thread count make sateen a superior insulator all year. Twill can also be soft and pliable, provided the fabric uses high-quality yarn instead of short-staple cotton.
Flat sheet: yes or no?
Not everybody likes sleeping with a flat sheet between their body and the doona. Also called a top sheet, flat sheets are increasingly popular in Australia.
Whether you prefer a flat sheet or not is up to you. However, for those who like an extra layer, there are some essential guidelines for good sleep:
- Wash the flat sheet often
- Follow the above tips to find a high-quality fabric
- Consider using a thinner summer doona if you are a hot sleeper
Flat sheets are used to protect the doona cover, but they can also be a great addition to stay warm on cool winter nights. Furthermore, they can add a styling aspect to achieve a refined aesthetic look in your bedroom.
The best bedding for a better night’s sleep
OLARA bamboo bedding is the comfortable, refined way to upgrade your bedroom from tired cotton sheets.
Our entire range is Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified, with 100% organic bamboo from sustainable sources. Find your new favourite sheets in our online shop and get all the benefits of a better night’s sleep.
