Which bed linen to choose: the subtleties of choosing a set of quality linen

Content:

1. Which material is better to choose

2. Colors and patterns

3. Slit or zipper

4. Density of bed linen

5. Size chart of bed linen

6. General recommendations for choosing bed linen

A restful, sound sleep is the key to a person’s well-being, performance, and appearance. An important role in ensuring proper sleep is played not only by the mattress and pillow, but also by bed linen. High-quality bed linen evokes a pleasant feeling, it is comfortable to sleep on, and it will last a long time. To purchase a truly successful set, it is worth finding out by what criteria bedding is divided and familiarizing yourself with the intricacies of their choice.

Which material is better to choose

The bed linen market offers a wide selection of products made from natural, synthetic, and mixed materials. A significant part of the sets are made from cotton fabrics - hypoallergenic, fairly soft, and highly breathable. Synthetics are not so in demand, but they also have their advantages: tensile strength, long service life, ease of maintenance. Here are some materials that are best suited for sewing bed textiles.

Satin

Satin is a material with a satin weave of two types of threads. The reverse side is rough, and the front side is smooth and shiny, similar to silk. Satin bedding is quite durable and dense, pleasant to the touch, it does not prick and does not irritate the skin. And duvet covers and sheets made of satin will not wrinkle - they always look as if the bed has just been made.

One of the disadvantages is the ability of bright satin products to lose color over time. In addition, satin underwear can be a little hot in the summer. Another disadvantage is that the process of manufacturing the material is labor-intensive, and therefore the purchase will not be cheap.

Tensel

Tencel is an almost completely natural fabric containing eucalyptus fibers. Luxury bedding is mainly made from this silky material. Tencel sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers received high customer ratings due to the following advantages:

• Wear resistance. If you take proper care of your laundry, even after several years no abrasions or pills will form on it.

• The presence of bactericidal properties. And this is not a publicity stunt, but a scientific fact: fabric with eucalyptus threads is used to make medical clothing and sterile bandages.

• The ability to allow excellent air permeability. In winter, this linen is warm and cozy, like a woolen blanket, and in summer it is not hot and comfortable.

• Elasticity, which is combined with high strength.

The only disadvantage of Tencel, due to its many advantages, is its respectable price. But the buyer can be confident in the naturalness and environmental friendliness of their purchase. But you need to pay attention to the fact that the fabric contains at least 30% eucalyptus threads, otherwise it is no longer Tencel.

Cotton

Cotton refers to a whole group of fabrics that differ depending on the thickness of the fiber, the method of twisting, and the production method. In addition to satin, leading positions in this category are occupied by materials such as calico, poplin, chintz, terry cloth, jacquard, and flannel.

The favorite among the cotton fabrics from which bed linen is made is calico. It really has quite a lot of advantages:

• Ability to withstand frequent washing with dignity.

• Variety of design options.

• Good breathability.

• Affordable price.

The only point: bedding made from calico may seem rough. This feature is explained by the increased density of the material and its special structure.

Other types of cotton bedding also have their pros and cons. For example, cotton linen is inexpensive and looks nice, but after 50-60 washes it loses its pattern and becomes thinner. Linen made of poplin does not wrinkle and tolerates washing well, but due to its harsh surface it is not very comfortable for people with sensitive skin. Terry cloth is soft and warm, but to avoid unsightly puffs, it must be handled carefully. Jacquard products look expensive and presentable, and delicate fleecy flannel is the best material for sewing bedding for babies.

Silk

Shiny, luxurious and expensive silk is rarely purchased for every day, but during use it is ideal. In addition to aesthetic properties, silk has many other advantages: the fabric does not wrinkle, “breathes”, and creates pleasant coolness during hot weather. It is recommended for women who care about their facial skin to sleep on silk bed linen: creases do not form on silk pillowcases. A relative disadvantage is the need for delicate care (hand washing is recommended for this fabric).

Len

Linen bed linen is strong, durable, with good hygroscopicity and bacterial properties. In addition, this is a very good option for allergy sufferers. But, unfortunately, linen wrinkles a lot, and its rough texture will not be to the taste of every buyer.

Bamboo

Linen made from bamboo fiber is soft, has a pleasant, unobtrusive shine, is hypoallergenic, and is resistant to stains. This is a good solution for children's bedrooms, as well as people suffering from allergies or respiratory diseases, for example, asthma. Microorganisms do not multiply in bamboo fabric, and the only downside is the relatively high price. Another nuance is that bamboo does not lend itself to coloring very well, so products made from it have natural shades: beige, light green.

Bedding made from artificial materials

The group of artificial materials most often used by bed linen manufacturers includes the following materials:

1. Viscose is a cellulose fabric that usually costs more than cotton. The smoothness of viscose linen depends on the degree of processing. However, it is almost always light and soft, and for the hot season there is no better option.

2. Microfiber is a dense and warm fabric with pile, suitable for cold weather. Microfiber underwear hardly wrinkles and does not cause allergies, however, microfiber strongly absorbs moisture and cannot be washed in hot water. The average service life of such linen is 3-4 years.

3. Polyester is an inexpensive material that retains its color and shape for a long time. The only thing that spoils it is the tendency to form pellets, which have to be periodically removed with a machine.

Of course, synthetic bedding is inferior to natural fabrics. Once having bought a set of silk or tencel underwear, a person is unlikely to want to replace it with an artificial analogue. However, a small percentage of artificial fibers in the composition is a blessing: the linen becomes softer and easier to care for. If the synthetic content does not exceed 25%, this will not harm the quality of the bed linen.

Colors and patterns

The choice of bed linen colors depends on your mood and personal preferences: one person likes cheerful patterns, another prefers plain sheets and pillowcases calm, relaxing shades. However, there are a few rules to follow:

• No more than three colors should be used in the design of bed linen. Excessive diversity can cause fatigue and interfere with proper sleep.

• The color scheme of bedding should be combined with the overall interior of the bedroom.

• The optimal colors for bed linen are soft beige, cream, sand, light gray and other warm shades.

• It is better to avoid the combination of red and black: such a mix has a negative effect on mood and, according to Feng Shui, creates negative energy.

• If you want to buy bed linen with patterns, it is advisable that they be visually light, without corners.

It’s great if there is a place in the bedroom for bed linen with discreet floral patterns, polka dots, and cloud patterns. But bed linen with images of predatory animals, buildings, cars is considered a bad choice.

Slit or zipper

An important point is the design features of bed linen. Linen sets from the economy segment usually include duvet covers with a slot and pillowcases with a valve. In more expensive options, bed linen is equipped with zippers. The latter option has several advantages:

1. Ease of use: the zipper is instantly fastened and unfastened.

2. Fabric savings - less material is used to sew bed linen with a zipper.

3. Reliable fixation of a pillow or blanket. A pillow and blanket that are zipped will not come out. This is a win-win solution for people who sleep restlessly and small children.

However, in some cases, products with a zipper are inferior to bedding with a slit. You need to iron them carefully: plastic parts can melt from a hot iron. If the zipper breaks, you will have to spend money on repairing or replacing it. And finally, during machine washing, delicate fabric quickly wears out when it comes into contact with the fittings.

Density of bed linen

The resistance of bed linen to wear is directly affected by its density. This indicator indicates how many threads each centimeter of surface contains. Foreign factories write on the label the number of threads per inch, or 2.54 centimeters.

As an example, it is worth citing bed linen made from the most popular materials. Fabrics with a very high (more than 200) density index include percale and Japanese silk. The density of poplin and satin ranges from 95 to 200, but cambric and calico have a density below average - from 30 to 50.

Size chart of bed linen

The next significant criterion is the size of the bed linen. They are selected taking into account the number of sleeping places and bed dimensions. Modern manufacturers offer bedding sets of the following varieties:

• Single - a suitable option for fragile adults, children and teenagers.

• The “lorry” is the optimal choice for a married couple or one adult who likes to sit comfortably. The bed linen set comes with a pair of pillowcases 70x70 or 50x70 cm, sheets 150x220 and duvet cover 145x215.

• Double. The size chart for different manufacturers may differ, but products from European brands are usually larger than those from Russian brands.

• Euro – double set of linen of increased sizes with 2-4 pillowcases, sheets 220x240 and duvet cover 200x220 cm.

• Family – a set with two duvet covers for couples who prefer to sleep under different blankets.

• King size. This bed linen, which is often referred to as “maxi-euro”, comes with four pillowcases, a large duvet cover 220x240 and oversized sheets (290x310 or 240x260 cm).

Children's bedding is included in a separate category, the sizes of which are selected depending on the age of the child. For a tight fit, the sheet is usually equipped with an elastic band around the entire perimeter, and the size of the duvet cover can be from 120x125 to 150x200 cm.

General recommendations for choosing bed linen

When choosing bed linen, it is recommended not only to pay attention to the criteria listed above, but also to listen to the advice of experts:

1. It is necessary to evaluate the smell of bed linen. If it is harsh, perhaps the manufacturer used low-quality dyes that can cause allergies.

2. The seams should be even, neat, double (this is called a linen seam). The shade of the threads should match the color of the fabric, of course, if the contrasting stitching is not a decorative element.

3. The label must contain information about the manufacturing factory, equipment, material composition, as well as information on the care of bed linen.

4. The percentage of synthetic fibers should be minimal, especially if bedding is purchased for children.

5. A mandatory requirement for bed linen is uniform density. If you feel that the fibers are sparse, it is better to refuse the purchase.

6. To check the fastness of the paint, you can rub it over the surface of the linen with a thick cotton swab or just your palm. A good dye will not leave any marks.

7. In case of excessive sweating, it is advisable to choose bed linen from fabric that absorbs moisture well: chintz, satin, calico.

8. Even the packaging will help you evaluate the quality of the product. Self-respecting manufacturers pack bed linen in boxes with a beautiful picture and clearly printed text, which, of course, should not contain errors.

9. With the seller's permission, you can unwrap your pillowcase or duvet cover to see how the color and pattern look. The photo on the packaging does not always exactly correspond to reality, and bedding should evoke not only pleasant tactile sensations, but also visual pleasure.

The Garda Decor online store sells high-quality bed linen with impeccable design and ideal indicators of softness, durability, and environmental friendliness. The store's consultants will help you choose the perfect set of bedding that will ensure a comfortable sleep and will decorate your bedroom.