Ever since our humble beginnings back in 2017, when we first started out with 100% linen bedding in three simple shades, Dove Grey, Blush Pink and White (yes, our website looked a little different back then!), we've had no reason to talk about anything other than linen when it came to bedding materials.
Fast forward to now, five years on, and we've only gone and taken the big leap into the world of cotton bedding for the first time. Not only has this step given our content team a welcome respite from writing the word 'linen' (just kidding, there's always more where that came from) - it also means we can now really delve into the differences between these two natural bedding options, meaning you - reader - can take the information and work out which material is going to be right for you.
Buckle up and prepare for the gentlest fight you've ever witnessed as we hit play on 'the battle of the naturals' - or to put it more simply, the key differences between linen vs cotton bedsheets...
Salt Pink Seersucker Bundle; Raspberry Linen Bundle
What’s the difference between linen and cotton bedding?
There are a few key differences between cotton and linen bedding that should help you to decide which material is for you, let's delve into them.
Cotton fabric is made from the fluffy seed-hair fibre of the cotton plant. It is a lightweight and durable fabric that has been used for centuries due to its ability to be dyed and woven into many different textures, the versatility it offers, and its affordability.
Linen, on the other hand, is made from the fibres of the flax plant and is one of the world’s oldest fabrics. The history of this material goes back thousands of years - it was used for clothing during ancient Egypt and is even mentioned in the Bible. Linen has plenty of unique features that make it ideal for bedding - it’s easy to dye and is naturally breathable.
Cotton usually feels smooth to the touch and sometimes has a satin-like texture whereas linen often has a more cosy, rustic feeling texture to it, resulting in those wonderful natural crinkles that you'll often hear us talking about!
If linen was a mood, by @katesgeorgianhome
What are the pros and cons of linen bedding?
As well as being exceptionally soft, linen's natural long fibres make linen bedding breathable and absorbent, helping to regulate your body temperature as you sleep. Its density also means the fabric has a natural weight to it, making it feel like a comforting, warm embrace and easing you into a wonderfully deep sleep. It’s the perfect material for every season - feeling fresh in the summer and warm in the winter. Another great quality of linen bedding is that it gets softer and softer with wear and its durability means you’ll be enjoying your linen bedding for years to come.
The production of linen is very sustainable as every part of the flax plant can be used. It's a rotation crop, farmed naturally in small batches. Our linen is sourced from Europe and is OEKO-Tex certified, meaning it doesn't contain harmful chemicals.
There are very few cons to choosing linen bed sheets as they’re suitable for all seasons and ideal for those who run cold or warm when they sleep. The material does crease quite easily but we consider this just part of its charm: life is too short to be worrying about ironing your bed sheets.
Shop Linen Bedding
Cloud Cream Seersucker Bundle
What are the pros and cons of cotton bedding?
Cotton is another natural fibre that has lots of super benefits when used as bedding. It’s strong and durable, and it’s breathable like linen but doesn’t have the weight that linen does. The feel of the fabric tends to be thinner than linen and it’s also really breathable as it absorbs moisture and releases it quickly, keeping you cool in the summer months.
It’s not as warm as linen, however, and because it’s more lightweight, it doesn’t have quite the same cosy factor that linen bedsheets do. Our seersucker cotton bedding is made from 100% cotton and boasts a 200-thread count which means they feel super soft and luxurious, while the seersucker texture brings the overall result closer to the linen that we know and love. Made in Portugal and OEKO-Tex Standard 100 certified, cotton bedding is an excellent choice for your bedroom no matter the time of year.
The verdict: are linen or cotton bedsheets better to sleep with?
It may have become clear through the course of this Journal entry that the choice between cotton and linen bed sheets is ultimately down to personal preference. If you enjoy comfortable bedding that feels ultra-soft right out of the box, opt for our cotton bedding, available in a range of lovely colours and sizes to suit any bedroom.
Shop Cotton Bedding
If you’re looking for bed sheets that last, are cosy all year round, and are breathable in any weather thanks to the longer fibres, choose our linen bedding. Linen bedding will last you for years, getting softer and softer over time, and offer you a comforting weight without adding extra bulk or heat in the summer.
