Selecting the perfect bedsheet isn’t an easy process.
It can sometimes seem like there are millions of things to consider. You have thread counts, color, and even the fabric type.
So to help your next sheet purchase go smoothly, I want to explain the difference between two of the most popular fabric types: linen and cotton.
Both cotton and linen are generally considered to be among the top-tier bed sheet materials available to consumers.
But how different (or similar) are they really? And is there a clear winner?
In this article, we’ll look at some details and facts that can help you choose between linen and cotton sheets.
You’ll learn how each is made, as well as some of the specifics you should look for when making your final decision.
Let’s get started with linen first:
Some Fast Facts About Linen
According to many historical records, linen was the first fiber ever used to weave fabrics. At least, the first that we can confirm.
And since those early days, linen has become a household fabric around the world.
For many years, it was the most readily available fabric before the surge in popularity of cotton during the industrial revolution. Until then, linen was the fabric of choice.
One of the most prominent facts to know about linen is that it takes quite a bit of time to make the finished fabric.
Here’s an abbreviated version of the process you’d have to undergo to make linen sheets:
- Plant and harvest flax plants. You have to entirely uproot the plant, which is time-consuming and typically done by hand.
- Next, you’ll have to remove the exterior or hull of the plant in a process called scutching.
- Decompose the harvested plants in water or a chemical in a process called retting. This prepares the fiber and ensures that it will be a strong finished product.
- Once the plants have decomposed enough, they must dry completely.
- Finally, they are ready to be spun into the finished fiber, which is used to make clothes, sheets, and yarn.
The short version is that making linen sheets is a highly involved and manual process, which means that 100% linen sheets have become something of a commodity.
To many, linen sheets are considered a luxury, and are priced accordingly.
But if you do happen to find yourself in the market for linen, there’s still plenty of great points to know about this fabric.
First of all, if you do want to get your hands on some linen sheets, the consensus is that the best linen comes from Normandy (France) and Belgium.
Because of their temperate and cool climate, the flax plants used to create linen grow there better than anywhere else in the world.
And when you start to look a little closer at linen sheets, you’ll find there’s plenty of other elements to love about them.
- They’re considered the strongest natural fiber used in common bedsheets.
- Linen is eco-friendly from every angle.
- There’s a very small ecological footprint overall.
- Linen is naturally hypoallergenic.
Reports also show that hotels that invest in nicer linen see better customer satisfaction, as they can make the bed you’re sleeping on feel much cooler and increase your overall comfort.
So while you may not even be aware of it, it’s very possible that you already prefer linen sheets to cotton.
At the very least, it shows that linen sheets are known for their high quality and widely considered one of the best available for low to medium budgets.
Many modern linen sheets are also advertised as microfiber but don’t let that fool you. They’re still the same durable, easy to clean, and hypoallergenic linen sheets we’ve been telling you about.
But from a birds-eye view, linen is a solid choice. It may be a little more pricey, but the finished product is worth it if you’ve got a moderate budget for your sheets.
Now, let’s switch gears and look at how cotton compares.
A Snapshot of Cotton
Cotton is the primary fabric type that usually gets compared to linen sheets when you’re considering what to buy. So let’s talk about cotton.
The finished cotton fabric is yet another natural option that comes from a plant. Only instead of flax, it comes from the seedpod of a cotton plant.
The fiber itself is hollow in the center and would look like a twisted ribbon if you peeked at it under the microscope. It’s been around for about 7,000 years as far as we know, and these days is the most popular type of fabric hands-down.
Cotton is so popular because it’s a good fabric for year-round use.
In warmer and wetter conditions, or when you sweat due to exercise, cotton can still breathe and help you feel cooler. As you sweat, the moisture is wicked away and evaporates.
On the other hand, cotton in cold weather will stay dry, which is vital when you’re trying to keep warm.
And much like linen, cotton also has to undergo a very specific process in order to make the transition from plant to sheet.
But the plus side is that, due to modern technology and agricultural practices, cotton has become fairly easy to plant, harvest, and process.
That’s another big reason why cotton is the most widespread fabric type.
It’s also popular because it’s grown around the world by multiple countries that have temperate climates.
It may even surprise you to learn that China is the leading grower and exporter of cotton worldwide. But it’s generally accepted that Egyptian cotton is the highest quality option when it comes to creating soft, durable sheets.
The problem with that is Egypt can only produce so much cotton. That means that there are plenty of fake Egyptian imitations that are bought by unaware consumers.
How do you find the fakes? A reliable way is to check to see if your retailer carries Egyptian cotton according to the Egyptian Cotton Association. While their list isn’t comprehensive, it can point you in the right direction when it’s time to buy.
One other thing to consider with cotton is that is has a much bigger ecological footprint than its linen relative.
That’s why there’s been a push lately to focus on using mostly organic cotton.
But how do you go about finding quality cotton sheets?
Generally speaking, when you find cotton sheets, they’re either made using a plain weave or a twill weave.
The differences can get a little confusing and technical though, especially if you’re not a fabric specialist. So we’ll keep it simple.
In most cases, you’ll want to find cotton sheets that are made with a twill weave, as they’ll have a softer feel and be more durable with constant use.
And as we’ve already seen, all the better if you can find Egyptian cotton. The results will be strong, soft, and help you get a great night’s sleep.
But now that you know some of the basic facts about linen and cotton, let’s start comparing the two to find out which is better.
Strength and Longevity Comparison
Believe it or not, bedding makes up about 72% of the home textiles industry every year.
And this trend will most likely continue, as most people tend to replace their sheets after two years of use.
While that may work for many, that’s actually way too soon when you look at the qualities of fabrics like cotton and linen.
As we’ve seen already, both of these fabrics are very durable. But when you break them down to their finer components, you’ll find that linen is the stronger of the two.
So if the overall durability of your sheets is an important consideration, linen is the clear winner.
But what about longevity?
Most linen sheets will last for two to three decades, whereas cotton sheets will only last between three to five years.
It’s certainly possible to use cotton sheets beyond that, but you’ll probably start to see holes and feel a “thinness” after that amount of time.
That’s a clear sign that it’s time for new sheets.
So in both durability and longevity, linen sheets are the clear winner.
If you want to avoid having to buy new sheets every couple of years, it’s usually worth paying extra for a good set of linen sheets.
How Each Feels
Although linen is usually a very lightweight fabric, it’s surprisingly a bit stiff and harsh when you first start to use it.
This is due to some of the processing steps that we covered briefly above.
But after some washings, wear, and general use, you’ll find that the fabric softens over time. Gently used linen will begin to feel much more like a cotton sheet.
Most linen sheets need about three years before they develop the sheen and softness that’s natural to cotton.
If you want to soften your sheets faster, you’ll need to do so carefully to avoid damaging the fabric.
It’s not recommended to use traditional fabric cleaners, as they typically won’t work and could leave chemical residues.
If you do want to soften your sheets artificially, it’s recommended to let them soak in a mix of vinegar and baking soda overnight.
You’ll need to wash them after though, so make sure that your sheets can stand up to this kind of treatment.
The other thing to consider is that cotton is a much warmer fabric overall, primarily due to the fact that cotton fibers can be spooled together or “double plied”. This creates a higher overall thread count, and provides a thicker layer for heat absorption.
But linen fibers are also naturally breathable, which make them feel cooler in the summer or warm climates.
Linen fibers are also much better at wicking off moisture, which again gives linen an edge against cotton alternatives.
How Does Care Differ?
Another significant aspect of both linen and cotton is that they are each relatively easy to care for.
However, a common mistake for those who may not be aware of the difference between these sheets is that they often get treated the same way.
That could lead to your sheets not lasting as long as possible, or even potentially harming them.
So in this section, I want to briefly cover how care should differ for each.
First up, let’s talk about cotton.
When it’s time to care for your cotton sheets, you can keep things pretty simple. You can wash them in warm water, and then hang dry or tumble dry on low.
Just make sure you keep your colors separate throughout the process.
And if you need to iron your sheets, feel free to do so on high. Not everyone does that, but it’s a great way to keep them looking and feeling crisp at bedtime.
Now, how is linen different?
Well, as we’ve already seen, linen is a somewhat more complex fabric. It’s stronger, stiffer at first, and responds differently to water than cotton.
Depending on the linen provider you choose, you’ll need to read the attached laundry tag to see specifics about its care.
The recommendation for most linen is dry clean only, but you can wash some modern microfiber linens so long as you use cool water only.
You’ll also need to be a little more careful about drying your sheets too. Many brands will outright recommend line drying your linens, but it’s sometimes okay to tumble dry them on low.
And if you iron linen sheets, make sure your fabric is still damp and that you use a press cloth to prevent damage to the fibers.
That means if you like ironed sheets, you’ll probably need to line dry your linen.
So it’s clear that when it comes time to care for your linen or cotton sheets, you’ll need to change your game plan accordingly.
If convenience is the ultimate decision maker, then cotton clearly edges linen out in this case. You won’t have a lengthy line dry, and you can usually wash them in just a few quick loads.
Which One Wins?
But now to answer our overarching question: which fabric is better?
That depends on what you’re looking for and your budget.
Linen is the perfect option for those who like a more textured sheet and don’t mind spending a little extra.
You’ll also have a more unique look and a naturally thicker feel to your sheets due to how they make the fabric.
On the other hand, cotton gives a more polished look and feel to your sheets on day one.
It’s lighter and easier to care for than linen, and usually cheaper as well. Just keep in mind that your cotton sheet won’t last quite as long as a linen alternative.
The other thing to consider when you’re deciding which to buy is what thread count to look for.
Thread count is a very popular way to assess the quality of sheets, though it can actually be a little misleading.
The true thread count is the count of threads per square inch.
Generally speaking, most buyers try to get sheets around the 400-thread count threshold. That’s usually where most people believe the best bang for your buck is.
The catch is that it only applies to cotton, and not to linen. Cotton is a much finer material, so you can pack more threads into a square inch using a technique called plying, as I mentioned previously. .
This creates layers in each thread and, when done well, can increase the comfort and thread count of cotton sheets tremendously.
But you shouldn’t look at thread count at all for linen sheets because it matters much less for that particular fabric.
Most linen sheets end up in the 80-150 thread count range, but that’s not a good indicator of quality because the fiber is naturally thicker than cotton.
Instead, it’s best to use a measurement called grams per square meter, or GSM.
Most brands recommend finding a GSM of at least 160, as that’s a good sign that your linen sheets are high-quality.
Despite their differences, both materials are popular options for someone looking for a soft and comfortable set of sheets.
Conclusion
By now, you know everything you need to know to make an informed decision about your next sheet purchase.
Whether you choose linen or cotton, you’ll be picking a fabric that has a long history of quality and durability. Either fabric can help you get a good night’s sleep.
Linen is great for cold sleepers, even though it may take a little while to soften up.
Cotton is a good option for colder climates, or if you prefer a softer touch out of the box.
Both can last if you’re careful, but linen is the clear winner in this case. A good set of linen sheets can stay around for decades.
But when it comes to care, cotton typically wins out. You can wash cotton easily and quickly at home, whereas you may have to do dry cleaning with linen.
The winner is up to you, as both have pros and cons that will appeal to different consumers. But now that you know what to look for, hopefully your next sheet purchase will be much easier.