Experts reveal the 1 fabric you should avoid when buying bedding – ‘sleep thief’

Choosing the right bedding is more important than you may think, according to experts. It’s no secret that comfy bed linen can make you sleep what feels like a hundred times better.

However, what people do not realise in the exact same way, soft and cosy sheets can improve your sleep quality, horrible linen can practically take sleep away from you.

Ideal Home, along with other sleep experts, revealed which fabrics you should opt for when shopping for bedding and which you should avoid.

Ideal Home explained: “It’s worth mentioning polyester and polycotton sheets. Polyester is a synthetic manmade material with a composition similar to plastic. It gets a bad rap because this means it lacks breathability and can create a very hot and sweaty sleep. It’s often dubbed the hidden sleep thief for this reason.”

Polyester or a mix of polyester and cotton (polycotton) is a relatively popular option because it is the most affordable. Linen made of these materials can be washed at high temperatures and dries quickly.

However, if you want to prioritise care and comfort, then it isn’t recommended.

Jo James, the founder of bedding company Bedfolk, says that you should “avoid anything synthetic, which can lead to a sweaty and uncomfortable sleep”.

However, Ms James also highlighted the importance of selecting natural materials, such as cotton, linen, or bamboo, for your bedding. She said that they “make a huge difference to your sleep experience” and that the materials are “temperature regulating and naturally breathable”.

While Egyptian cotton bed sheets are often hailed as some of the best you can buy, cotton percale is also a much more affordable alternative.

Linen, while slightly rougher than cotton, is also a great option; it has amazing breathability and is particularly beneficial for those who get hot during the night-time.