Cotton, Wool, Silk, and Bamboo: The Best Choices for Natural Bedding

So it’s time to switch things up in the bedroom and you don’t know where to begin? shopping for new bedding can be overwhelming, thanks to the wide variety of choices available in today’s market. Purchasing a new comforter set for your bed involves much more than just looking for appealing colors and patterns to match your decor. Comforters now come in an assortment of materials in both covers and fills.

So what can you do to avoid standing in the aisles of a bedding store with a look of complete bafflement on your face? With a little research, you will soon learn the benefits of the diverse range of options that are now available. There is a perfect choice to suit the personal needs and preferences of every individual. But where to begin? Let’s explore the basics of natural fiber bedding.

Cotton

Cotton is one of the most familiar and reliable textiles found in bedding. Cotton is a completely natural fiber and has been the mainstay of textile weaving since as early as 3000 BC. Cotton has long been a hugely popular fabric for clothing because of its softness and breathability. Cotton prevents moisture from building up between your skin and the fabric covering it. This advantage makes it hugely popular for bedding as well as clothing. Cotton will keep you warm in the winter without causing perspiration, and cool in the summer because of its ventilating qualities.

Cotton is durable and long-lasting, so though you may pay a little more for cotton than synthetic fabrics, you will get many more years of use out of cotton bedding than synthetic. It’s easy to launder and holds up well through machine washing and drying. The lifespan of real cotton bedding is twice that of the synthetic alternativesAnother reason to choose cotton is for its naturally hypoallergenic properties. Cotton won’t cause itchiness or irritation, as it’s seldom associated with allergies.

Wool

Wool is another quality natural fiber that has been used reliably in textiles for thousands of years, with evidence of wool fabric weaving found as early as 10,000 BC in Northern Europe. For bedding as well as clothing, wool is consistently temperature regulating, making it ideal for sleeping materials such as blankets and comforters. Wool is naturally resistant to dust mites, microbes, and even to fire, thanks to its lanolin content. It’s hypoallergenic and is a completely natural product of the sheep industry.Wool keeps you warm in the winter without causing moisture or clamminess. In the summer it wicks moisture away from your skin, allowing you to sleep in cool comfort. Wool is soft and versatile. Studies show that wool helps you to enjoy longer periods of restoring REM sleep.

Silk

Silk is another all natural fiber with many benefits for bedding. Originally cultivated in China, silk has been used in bedding since ancient times when it was only available to the very rich. Silk, like most natural fibers, is breathable and moisture-wicking, making it a perfect choice for those who struggle with night sweats, hot flashes, or simply wish to sleep in dry comfort. Silk is mold-, mildew-, and dust-mite-resistant. Silk is incredibly smooth and naturally cool to the touch, making it ideal for summer sleep. However, silk fabrics also have a naturally draping effect that hugs your body and can help you stay warm in the winter. The same smooth, cool fabric that can enhance your sleep is also known to prevent tangles in your hair, and even “sleep wrinkles,” those embarrassing creases that may greet you in the mirror after a night on traditional bedding.

Bamboo

Another all-natural fiber to consider for bedding is bamboo. Unlike most other natural textile products, the use of bamboo in fabrics is a new technology. Historically, though used in many products, paper was the most flexible product made from bamboo fibers. New processes have made it possible to use this versatile fiber for beautiful bedding.

Bamboo is extremely strong and durable, but when processed and woven into fabric, the result is a surprisingly soft and smooth bedding that offers uniquely long-lasting comfort. Though it tends to be higher priced than cotton, the strong fibers are incredibly resilient and will not wear as quickly. Many people also find it to be softer and more luxurious than cotton, as well as longer-lasting.Bamboo is thermo-regulating to keep you at a steady comfortable temperature throughout the night and the fibers are naturally antimicrobial and fungi-resistant. Bamboo has joined cotton, wool, and silk as among the top choices for those who prefer to sleep au naturel … in bedding made of all natural fibers rather than synthetics.

Resources: National Cotton Council of America, International Wool Textile Organization, Everyday Health, Our Everyday Life

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