Bed Sheets

Cotton is the most practical choice for most sleepers: it breathes, regulates temperature, softens with washing, and holds up to regular laundering for years. Within cotton, the weave determines how the sheet feels. Percale is crisp and cool. Sateen is silky and slightly warmer. Flannel is brushed cotton, the choice for cold bedrooms in winter. For most people, 100% cotton in the right weave for their climate is the starting and ending point.

Percale uses a plain one-over-one-under weave, giving it a crisp, matte finish. It is breathable and cool, the everyday choice for warm sleepers and warmer climates. Sateen is woven with more threads on the surface, producing a silky feel and a subtle sheen. It holds warmth slightly better than percale and is the closest home alternative to the feel of a hotel bed. Flannel is cotton that has been brushed to raise the fibres, creating a soft, warm surface for cold months. All three are cotton. All three wash well.

For percale, the practical range is 200 to 400. A tightly woven 200-thread-count percale will outperform a loosely woven 600-count sheet in feel and durability. Thread counts above 400 are often inflated by counting individual plied threads rather than the yarn itself. Focus on the weave type and cotton quality. A well-sourced percale at 200-300 thread count is what most people will prefer after a month of use.

Start with your mattress size. In Europe, Japan and Brazil, beds are measured by width: 140, 160, 180 or 200 cm. In the UK, the same widths go by name — Double (140 cm), King (150 cm), Superking (180 cm) and Emperor (200 cm). In the US, Australia and Canada, the standard sizes are Queen (153 cm wide, 203 cm long) and King (193 cm wide, 203 cm long).

For fitted sheets, also check your mattress depth. European and UK mattresses typically run 200 cm long with a standard depth of around 25–30 cm — our fitted sheets have a 35 cm pocket, which covers most mattresses including memory foam. US, Australian and Canadian mattresses are slightly longer at 203 cm and often deeper, so our fitted sheets for those sizes have a 41 cm pocket. A fitted sheet that doesn't accommodate the depth will lift off the corners during the night.

Flat sheets are less critical for fit, but one sized to your mattress lies flat without heavy tucking. Our smaller flat sheet covers 140 and 160 cm beds (UK Double and King, US/AU/CA Queen). The larger cut covers 180 and 200 cm beds (UK Superking and Emperor, US/AU/CA King).

Wash at 30-40 degrees C with a mild detergent. No fabric softener: it coats the cotton fibres and reduces breathability over time. Tumble dry low or line dry. Percale benefits from a warm iron while slightly damp for a smooth surface. Sateen needs less. Cotton bed sheets soften with each wash rather than thinning; the feel at month six is better than the feel on day one.

Once a week is the practical standard for most households. In warmer months or for people who sleep hot, more frequent washing prevents oil and moisture from accumulating in the fabric. Pillowcases, as the most contact-heavy piece, benefit from changing twice a week for those with oily skin or hair. The weekly wash for the rest of the set keeps the cotton performing as it should.