Microfiber: The Dirty Secret

Good bed sheets are essential when it comes to getting a comfortable sleep, and the two most popular types of bed sheets you can come across include cotton and microfiber.

Cotton is a natural fiber harvested from cotton plants, while microfiber is made up of synthetic materials such as polyester or nylon. We break down the distinct pros and cons of microfiber sheets so you get a better idea if microfiber really works for you and your mattress.

What is Microfiber?

Microfiber bed sheets are composed of finely woven fibers made from wood pulp, polyester, or nylon polymers. They’re affordable and soft, yet they’re more durable than traditional polyester sheets. As a synthetic fabric, microfiber is less likely to wrinkle or shrink compared to all-natural fabrics like cotton.

Microfiber is measured by its denier or each fiber’s thickness. A fabric’s denier must be less than 1 denier in diameter to be considered microfiber.

Though microfiber linens are easy to clean and durable, synthetic fabrics are renowned for their capacity to retain heat, causing a sleeper to feel overheated. Even while microfiber wicks away moisture, it is still tightly knit; this might increase durability but reduce heat retention. If you're someone who suffers from night sweats, these sheets may not be for you.

Let's list out some pros and cons to make it easier for you.

• Low maintenance
• Flat, tightly woven microfiber is durable
• Soft and lightweight

• Absorbs moisture
• Prone to stains
• Staticky
• Traps heat
• Waffle-patterned microfiber is prone to moisture
• Paper thin linens.

What about the environment? 

Microfiber sheets are way less environmentally friendly than those composed of organic fibers like cotton. 

This is why:

• Pollution is exacerbated by gases released during production.
• When compared to cotton, microfiber production requires twice as much energy.
• When you wash your bedding, millions of microfibers are discharged into the water. They wind up in the seas, lakes, and rivers because they are too tiny to be removed by waste treatment.
• Microfibers are not biodegradable.

Conclusion

As you can see, microfiber sheets can be a perfect fit for some people. It can be a deal breaker for some. With so many disadvantages to you and the environment, we say you choose something more sustainable and go natural. 

Check out our Organic bedding range. That's best for you and your mattress.