Is it better to sleep in 100% cotton?

Is it better to sleep in 100% cotton?

If you’ve ever stood staring at bedding descriptions wondering whether 100% cotton really is the best choice for sleep, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we hear, and it’s a good one.

At Linen Bay, we spend our days working closely with fabrics, suppliers, and customers, and our nights actually sleeping on the materials we choose. We’re a small company, but that’s part of the point: we’re close to the product, close to the process, and close to the real-life sleep experiences of the people who use our bedding.

So rather than giving you a simple yes-or-no answer, we want to share what we’ve learned from years of hands-on experience with cotton, where it shines, where it doesn’t, and how to decide if it’s right for you.

Why cotton has stood the test of time

Cotton has been used for bedding for generations, and not because of clever marketing. At its best, cotton is breathable, comfortable, and dependable. It doesn’t try to be flashy or futuristic, it simply works with the body.

One of the things people often underestimate about cotton is how well it manages moisture. Breathability is part of the story, but cotton also absorbs sweat and gradually releases it, rather than trapping it against the skin. That’s why many people find they wake up feeling fresher and less clammy when sleeping on good-quality cotton sheets.

From our own experience, both testing samples and sleeping on them, cotton feels natural and consistent year-round. It doesn’t cling, doesn’t feel artificial, and doesn’t require much adjusting to. For many sleepers, that quiet reliability makes all the difference.

Our experience with 100% cotton bedding

We’ve worked with bedding and textiles for several years now, building Linen Bay from the ground up and being involved in every stage of product development. That means selecting yarn quality, choosing weave types, testing finishes, handling raw fabric swatches, and living with the finished bedding in real homes.

We also work regularly with standards such as OEKO-TEX® and organic cotton certifications, not because they sound impressive, but because we care about chemical safety and responsible production. Certifications don’t make a fabric comfortable on their own, but they do help ensure it’s safe, clean, and honestly made.

When customers ask us whether cotton is “better for sleep,” the concerns are usually very practical: overheating, sweating, skin irritation, or fear that cotton might feel too crisp or too basic. These are real concerns, and the answers depend far more on how the cotton is made than the word “cotton” alone.

Cotton vs other bedding materials

We’ve tried most materials ourselves, and each has its place.

Cotton vs linen
Linen is wonderfully breathable and relaxed, especially in hot climates, but it can feel coarse at first and takes time to soften. Cotton is smoother, softer from the start, and easier to care for. Linen is beautiful; cotton is versatile.

Cotton vs bamboo (viscose)
Bamboo has a silky feel and lovely drape, which some people adore. However, we’ve found it can hold onto humidity, especially for warm sleepers. Cotton feels more stable overnight and generally breathes better.

Cotton vs blends or synthetics
Blends are durable and wrinkle-resistant, but they tend to trap heat. For sleep comfort, especially through the night, cotton wins comfortably.

That said, cotton isn’t always the perfect choice. If you love an ultra-silky feel, dislike wrinkles entirely, or sleep in a very cold room, another fabric may suit you better. Sleep is personal, and bedding should be too.

The truth about thread count and “hotel-style” sheets

Which cotton is best for bedding

One of the biggest misconceptions we encounter is thread count. Higher numbers don’t automatically mean better sheets. Thread count is simply a measure of how many threads fit into a square inch, not a measure of fibre quality, weave, or comfort.

In fact, understanding percale vs sateen weaves will tell you far more about how cotton sheets will feel and perform than thread count ever will.

We’ve tested countless fabrics side by side, and a well-made 300 thread count cotton can easily outperform a poorly made 1,000 thread count sheet. Fibre length, weave, and finishing matter far more.

As for “hotel-style” cotton sheets? There’s some truth there. Hotels tend to use crisp cotton percale because it launders well and feels fresh night after night. The luxury often comes from finishing and consistency — not inflated numbers.

Cotton and real sleep outcomes

Many customers come to us because they’re struggling with overheating, sweating, or skin irritation. When people switch to 100% cotton bedding, the feedback is often subtle but meaningful: sleeping cooler, waking less during the night, feeling more comfortable rather than “wrapped” in fabric.

One customer once told us that cotton was the first material that stopped them waking up sweaty at 3am. That kind of feedback stays with you, it’s a reminder that small, thoughtful choices can genuinely improve sleep.

Cotton is generally:

• Excellent for hot sleepers, thanks to airflow and moisture absorption
• Kind to sensitive skin, especially when free from harsh chemicals
• Ideal for children, as it’s natural, breathable, and easy to wash
• Often helpful for allergies or eczema, as it doesn’t trap heat or irritants

Of course, context matters. Even the best cotton sheets can’t compensate for a heavy duvet or a mattress that retains heat. Bedding works as a system, not in isolation.

Sustainability: honesty over buzzwords

Sustainability matters to us personally, not just commercially. But we’re also careful to be honest. Cotton is natural, but it isn’t automatically sustainable. It can be water-intensive, and how it’s grown and processed matters far more than the label alone.

Organic cotton for Organic cotton bedding focuses on farming practices, not softness or fibre length, something many people don’t realise. A fabric’s feel comes from the yarn and weave, not the certification.

There are always trade-offs, and no material is perfect. We believe transparency matters more than chasing perfection or repeating fashionable claims.

So… is it better to sleep in 100% cotton?

For most people, yes, 100% cotton is an excellent place to start. It’s breathable, comfortable, familiar, and works with the body rather than against it. It doesn’t need exaggeration or gimmicks to earn its place.

But it isn’t the only good option, and it doesn’t suit everyone equally. The best bedding isn’t about hype or trends, it’s about choosing a natural, well-made fabric that supports your sleep, night after night.

That’s how we think about bedding at Linen Bay. Calmly, carefully, and always with real sleep in mind.