Title: Assessment of the Environmental Impact of Washing Powders and Detergents in Singapore
26 August 2024

Shakespeare enquired: To bed sheet, or not to bed sheet?

Once you reach a certain age, when someone asks what your hobby is, your answer would be ‘sleeping’. Having been part of many orientation events and listening to different introductions, I’ve come to know that well. But where’s the shame in that? Sleep deprivation is real, and for that, you and I both know that we want maximum comfort when we lay our head to rest. So here’s the kicker: which type of bed sheet is suitable for you?

If your eyebrow is raised right now, I’m quite certain you haven’t put much thought into it. But stick with me here. As someone who has both adversity for certain textures and eczema, I’m here to teach you which type of bed sheet suits you. Trust me, I’ve tried them all.

To start, let’s get familiar with the different types of bed sheets available here at Cuddles. Tencel, silk, linen, 100% cotton and synthetic cotton. MM, DELICIOUS. Personally, I like linen because I’m fancy like that. But remember, my preference doesn’t equate to your maximum comfort. We’re all different in tastes, but our tastes are the same in our preference for a taste of premium like Cuddles.

Tencel

So. Let’s talk Tencel. What is it, exactly? Before you get yourself upset over not knowing, calm down! I didn’t know until I learned so I’ll impart my knowledge with you here. We all start from somewhere, and your somewhere is here. With me. On this blog post. Hi.

So Tencel is made from a few types of wood pulp. It’s soft, hypoallergenic and pleasant to the touch. Perfect for sensitive skin conditions like dermatitis (aka eczema), acne, psoriasis, rosacea or even for little babies. A safe choice for everyone alike, but maybe the best option for us skin sufferers. (Stay strong…!) But that’s not even the end of it! Highly breathable and moisture-wicking, you can be certain it’s a cooling fabric absolutely suitable for the hot weather of Singapore. Our nights are hot, no matter how much you want to deny it, and if you want a good night’s sleep without a big dent in your wallet from turning on the air conditioner?

Ahem, enter: Tencel.

Oh, and might I add for my lovely environmentalists out there? Water use is lower along with sustainable methods of wood sourcing ensured, sleep better knowing you’re helping reduce carbon footprints! Wink.

Silk

Silk: sounds like luxury, feels like luxury. Weaved by silkworms, it’s truly a marvel to learn how they are made. Not only that, but they are durable and softer than anything you’ve ever felt. Plus, in this dreadful heat? A cooling choice suitable to keep you sweat-free while you’re off in dreamland. After all, no one wants to find that they’re sweating excessively through the night…

It’s no wonder those worms are burying themselves in that as they await for maturation. Sign me up, silkworms!

Oh, let’s not forget that it’s a sustainable material too. Being natural and all, saving the environment becomes an easier part anyone can play. What do you say? Silk sheets for you, your majesty?

Linen

Crisp sheets turn soft overtime with more use, enhancing its softness as time passes. Hey, good things come to those who wait! (Personally, I like a bit of crispiness in my sheets.) More durable than cotton sheets, you can be sure that you’ll be able to make the most of these luxurious bed sheets. Just like the rest, in sunny Singapore, it’s the perfect option for you to have a cooler night. Take that, global warming!

Plus, eczema is but a distant dream while you slumber upon this material. Sensitive skin? Not a problem. Babies can even roll all around your bed without a fuss when you have these sheets on. It’s me, I’m the rolling baby.

Made from the flax plant, our planet thanks you for your service when you choose this option. It reduces unnecessary water usage that would damage our planet, so it has my seal of environmental friendliness!

100% Cotton

Soft, breathable and light. Cotton. All synonymous words that ring through when you think of the material and that’s exactly why it’s such a staple in both clothing and bed sheets alike. If you can enjoy a long day out dressed in clothes made from cotton, you’re sure to be able to enjoy a comfortable night’s rest on cotton. I know I do.

Made from fluffy little cotton plants, they are naturally sourced rather than manufactured from scratch. Especially since we’re talking about 100% cotton, you can be even more confident that your linens are made with no artificial materials. Mm, my skin likes the sound of that. Oh! Have I mentioned that they’re perfect for us skin sufferers too? Because they are! Anything synthetic causes irritation and will have you scratching like you have lice. Unfortunately, a story I know too well…

Before 100% cotton. Need I say more?

Synthetic Cotton

After all that talk about 100% cotton, I’m sure you have a better idea what synthetic cotton is now, right? Man-made cotton created from chemicals and petroleum-based materials, they combat areas that fabric made using natural resources lack in. With the strength of a hundred soldiers, and durability like no other, you can bet you’re getting a bang for your buck when choosing this material.

Although, it isn’t suited for everybody. People with sensitive skin, you can turn the other side to this option, but with the above four to choose from, it isn’t much of a loss either.

Unfortunately, it may not exactly be the most environmentally-friendly choice, given its use of fossil fuels (which we are running out of, yikes!) and the fact that it isn’t biodegradable… So perhaps, it isn’t the best choice. But sometimes, as unfortunate as it is, we have to weigh our options to make the best decisions for ourselves… Ahem, moving along.

TL;DR, The Summary

All in all, the real thing to consider is yourself. Maximum comfort means nothing if you don’t put your needs and wants first. So, look into your soul and tell me what you see… and then refer to my very helpful table below to determine your perfect bed sheet!

Bedding material comparison chart showing Tencel, Silk, Linen, Cotton, and Synthetic Cotton based on cooling, skin-friendliness, durability, sustainability, and price

Tips and Tricks

Ever heard of the term thread count? Or ever wondered about what GSM means? Are they even the same thing? Not knowing the meanings behind these seemingly terrifying technical terms can mean you’re often spoiled for choice. After all, if there’s no known difference between each bed sheet, how are you supposed to make an informed decision? Don’t worry, class is in session.

Firstly, no, they are not the same thing. Thread count is the number of threads being women into a square inch of a fabric, while GSM (standing for grams per square meter) is the weight of the fabric. The higher the value of the thread count, the better it is and the better it is, the softer it is. Capiche?

As for GSM, the heavier the material, the thicker the material. This means that a fabric with a higher GSM would be more durable than that of a lower GSM. However, it isn’t put into as much consideration as compared to thread count when choosing bed sheets.

Though, the higher the numbers go, the more expensive the sheets tend to get. A rough guide of what thread count you should decide on will be provided for you below by yours truly.

    • TENCEL™ sheets: 300 to 400 thread count
    • Silk sheets: Typically measured by fabric weight due to its thinness, it usually doesn’t have thread counts that are able to compete with a cotton sheet’s
    • Linen sheets: Since it’s a thicker material, its thread count is unable to compete with a cotton sheet’s either
      • However, the recommended thread count would be around 80 to 140
    • Cotton sheets: 200 to 400 thread count
  • Synthetic cotton sheets: Synthetic sheets often have thread counts of up to a thousand, though it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s always better than its 100% cotton counterpart

Depending on your preference, thread count may not necessarily be a huge factor when you decide on what you ultimately purchase. After all, here at Cuddles, we ensure that every bed sheet we provide to you is nothing short of premium, so feel free to take your pick.

With all this newfound knowledge, go forth, my sheet warriors—and choose the bedding that’s truly meant for you.

Citations

Chanda, T., Ahirwar, M. and Behera, B.K. (2020) Appraisal of bed linen performance with respect to sleep quality, ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340205986_Appraisal_of_Bed_Linen_Performance_with_Respect_to_Sleep_Quality (Accessed: 04 June 2024).

Foley, L. (2023) What is tencel fabric?, Sleep Foundation. Available at: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-bedding/what-is-tencel-fabric#:~:text=Tencel%20is%20an%20exceptionally%20soft,being%20breathable%20and%20moisture%2Dwicking. (Accessed: 04 June 2024).

What is Silk Fabric: Properties, how its made and where (2019) Sewport. Available at: https://sewport.com/fabrics-directory/silk-fabric (Accessed: 04 June 2024).

What is linen? (no date) Crane & Canopy. Available at: https://www.craneandcanopy.com/pages/101-what-is-linen#:~:text=Linen%20fabrics%20are%20heavier%20than,%2C%20luster%2C%20and%20lovely%20drape. (Accessed: 04 June 2024).

Sewport (no date) What is cotton fabric: Properties, how its made and where, Sewport. Available at: https://sewport.com/fabrics-directory/cotton-fabric (Accessed: 04 June 2024).

8 different types of synthetic fabrics (2023) Sahni Fabs. Available at: https://www.sahnifabrics.com/blogs/news/different-types-of-synthetic-fabrics (Accessed: 04 June 2024).

Bullen, N. (2021) All you need to know about fabric weight – what is GSM in fabric?, Contrado. Available at: https://www.contrado.co.uk/blog/what-is-gsm-in-fabric/ (Accessed: 04 June 2024).

Noyed, D. (2023) What is the best thread count for Sheets? here’s the magic number, Sleep Foundation. Available at: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-sheets/best-thread-count-for-sheets#:~:text=Thread%20count%20is%20a%20measure,threads%20within%20a%20certain%20area. (Accessed: 04 June 2024).

Sachs, L. (2024) The best thread count for sheets – does thread count matter?, Good Housekeeping. Available at: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/a27494227/best-thread-counts-for-sheets/ (Accessed: 04 June 2024).

What is the highest thread count for bed sheets? (no date) Weavve Home. Available at: https://weavvehome.com/blogs/news/what-is-the-highest-thread-count-for-bed-sheets (Accessed: 04 June 2024). 

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