Search
  • Menu
  • Search
  • Log in
  • Register
Quote List
Australian Linen Supply
  • Home
  • Shop by Industry
    • Accommodation Linen
    • Restaurant Linen
    • Day Spa Linen
  • Shop by Product
    • Bed Linen
    • Bath Linen
    • Table Linen
    • Tea Towels
    • Bathrobes & Slippers
    • Pillows
    • Floor Mats
    • Housekeeping
    • Indulgence
    • SALE
  • About Us
    • Understanding Commercial Linen
    • Our Sustainable Approach
    • Table Setting Resources
    • Clients Testimonials
    • News & Articles
    • Hospitality Hub
    • How To Buy
  • Contact Us
  • Sustainability
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
Search
  • Home
  • Shop by Industry
    • Accommodation Linen
    • Restaurant Linen
    • Day Spa Linen
  • Shop by Product
    • Bed Linen
    • Bath Linen
    • Table Linen
    • Tea Towels
    • Bathrobes & Slippers
    • Pillows
    • Floor Mats
    • Housekeeping
    • Indulgence
    • SALE
  • About Us
    • Understanding Commercial Linen
    • Our Sustainable Approach
    • Table Setting Resources
    • Clients Testimonials
    • News & Articles
    • Hospitality Hub
    • How To Buy
  • Contact Us
  • Sustainability
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Log in
  • Register
Home › Hospitality News & Articles › Cotton vs. Linen vs. Silk Sheets: Which Is Best?
Blog Menu
Recent posts
  • January 08, 2025 Make Your Airbnb Feel Like a Hotel: Linen Tips
  • June 13, 2023 Caring for your restaurant table linen in-house
  • February 13, 2023 How often should I wash pillows and mattress protectors?
Blog categories
  • Airbnb hosting tips
  • Airbnb interior design ideas
  • Airbnb tips
  • Basic table setting
  • Bed pillows
  • Bed sheets
  • Best sheets for airbnb
  • Breakfast table setting
  • Buffet table setting
  • Cafe table settings
  • Casual table setting
  • Commercial linen
  • Commercial table linen
  • Cotton
  • Cutlery
  • Event planning
  • Food and beverage linen
  • High-quality linen
  • Hotel pillows
  • Hotel sheets
  • Hotel style sheets
  • Hotel towels
  • Linen
  • Pillow protectors
  • Pizzeria table setting
  • Polyester sheets
  • Restaurant table
  • Restaurant table linen
  • Seating arrangement
  • Seating arrangements
  • Spa towels
  • Table cloth
  • Table linen
  • Table napkin
  • Table set up
  • Table setting
  • Table settings
  • Tablecloth
  • Tea towels
  • Towel folding
  • Towel origami
  • Utensils
  • Venue space

Cotton vs. Linen vs. Silk Sheets: Which Is Best?

August 26, 2019

Cotton vs. Linen vs. Silk Sheets

Cotton, linen, and silk sheets are highly regarded as the choicest in the bedding market.

So what happens when you are forced to choose one out of the three fabrics? Why would you favour cotton sheets, silk sheets or linen sheets?

It’s a tough choice.

To help you solve this dilemma, we will take a closer look at each of these fabrics to discover their strengths and weaknesses. Only then can we conclude on which is the best; cotton, linen, or silk sheets.

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

What Are Cotton Sheets?

Cotton is harvested from the cotton plant. Mature, soft, fluffy cotton bolls are harvested and spun into yarn or thread. The cotton yarns are then used to make natural, soft, and breathable bed sheets among other textiles.

Watch this video to learn the steps used to take cotton from farm to fabric.


Benefits of Cotton Sheets

he big question is: Why would you choose cotton sheets over linen or silk ones? Here are a few reasons to justify your choice of cotton sheets.

1. Cotton Sheets Don’t Pill

Pills are pesky balls of tangled fibres that pop up on your bed sheets when the fabric rubs against itself, your body, or another material. They are unsightly, uncomfortable, and associated with low-quality fabrics that comprise of short fibres.

Cotton sheets don’t pile. They remain smooth and crisp regardless of how many times they encounter friction.

2. Cotton Sheets are Breathable

Cotton sheets absorb heat from your body to keep you cool and dry throughout the night. In the summertime, cotton sheets will keep you cool. On cold winter nights, they will absorb your body heat to keep you warm and comfortable. With cotton sheets, you will hardly wake up drenched in sweat.

3. Cotton Sheets Are Soft on Your Skin

Some sheets irritate your skin, but not cotton sheets. They are gentle and soft to sleep on.

4. Cotton Sheets Last Longer

If you are running a commercial accommodation establishment, cotton sheets will save you money. Although they are pricier compared to synthetic alternatives, cotton sheets will last longer despite constant use and laundering.

Learn how to select hotel-quality sheets.

5. Cotton Sheets Require Low Maintenance

Cotton sheets don’t require elaborate care and maintenance like silk sheets. You only need to observe these basics:

  • Machine wash cotton sheets at 40°C
  • Tumble dry (on low heat to avoid excessive shrinkage) with cooling down period
  • Take the sheets out of the dryer shortly after the cycle is completed
  • Fold, lay flat, and iron the sheets whilst still damp
  • Alternatively, hang the bed linen to drip dry, which results in minimum creasing
  • Do not mix wash with other fibres like acrylic or polycotton, as it may result in pilling of the cotton sheets

Please note these are general guidelines for cotton care. Always double-check against the care instructions on your bed sheet label.

Australian Linen Supply stocks strong, durable cotton sheets. They have been supplying the whole of Australia with hotel quality sheets among other accommodation linen since 1970.

Here are some hand-picked cotton sheets worth checking out.

Cotton Rich White Flat Bed Sheets

Cotton Rich White Flat Bed Sheets

Poly Carded Cotton White Flat Bed Sheet

Poly Carded Cotton White Flat Bed Sheet

Poly Combed Cotton White Flat Bed Sheet

Poly Combed Cotton White Flat Bed Sheet


Downsides of Cotton Sheets

  • Stain easily
  • Shrink when wet
  • Prone to creasing
  • Take longer to dry due to their absorbency nature
  • Susceptible to mildew attack, especially when left damp

What Are Linen Sheets?

Linen fabric is made from the cellulose fibres that grow inside the stalks of the flax plant.

The delicate flax plant has been around for thousands of years. Besides making linen fabric, other flax by-products include:

  • Dyes
  • Banknotes
  • Cattle feed
  • Cosmetics

This diagram shows the journey from flax to linen. Take a look.

Flax to Linen

Image from: Blake and taylor


Benefits of Linen Sheets

Could linen be your ultimate material for sheeting? Many 5-star hotels, celebrities and cosy bed enthusiasts swear by linen sheets. Let’s see what these sheets have to offer you.

Linen sheets…

  • Get softer and more comfortable with each wash
  • Are antistatic, lint-free and dirt repellent
  • Retain their shape well; are naturally elastic
  • Remain in good condition for many years; with proper care, your linen sheets can last a decade
  • Are resistant to bacteria, fungus, dust mites
  • Are biodegradable and recyclable; a friendly choice for our environment
  • Are hypoallergenic: an excellent choice for everyone including those with sensitive skin or skin disorders
  • Are temperature-regulating; depending on the season, they keep you warm or cool without overheating
  • Dry quickly; they can hold up to 20 times their weight in moisture, thus the ideal material for an uninterrupted, clean sleep

Disadvantages of Linen Sheets

Linen Disadvantage #1: Creases a lot. Even after ironing, your linen sheets can still crumple when you sleep on them.

Linen Disadvantage #2: Takes longer to feel soft and smooth. You have to wash your linen sheets on several occasions before they soften.

Linen Disadvantage #3: Substantially expensive. If you are on a budget, you may want to consider alternative bed sheets.

Linen Disadvantage #4: Difficult to iron. Dry linen sheets take a longer time to iron and its results may not be ideal. Hack: Slightly dampen the sheets before ironing.

What Are Silk Sheets?

Silk is harvested from the silkworm through an elaborate and time-consuming process. This is one of the reasons why pure silk sheets come with a high price tag.

Still, there are varieties of silk bearing different qualities. Let’s take a quick look at them:

Charmeuse Silk: lightweight silk with natural elasticity and made from farmed silkworms. The front of the fabric has a satin sheen to it while the back has a dull finish.

Mulberry Silk: It’s the highest quality of silk produced by the Bombyx mori silkworm. The worm feeds on a very strict diet: the leaves of the mulberry tree.

Tussah Silk: It’s made from wild silkworms which haven't been bred. The silk fabric is not as soft and durable as that of cultivated silkworms.

Habotai Silk: Less expensive, less durable silk. This type of silk is often “washed” with sand to make it feel as soft as charmeuse. The washing process destroys the fibre, which also reduces its durability.

Duppoini Silk: This is strong, lustrous, and coarse silk that’s not ideal for bedding. It’s made from irregular cocoons that are not of the same quality you would find in charmeuse silk.

Watch this interesting video to learn how silk is made:


Benefits of Silk Sheets

Silk is the most luxurious fabric.

Silk bears the following benefits:

  • Breathable and comfortable: wicks away moisture from your body, leaving you cool and comfortable all night long. If you suffer from hot flashes and hot sweats, use silk bed sheets, duvets, and pillows.
  • Chemical-free and hypoallergenic: Silkworms eat leaves that have no exposure to chemicals, plus silk contains proteins and amino acids that are skin-friendly.
  • Stronger and better: your sheets are less prone to snags, tears, and pulls, which is common with linen and synthetic fabrics.
  • Hair-friendly: Silky soft sheets let your hair glide over rather than rub against them. In the morning, you’ll find your hair in good shape with no split ends in the long-run.

Downsides of Silk Sheets

  • Silk sheets require extra care and gentle washing
  • Authentic silk sheets are expensive (but worth the price)

In summary: Cotton vs. Linen vs. Silk Sheets

The truth is that each of these fabrics has good characteristics and can make a good addition to your bed.

However, the same sheets have their disadvantages. Depending on your preferences, you may find each of the sheets ideal or otherwise.

Here’s a quick recap:


Properties
Cotton
Linen
Silk
  Material  Natural vegetable fibre  Natural Vegetable fibre  Natural animal fibre
  Texture and Feel  Soft and smooth  Stiff and rough  Silky smooth
  Allergy Issues  Hypoallergenic  Hypoallergenic  Hypoallergenic
  Breathability  Breathable  Breathable  Breaths well
  Wrinkling  Slightly wrinkles  Prone to wrinkle  Hardly wrinkles
  Washing  Hot water shrinks and fades them  Soften with each wash  Delicate; hand wash or machine wash
  Durability  Lasts longer  Lasts longer  Lasts longer
  Cost  Relatively Affordable  Expensive  Very Expensive

Which Are the Best Kind of Sheets to Buy?

Buy silk sheets when you have sufficient money to spend on luxurious bedding. They require delicate care and won’t last as long as the rest.

Buy linen sheets, which are relatively expensive, when you are out to get the most durable bed sheet option.

Buy cotton sheets when you are looking for affordable sheets for commercial or domestic use. They are soft, smooth, crisp and readily available.

At Australian Linen Supply, we stock linen for every occasion. That means we have your favourite cotton sheets in-store today. Go ahead and shop with us now. We deliver all over Australia.

You may also like:

  • How to Buy the Best Hotel-Quality Sheets
  • How to Take Care of Your Hotel Sheets
  • 6 Guaranteed Hacks to Warm a Motel Room Cheaply


Credit:

Feature Image: From
Pixabay by LoggaWiggler
Pixabay by 3158_cn
Pixabay by southerngal

  • Tags:
  • bed sheets
  • hotel sheets
  • Tweet
  • ← Older Post
  • Newer Post →
Recent posts
  • January 08, 2025 Make Your Airbnb Feel Like a Hotel: Linen Tips
  • June 13, 2023 Caring for your restaurant table linen in-house
  • February 13, 2023 How often should I wash pillows and mattress protectors?
Blog categories
  • Airbnb hosting tips
  • Airbnb interior design ideas
  • Airbnb tips
  • Basic table setting
  • Bed pillows
  • Bed sheets
  • Best sheets for airbnb
  • Breakfast table setting
  • Buffet table setting
  • Cafe table settings
  • Casual table setting
  • Commercial linen
  • Commercial table linen
  • Cotton
  • Cutlery
  • Event planning
  • Food and beverage linen
  • High-quality linen
  • Hotel pillows
  • Hotel sheets
  • Hotel style sheets
  • Hotel towels
  • Linen
  • Pillow protectors
  • Pizzeria table setting
  • Polyester sheets
  • Restaurant table
  • Restaurant table linen
  • Seating arrangement
  • Seating arrangements
  • Spa towels
  • Table cloth
  • Table linen
  • Table napkin
  • Table set up
  • Table setting
  • Table settings
  • Tablecloth
  • Tea towels
  • Towel folding
  • Towel origami
  • Utensils
  • Venue space
CLIENTS TESTIMONIALS
View More

"The entire team have been extremely helpful in preparing our Airbnb for guests. We are very happy with all the linen you provided and the delivery speed."

Testimonial from Margie.

"Customer service was exceptional. I had to make a few adjustments along the way and it was never to much trouble. I will be recommending your products to other Caravan Park Operators.”

Testimonial Travel Valley Caravan Park.

"I am really happy with the service provided by this company. Our order arrived within days of purchasing & the customer service was immaculate. Thank you for your help."

Testimonial and reviews from Federations Garden and Possums Hideaway.

"The items were received exactly as described and so far appear to be of great quality. The Service is friendly, superior and is second to none and the delivery was super fast. I look forward to my next order."

David - Commercial Brisbrane.
View More
DEDICATED QUALITY
ISO Quality Seal for accomodation linen.

We aim for the highest standards of quality - Quality Assurance Procedures (AS/NZ ISO 9001:2015 Certificate QEC20130).

TRUSTED BUSINESS
  • 2.5K
  • Australian businesses rely on ALS weekly
  • 20K
  • Products for hospitality, accommodation and aged care industry
  • 52
  • Years proudly supplying linen to our customers
PREFERRED SUPPLIER
Preferred supplier for accomodation linen in Australia

Australian Linen Supply is a proud Preferred Supplier Member for the Accommodation Industry.

HIGH STANDARDS

Indulgence® is a registered trademark of Australia Linen Supply. 100% quality guaranteed to meet the highest standards.

Indulgence Trade Mark Logo
PROUDLY SUPPLYING
Sunshine Resort Logo Alsco Logo The Langham Logo South Pacific Laundry Logo Spicers Retreat Logo Holiday Concepts Logo Quality
Special Linen Offers

Subscribe to be the first to hear about our exclusive offers and latest arrivals.

Questions & Orders

Australia-wide commercial linen delivery services. Contact us if you have a question, a custom order or a feedback. We'd love to hear from you!

Call 1800 4 LINEN (54636)

Head Office contact details

Our Blog

Linen Catalogue
Current Catalogue Brochure

Download the Australian Linen Supply and Bev Martin Textiles Catalogue




APCO Performance Summary 2022

Subsidiaries

Australian Linen Supply (ABN 110 710 43 662) incorporates Bev Martin Textiles and Confident Care Products.

“

Copyright © 2025, Australian Linen Supply Pty Ltd