Linen, Cotton, or Silk Bed Sheets: Which Is Best for Summer?

When the summer heat comes knocking, you need to keep in mind the type of bedding you are using. This is because you need something that will work for the heat while giving guests a good night’s rest.

There are various types of sheets available, such as linen, cotton, silk, bamboo, blends and synthetics, among others.

Hotels and motels choose bed sheets based on a few factors. These are:

• The type of material
• How easy it is to clean and maintain
• Is the material long-lasting?
• How great do your beds look draped in these sheets?

The fabric is usually the number one factor that many people consider based on benefits. We will look at the popular types of sheets and see which is best for your business, especially in the summer.

Linen Sheets

Linen mainly comes from Europe. It is one of the oldest fabrics known to man and can be traced back to 8,000 B.C. in Switzerland and is present in Egyptian tombs.

It’s made from natural fibre from the flax plant, which is known to need a lot of care in order to produce the best material for linen.

When the flax plant is harvested, its seeds are removed and the stalk is rolled between a presser to expose its fibres. The long fibres from this process are woven to create the finished linen fabric and have a shiny wax coating.

Benefits of Linen

• In the summer, you need self-cooling sheets for your motel. When it comes in contact with your skin, linen absorbs moisture.
• This is one of the best options for the summer, as it is an all-weather type of fabric. It is able to keep you cool in the hot weather and can be woven into a thick and cozy blanket to keep you warm during the cold season.
• Linen is used to make so much more than bedsheets. It is also used for table linen, curtains, clothing and towels.
• Linen is hypoallergenic and lint-free, which is great for guests with allergies.
• Linen sheets are easy to store. Keep them in well-ventilated storage spaces and avoid stashing them in boxes or bags.
• Linen is great for making your rooms look colourful, as it holds dye well. At the same time, it also resists fading.
• With regular washing, linen starts to wear after about five years of use but can still last decades.

Linen is a great option for bed sheets, but has its cons. Some of these include:

• This material is prone to wrinkling. Hotels and motels will have to take extra time to iron or straighten these sheets. To use less time on bedsheet care, you can purchase wrinkle-resistant varieties.
• You should keep in mind that if used as upholstery, it should only be on items that are not used often.

Get quality linen from ALS at affordable prices. ALS also offers bath linen, tea towels, floor mats and many other linen products.

Cotton Sheets

Cotton use dates back to around 5,000 B.C. and can be traced to Pakistan. Cotton bolls have also been discovered in caves in Mexico from around 3,500 B.C.

When an improved spinning wheel was introduced in Europe around 1350s, cotton became a staple product. The cotton plant grows best in the Americas, India and Africa.

You can choose from these types of common cotton fabrics: American Upland, Egyptian and Pima, with American Upland being the most popular.

The main part of the cotton plant is called the boll, but the cotton plant is rarely wasted because almost all its parts can be used for various products.

The cottonseed is used to manufacture cottonseed oil and is also fed to cattle. The little pieces of cotton, or linters, which stick to the seeds, are used to make banknotes, plastic, bandages, cotton balls and cotton buds.

Benefits of Cotton

• It is soft, durable and breathable. This means it is perfect for the skin, especially in the summer.
• It can last for years if well taken care of.
• It is more luxurious than most fabrics and can be expensive, but it is long-lasting, making it a great investment.
• Cotton holds on to colour dye well, making it a great option for bedsheets.
• It is hypo-allergenic, which is perfect for people with allergies.
• It is absorbent and easy to clean. Absorbent fabrics are perfect for hot and humid weather conditions.
• Cotton is known to blend well with other fabrics.

Despite its popularity, cotton has a few disadvantages:

• Cotton tends to wrinkle easily, which means taking time when cleaning to iron the fabric.
• Cotton usually shrinks after the first wash. However, there are pure cotton products which come pre-shrunk.
• While being absorbent is a great quality, it also has its challenges. Cotton absorbs not only humidity but also takes in stains. In addition, it can grow mildew if it is not properly dried. This is risky to guests’ health.

Silk Sheets

Silk is considered a luxury fabric that is soft to the skin. It is a natural protein fibre and is created from the cocoon of the Mulberry silkworm larvae.

The history of silk dates back to 2,700 B.C. in China but was heard of as early as 4,000 B.C. It made its way to Japan around 300 B.C. and soon became popular in Korea and India.

Silk was exclusive to the Chinese imperial family and was also used to also create paper for government officials. It was so exclusive to upper-class citizens that it was even used as money in some areas.

Silk was such a valuable export that the Chinese wanted to keep the silk-making process a secret.

Around 552 B.C., the Byzantine emperor managed to obtain some silkworm eggs out of the East, and this is how it made its way to the Roman Empire and Europe in general. Japan was the largest silk producer prior to World War II, but China now holds that top spot.

Silk is created by feeding silkworm larvae mulberry leaves, which in turn spin cocoons that take two to three days to solidify.

The cocoons are collected by putting the larvae in hot boiling water to kill them. The cocoon is then brushed to extract the silk filament, which is then woven into yarn or fabric.

It takes about 2,400 silkworms to produce one pound of raw silk! There are several different silk variations, such as organza, crepe and chiffon.

Benefits of Silk

• Silk is used to create multiple products. It is used to make bedsheets, bicycle tyres, ties, scarves, upholstery, bridal items, formal wear and surgical sutures.
• Silk sheets help to retain skin moisture. This means that while many sheets will absorb moisture from your skin, silk’s dense weave will keep moisture close to your body. It reduces dehydration on hot summer nights.
• It is hypoallergenic and this is one of the main reasons why you would choose silk sheets for your hotel or motel. It is perfect for guests with allergy problems. It also keeps dust mites at bay and will not absorb dust.
• It is considered an all-weather fabric: This means that during the cold season, silk sheets, like linen sheets, keep you warm while keeping you cool during the summer heat. For a business, it’s a sound investment, as they can be used all year round.
• Silk sheets are durable and strong. Silk is a natural protein fibre and this means it can withstand wear and tear. This also contributes to why you should purchase silk sheets, as they are long-lasting.

As a hospitality business, it’s important to know some of the cons of using silk bed sheets.

• Out of the many types of bedsheets in the market, silk is among the most expensive. Depending on the type of guests expected and the running costs, silk sheets may set you back a pretty penny.
• Silk sheets are sometimes hard to care for, especially for a motel. They are best cleaned by hand and not a washing machine.
• Silk sheets are sometimes not favoured by guests due to their somewhat slippery texture.

Choosing Your Bedsheets from ALS

Contact ALS for quality bed sheets, towels, floor mats and bath linen. We have a wide range of products that will meet all of your linen needs.

Their products are:

• Hypoallergenic, antifungal and antibacterial.
• High-quality and come with clear cleaning and maintenance procedures.
• Perfect for any weather. You can opt for sheets that will work in the climate you live in.
• Both functional and decorative.

Feature Image: Katemangostar