Bamboo
Bamboo fibre is leading a revolution in the textile industry. A genuinely eco-friendly material, bamboo is a tropical plant that grows naturally without human interference. It grows very rapidly in pesticide-free environments, and its fibres can be produced without chemical treatment.
Bamboo fibre is incredibly smooth, comfortable and soft; its texture is comparable to silk. It’s extremely absorbent—even more than cotton—but offers plenty of ventilation, and doesn’t stick to the skin. Bamboo is also naturally hygienic, thanks to its antibacterial properties. It’s tailor-made for people with sensitive skin or who suffer from allergies. |
Cotton
Cotton is undoubtedly the most widely used of natural fibres. Solid, durable and absorbent, it keeps well and doesn’t unravel. The more you use it, the softer it becomes. What’s more, it’s anti-static, hypoallergenic and doesn’t pill. In terms of bedding, you have to take into account the number of threads per square inch.
The finer the threads, the more you need for each square inch. And the higher the thread count, the softer the fabric. Good-quality sheets have a thread count of at least 180. The length of the fibres is also a gauge of quality. Certain cottons are noted for the exceptional quality of their fibres, including Egyptian cotton, which has fibres that are three to five centimetres long. |
Linen
Linen is the world’s oldest textile. Extremely fine, it has a glossy, silken look and doesn’t pill. Cool in summer and comfortable in winter, linen is noted for its markedly superior absorbent properties—which means it’s tailor-made for those who feel hot during the night. It’s also renowned for its hypoallergenic qualities, making it invaluable for those who suffer from allergies or eczema.
A king among fabrics, linen is extremely durable. For example, a linen sheet set can be kept for over twenty years. In fact, the more you use it, the softer and more supple it becomes. One more item to note: the very fact of being linen is a sign of quality fabric, and for that reason thread count is not taken into consideration for linen fabrics.
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Silk
Silk is another ancient fabric: the technique used to produce it goes back to 2,500 B.C. It is obtained from the caterpillar of the Bombyx mori moth—better known as the silkworm. Raw silk is a filament silk from which the gum (one of the components of silk) has not yet been removed; pure silk has had the gum removed. 100% natural, silk is renowned for its strength, its elasticity and, of course, its delicacy and softness.
When it comes to bedding, there are many types of silk items, such as a very light silk fleece duvet. Cool in summer but warm in winter, silk adjusts to the surrounding temperature. It also has a natural capacity for absorbing moisture—needless to say, this is good news for sleepers who tend to perspire during the night. And finally, silk is hypoallergenic, which means it prevents the spread of mites and mould, making it a good choice for people suffering from allergies or asthma. |