Different Types of Fabric – Textile Guide for bed linen

Cotton is one of the world's most appreciated and used natural fibres. Cotton is also known for its soft, fresh, and crisp feel, especially when you first start sleeping on a new sheet set. With every wash, cotton gets just a bit softer and softer. Cotton's two biggest strengths are: it transmits heat well, and it absorbs moisture well. It cools you down better than any other natural material.

Today at IKEA we use more and more recycled cotton and strive to make sure that all the new cotton we use has been grown and produced with less and less amounts of pesticides, fertilisers and water.

Lyocell is a strong and silky-smooth fibre made of cellulose from wood pulp. Lyocell is a naturally cooling material, and the hydrophilic nature of lyocell fiber makes it super absorbent. Lyocell sheets are very effective at wicking away moisture and keeping you comfortable through the night. That’s why we like to use it for bed linens and as a filling in pillows and duvets to give you a good night's sleep.

Just as with any other wood raw material, we strive to use it as smartly and efficiently as possible to avoid waste. This way, every tree is put to good use that little extra.

A cellulose fibre made from wood pulp, mainly beech or eucalyptus. Fabric made from viscose is highly breathable, giving you cooling comfort. The surface has a satin-like sheen while the texture feels silky smooth and soft against your skin.

Linen is made of plant fibres from the flax plant and is one of the most hard-wearing textiles there is. The cultivation requires significantly less water than many other plants, and since the whole flax plant can be used, very little is wasted. The flax plant's somewhat irregular surface gives linen its distinct texture and fine lustre. Also, linen fibre’s smooth surface gives bed linens a comfortable and cooling feel. This durable and stain-resistant fabric becomes softer and softer the more you use it. Linen can also be mixed with cotton to get a slightly softer textile.

A synthetic fibre that's durable and light. It is easy to care for since the material is wrinkle-free, stain resistant and quick-drying. Also, the colours stay vibrant, wash after wash.