Shopping for bedding isn’t as simple as choosing sheets that fit your hotel’s color scheme and bed sizes. You need to consider what the sheets are made of. Understanding the fibers and fabrication will cue you into the types of benefits you can expect from the sheets. That way, you’ll be able to balance your budget with giving your clients–whether they be hotels themselves or hotel guests–the experience they’re looking for. 

Egyptian Cotton

Often considered the cream of the crop in the sheet world, Egyptian cotton offers a silky smooth feel. It comes from North Africa, and unlike regular cotton, Egyptian cotton has extra-long fibers. Sheets made from Egyptian cotton are soft, smooth, and luxurious. 

Microcotton®

Microcotton is also made from long-staple cotton fibers. However, the name Microcotton actually refers to a specific brand of very fine cotton thread that was created in India. Sheets made from Microcotton are durable and super soft. 

Supima

Supima® is another trademarked fabrication option. It refers to extra-long fibers woven from 100% American Pima cotton. Supima sheets are soft, smooth, resistant to pilling, and easy to care for. Plus, these sheets retain their shape and strength, even after many washes. Compared to regular cotton, Supima is 45% stronger and softer.

Turkish Cotton

Turkish cotton is another luxurious long-fiber cotton from the Aegean region. Compared to Egyptian cotton, Turkish cotton isn’t as strong. However, it’s just as luxurious and gets stronger, smoother, and softer with each wash. This type of cotton is also very lightweight and dries quickly, which can be a time-saver with laundering. 

Polycotton

Made from a blend of polyester and cotton, this fabric type aims to deliver the comfort and feel of cotton and the durability of polyester. It offers better wrinkle-resistance, better longevity, and better fade-resistance than 100% cotton sheets. It’s often more economical than natural fabrics too. 

Of course, not all polycotton sheets offer the same benefits. Our Performance Twill Luxury Sheets feature a patented 70/30 cotton-rich blend and last two times longer than traditional poly/cotton blend sheets. 

Bamboo

In most cases, “bamboo” sheets are actually made from rayon. Rayon is simply fabric made from cellulose fibers, which often come from wood pulp. So to make “bamboo” sheets, bamboo pulp gets dissolved, resolidified, and then spun into a usable thread. When woven, you’re left with a rayon fabric that’s soft, durable, and silky. It offers the same breathability benefits of cotton, too. Plus, bamboo is naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic. And, the more you wash it, the softer it gets. 

Tencel

Tencel is a brand name for a specific type of sustainable rayon made from Lyocell and Modal fibers. Modal fibers come from beech wood pulp while Lyocell fibers come from eucalyptus, oak, bamboo, or birch tree wood pulp. This fabric is certified as compostable and biodegradable, too. 

Tencel is not only soft, but it’s also very durable, shrink-resistant, and naturally antimicrobial. It offers a moderate cooling effect, too, but it’s not as breathable as cotton sheets. 

Modal

Modal is a type of rayon made from beech wood pulp. Sometimes, manufacturers blend modal with spandex or cotton to give it more strength. However, on its own, Modal is quite strong, moisture-wicking, breathable, and luxuriously soft. In fact, one manufacturer, Tencel, claims that Modal fibers feel twice as soft as cotton and can withstand more wash and dry cycles than cotton. Modal also naturally resists wrinkling, shrinking, and creasing, too. 

The biggest downside is that Modal sheets fall on the expensive side. However, the price may be worthwhile if your hotel or laundry facility is committed to sustainability. According to Master Class, creating modal uses 10 to 20 times less water than making cotton. 

Turn to Venus for Your Hotel Sheet Needs

What type of hotel sheets you buy matters, but where you buy those sheets matters too. Let us help you deliver a good night’s sleep to your guests that’s in line with your budget and expectations. Venus Group’s U.S.-based manufacturing facilities and distribution points allow us to speedily fulfill orders. Reach out to our textile experts today by calling 800.421.6599, or emailing sales@venusgroup.com.