Bed Linen

What is bed linen?

Bed linen is what you use to cover your mattress, duvet and pillows to keep them protected and clean. They include:

Fitted sheets
Pillowcases
Duvet covers

Bed linen creates a cosy and inviting sleeping space and helps protect your mattress and bedding from general wear and tear. They're easy to wash and keeps them hygienic and allergen-free for a healthier night’s sleep.

What's the difference between bed linen and linen bedding?

Bed linen is a collective term for the items used to cover your mattress, such as fitted sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers.

Linen bedding is bedding specifically made from linen fabric. We talk more about the qualities and benefits of linen bedding below.

Do I need a mattress or pillow protector if I have bed linen?

Yes, we recommend using both mattress protectors and pillow protectors, even if you have bed linen.

Protectors help keep your mattress and pillows clean by shielding them from spills, stains, and everyday wear. They also extend their lifespan and can support guarantee or warranty claims if needed.

A mattress protector fits beneath your fitted sheet, preserving the look and feel of your bedding. Similarly, a pillow protector sits inside your pillowcase without affecting your comfort.

How to choose the best bed linen

It’s important to choose the best bed linen for you. That involves balancing your sleep needs, budget and personal style and comfort preferences. We’re here to help you make a careful and informed decision about your bed linen.

Types of bed linen

The first thing you need to consider is the bed linen that suits your needs.

Selecting the right type of bed linen is key to creating a relaxing sleep environment.

Bed linen fabric choices

Our entire bed linen collection is crafted from either 100% cotton or linen, ensuring quality and comfort for every sleeper.

Cotton bed linen is made from raw cotton fibers, harvested from cotton plants. These fibers are spun into yarn and woven into fabric to create soft, breathable, and cosy bedding.

Linen bedding is crafted from flax fibers, harvested from flax plants. Like cotton, flax fibers are spun into yarn and woven into fabric. This fabric is popular for its natural texture and relaxed aesthetic.

Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the two fabrics:

Fabric	Weight	Care needs	Pros	Cons
Cotton	Lightweight	Machine washable Requires ironing to remove creases	Breathable Durable Soft to the touch Clean and minimalist look	More prone to snagging and pilling
Linen	Heavier feel	Machine washable No ironing required	Highly breathable Very durable Natural and relaxed look	Feels stiff initially but softens over time

Fabric weaves

What is a fabric weave?

The ‘weave’ of a piece of fabric refers to how the threads are interwoven and laced together. The weave of your bed linen can significantly affect the overall look and feel of the fabric and its care needs.

Here’s a breakdown of the two most popular weaves for bed linen:

Fabric weave	Finish	Care needs	Pros	Cons
Percale	Matte	Machine washable at 40°C Tumble dry on low No ironing required Always follow the care instructions outlined in your bed linen care booklet	Durable Easy to care for Cool to the touch Breathable	Can wrinkle easily May feel rough initially May feel a bit cold in winter
Sateen	Silky and shiny	Machine washable at 40°C Tumble dry on low Iron on low heat to remove wrinkles Always follow the care instructions outlined in your bed linen care booklet	Durable Luxurious silky feel Looks stylish in your bedroom	More prone to snagging and pilling Slippery feel May feel a bit warm in summer

How to choose the right bed weave for bed linen

Here’s a mini guide we’ve put together to help you consider your options:

For everyday comfort and hot sleepers - Choose percale bed linen for a cool and crisp feel every night with breathable comfort.
For luxurious sleepers and cold sleepers - Browse our sateen bed linen for a silky-smooth feel and a touch of warmth in the cool weather.

Now you know which fabric type and weave is best suited for your sleep needs, let's talk about thread counts.

Thread counts

What does thread count mean?

Thread count refers to the number of threads woven into a square inch of fabric. This affects the weight and breathability of the material and is an indicator of how soft or rough the fabric is.

Thread count	Feel	Weight	Breathability
Lower thread count (eg 180-250)	More coarse or textured	Lightweight	Highly breathable
Higher thread count (eg 500+)	Softer and smoother	Dense and heavier	Less breathable

While thread count is an important factor, the fabric type also plays an important role in determining the softness of the bed linen. For example, all cotton sheets feel soft to the touch. But, an 800 thread count cotton sheet will feel softer and denser than a 200 thread count cotton sheet.

How to choose the right thread count for bed linen

The best thread count for you depends on your personal preferences and sleep needs. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

For everyday comfort - Choose a 200-400 thread count for a balance of durability, softness and breathability.
For hot sleepers - Opt for a thread count between 180-250. These fabrics will be more lightweight and breathable.
For luxurious sleepers - Go for a thread count of 500 or higher if you love silky, hotel-style bed linen. These sheets feel ultra-soft, dense, and indulgent.

Colour

The right bed linen colour can elevate your bedroom's style and create a calming environment for a restful night’s sleep.

Our collection focuses on elegant, neutral tones that complement any decor. This means you’ll maintain a fresh, timeless feel that will never go out of style.

You can choose from:

White - for a crisp, fresh and minimalist aesthetic.
Latte - for a warmer and inviting feel and a touch of understated elegance.

Bed linen for every budget

Everyone deserves a great night’s sleep, no matter the budget. From affordable basics to premium pieces, we have options for every price range.

You can enjoy high-quality bed linens, regardless of the price here at Mattress Online.

Affordable bed linen options

Our percale bed linen range offers budget-friendly options for all bed linen options, including:

Pillowcases starting at around £15*
Fitted sheets starting at around £20*
Duvet covers starting at around £30*

Premium bed linen options

For our most premium, hotel-quality bed linen, we stock a range of sateen 500 thread count options for a more indulgent feel.

*Please note: these prices are subject to change.

What bed linen sizes do you stock?

Our range of fitted sheets and duvet covers fit all standard UK sizes, including:

Single (3ft x 6ft 3in / 90cm x 190cm)
Small double (4ft x 6ft 3in / 120cm x 190cm)
Double (4ft 6in x 6ft 3in / 135cm x 190cm)
King size (5ft x 6ft 6in / 150cm x 200cm)
Superking (6ft x 6ft 6in / 180cm x 200cm)

We also stock a selection of extra deep fitted sheets for taller mattresses and extra large pillowcases to fit all pillow sizes.

How often should you change your bed linen?

Experts recommend washing and changing your bed linen every week or every two weeks. This reduces allergen and dirt build-up on your bed linen to ensure a hygienic sleeping environment.

This is important because, even though you might not see it, your bed linen goes through a lot. Your bed linen collects:

Dead skin
Hair
Sweat
Natural oils from your face, hair and hands
Dust
Dirt
Pet fur

Regularly washing your bed linen helps to eliminate these contaminants and can help to extend their lifespan.

To learn more about how you can clean your mattress, pillows and mattress topper, check out our advice pages below:

How often should you buy new bed linen?

Even with regular washing and care, your bed linen experiences general wear and tear over time. Some signs that it might be time to replace your bed linen include:

Loss of softness or comfort
Loss of elasticity
Visible thinning or tears in the fabric
Lots of pilling and snagging in the fabric
Stains or odours that washing can’t remove

While there's no rule on how often you should change your bed linen, you can expect their usage to last anything from a couple of years to around 6 or 7 years.

Where can I buy bed linen?

You can shop for bed linen online right here at Mattress Online. We have over 20 years of experience in the mattresses, beds and bedding industry. So, we’re proud to offer a carefully hand-picked selection of bed linen to suit every need.

For your peace of mind, our online bed linen collection comes with a minimum 1 year guarantee or warranty.

Simply browse our range of high-quality bed linen and it can be with you as soon as tomorrow.

I have a deep mattress, how can I find a fitted sheet that will fit?

To ensure your fitted sheet fits perfectly, you first need to measure your mattress depth. A properly fitted sheet should stay in place without wrinkling or pulling the mattress corners out of shape.

When measuring the overall depth of your mattress, make sure you include any mattress toppers you want to fit under your sheet. Some mattresses may bulge in the middle, so you can use a flat object like a broom handle across the centre to account for the extra height. Note, if you can't reach the bottom due to the bed frame, try laying the mattress flat on the floor.

Now that you know your mattress depth, look for an extra deep fitted sheet with matching dimensions. You’ll find this information in the product description on our website.

For more detailed advice, please read our ‘How to measure mattress depth’ advice page.