Home → Blog → Resources → Moisture-Wicking Bed Sheets – Game-Changing Textile Technology
Few things are as disruptive to a good night’s sleep as unbearable heat and that stuffy, sweaty feeling. Struggling to get to sleep because of discomfort or waking up with damp sheets can ruin what is supposed to be one of the most cosy and comfortable home environments.
Whether you live in a warm climate or suffer from stress-related night sweats, there is a solution. Innovative textile technologies are improving fabric breathability and enhancing moisture-wicking capabilities. At the same time, new solutions are introducing truly revolutionary cooling features. For instance, our groundbreaking StayCool by Polygiene™ solution activates upon contact with sweat, cooling the fabric between 2 – 3°C (4.3 – 5.4°F) almost instantly.
In this article, we take a deep dive into moisture wicking bed sheets. We ask how they work, which textiles perform best, and how they can benefit users.
Moisture-wicking sheets are a type of bedding that’s engineered to draw moisture away from the skin so that it can evaporate more easily. In the context of bed sheets, this moisture is typically sweat. Traditional non-wicking materials, such as cotton, absorb and retain moisture, making them heavy and uncomfortable, and providing the perfect conditions for the spread of odor-causing bacteria.
Originally adopted for use in athletic and activewear, moisture-wicking materials are now regularly employed in the bedroom. This comes as no surprise, as our temperature can fluctuate significantly throughout the night. Our body attempts to combat these fluctuations by perspiring. As well as ensuring moisture can pass from the skin and through the fibers to the outside of the fabric, where it can evaporate more easily, these textiles also emphasize breathability and incorporate other cooling technologies.
To understand how moisture-wicking fabrics work, we need to get scientific. The key term in this context is capillary action. Capillary action is the phenomenon by which liquid moves through the gaps between fabric fibers. It does so due to the combination of surface tension and adhesive forces. Moisture-wicking textiles feature fiber structures that encourage capillary action, allowing more sweat to pass to the outside of the bed sheet.
At the same time, moisture-wicking fabrics are often hydrophobic – they repel water. Special weaves can also further enhance the movement of moisture away from the skin. For instance, some fabrics feature micro-grooves or channels in the weave. In all cases, the key objective is to facilitate evaporation. The fabric should encourage and allow moisture to disperse, directing it away from the skin to improve comfort.
Moisture-wicking bed sheets benefit users in several ways and can make a significant difference when it comes to enjoying comfortable, restful, and restorative sleep.
Improved sleep quality is arguably the single biggest benefit associated with moisture-wicking bed sheets. By keeping the body cool and dry, these sheets minimize sleep disruptions, reduce the likelihood of overheating, and prevent sweating. The result is a deeper, more restorative sleep.
More and more research highlights the impact of good sleep on the ability to function well in our everyday lives. From a physical health perspective, adequate sleep is crucial for healthy growth and development, normal insulin processing, a strong immune system, balanced hormone production, and heart and blood vessel repair (NIH). From a mental health perspective, people who do not get adequate levels of sleep are at greater risk of mental distress (Sleep Foundation).
Moisture-wicking sheets are particularly effective in hot and humid climates where the high nighttime temperatures can make it incredibly difficult for some people to sleep. In tropical regions where perspiration is almost inevitable, these specialist bed sheets are a practical and effective solution that takes the edge off sticky and uncomfortable nights.
People can sweat at night for all kinds of reasons. Some people just run hot. Menopause and certain medical conditions and medications can also affect nighttime perspiration. In these cases, finding solutions that work to minimize and eliminate that horrible wet skin feeling, as well as associated issues, such as chills, is essential. Moisture-wicking bed sheets should be the first thing you try.
As well as keeping you cool and comfortable, moisture-wicking sheets also help keep unpleasant smells at bay. Because they don’t retain as much moisture, they aren’t as prone to bacterial growth as traditional sheets. It’s these bacteria that cause most of the bad smells we experience in bedding. You can further enhance odor control by selecting sheets that are treated with Polygiene StayFresh™, our advanced antimicrobial solution. But more on that later.
Many people choose traditional cotton sheets out of habit. However, with moisture-wicking sheets becoming increasingly affordable, there’s really no reason to stick with traditional cotton. A direct comparison will help establish this.
Many users mistakenly believe that moisture-wicking sheets are only useful in the summer or warmer climates, where sweating is more of a concern. Generally, this isn’t true. These specialist sheets are just as valuable in colder months for two key reasons.
Bed sheets are made from many materials, some of which are effective moisture managers and others not. Here, we give you the rundown on a few of the most common fabrics and detail how they perform when it comes to wicking moisture away from the skin.
Tencel is a relatively new fiber derived from eucalyptus wood pulp. Regarded as highly sustainable and much more environmentally friendly than cotton, it benefits from natural moisture-wicking properties. It is soft, breathable, and ideal for sensitive skin, making it a favorite among those looking for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Natural cotton is breathable but highly absorbent. As such, it retains moisture and can be uncomfortable in warmer climates or if you sweat heavily. Though premium Egyptian or Supima cotton is extremely soft on the skin, it still lacks wicking capabilities unless treated.
Linen is naturally breathable and quick-drying, making it one of the most popular materials for bed sheets. It wicks moisture away from the skin effectively and is a good option for hot sleepers. Though the texture can feel rough compared with other fabrics, linen softens over time.
Synthetic fibers can be engineered to emphasize different performance traits and are regularly used in athletic wear because they wick moisture away from the skin effectively. Some synthetics lack breathability and many people dislike their texture. However, this can be negated by blending synthetics with natural fibers.
Bamboo viscose is another natural fabric with excellent moisture-wicking and antibacterial performance. It is becoming increasingly popular in the bedding market but consumers need to be careful as it can be environmentally damaging if not sourced responsibly. When ethically sourced, it is a sustainable option.
Recent innovations in textile technology mean bedding manufacturers can go beyond moisture-wicking and further enhance fabric performance and user comfort. StayCool by Polygiene works in tandem with moisture-wicking capabilities to optimize body temperature regulation and deliver a fresh, cool feel throughout the night.
An advanced additive technology that manufacturers can apply to a wide variety of fabrics, including synthetics, cellulosics, and recycled fibers, StayCool by Polygiene facilitates moisture-wicking while also incorporating a groundbreaking thermo-reactive polymer matrix. This moisture-activated polymer matrix reacts to sweat by cooling the fabric between 2 – 3°C (4.3 – 5.4°F) almost instantly, resulting in a long-lasting cooling effect that keeps users feeling light, dry, and comfortable throughout the night.
StayCool by Polygiene is particularly well-suited for bedding. Incorporated into sheets, pillowcases, or mattress protectors, it enhances moisture-wicking efficacy and provides an additional layer of cool-to-the-touch performance.
StayCool by Polygiene can also be used in tandem with Polygiene’s other odor-control Freshness technologies.Polygiene StayFresh™ is an antibacterial solution that inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria, keeping bedder fresher and smell-free for longer. Polygiene OdorCrunch™ uses a unique silica-based approach to tackle and remove environmental smells, such as body, smoke, and food odors.
By preventing bacterial and environmental odors, these solutions benefit users in several ways:
Both Polygiene StayFresh and Polygiene OdorCrunch are integrated into textiles during product manufacturing, via a quick and easy process. Coupled with StayCool by Polygiene, they significantly improve product performance.
For manufacturers looking to distinguish their products in a competitive marketplace, Polygiene technologies are a simple and effective means of maximizing product value and ensuring bedding appeals to a new generation of environmentally-aware consumers.
Get in touch today to learn more about StayCool by Polygiene and how you can integrate our game-changing textile technology into your products.
