The cold season may be over in Australia, but winter is coming eventually, so it’s best to get a head start on preparations. 

One essential item you’ll need to keep warm when temperatures drop is a set of good-quality bed sheets for winter.

How to choose the best ones to keep you warm and snug? Continue reading and find out what the best winter sheets are made of.

Bed Sheets for Winter: Do You Need a Set?

There are several ways to keep warm when winter comes, from purchasing an electric heater to investing in a good-quality electric blanket. In addition to these, you could also opt for a nice set of warm winter sheets.

Winter bedding is affordable—prices range from $50 and $300. Plus, winter sheets don’t use electricity to run or come with any fire or electric shock hazard, which means they are a safer and cheaper alternative to electric blankets and heaters. 

But do winter sheets work?

Yes! Winter sheet sets are designed to regulate your body temperature by retaining heat, thereby keeping you warm and improving your sleep quality. 

Note: Consider buying warm fitted bed sheets—unlike a top sheet these won’t bunch up or untuck in the night leaving you to sleep on the cold exposed mattress. 

Types of Winter Sheets in Australia

Here is a list of the different types of winter sheets available on the Australian market. 

Flannel Sheets: Light & Warm 

  • Price range: $90–$150

Flannel is a brushed thick weave fabric that is typically made from cotton, but it can also be woven from wool or synthetic fibre.

Flannel winter bed sheets are one of the most popular options—they are affordable, durable, soft, and easy to maintain. Plus, they are warm but breathable and lighter than fleece, so you will sweat or overheat in the night. 

One potential con is that the material will pill over time, i.e form little cloth balls over the surface, which is not a real deal-breaker as it won’t impact the warmth of the sheets. 

Fleece Sheets: Warm & Plush 

  • Price range: $30–$200

Fleece bed sheets are great for winter since this is one of the warmest materials out there. Fleece, a synthetic knit fabric, is made to insulate heat in even the coldest conditions, and thus perfect for chilly, winter nights. It is not as breathable as other fabrics and it can cause some discomfort if you are a hot sleeper or if you have a memory foam bed (these are known to retain heat and sleep hot).

On the plus side fleece is super-plush, stretchy and dries much faster than other materials.

Cotton Sheets: Great for All-Year Round

  • Price range: $20–$380

Cotton is one of the lightest and airiest materials, which means its use is not restricted to winter only. In fact, cotton is the fabric of choice for shoppers on a budget, hot summer nights or regions where winter temperatures don’t fall into the single digits or below zero. 

Bear in mind that cotton does not provide the same level of warmth as flannel or fleece, so you use cotton sheets as a base layer in winter and pair them with a heavier cover or an electric blanket.

Silk Sheets: The Luxe Option

  • Price range: $600–$1,500

Silk, generally seen as a cool, thin material, is actually a great insulator and works very well during colder nights. In fact, silk can retain heat as well as flannel and has the same absorbing properties of cotton. Like cotton, it can also be used all-year round, keeping you cool in summer and snug in winter. 

Silk is one of the most luxurious options and it is rather expensive, but incredibly durable if properly taken care of. Another plus—silk sheets can help you get clearer skin as they reduce your exposure to allergens and other irritants.

Linen Sheets: Smooth & Breathable 

  • Price range: $50-$500

Linen is luxurious and soft, but light and airy at the same time. It is a very popular material for bed sheets for winter and summer due to its temperature regulating properties, absorbent fibres and elegant look and feel. 

Like cotton and silk, it will not feel heavy, but it will keep you warm. Keep in mind though that linen sheets on their own might not be enough for particularly cold winter nights. If you live in colder regions, it might be best if you bulk up with a heavier duvet cover or a weighted blanket for extra warmth. 

Bamboo Sheets: Sustainable & Hypoallergenic 

  • Price range: $40–$300

Sustainable and hypoallergenic, bamboo sheets have a lot of attractive qualities—they are durable, very breathable, stain-resistant and soft, as well as moisture-wicking and temperature regulating. This makes bamboo sheets a great choice for any season—like silk they will keep you warm in winter and cool on hot nights. 

They won’t pill like flannel bed sheets or crease as silk, either. That said, bamboo bedding does need special care and is not as easy to clean and maintain as cotton. They are also on the pricier side with bamboo winter bed sheets for a king size mattress going up to $400.

What other factors do you need to consider when shopping for winter sheets in Australia?

Thread Count

Thread count is an important factor because it affects the softness and weight, and therefore the warmth of the sheets. The higher the thread count, the warmer the bed. 

Bear in mind, though, higher TC doesn’t always equal more comfort. For instance, a TC of 300 is perfect for cotton, while anything over 400 is great for bamboo sheets. At the same time, sheets with TC over 800 can feel too heavy and stiff. 

Cost

Remember that the best winter sheets aren’t always the most expensive ones. The price depends on the quality of materials, the size of the sheets and the manufacturer. 

Thus, there are a lot of high-quality winter bed sheets for a queen-size bed that are as cheap as $70, but will still provide the ultimate comfort level and insulating properties. You simply need to take your time and compare prices and products. 

Maintenance 

Last but not definitely not least, think about maintenance and how easy the material is to care for. 

Some materials like silk need to be washed separately every two weeks using enzyme-free and pH-neutral detergent and air dried. Others like cotton or flannel bed sheets can be washed once a week with a mild detergent.

Bottom Line: What Type of Bed Sheets Are Best for Winter?

The type of winter sheets you choose depend on your personal preferences. If you suffer from allergies, silk and bamboo might be the best choice. Warm sleepers might find fleece too heavy, whereas those who like it hot will appreciate the warmth flannel or linen provides. Finally shoppers on a tighter budget might like to get sheets that will serve them all year round instead of just one season.  

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Whatever material you end up choosing, make sure you store your winter sheet sets in a cool and dry place. They should be washed and dried, folded and kept away from direct sunlight. You could add lavender, rice bags or dry hand soaps to keep them smelling nice and fresh. 

1. What material is warmest for bed sheets?

Fleece and flannel are the warmest materials and although bamboo, cotton and linen all have insulation properties, they need to be paired with a heavier blanket or duvet to keep you toasty in winter. 

2. Do bed sheets keep you warm?

Yes, winter bed sheets tend to retain body heat and provide significant insulation during cooler nights. However, it depends on the material you choose as some bed sheets for winter will keep you warmer than others.