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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To only sleep on 100% cotton sheets

129 replies

geoger · 02/08/2023 12:08

Out shopping with my DSis for new bedding. She was in total shock that we (me, dh plus 2 dc) only ever sleep on 100% 300 thread count sheets and pillowcases. She didn’t understand why I would buy poly cotton or percale despite it being cheaper. She thinks I’m a snob 🤣
I thought everyone used pure cotton sheets. Good sheets like good towels and good shoes are just the norm.
AIBU?

OP posts:
MakeMeShine · 02/08/2023 12:38

I thought everyone used pure cotton sheets.

That’s a lie because they wouldn’t sell anything else otherwise.

queenMab99 · 02/08/2023 12:39

As I age, I think I am becoming like the princess and the pea! I started by preferring cotton, over polycotton, but now I really can't stand anything but cotton. The thread count isn't important for the sheets, but must be a high thread count for the pillow cases. My pillows have to be feather and down with smooth, cool covers, or I can't sleep!
I don't smoke or drink, so I think I am entitled to be fussy about my sensory pleasures at 72!

Frenchfancy · 02/08/2023 12:41

100% cotton sheets, always. I can just about cope with a polycotton duvet cover.

Cotton percale is wonderful stuff.

dontgobaconmyheart · 02/08/2023 12:42

Intentional or not to me this just reads like an attempt at some sort of weird flex or posturing, like when people imagine that them being called a snob inadvertently means they are being identified as posh, when it doesn't.

YANBU to have a preference for anything, including bedding - I'm sure we all do however making statements such as "I and the whole family only sleep on 100% cotton 300TC sheets" or surely " good sheets, good towels and good shoes are the norm" is a bit gauche. I think I would feel really quite embarrassed if I were out shopping with someone and they were going on like that. Very obviously it's not the norm, and not everyone either can afford those things or gives a shit either way.

You can prefer it and say so, if you really feel a need, without making it performative.

MereDintofPandiculation · 02/08/2023 12:42

YetAnotherSpartacus · 02/08/2023 12:12

NOT buy poly cotton or percale

Percale is a weave style isn't it?

Exactly. Plenty of 300 thread count 100% cotton percale sheets around. OP seems to be depriving herself unnecessarily.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 02/08/2023 12:46

I'm really uncomfortable on anything but cotton so we are the same but of course not everyone is and that's why shops sell a variety of bedding.

User265438765 · 02/08/2023 12:47

We have a sheet between the duvet cover so it probably doesn't matter what it's made from, but mine are the William Morris duvet covers from John Lewis which are cotton, I have a rotation of different patterns.

MereDintofPandiculation · 02/08/2023 12:49

Having cotton sheets is hardly showing off. Bearing in mind polycotton is usually a lot cheaper than cotton, then it is showing off, really. Not the saying you prefer it, but saying "I thought everyone used pure cotton sheets" thus consigning those who can't afford cotton to be nobodies.

Comtesse · 02/08/2023 12:49

Linen! Even nicer!

BlessYourBlackCottonSocksOnTheRider · 02/08/2023 12:51

It’s almost impossible to recycle mixed fibre textiles so pure anything is best. Although not pure nylon sheets. I wonder what happened to all of those?

User265438765 · 02/08/2023 12:52

Obviously OP thought percale was a type of polyester 🤣🤣🤣

User265438765 · 02/08/2023 12:54

You can get cotton sheets from Wilko, they are quite cheap

gogomoto · 02/08/2023 12:54

You buy what you want but they wouldn't sell them if they didn't sell!

HoppingPavlova · 02/08/2023 12:55

I only sleep on bamboo these days, and assumed many others had gone the same route? Also, would never sleep on 300 count cotton, minimum 1000 and also thought this had become more ‘standard’.

StaySpicy · 02/08/2023 12:59

My dH can't stand polyester so I buy 100% cotton only. It sometimes means saving up but I do like the feel and think it's worth waiting and paying a little more.

But that's our preference. Other people have their own preferences (or no preference at all). I think your sister is being a bit weird saying you're a snob for it.

Tahitiansummer · 02/08/2023 13:00

OP, if you choose to sneer at other people's choices, expect to be judged harshly for your lack of education and definition of 'good sheets'.

Anycrispsleft · 02/08/2023 13:00

OP is like the opposite number to my mother, who thought I was being snobby because I only have cotton sheets. To both of you I say: they're bed sheets, not a bloody political manifesto!

jeaux90 · 02/08/2023 13:00

I can't stand anything that isn't natural fibres, I would explode with heat!

EsmeSesame · 02/08/2023 13:02

I naively thought all sheets were cotton, until we rented a villa once in Portugal. All of the bedsheets were some sort of ghastly mix. We were revolting sweaty messes.

IsThePopeCatholic · 02/08/2023 13:03

Anyone else remember 100% bri nylon sheets?

SM4713 · 02/08/2023 13:04

I too only buy cotton for all the beds. Too sweaty and hot otherwise.

tt9 · 02/08/2023 13:09

PinkFootstool · 02/08/2023 12:25

Who pays attention to thread count though? That's the snobbish bit for me.

I've got 100% cotton sheets, pillow cases and duvet covers for all the beds. I can't be doing with the feel of cheap polycotton any more. Mostly from supermarkets so hardly high end stuff.

My linen set on the other hand nearly bankrupted me but I absolutely love it.... Not enough to switch it all out though!

definitely makes a difference I have to say...

Narwhalsh · 02/08/2023 13:11

Percale weave is different from the composition of the thread… percale is what most high end hotels will use and around 200-300 thread count.

Sateen is a different weave again and will feel smoother but I prefer percale myself.

YABU OP!

tt9 · 02/08/2023 13:11

HoppingPavlova · 02/08/2023 12:55

I only sleep on bamboo these days, and assumed many others had gone the same route? Also, would never sleep on 300 count cotton, minimum 1000 and also thought this had become more ‘standard’.

I've been thinking of trying the bamboo ones for my next buy? how are you finding your ones compared to 100% cotton if you don't mind me asking?

Peachy2005 · 02/08/2023 13:12

MNers hate these threads and will tear strips off you. There was one the same a few weeks ago, about lack of cotton sheets in Air BnBs.