Buyer's guide to bed linen

Bed linen is vital to a good night sleep but choosing it can be overwhelming. Thread count, weave, size, allergy-proof and material-types... the choice is endless. mydeco helps you sleep easy with ten tips for buying your bed linen.

1. What are the advantages of man-made or natural?

There are two main types of bed linen fibres - natural and man-made. Natural fibres, such as cotton, flax or silk, are produced by plants or animals and are usually softer and more breathable. Cotton allows moisture to evaporate helping your body to maintain a constant temperature through the night. Man-made material, like acrylics and polyesters, are often cheaper and easy-iron. The Twiggy jacquard bed linen from Wallace Sacks combines the two with a 76% polyester face and 100% cotton reverse.

2. Understand your thread count

Thread count in sheets range from 80 to 700 to indicate quality but the numbers can be baffling. 'The higher the thread count, the softer and more luxurious the fabric feels ... but if the thread count is too high, the fabric will be very delicate, less durable and require more care than fabric with a slightly lower thread count' says House of Fraser. Different materials require different counts for optimum quality. As a general rule, don't go below 200 - this beautiful Marcella pure cotton set from The White Company has a 200-thread count.

3. Cotton picking - which weave to choose?

For comfort and easy care, you won't go wrong with cotton but which weave - percale, sateen or pima? The weave 'will make a difference to the look and feel of your bed linen' says fashion designer Lulu Guinness, who also sells bed linen. Pima is the most lavish weave with a thread count of 430. Next best is sateen - woven from fine threads, with a 300 plus thread count and a shimmery finish, like this stylish set from Debenhams. For harder-wearing quality, buy percale which is gloss-free and has a noticeably tighter weave than standard bedding.

4. Ethical concerns with Egyptian cotton

Egyptian cotton is favoured by upmarket brands and luxury hotels and has long been renowned for being the highest quality yarn. But it comes at a high price. The Observer reported that over 1 million children are 'hired each year for the cotton harvest, during which they work long hours in 40C heat'. Look out for the Fair Trade brand, like this Mocha set from Ethical Superstore.

5. Sleep easy on organic bedding

Concerned about your health and eco-conscience? Residual chemicals in conventional cottons may irritate your skin, which is why organic cotton is soaring in popularity. Grown without chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilisers, and coloured with vegetable dyes or eco bleach, organic cotton now looks clean and fresh. Ecocentric's organic cotton bed linen (£62 for single set) is dyed white with eco bleach.

6. The benefits of long-lasting linen

Think beyond cotton and look to linen sheets. Linen is renowned for its rich appearance, weave and natural sheen. It's crisp, cool, breathable, antistatic, hypoallergenic and antibacterial. Linen is extremely long-lasting: 6,000-year-old Egyptian Mummies have been found wrapped in linen! Low elasticity means linen can be washed many times without alteration. Try this Amari Pure Linen set from The White Company for a high quality, long shelf-life option.

7. Too busy to iron? We understand

Where's mum when you need her? If the thought of ironing your bed linen on a weekly basis makes you feel queasy, look for 'easy care' options which are usually your polyester/cotton mixes. If you prefer pure cotton, percale requires 'little or no ironing', says Heal's. 'They also dry more quickly, which is useful for busy lifestyles'. Try this 100% cotton percale Betty Jackson Deco set from Debenhams for no fuss style.

8. Create a sensual sanctuary with silk

Not only will you feel like a Queen sleeping under this silk Gingerlily duvet cover from Heal's but 'silk is also said to be beneficial to the condition of your hair and skin' says Heal's. It can even spice up your love life - 'research shows that silk sheets are best for a sexy bedroom and the ultimate for seduction' says relationship psychologist, Dr Linda Papadopoulos. If these prices are too regal, try sateen. This Black Sicily bedlinen from Debenhams looks and feels divine but is a fraction of the price.

9. Allergy sufferers, take heed

Sensitive types - synthetic and cotton-mix versions aren't for you! 'Allergy sufferers and those with sensitive skin should avoid any bed linen that's labelled 'easy iron' as its fibres have been coated in a chemical solution of polymers to make them lie flat' explains Livingetc. What a great excuse to indulge in scrumptious silk or linen, which have natural hypoallergenic properties. Their resistance to dust mites reduces the risk of asthma and other allergic reactions.

10. Caring for you linen

Ideally we should wash our bed linen weekly at 60 degrees to kill dust mites. Did you know the average bed has over 10,000 dust mites, according to Allergy UK? Yuck! It's also best to turn items inside out to protect embroidery and colours. 'For the whitest whites, don't overload your machine (keep it two-thirds full), and use a good-quality detergent' says Livingetc. Also don't over-dry in the tumble drier; it reduces linen's life-span. Store in a dust-free space away from direct sunlight to prevent bleaching.