The most common fabric used for bedding is cotton. Depending on the weaving technique, cotton can turn into different types of fabrics. One of the best known is satin. What types of satin exist, and how can you tell real satin from fake?
In general, satin is a fabric made from combed long-staple cotton. It’s known for being soft and densely woven. Satin bedding wrinkles less, is easier to iron, wears out slowly, and holds its color well.
Traditional satin is 100% cotton. However, some satin blends with polyester are also available. These blended fabrics are much cheaper, and often the packaging still claims it’s 100% cotton — but don’t be fooled. Such fabrics absorb moisture poorly and tend to form small fabric pills after washing.
So, when buying new bedding, don’t be tempted by extremely low prices — they could be a warning sign.
Damask is the highest-quality type of satin. It’s a luxurious, glossy fabric, similar to atlas, woven from very fine threads. It’s made using a jacquard weaving technique, which creates large, textured patterns by alternating the weave. The patterns are usually the same color as the background, but they can also be woven from threads in contrasting colors. These sets are considered especially luxurious.
How can you tell if a fabric is really 100% cotton?
If you’ve bought a satin bedding set but aren’t sure if it’s genuine, the first clue is the price. Even if the label claims it’s 100% cotton, a suspiciously low price often signals otherwise. But there are more ways to check.
First, pay attention to how the bedding feels when you sleep. Synthetic satin is very shiny, slippery, less pleasant against the skin, and can generate static electricity. It’s also less breathable, so you might find yourself sweating during the night.
For another test, you’ll need:
- A lighter, match, or burning candle;
- A thread pulled from the bedding fabric.
To check if it’s cotton or synthetic, simply burn the thread. If the thread is cotton, it will burn like paper. If it’s synthetic, it will melt like plastic. The smell of the burning thread can also give you a clue about its composition.
