Guide to Brushed Cotton Bedding: Soft, Warm, and Durable

Brushed cotton is an increasingly popular option on the material market when shopping online and in store. Its use in bedding and textiles is becoming more common, thanks in part to its accessibility and rave reviews from customers.

Brushed cotton is a form of cotton fabric notable for its soft, fuzzy feel. The material is a popular option for clothing and bedding during the coldest months of the year due to its softness and ability to retain heat.

The material gets its name from its manufacturing process, where the fabric is mechanically brushed to raise the fibres to the top, creating a surface called a raised nap. This is used to create warm, breathable winter clothing and cotton bed linens.

The cotton is used in bedding, such as bed linens, to add extra warmth and softness to typical cotton, one of the most common fabrics for bedding. Its smooth, velvety surface is comforting and kind to skin, being both hypoallergenic and soft to the touch.

Although incredibly soft and warm which makes it ideal for winter nights, the material is highly breathable and durable, preventing overheating and sweating, all while not succumbing to the worn-out look soft fabrics often fall victim to.

Brushed cotton is much warmer than regular cotton, due to its insulation benefits. The raised fibres help trap warmth and keep it close to the body during use. However, its material helps it stay breathable, allowing the warm air to circulate without becoming trapped, meaning sleepers shouldn’t get too hot during the night. The fabric is commonly used in blankets and throws due to its softness and insulation.

The main difference between brushed cotton and regular cotton is the manufacturing process that gives it its raised fibres. In addition to its soft texture and warmth, it tends to be thicker than regular cotton due to its napping. This also adds the benefit of greater insulation and durability, giving it greater longevity than standard cotton sheets.

Brushed cotton is common in bedding that is used in the winter months of the year – notably blankets, throws, and other warm bedding types that sleepers opt for when the temperature drops below freezing, as it allows heat to be captured and insulated when warmth is scarce in the home.

Brushed cotton is often referred to as flannelette, but the two have key differences. The former only has the fibre-raising brushing process on one side, whereas flannelette fabric is brushed on both sides.

Flannel and brushed cotton are confused with one another – partly because Americans typically refer to brushed cotton as “flannel” or “touch flannel”. Flannel and brushed cotton are made from different materials. Brushed cotton, as its name suggests, is made from cotton and is differentiated by its brushing during manufacture. That being said, certain brands of the bedding have been known to brush both sides.

Flannel is traditionally made of wool – however, it is common for flannel to be made of cotton or other synthetic materials, as they are cheaper to produce.

Brushed cotton and Egyptian cotton are both known for their premium, luxurious quality. Both soft to the touch, the two fabrics are renowned for their breathable, durable fabric that offers greater longevity and strength than regular cotton. The two are also much better at trapping heat and keeping sleepers warm, while also maintaining breathability.

Egyptian cotton is given its name, like brushed cotton, due to its manufacturing – although they use two different types of manufacturing. Egyptian cotton uses extra long fibres in its weaving, which helps it insulate heat. Brushed cotton’s brushing process raises the fibres to the top, which helps it retain the warmth and prevent it from escaping from the fabric.

Shoppers can spot the best of this bedding by checking the description and ensuring the bedding is made from 100%, pure brushed cotton, rather than a mish-mash of the cotton and lesser-quality materials. Terms like “breathable” are essential in ensuring the material has good temperature control and can be used in the warmer summer months and the colder winter nights.

Brushed cotton is created in the manufacturing process, and the highest, purest quality versions of the bedding material will provide year-round fluffy, cosy comfort without overheating or leaving you cold. Be sure to brush up (pun intended) on your knowledge of the material before making a big purchase. We recommend you start with our collection of cotton bed linens to find our selection of highest-quality, pure, products for all bedding types and seasons.