How to Purchase The Right Items For A Good Night’s Sleep
If you’ve ever spent an evening laying atop stiff sheets with a scratchy blanket and rock-hard pillow, you know just how important the right bedding can be.
And since the average person spends 33 years of their life in bed, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to be surrounded by comfortable, luxe bedding made in the USA.
Finding the best American-made bedding for your sleep style is crucial for a good night’s rest. So how do you know what pillows, bed sheets, and comforters are right for you?
Let’s look at some tips you can use when buying bedding that was made in the USA to upgrade your bedroom and create a cozy oasis.
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What You’ll Need To Put Together A Complete Bedding Look
Like choosing the perfect headboard, your bedding elements speak to your style and preferences.
The right bed accessories will depend on your unique tastes and sleep style. However, putting together the right bedding sets will require specific items to ensure your comfort.
Here’s what you’ll need when refreshing your bed set:
- A mattress protector: The right mattress pad will not only protect your mattress but also add a layer of comfort and support. Choose from all different types, such as waterproof covers or cooling pads.
- Fitted sheet: Next, you’ll need some American-made fitted sheets to cover your mattress. Aim to have at least three sheet sets to ensure your bed is always made, even when washing your current set.
- Top sheet: Some people don’t see the value of top sheets. But if you’re on team top sheet, you’ll need a few of these to keep a barrier between you and your topper.
- A comforter, quilt, or duvet cover and duvet insert: Different climates mean different needs for a bed topper. Opt for a thinner quilt or duvet insert for the warmer months. Colder areas will also require a down or down alternative comforter for those chilly winter evenings. Warm sleepers or people in more temperate climates may be able to get away with one year-round medium-weight topper.
- Pillows: You’ll need at least two pillows for sleeping per person. Think about your sleep position when choosing the pillow fill. There are specific pillows for back, side, and stomach sleepers.
- Pillow shams or pillowcases: Pillowcases are meant to act as barriers between your face and the pillow. Pillow shams are intended to be decorative and complement your bed linen.
- Extras: Decorative pillows, bed skirts, and throw blankets for the foot of the bed may not impact your sleep, but they allow you to exercise your interior design muscles to make the bed of your dreams.
The perfect bed is out there. You just need to find the right American-made bedding to make your dreams a reality. Use this buying guide to find the right options for the most essential components of a comfortable bed.
How To Shop For The Right Made-In-The-USA Pillows
When you imagine laying your head down for the night, you envision a soft landing on the right American-made pillow.
But not all pillows are created equal. Depending on your sleep style and comfort preference, you’ll need to choose the right pillow filling for your needs.
Here are some of the most common pillow fillings and which sleep styles they work best for.
- Poly-fill: This is the most common type of pillow filling. It mimics the stuffing from a teddy bear and tends to flatten over time. It’s an excellent option for people on a budget and comes in various densities for different sleep positions.
- Down: A pillow filled with goose down is the closest you will get to sleeping on a cloud. It’s great for sleepers who need optimal head and neck support as they rest.
- Down alternative: If you want the cloud-like feeling of a down pillow but suffer from allergies or want to avoid animal products, a down alternative pillow is a great option. There are also more hypoallergenic and cooling options available in this style.
- Memory foam: Memory foam pillows help deter tossing and turning. They also mold themselves to your head shape, offering outstanding support. The only downside is that they tend to retain heat, making them uncomfortable for warm sleepers.
Choose your pillow density based on the position you usually sleep in. Side sleepers should use a firm, thick pillow, while back sleepers do best with a medium height. Stomach sleepers need a softer pillow.
Remember to change your pillowcase at least once a week and replace your pillows once a year. If you opt for high-quality down pillows, you can have these dry cleaned once a year to increase their lifespan.
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How To Shop For American-Made Sheets
Even though your bed sheets are hidden beneath the top layer of your bedding, they are a crucial component because they are what sits directly on your skin.
If you’re looking for luxury bedding, thread count definitely matters. This amount is determined by the number of threads within a square inch of your sheets. Generally, the higher the number, the softer the sheets.
But beware—some manufacturers simply add multiple layers of fabric to up the final thread count. Authentic luxury bedding contains a high thread count within a single ply of material.
Another feature to look for is high-quality materials. The fabric you choose for your sheets largely depends on your sleep preferences.
- Cotton-poly blend: These soft sheets are the most affordable and durable option. They are great for people on a budget or kids’ rooms.
- Cotton percale: If you’re a hot sleeper, you’ll breathe much more accessible on these cool sheets. Cotton percale sheets also have a gentle matte finish on your skin, so it’s an excellent option for sensitive sleepers.
- Jersey: Jersey sheets are incredibly soft and a little clingy. They also tend to stretch out over time.
- Cotton Sateen: Cotton sateen sheets are smooth and retain heat well. They also wick away moisture, keeping your skin comfortable. They are great for fall and winter.
- Flannel: Perfect for cold nights, flannel sheets are soft, cozy, and warm. It tends to pill over time, so if you’re into a crisp bedding look, you may want to opt for more durable fabric.
Choose the sheet material that works best for your sleep style. If you prefer to be warm and cozy as you sleep, flannel or cotton sateen sheets are the way to go.
However, if you are a warm sleeper who needs to stay cool as you rest, cotton percale or 100% Egyptian cotton sheets are the best choice for you.
Wash your sheets weekly and always follow the directions on the manufacturer’s tag to keep your American-made sheets in top shape.
Look For The Best Duvets, Comforters, And Quilts Made In America
Your bed topper is a reflection of your unique style. It’s the most visible piece of bedding and will tie the room together if you play your cards right.
There are many different top layers for you to choose from. Here are the most common toppers and the best time to use them.
- Bedspreads: A bedspread is a large cover that drapes over the best and touches the floor. It’s used for decoration and to protect your bedding during the day. It’s not used as a cover while you sleep, so they can be used year-round.
- Coverlets: Smaller than a bedspread, coverlets are versatile. They can drape over the top of the bed, be folded at the foot of the bed, and be used for extra warmth as you sleep.
- Quilts: Bringing a homey, warm touch to your bedroom, quilts come in attractive colors and patterns topped with intricate stitching. They are great for use during warm nights or to add warmth on cold winter evenings.
- Comforters: Arguably the best-selling topper, comforters come in all materials, thicknesses, and patterns.
- Duvets: The most versatile bedding option, duvets are used with duvet covers. This two-piece set is great for people who like to wash their bedding or change their style often. And since duvet covers are much cheaper than comforters, swapping out designs is more affordable.
No matter which toppers you choose to create the perfect bed, it’s vital that you care for them properly.
Always follow the manufacturer’s care instructions to ensure your bedding lasts. Avoid chlorine bleach at all costs. To keep your white bedding bright, add a natural concoction of half a cup of white vinegar and a quarter cup of lemon juice during the warm rise cycle.
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Choose American-Made Bedding For Your Sleep Oasis
The right bedding is about more than creating the ideal aesthetic. It’s about creating a comfortable space that allows you to rest and get in your eight hours.
The American List knows how important buying American-made products is to customers like you. That’s why we created a comprehensive resource that allows you to shop for bedding made in the USA in one place.
So take the time to shop The American List and find the right pillows, duvet covers, and sheet sets to make your bedroom the place you retreat for a good night’s rest.