Cotton vs Polyester vs Microfibre vs Bamboo vs Polycotton – Best Mater

About a third of life happens in bed - so the fabric wrapped around your duvet matters. This guide compares four materials we stock: 100% cotton (percale, sateen, mousseline/muslin, stone‑washed), polyester, microfibre (a super‑fine polyester), and bamboo (viscose from bamboo). I’ll explain how each sleeps at 2 a.m., what lasts, what’s easy to wash, and when to pick one over the others. I’ll also point straight to product pages so you can click from advice to cart in one move.

Feel & Breathability: How Each Fabric Sleeps

TL;DR

Cotton (Percale): Crisp, cool, breathable; classic hotel feel. Try Primaviera Deluxe Brata T180 Percale → White/Grey / Black/Grey / Taupe/Bronze.
Cotton (Sateen): Smoother, a touch warmer, subtle sheen. See Hotel Stripe T220 Sateen → Grey.
Polycotton (Cotton 80%/ Polyester 20%): Balanced feel - more breathable than pure polyester, easier care than pure cotton. Examples: Flynn White → see product.
Polyester: Smooth and durable with strong colour; less breathable than cotton. Example: Polyester Leaves (90 GSM) → see product.
Microfibre (Polyester): Ultra‑fine polyester yarns for a softer, silkier hand; easy‑care, slightly warmer feel. Try Sleeptime Microfiber Crossline → White / Black or Super Soft Microfibre Pintuck (105 GSM) → White.
Bamboo (Viscose from Bamboo): Exceptionally soft, drapey, and cool‑to‑the‑touch. Great for warm sleepers who still want a silky feel. Explore Primaviera Deluxe 100% Bamboo → Taupe / Green / Blush Pink / Grey.

How it feels at midnight: Percale cotton stays crisp and dry - my go‑to for warm nights. Sateen cotton is smoother and drapier with a touch more warmth. Polycotton 80/20 hits the compromise spot: softer and more breathable than straight polyester, less wrinkle‑prone than 100% cotton. Microfibre leans very soft with minimal wrinkles. Polyester is smooth and resilient but tends to trap more heat. Bamboo lands soft and cool with a fluid drape - if you want “silky but breathable,” it’s a strong bet.

Quick pick: Run hot? Start with cotton percale or bamboo. Want a balance of breathability + easy care? Polycotton (80/20). Prefer lowest maintenance on a budget? Microfibre. Need bold colours and durability? Polyester.

Durability, Pilling & Build Quality

TL;DR

Cotton: Ages gracefully, softens with washing, resists pilling when the yarn quality and weave (percale/sateen) are good. T180/T144 cotton sets are a reliable sweet spot.
Polycotton (80/20): Blend boosts wrinkle resistance and day‑to‑day toughness while keeping a soft hand
Polyester/Microfibre: Resists shrinking/fading and shrugs off wrinkles; may pill sooner in high‑friction zones.
Bamboo: Soft and strong in use; handle gently in the wash to minimise abrasion and potential pilling.
Construction details matter: press‑stud (popper) closures, tuck‑in flaps, and consistent stitching extend lifespan.

In real life, longevity is Fibre plus Weave plus Construction plus Care. Our cotton percale (Brata T180) holds up brilliantly for everyday use and keeps that cool hand. Polycotton 80/20 blends comfort with practicality, ideal for busy homes. Polyester and microfibre keep colours punchy with almost no shrinkage - great for spare rooms or quick changeovers. Bamboo is beautifully soft; treat it kindly - wash inside‑out on gentle and go low on he

Build details to look for:

Secure closures: Most sets use press studs/poppers - quick and sturdy.
Generous lengths: Many options run up to 260 cm long to help stop duvet creep.
Consistent stitching: Tight seams won’t pop when you stuff the insert (we’ve all wrestled one!).

Warmth & Seasonality

Coolest → Warmest (generally): Bamboo ≈ Cotton Percale → Polycotton (80/20) → Microfibre → Polyester.

Fabric fine‑tunes warmth; your duvet insert does most of the thermal lifting. If you overheat easily, bamboo and percale cotton keep things fresh. If you prefer a balanced middle ground, polycotton is steady year‑round. For cozy, microfibre and polyester lean warmer. Sateen cotton sits between percale and polycotton with a bit more drape.

Easy seasonal setup:

Summer: Bamboo or cotton percale + light insert.
Shoulder seasons: Polycotton or cotton sateen + medium insert.
Winter: Microfibre or polyester + warmer insert (or add a throw).

Care, Washing & Wrinkles

Cotton: Wash 40°C on gentle/normal; tumble low or line‑dry. Percale wrinkles more (crisp charm), sateen and stone‑washed/mousseline show fewer.

Polycotton (80/20): Easy‑care. Wash 40°C, quick dry, fewer wrinkles than pure cotton, softer hand than pure polyester.

Polyester/Microfibre: Easiest care. Wash 40°C, quick-dry, minimal wrinkles. Great for fast turnarounds.

Bamboo (Viscose): Wash inside‑out at 30–40°C on gentle with mild detergent; avoid bleach and high heat. Tumble low or line‑dry. This keeps the hand silky and reduces surface fuzz.

Laundry tips that actually help:

Fasten press studs before washing.
Leave space in the drum so detergent can rinse fully.
Skip heavy softeners (they coat fibres and reduce breathability).
Remove slightly damp to ease wrinkles.

Skin, Sensitivities & Comfort

If your skin gets cranky, start with 100% cotton or bamboo for their smooth feel and moisture management. If you love easy care with a balanced hand, polycotton (80/20) is a smart pick. Want slicker feel and minimal wrinkles at a budget? Microfibre is lovely - just match it with a lighter insert if you tend to run hot. Polyester is durable and colour‑strong; if warmth bothers you, pick a cooler insert and breathable sleepwear.

Look for practical details on product pages: press‑stud closures (easy on hands), extra‑long lengths, and 60 × 70 cm pillowcases included with most sets.

Price, Value & ROI

Best long‑term all‑rounder: Cotton - versatile, breathable, softens with age.
Soft‑luxury feel: Bamboo - premium hand and cool drape.
Balanced value & easy‑care: Polycotton (80/20) - compromise on breathability vs wrinkles.
Best budget & easy‑care: Microfibre - low price, minimal wrinkles.
Bold colours & durability: Polyester - great for spare rooms and busy homes.