What size bed sheets do I need?

Measure the width of your mattress to confirm your bed size: 90cm is single, 120cm is small double (4ft), 135cm is double, 150cm is king, 180cm is super king. For fitted sheets, also measure the total depth of your mattress including any topper or protector - this determines whether you need a standard 30cm, extra deep 38cm, or ultra deep 46cm sheet. Belledorm also stocks specialist sizes including bunk bed, long single, IKEA Euro king, emperor, and large emperor.

What is the best fabric for bed sheets?

The best fabric depends on how you sleep. Polycotton (200 thread count) is lightweight, crease-resistant, and quick to dry - practical for everyday use. Cotton sateen at 300 or 600 thread count feels smoother and has a slight sheen. Egyptian cotton uses longer-staple fibres for a more consistent surface that softens with washing and resists pilling. Bamboo is naturally moisture-wicking and suits warm sleepers. Brushed cotton flannelette traps warmth for winter. Jersey cotton has a stretchy, T-shirt-soft feel.

What is the difference between a fitted sheet and a flat sheet?

A fitted sheet wraps around the mattress and is held in place by elasticated corners. It stays put overnight and is the standard base layer for most beds. A flat sheet is a single, unhemmed piece of fabric that sits between you and the duvet. It adds a layer of temperature regulation, protects the duvet cover from body oils and perspiration, and gives the bed a traditional, hotel-style finish. Many people use both together; some prefer just a fitted sheet and duvet.

What thread count should I choose for bed sheets?

Thread count measures the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric. A 200 thread count polycotton or cotton percale has a crisp, cool feel suited to warm sleepers and everyday use. A 400 thread count cotton sateen is noticeably smoother. At 600 thread count and above, the fabric becomes denser and silkier, with a heavier drape. Above 1000 thread count, returns diminish - the weave type and fibre quality matter more than the number itself. Belledorm offers sheets from 200 to 1500 thread count across multiple fabric types.

How often should I wash my bed sheets?

Most sleep hygiene guidance recommends washing sheets every one to two weeks. During warmer months or if you perspire more at night, weekly washing is better for freshness and skin comfort. Belledorm cotton and polycotton sheets can be machine washed at 40°C on a standard cycle. Egyptian cotton and higher thread count sheets benefit from being removed from the dryer slightly damp and smoothed flat to reduce creasing.

Can I buy matching sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases?

Yes. Belledorm's sheet fabrics are available in matching duvet covers and pillowcases across most ranges, in the same thread count and colourway. This makes it straightforward to coordinate your entire bed from one fabric family. Bedding bundles are also available, which bring together a fitted sheet, duvet cover, and pillowcases in one order with a saving built in.

What is the difference between a housewife and an Oxford pillowcase?

A housewife pillowcase has a plain sewn edge that fits flush around the pillow, giving a neat, understated look. An Oxford pillowcase features a flat fabric border, typically 5 - 8cm wide that frames the pillow and adds a more formal, considered finish to the bed. Both styles are available across Belledorm's range in the same fabric and thread count options, so the choice comes down to personal preference and the look you want to create.

What thread count pillowcase should I choose for the softest feel?

For the softest feel against skin, choose a pillowcase with a thread count of 400 or above in a sateen weave. Sateen-woven cotton has a higher proportion of yarn on the surface, which gives it a smooth, close finish that reduces friction. Belledorm's Egyptian Cotton 600TC and 1000TC housewife and Oxford pillowcases offer this silky feel, making them a good choice for those who sleep on their side or find rougher fabrics disruptive through the night.

Are Egyptian cotton pillowcases better than standard cotton?

Egyptian cotton pillowcases are made from long-staple cotton fibres, which are longer than those used in standard cotton. Longer fibres mean fewer joins in the yarn, a smoother surface, and a fabric that holds its softness wash after wash rather than pilling over time. For pillowcases in particular, where the fabric is in direct contact with skin for hours at a time, this smoothness makes a noticeable difference to comfort and temperature regulation through the night.

What size are standard UK pillowcases?

A standard UK housewife pillowcase measures approximately 50cm x 75cm, designed to fit a standard UK pillow. Oxford pillowcases are the same internal size but include an additional fabric border of around 5–8cm. Continental square pillowcases measure approximately 65cm x 65cm and are designed for square European pillows. Belledorm also stocks bolster and V-shape pillowcases for orthopaedic and support pillows. Always check the individual product listing for exact dimensions.

What is the best pillowcase fabric for hot sleepers?

For hot sleepers, a percale-woven cotton or bamboo-blend pillowcase tends to perform better than sateen. Percale has a plain, one-over-one-under weave that creates a crisper, more breathable fabric with a cooler feel against skin. Belledorm's 200TC cotton percale pillowcases offer this lightweight breathability at an accessible price point. Bamboo-blend options also regulate temperature well, as the bamboo fibre naturally wicks moisture away from the skin during the night.

Can I match my pillowcases to my fitted sheet and duvet cover?

Yes. Belledorm's pillowcases are available across the same fabric and colour ranges as their fitted sheets, flat sheets, and duvet covers, making it straightforward to create a coordinated bed. Most ranges, including the Egyptian cotton 400TC and 600TC sateen, the 200TC polycotton percale, and the Hotel Suite 540TC satin stripe, offer both housewife and Oxford pillowcases alongside matching sheet sets. The bundle options include two pillowcases as standard.

How should I wash cotton pillowcases to keep them soft?

Cotton pillowcases should be washed at 40°C on a normal cotton cycle and removed from the machine promptly to reduce creasing. Tumble dry on a low heat or line dry away from direct sunlight, which can weaken fibres over time. Avoid fabric softener on high thread count sateen pillowcases, it can coat the fibres and reduce their natural softness. With each wash, quality cotton sateen typically becomes softer rather than rougher, particularly after the first few washes.

What is a continental square pillowcase used for?

A continental square pillowcase is designed to fit a European-style square pillow, which measures approximately 65cm x 65cm. These larger pillows are commonly used as back support against a headboard or as a layered styling element alongside standard pillows on the bed. Belledorm's continental square pillowcases are available in cotton sateen and polycotton options, offering the same fabric quality as the standard range in a size suited to square European pillows.

Egyptian Cotton Pillowcases For Sale At Belledorm

Q: What types of bed sheet does Belledorm sell?

Belledorm sells fitted sheets, flat sheets, pillowcases, and valance sheets. Fitted sheets have elasticated corners and are available in three depths: standard 30cm, extra deep 38cm for thicker mattresses, and ultra deep 46cm for the deepest mattresses and adjustable beds. Flat sheets sit between you and the duvet for a layered feel. All sheet types are available in fabrics from 200 thread count polycotton through to 1200 thread count Egyptian cotton, plus bamboo, jersey cotton, brushed cotton flannelette, Pima cotton, silk, and linen.

Finding the right bed sheet

The type of sheet you need depends on your bed, your mattress depth, and how you prefer your bedding to feel. Fitted sheets sit over the mattress and are held in place by elasticated corners - Belledorm fitted sheets are available in three depths: standard 30cm for mattresses up to 22cm, extra deep 38cm for mattresses up to 30cm including those with a topper, and ultra deep 46cm for the deepest mattresses and adjustable beds. Flat sheets sit between you and the duvet and are the traditional choice for a layered, hotel-style bed.

Fabric makes the biggest difference to how a sheet feels. 200 thread count polycotton is lightweight, crease-resistant, and quick to dry - ideal for everyday use and children's beds. Egyptian cotton uses longer-staple fibres that produce a smoother, more consistent surface, and is available from 200 to 1200 thread count. For cooler sleep, bamboo has natural moisture-wicking properties. In winter, brushed cotton flannelette traps warmth with its soft, napped finish.

All Belledorm sheet fabrics are available in matching duvet covers and pillowcases, so you can coordinate your whole bed in one thread count and colourway.

Got Egyptian Cotton Pillowcase Questions? We've Got Answers

The most common reason a fitted sheet pulls free is that the depth is wrong for the mattress. Measure the total depth of your mattress including any topper and choose a sheet with a box depth that matches - a 30cm sheet on a 28cm mattress will have very little fabric to tuck under and will slip off. Belledorm fitted sheets have fully elasticated edges (not just corner elastic), which keeps the sheet anchored more securely around all four sides of the mattress.

Egyptian Cotton Pillowcases

Finding the right bed sheet

Got Egyptian Cotton Pillowcase Questions? We've Got Answers

How do I stop my fitted sheet from coming off the mattress?