We all want linens that look great, feel great, and last for a long time, but nobody ever expected their sheets to contain antibacterial properties – until now.
Scientists and engineers have worked for years crafting the ultimate silver-infused linens that actively kill bacteria, and the response from the public has been nothing less than glowing.
But there are many hidden benefits to antibacterial linens that you may not know about. Today we’re checking out eight upsides to these fabrics that will help you sleep soundly at night.
1. Get Rid of the Stink
In an interview with The Daily Beast, chemistry professor James Ranville of the Colorado School of Mines shared some of the science behind silver-infused sheets.
He stated that when even a small amount of silver dissolves into a silver ion, bacteria growth is disrupted, and microbes are prevented from multiplying.
Since silver-infused linens stop bacteria in its tracks, that means you can enjoy sheets that are not only more hygienic but also smell way better for longer.
That’s right. These linens are far less prone to odor since bacteria do not have the chance to grow as fast as it typically does on regular linens.
However gross it sounds, our bodies give off sweat, dirt, and oils when we slip into the sheets at night, even if we’re freshly showered. Eight hours of use and most sheets will pick up some kind of smell, which only gets more pungent by the day.
Antibacterial sheets short-circuit the smelliness, and it feels like you are getting into a clean, freshly-made bed each night. Then, you can get a better night’s sleep and wake up refreshed for the day.
2. Do Your Laundry Less Often
Even if you don’t detect any smells or stains, you should still wash your antibacterial linens in the washing machine with the right amount of detergent and time.
The bonus here is that you don’t need to wash these silver-infused nearly as often as you would normal sheets since bacteria cannot grow as quickly on the surface.
If you are used to washing your linens once or twice a week, you can expect to do three times less laundry with silver-infused products, meaning you save time, energy, and resources.
Washing sheets can be an annoying chore, especially if you have to drag these heavy items to and from the laundromat. Most folks wish they could get away with doing it less often.
The drying process also tends to be a hassle if you want to ensure your linens don’t shrink in the machine drier. Silver-infused sheets tend to dry faster and maintain their shape well.
Finally, according to Direct Supply, antimicrobial textiles require less water and detergent to clean than typical fabrics, meaning you can trim down that utility bill and spend less on cleaning supplies every year.
While silver-infused sheets may cost a bit more upfront, it’s clear that the investment will pay for itself many times over in the long run, as these sheets generally have longer lifespans.
3. The Cooling Effect
Tossing and turning in a set of hot, sweaty sheets is one of the most frustrating feelings imaginable, and watching the clock tick on toward morning time is even worse.
If you are one of the many people who find themselves in this sticky situation far too often, it may be time to swap out the normal cotton linens for a set of silver-infused sheets.
Antimicrobial linens tend to be praised mainly for their abilities to fight bacteria and stay clean for longer, but their silver properties also keep them very cool and comfortable throughout the night and help you get more restful sleep.
You may assume that because these linens contain silver, they’d be heavier and end up causing sleepers to sweat more. The opposite is true. There are only microscopic levels of silver in each strand, and they help the linens to keep a lower temperature rather than absorbing body heat.
Pick the right antibacterial sheets, and you won’t have to make any compromises. Many reviewers say that these are the most comfortable sheets they’ve ever owned.
4. Healthier Skin
While the medical community doesn’t yet have an exact idea about the cause of acne, most doctors will agree that a combination of skin irritation and bacteria buildup can trigger breakouts.
Pillowcases end up being a common culprit, and many dermatologists recommend that acne patients regularly swap out their pillowcases frequently to combat acne.
Silver-infused linens have a similar effect to the antibacterial sprays that some doctors suggest, without dealing with the unwanted chemicals and inconvenience.
Speaking with the Augusta Free Press, dermatologist Candice Brown said that while there is no substitute for regular washing, antibacterial linens can help reduce bacteria buildup on pillowcases and help to fight acne.
Bathroom linens like towels and cloths are another concern for people with skin conditions like acne since these fabrics tend to collect bacteria at a quicker rate, especially in a full house.
Luckily, you can find silver-infused bath towels that feature the same bacteria-fighting properties and stay odor-free for weeks at a time. They are far less prone to collecting fungi, mildew, mold, and all of the other nasty stuff we don’t want anywhere near our faces.
5. Reduced Allergens
Allergies affect a huge portion of the population, whether they come from food, pollen, pollution, or any number of environmental factors.
Unfortunately, way too many people fail to recognize that there could be some serious allergens in their homes, including the sheets they sleep in and the bath towels they use daily.
In some cases, the sheets themselves can cause adverse reactions on the skin and lead to discomfort and visible inflammation.
According to DermNetNZ, textile contact dermatitis is not uncommon in a world with many synthetic fabrics. Even a bit of rayon, nylon, or polyester infused into your bedsheets may cause a flare-up, and the effects can worsen if dyes are involved.
This isn’t meant to scare anyone, but the fact is that your current sheets may be responsible for some allergies, even minor ones that cause sniffling and stuffiness in the morning.
Not only are silver-infused sheets able to combat 99.9% allergy-causing bacteria, but they are also very easy on the skin, with little-to-no friction.
6. Fewer Wrinkles and Crumpling
Even those pricey sheets never seem to stay smooth, and unless you hang-dry your linens outdoors (which few of us do), it can be nearly impossible to return them to the wrinkle-free state of a brand new set.
An overlooked advantage of antimicrobial sheets is that the silver-infused fibers help ensure a smoother and more even set of linens, with far less wrinkling and crumpling.
This is due to silver’s structural integrity, which works with cotton to create a soft yet strong fabric that is more wrinkle-resistant than traditional sheets.
There is also a subtle moisture-wicking effect to silver-infused linens, which allows the sheets to stay dry in those hot months and prevent that annoying crumpled look and feel.
Finally, there is an anti-static component to high-quality antimicrobial sheets, which adds another level of luxury. This makes for an easy wash and dry process, and there is no need to iron your sheets before putting them back on the bed.
7. Invite Pets to the Party
More than half of Americans are proud pet owners, and more than half of those pet parents invite their furry friends to hang out on the bed or sleep alongside them at night.
While there’s nothing like a nice bedtime cuddle session with your favorite cat or dog, it’s a well-known fact that these animals can leave behind some nasty bacteria and oils that they accumulate throughout the day, even if they have recently been groomed.
With anti-microbial linens, you can sleep soundly next to your pets without having to worry about the hygienic issues that come with the territory.
Although there’s no guarantee that these sheets will kill off more severe conditions like fleas and parasites, you can enjoy the peace of mind that most bacteria will not be an issue.
8. Softer than the Rest
Since we associate silver with toughness and resilience, some people assume that antimicrobial sheets and towels will not be as soft as traditional linens or sateen textiles.
The truth is that these products are very soft and comfortable if made with the right materials since only a tiny amount of silver is used in the production process, just enough to ensure anti-bacterial properties.
The best silver-infused sheets are made with materials like Supima Cotton (the top 1% cotton in the world) and are super breathable. Finally, you can experience that 5-star hotel feel without having to book a room at the Four Seasons!
Conclusion
Antibacterial sheets are sending huge waves through the home linen industry, and for a good reason. With so many benefits and affordable prices, this is a bed and bath upgrade you should not skip out on.