Cotton and polyester (and poly-cotton) are the most common choices when it comes to buying bed sheets. But they are not the only ones. If you are looking for something different, there are plenty of alternatives to cotton and polyester. 

1. Bamboo, Tencel, Modal and Other Semi-synthetic Bed Sheets

Semi-synthetic sheets have in the last few years gotten popular, especially for people looking for an eco-friendlier alternative to cotton and a more comfortable alternative to synthetic sheets like polyester.   

The most popular type of semi-synthetic sheets is bamboo. Others include modal (made from beech tree) and Tencel (eucalyptus). 

These bed sheets are not only better for the environment compared to 100% synthetic sheets, they are also more comfortable. They offer breathability and moisture wicking, with some of them performing even better than cotton. 

They are also a cheaper alternative to the more expensive natural bed sheets like silk and linen. 

2. Silk Bed Sheets

If you want 100% natural bed sheets that are not cotton, the two best alternatives are silk and linen.

Silk is the epitome of luxury bedding. Good quality mulberry silk bed sheets are ultra-soft, ultra-breathable, odor-resistant and hypoallergenic. They also offer excellent temperature and moisture management. 

Silk is a particularly good option for your skin and hair. Because of how smooth and soft it is, silk bed sheets create very little friction on your hair and skin. This minimizes hair breakage and reduces wrinkles and fine lines. Silk also doesn't absorb as much moisture and oil from your skin like cotton, which keeps your skin from drying out. 

Silk bed sheets last a long time, though they require delicate care when it comes to laundry. Use the delicate setting and get a gentle detergent, ideally one that’s formulated specifically for silk. 

3. Linen Bed Sheets

Linen bed sheets don't have the same silky feel as silk sheets. But they still feel soft and gentle against your skin. Similar to silk, 100% natural linen sheets have great breathability, moisture-wicking and odor-resistance.

In fact, linen sheets are cooler and absorb more moisture than both silk and cotton sheets. They are great for hot sleepers, hot flashes and night sweats. Linen sheets are also more durable than other natural bed sheets. 

The main downside of linen bed sheets, other than their typically high price tag, is that they wrinkle easily. This is not an issue if you love the worn homely look of linen. But if you like your bed sheets smooth and crisp, linen is not for you. 

4. Satin, Microfiber and Other Synthetic Blend Bed Sheets  

Polyester is the most common type of synthetic bed sheets. But there are other options, most of them blends of different synthetic fibers. 

The best synthetic alternative to polyester sheets is microfiber. Microfiber sheets have a softer feel than polyester, and they are cooler and more moisture-wicking too because of how they are woven.

Microfiber sheets are made with polyester combined with nylon. Some microfiber sheets also contain wood pulp fibers. 

Another synthetic alternative is satin. Satin sheets are commonly advertised as silk-like sheets, though they are nowhere as breathable or moisture wicking. Satin sheets have a smooth texture (good for hair and skin) and are usually made from polyester and nylon. 

These synthetic blend bed sheets are a good choice if you are on a budget. But they have a number of downsides. 

For one, they don't offer the same level of breathability, cooling and sweat-wicking as natural bed sheets. So they are not the best choice if you sleep hot or have night sweats. They also tend to smell more easily, so they need regular changing. 

There’s also the environmental aspect. Synthetic bed sheets are mostly derived from petroleum products, making them less eco-friendly compared to natural and semi-synthetic bed sheets. Chemicals in synthetic sheets can also be irritating particularly for people with sensitive skin.