Linen vs Cotton Duvet Cover Which Is The Best Choice For You?

Should you buy a linen duvet cover, or a cotton duvet cover?

What’s the difference between each material?

Linen and cotton are the two main materials used for duvet covers, and they have slight differences which may make one material a better choice for you.

Linen Advantages and Disadvantages

Linen offers exceptional strength, and you won’t have to worry about linen causing skin irritation or itchiness. The material is safe for everyone, from children to pregnant women, and as a duvet cover, it’s also “breathable.”

The material allows for a lot of circulation, and it’s also a beautiful material that conducts moisture very well.

In fact, the material can hold nearly 20% of its weight in moisture before it starts to feel damp. Strength cannot be ignored, with linen being around 30% stronger than cotton, so the material can take a lot more abuse from kids and animals than cotton.

But linen can also be heavy, and you cannot iron the material, so it may have wrinkles.

Softness is a major consideration with a duvet cover, and linen will not be as soft as, say, cotton. The material does tend to soften over time, but initially, it may be too rough when used as a duvet cover.

People either love or hate linen, and the material has a very high permeability.

What does this mean?

Linen will keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The natural filtering properties of the material keep bacteria at bay, and moisture is never a concern for the sleeper.

Anti-static in design, linen duvet covers never get that “static” that shocks you when rustling in the sheets. The material is also environmentally-friendly, with many linens produced using flax as a renewable resource.

The major drawback with linen is that the material can feel “scratchy,” and if a person is covering a very soft, comfortable comforter, they’ll often dislike the scratchy feeling that linen provides.

But there are blends that have linen and cotton incorporated in the design of the duvet to combine the softness of cotton with the strength of linen. If you’re unsure of which material to pick, a blend will be your best option.

Cotton Advantages and Disadvantages

Cotton is a softer material, and while not silk-soft, the material will definitely meet the expectations of a duvet cover. The material is also very breathable, so it can have a cooling effect for you, too.

Manufacturers do not treat cotton like they do with other materials, so it will not cause you to overheat in the middle of the night.

In terms of care, cotton can be machine washed in most cases. The drying process will be unique to each cover, but you’ll usually want to have a light dry at the very most to stop cotton from shrinking.

Cotton won’t absorb odors either, so it’s a very low-maintenance material.

And if you have allergies, the hypoallergenic properties of cotton make it a top choice for anyone who has sensitive skin, but wants a duvet cover to keep their comforter in tip-top condition.

While not as strong as linen, cotton will last a long time when you take care of it. Snags can and do occur on occasion, so if you plan to let your dog or cat on the bed, you may find that linen or another material is a better option than cotton.

Quality will matter a lot when choosing cotton. A lower-priced cotton can be scratchy and not provide the comfort that other materials offer.

While easy to keep clean, cotton does tend to be absorbent and should not be left wet for long periods of time. The material does wear down faster than linen, but cotton is very dependent on quality. If you choose a product with high-end cotton, it can withstand more abuse and usage.

Cheaper cotton will be the biggest concern and can snag, shrink or wear down quickly.

Reviews

Bedsure 45% Cotton 55% Linen Duvet Cover - Bedsure’s duvet comes in an array of sizes: Twin (68” x 90”), Queen (90” x 90”) and King (104” x 90”). The duvet is the best of both worlds, offering a composition of 45% cotton and 55% linen, so you’ll be able to benefit from both types of materials.

Soft and smooth, the duvet provides breathability while incorporating the strength that only linen can provide.

Seven color options are offered, and the duvet cover will act as a protective guard for a duvet, comforter or quilt. While the cover is on, the longevity of your duvet or comforter will increase due to protection against dust and dirt.

A premium coconut button closure is offered, and you’ll also receive two pillow shams that measure 20” x 26.”

Linen is strong, and it’s a great material for duvet covers because it will last longer than other materials. But the problem with linen is that it can be scratchy, so some users have complained that this duvet was too scratchy for their preference.

But it’s a well-made, durable duvet cover that fits well and also comes with pillow shams.

DAPU Pure Linen Duvet Cover Review - DAPU’s linen duvet cover comes in nearly a dozen colors and is offered in Full/Queen and King size options. Offering 100% French natural linen, this stone washed cover is made with flax that is naturally grown and harvested.

The cover is 30% stronger than cotton, and it is able to absorb 20%, or close to it, in moisture before it starts feeling damp.

What’s nice about this cover is that the more you use it, the softer the cover will become. Linen does require less washing than most fabrics. The Full/Queen size is 90” x 90,” and there are two pillow cases with a size of 20” x 26”.

A zipper closure keeps the cover in place, and the zipper has been designed to have a “hidden” look so that it doesn’t stand out. There are also eight internal ties that will keep your comforter properly secured to the cover.

Linen is a tad heavier and warmer than most materials, so if you’re not looking for a cover that is warm, you may want to avoid this option. The heavier design adds to the cover’s durability and longevity.

ATsense Duvet Cover - ATSense offers a three-piece bedding duvet set that comes with a cover and two pillow cases. The size options include: Twin (90” x 68”), Full (90” x 80”), Queen (90” x 90”), King (104” x 90”) and California King (104” x 98”).

There are a dozen color options for this 100% washed cotton set.

Breathable and impeccable moisture wicking, this cloth is treated with a special process that makes the material softer and more comfortable. The cotton fibers are long and strong, similar to Egyptian cotton so that the material will not easily pull.

The zipper keeps the cover fully encompassing your comforter to keep dirt and dust from entering inside. You’ll also find that the zipper is hidden away so that it’s not an eyesore for users.

Four corner ties also reinforce the cover.

The unit is able to be washed in the washing machine and is hypoallergenic.

An interesting complaint that I kept coming across is that this set was not “silky soft.” The set is soft, but a lot of consumers are expecting a silk softness that will not be achieved. Aside from this one complaint, this duvet cover allows for great breathability, it’s easy to clean and actually “cools.”

500 Thread Count, 3-Piece Duvet Cover Set - Feather & Stitch offers a three-piece duvet cover, and you can choose to purchase just the pillowcases if you like. There are multiple size options, including: Full, Queen, King and California King.

Lightweight, this duvet is made with 100% pure cotton with 500-thread count to meet the luxury feeling of high-end hotels.

You’ll be able to pick among seven classic colors, and the entire set includes a cover along with matching pillow shams.

The duvet cover has internal ties that allow you to eliminate comforter slippage. Zippers are used to keep the unit 100% sealed.

When washing the cover, you’ll want to wash it and use a quick dry cycle for best results.

Consumers tend to say that this cover is crunchy, but it’s a very sparse few that seem to mention the “crunchy” feel. The vast majority of consumers prefer the high thread count and 100% cotton cooling that this set offers.

It’s a well-made set that provides classic colors, no slippage and also zippers to keep the cover completely sealed.