Bedding
Bedding comprises removable bed coverings for hygiene and comfort.
David P Howard · CC BY-SA 2.0
Bedding, also known as bedclothes or bed linen, consists of the washable materials placed on top of a mattress for cleanliness, warmth, mattress protection, and visual appeal. People often rotate multiple sets of bedding per bed, washing them in sequence or swapping them with the seasons to maintain comfort as room temperatures change. While most bedding measurements are rectangular, some square sizes exist—such as a 220 cm × 220 cm duvet—that allow the user to put on the bedding without worrying about which end is which.
In American English, the term *bedding* typically excludes the mattress itself, whereas in British English it often includes it. In Australia and New Zealand, bedding is frequently called *manchester*, especially in shops. This name comes from Manchester, England, a center of the cotton industry from the late 18th through the 20th century; cotton goods like sheets and towels were originally termed "Manchester goods," later shortened to "manchester."
A standard bedding set includes at least a flat or fitted sheet covering the mattress, a flat top sheet, and either a blanket, quilt, or duvet—sometimes with a duvet cover used in place of or in addition to the top sheet—plus pillows with pillowcases (also called pillow shams). Extra blankets may be added for insulation in cold sleeping areas. Plush stuffed animals, dolls, and other soft toys are often placed on beds by children and some adults, but these are not considered bedding, even though they can provide extra warmth.
**Materials**
Common sheeting materials include lightweight white, solid-color, or printed cotton or cotton/polyester blends in plain weave, satin weave, or flannel. Linen and silk are also used, sometimes in combination. Goose or duck down and other feathers are popular as warm, lightweight fill for duvets, comforters, and quilts, but these can poke through even tightly woven fabric and irritate people, especially those with allergies. Natural and synthetic down alternatives are available. Cotton, wool, or polyester batting is often used as fill in quilts and down-alternative comforters, being cheaper and easier to launder than natural down or feathers. Synthetic fibers work best as thermofused batting, where fibers cross. Blankets are typically made from thick-woven or knitted wool, cotton, acrylic or other microfiber synthetics, or blends of these.
- Field
- Textiles and domestic furnishings
- Known for
- Removable and washable bed coverings including sheets, blankets, duvets, and pillowcases
- Earliest evidence
- 23,000-year-old remnants at Ohalo II, Israel
- Common materials
- Cotton, linen, silk, wool, down, polyester blends
Lore & Background
Among the earliest discovered examples of bedding are remnants found in a Paleolithic structure at Ohalo II, Israel, dating back 23,000 years. These consist of partially charred stems and leaves positioned on the floor surrounding a central hearth. Potential earlier evidence from the Middle Paleolithic is evident in Spain's Esquilleu cave, displaying the gathering of grass near a hearth. Around 3400 BC Egyptian pharaohs had their beds moved off the ground and slept on a raised surface, with bed linen widely evolved in Egypt as a symbol of light, purity, and prosperity. Roman Empire mattresses were stuffed with wool, feather, reeds or hay, and beds were decorated with paint, bronze, silver, jewels and gold; Roman couples' sleeping arrangements varied, and there is no definitive evidence that it was rare for them to spend the night together.
Reader's Guide
Bedding serves essential functions of hygiene, warmth, mattress protection, and decoration. Its history spans from Paleolithic plant remains to modern synthetic materials. The term 'bedding' varies by region: in American English it generally excludes the mattress, while in British English it often includes it; in Australian and New Zealand English, it is often called 'manchester,' derived from the cotton industry center of Manchester. A typical set includes flat or fitted sheets, a top sheet, a blanket or duvet, and pillows with cases. Materials range from cotton, linen, and silk to down, wool, and synthetic fibers. Thread count is a key quality measure, though measurement methods differ. Bedding sizes are made with consideration of bed and mattress dimensions, varying worldwide. The development of hotel bedding with high thread counts has created consumer demand. Luxury cottons such as Mako and Pima are used for upscale sheets and towels. The evolution from straw-stuffed palliasses to modern foam and spring mattresses reflects ongoing innovation in sleep comfort.
Did You Know?
- The earliest discovered bedding remnants are 23,000-year-old charred stems and leaves from Ohalo II, Israel.
- In Australian and New Zealand English, bedding is often called 'manchester,' after the cotton industry center of Manchester.
- Roman Empire mattresses were stuffed with wool, feather, reeds or hay, and it was rare for a Roman couple to spend the night together.
- Mako cotton, a high grade of Egyptian-grown cotton, has longer fibers that allow more threads per square inch for stronger, lighter fabrics.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bedding?
Bedding is the collection of removable, washable coverings—such as sheets, blankets, duvets, and pillowcases—laid over a mattress. It serves to keep the sleeper clean and warm, protect the mattress from wear, and give the bed a finished look.
What materials are commonly used for bedding?
Cotton, linen, and silk are the most popular natural fabrics, while wool and down are favored for added insulation. Polyester blends are also widely used because they are affordable and resist wrinkling.
How far back does the history of bedding go?
The oldest physical traces of bedding date to roughly 23,000 years ago, when remnants were uncovered at the Ohalo II archaeological site in Israel.
Does the term bedding include the mattress itself?
In American English, bedding refers specifically to the washable coverings placed on top of the mattress, not the mattress itself.
Why do people keep multiple sets of bedding?
Rotating several sets lets a household wash one while using another, so a clean bed is always ready. Swapping sets with the seasons—like moving to a heavier duvet in winter—also helps match comfort to shifting room temperatures.
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