The Best Wrinkle-free Sheets Money Can Buy

Do you ever wonder how your mother or grandmother did it back in the day? How were they able to make a bed completely devoid of wrinkles? Perhaps there was some sort of magic in drying sheets on a line in the great outdoors. If your bed sheets had no wrinkles, there are two likely answers: They were ironed, or they were slightly damp and pulled tight on your bed where they dried without a wrinkle in sight.

Today, we want sheets that are easy to wash and come out of the dryer with no shrinkage and no wrinkles to be seen. It’s a tall order, but some manufacturers have managed to make a variety of cotton, cotton blends or other fabrics in a set of sheets that look smooth and are ready to show off. We’ve put together a buyer’s guide to look at how that’s possible, but first we’ve listed some of the best wrinkle-free sheets on the market.

The Best Wrinkle-Free Sheets

Wrinkle-Free Sheets Buyers Guide

Why Do Some Sheets Seem to Wrinkle Immediately?

Natural fibers are a go-to for many manufacturers of bed sheets. Cotton is considered the top of the sheets chain. A sateen weave in cotton is thick, slightly heavy and silky to the touch, which is ideal for colder climates. A percale cotton sheet is crisp, cool and breathable, which feels great in the heat of the summer. Either way, cotton feels fantastic to sleep on. However, it will wrinkle like crazy. Same goes for linen sheets, which are also comfy and breathable, making them a great choice for winter or summer.

As to why natural fibers wrinkle so easily, there’s no definitive answer. It’s just a fact of life, but it does have to do with humidity, heat and the bonds of polymers. Natural fibers like cotton have weaker bonds when it comes to temperature and humidity, and so wrinkles form easily.

First, buy the highest quality sheets you can afford. Long-staple cotton fibers are less likely to wrinkle compared to the shorter cotton fibers. You can adjust your washing routine, also. Pull your sheets out of the dryer before they’re completely dry and make your bed while the sheets are still damp. The wrinkles that would form won’t – if you make a tightly tucked-in bed. You could also bring in the iron to force the wrinkles out.

Alternatively, you could compromise by getting a cotton blend in your sheets. Polyester goes a long way to help prevent wrinkles, and a little bit can go a long way. You’re going to lose breathability in your sheets, but if you prefer sheets that keep you warm, this shouldn’t be an issue for you.

Fabrics made from wood pulp, such as bamboo, are naturally going to release wrinkles more easily. Bamboo sheets can be made to be just as soft and breathable as cotton, so it could be a good choice for you. And then there are chemicals.

Yes, Some Wrinkle-free Sheets are Chemically-treated – but It’s OK

Several manufacturers of bed linens make wrinkle-free cotton sheets and claim that they aren’t chemically treated, even if they are – and it’s totally legal. A company can, say, use chemically-treated cotton to create their sheets, but if the company itself doesn’t use a chemical, then technically they’re correct.

The primary chemical used to prevent wrinkles in sheets and clothing is formaldehyde. There are two thoughts on the use of formaldehyde in products – and they’re in many of the products you probably use right now. On the one hand, it’s scary; on the other, it’s completely safe.

So, it’s up to you about whether you want chemical-free sheets that don’t wrinkle. If it’s important to you, look for organic cotton sheets that have manufacturers who specifically point out they do not use chemicals. Or you can buy bamboo sheets that are more naturally wrinkle-resistant.

Features You Should Look for in Wrinkle-free Sheets

Once you know whether you’re okay with the likelihood that wrinkle-free sheets are chemically treated – or if you’d rather go with a fabric that’s untreated – it’s time to look at the other features. You want to be sure your sheets fit your bed, look fantastic and feel even better.

Deep Pockets

This feature ensures that the fitted sheet will fit your mattress, even if you have a thick pillowtop mattress.

Easy Returns and/or Decent Warranty

It’s the worst when you spend good money on a product and find out later that you can’t return them, or there’s no warranty. Save yourself some heartache by checking a manufacturer’s return policy or warranty.

Machine Washable

Buying a set of wrinkle-free sheets that can’t be tossed in the washing machine and dryer kind of defeats the purpose of saving you time. Make sure your sheets are easy to care for.

Conclusion

For truly wrinkle-free sheets, you may have to opt for the chemically-treated cotton blends that are available on the market. If you’d rather not risk it to have chemicals touch the sheets you’ll be sleeping on, then you could always go with a set of sheets that have specifically been tested for these chemicals and passed the test. The best wrinkle-free sheets overall belong to the Royal Hotel 650 Thread Count Sheets. They’re extremely plush, soft and still breathable. Compared to some other sets of sheets, these are an affordable luxury.

Recent Updates

August 13, 2021: The Winston Porter Conrad 300 Thread Count Sheet and Darby Home Co Gilead 1000 Thread Count have each been removed due to unavailability, replaced with the popular Royal Hotel 650 Thread Count Sheets and Sweet Home Collection Sheet Set. Additional Resources and more FAQs have been added below.

Additional Resources

• Types of Bed Sheets
• What is a Good Thread Count for Bed Sheets?
• What To Do With Old Bed Sheets?
• How To Fold Bed Sheets?