In short: Flannel is not a fiber, but a brushed finish – the material underneath is therefore crucial. Only 100% cotton absorbs moisture into the fiber and releases it into the room air. biberna offers its Flannel at 160 g/m² according to the original recipe – since the invention of Flannel bedding in 1968.
Cotton Flannel bedding sounds like a given – but it is far from it in stores. If you look closely, you will find mixed fabrics with a polyester content or pure synthetic fabrics under the label "Flannel" more and more frequently, which may look fluffy but behave completely differently at night. This exact fiber determines whether you lie comfortably warm under your bedding – or wake up clammy. In this post, we explain what 100% cotton really does in Flannel.
What Flannel is all about
Flannel is not a fiber of its own, but a finish: A cotton fabric is brushed. Fine hooks pull fiber ends from the fabric to the surface until a dense, fluffy layer is created. This layer does not store heat on its own – it traps air, and the air insulates. That is why Flannel feels warm as soon as you get into bed, while smooth bedding feels cool at first.
Our Flannel quality is 160 g/m². This fabric weight allows for particularly high loft and fluffiness without the cover becoming heavy and stiff. But why the number alone never tells the whole story, you can read in our post on bedding fabric weight.
The crucial thing is: theoretically, any fabric can be brushed. But with synthetic fibers, you are left with what cotton brings – and that is more than just looks.
What 100% cotton really does at night
A person releases several hundred milliliters of moisture per night. What happens to this moisture determines your sleep comfort:
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Cotton absorbs moisture into the fiber and releases it into the room air. The fabric feels dry for a long time, even though it has already absorbed moisture.
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Polyester absorbs hardly any moisture. The sweat remains on the surface and between the skin and the fabric – hence the typical clammy feeling in the second half of the night.
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Cotton is skin-friendly and breathable – a reason why it remains the first choice for sensitive skin and in the context of neurodermatitis.
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Cotton does not build up static electricity. Synthetic Flannel rustles and attracts dust – especially noticeable in the dry winter.
With Flannel, one more point comes into play: The brushed surface considerably increases the active surface area of the fabric. A fiber that can absorb moisture becomes even more effective – a fiber that cannot becomes noticeably more problematic. That is exactly why pure cotton is more important in Flannel than in smooth bedding. More on the basic comparison can be found under Microfiber vs. Cotton.
How to recognize good cotton quality
The label "100% cotton" is the basic requirement – but not yet a guarantee of quality. In addition, pay attention to:
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The depth of the brushing. Good quality is uniform and brushed. Cheap quality is only treated superficially: It feels soft when new, but loses its fluffiness after a few washes.
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The yarn quality. Longer, cleanly processed fibers break less often – the result pills less and retains its feel for years. More on this under combed cotton.
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The workmanship. Clean seams and a high-quality zipper last longer than the fabric itself – with cheap goods, it is often the other way around.
➜ Discover now: Flannel bedding made of 100% cotton – in original quality with 160 g/m², directly from the inventor of Biber bedding (brushed cotton flannel) and always without a minimum order value.
Why we stick to pure cotton
biberna invented Biber bedding (brushed cotton flannel) in 1968 – the company itself has been in family hands since 1932. We have been a family business since 1932 with our own weaving mill in Hamminkeln and know every step: from the yarn to weaving and brushing to finishing. This manufacturing depth is the reason why we can keep the brushing depth and feel consistent across every batch – and why we do not need to mix in polyester to cut costs. How this works in detail, we describe under Made in Germany.
The retail trade has replaced the high-quality qualities with cheap goods in many places for price reasons. That is why we offer the original quality directly today – without middleman and at a historically attractive price-performance ratio. For those who want it even softer: Our Melange Flannel – the "Flannel Bedding 2.0" – is also made of 100% cotton and is not produced in this quality by any other manufacturer worldwide. Direct price: around €49 to €79.95.
Care: Cotton is the easier-care partner
Pure cotton withstands high washing temperatures – 60°C is easily possible if needed, for everyday use 40°C is sufficient. Important: no fabric softener. It coats the brushed fiber ends, glues them together, and takes away exactly the fluffiness for which you bought Flannel. Details can be found under Washing Flannel Bedding.
That new Flannel bedding pills a little at first is normal: Loose fiber ends from the brushing process come loose in the first two to three washes. This is not a defect, but a side effect of real cotton – read more under Flannel Bedding Pills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flannel always made of cotton?
No. "Flannel" describes the brushed surface, not the material. In stores, you will also find mixed fabrics and pure synthetic fibers under this label. Therefore, always check the label – only 100% cotton brings the moisture absorption that makes Flannel pleasant at night.
Is cotton Flannel warmer than fleece?
Fleece usually insulates slightly more at the same weight, but transports moisture worse. For those who sweat a lot, cotton Flannel works significantly better – the warmth is dry instead of stuffy.
What to do if Flannel becomes flatter after years?
A slight loss of loft is normal. Washing without fabric softener and a short cycle in the dryer fluff the fibers up again. If the fabric remains thin and smooth, the brushing depth was too low from the start – a typical feature of cheap goods.
Why is pure cotton more important in Flannel than in smooth bedding?
Because the brushed surface considerably increases the active surface area of the fabric. A fiber that can absorb moisture becomes even more effective – a fiber that cannot becomes noticeably more problematic. The brushing therefore amplifies exactly the strength or weakness of the base material.
At what temperature can I wash Flannel made of 100% cotton?
Pure cotton withstands high washing temperatures: 60°C is easily possible if needed, for everyday use 40°C is sufficient. Be sure to avoid fabric softener – it coats the brushed fiber ends, glues them together, and takes away exactly the fluffiness for which you bought Flannel.
The most important things in short
- Flannel refers to the brushed finish of a fabric, not the material – the label determines the quality.
- Only 100% cotton absorbs moisture into the fiber and releases it into the room air; polyester leaves the sweat on the surface.
- The biberna Flannel quality is 160 g/m² and allows high loft without the cover becoming heavy and stiff.
- biberna invented Biber bedding (brushed cotton flannel) in 1968 and still offers it today according to the original recipe: 100% cotton, around 160 g/m², brushed.
- Cotton Flannel can withstand 60°C if needed, but never needs fabric softener, because this glues the brushed fiber ends together.
Real cotton, real Flannel – from the inventor. Discover our Flannel Collection or browse the entire range under Bedding: Original quality from the inventor, fair direct prices, and always free shipping within Germany – without a minimum order value.
