The 8 Best Crib Sheets Stay Buttery Soft, Even After Hundreds of Washes

As a five-time winner in the What to Expect Sleep Awards, Burt’s Bees Baby Fitted Crib Sheets are a reliable option when it comes to high-quality material that and won’t break the bank. Many parents swear by Burt’s Bees sheets for how soft and gentle the organic cotton is against baby’s delicate skin, especially little ones who have eczema or skin sensitivity. The jersey knit fabric is lightweight and stretchy and easily fits tight over most universal cribs without bunching or wrinkling. Parents like that the elastic goes all the way around the bottom instead of just in the corners to provide extra insurance that it won’t creep up off the mattress. 

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that these sheets may fade and pill overtime, depending on how frequently you wash them. This is nearly a given in most jersey sheets, however, and at this price point, it might still be worth it to you. The sheets are also available in bassinet and mini cribsizes in case you want to use the same sheets throughout baby’s first year.

If you’re hesitant to spend a lot on crib sheets in fear of the inevitable overnight blow out, you’re not alone. The American Baby Company cotton crib sheets deliver great quality for less than $10 per sheet. Made of 100-percent cotton jersey material, these sheets are as soft and cozy as your favorite t-shirt. They also come in a wide variety of colors and adorable prints that will match any nursery theme.

Some parents note that the material is thin (so much so that you can see through to the pattern on the mattress itself) and others say theirs ripped over time. However, considering the fact that they’re so low-priced, both are fairly minor cons.

Aden + anais is known for providing high-quality muslin baby products for affordable prices, including crib sheets. Made of 100-percent cotton muslin, aden + anais’ crib sheets get softer after each wash. They also have an open weave design that is meant to keep baby cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The sheets come in a variety of whimsical patterns and designs, like pink flamingos or astronauts in space. 

Parents do note that the sheet runs small, so it may take a little extra effort to get it to stretch over your mattress. It may also start to slightly pill overtime, but that can easily be remedied with a fabric shaver. 

Bamboo sheets are known for their hypoallergenic and antimicrobial properties that protect skin from potential allergens. So if your baby struggles with eczema or other skin sensitivities, bamboo sheets may be worth a try. Plus, they’re super soft and easy to wash, which are big advantages alone. 

The Mebie baby bamboo stretch crib sheet has all these advantages, and is available in lots of cute colors that will match your nursery. Parents say they love the feel of these sheets so much that they found themselves wanting to buy their own set. They also note how stretchy the sheet is, which is from the slight bit of spandex that delivers a tight fit. 

The Mushie Mini Muslin Crib Sheet is one of the softest sheets you’ll find, made with 100-percent cotton muslin fabric that parents say gets softer after each wash. Muslin is an excellent fabric for summer because of its light weight, but this sheet is so cozy that you could use any time of year. Parents are also huge fans of the wide variety of adorable colors and prints, which is an especially great perk due to the limited number of mini crib sheets available. It should fit tightly on most mini cribs, and its full elastic edges will make sure it stays on the mattress.

"We love the muslin fabric, it’s soft and holds up really well to weekly washes," says Alexandra Bisonó, Senior Art Director with What to Expect. "I personally love the colors, which are muted and the patterns feel modern and sophisticated. It also fits our mattress perfectly so the sheets don’t bunch up or move around."

The main drawback of this sheet is that the manufacturer recommends air drying. Many parents, however, say they throw it in the dryer regularly with no issue.

Many parents turn to satin or silk sheets to prevent or reduce the appearance of bald spots. They may also opt for this fabric if their baby has curly hair, as the smooth, soft texture reduces friction. Because silk sheets can be pricey, which is why What to Expect parents turn to these budget-friendly satin sheets. Parents like the soft texture and that the fabric is OEKO-TEX Standard 100-certified, meaning it’s been deemed free of certain harmful substances. The Pro Goleem satin sheets also come in bassinet and playard sizes, so you can use them during the newborn stage or on-the-go, too. Note that some parents felt that the satin feel wore off over time, but it might not come as a surprise given the low price: If you like these sheets, you might as well buy a few sets.

Since you can’t put a blanket in baby’s crib, many parents swear by using a sleep sack and flannel crib sheet to keep baby warm in the colder months. Parents particularly like Trend Lab’s fitted flannel crib sheet, with many saying they were surprised by the thickness and quality compared to other flannel sheets. Not only do the sheets hold warmth well, but they are made of 100-percent cotton for extra softness. We love the sheet’s deep 10-inch corner pockets and fully elasticized hem that keeps it free of any wrinkles and bunching. 

One main con, however, is that the sheet will likely pill over time, as with most flannel sheets. 

Although a splurge at $59 per sheet, Pottery Barn’s linen sheets might last you for years, which could make the price worth it. Linen is great at regulating body temperature, so it’ll keep baby cool in the summer but also warm in the winter. And, because the fibers are extremely strong with linen, these sheets are sure to last you a long time. The fabric is also yarn-dyed, which means that the fibers are dyed first, then woven together for colors that will last longer. You also can rest-assured knowing that these sheets are also Oeko-Tex Standard 100-certified, which means they’ve been tested for harmful substances. Linen is also typically gentle for those with sensitive skin, so it might be a good idea if your little one has eczema or other skin conditions.

The What to Expect Community regularly sings Pottery Barn Kids’ praises, especially its sheets, for its durability and delivering on quality.