Winter Bedding: Flannel vs. Flannelette – The Difference and How to Choose

Sep 29, 2026

By Maison de Cocon

Winter bedding in flannel and flannelette compared on a bed in morning light

Short answer: Flannelette and flannel are both brushed cotton fabrics for cold nights, and the terms overlap: flannelette is also sold as cotton flannel. Flannelette is usually regarded as denser and slightly thicker, flannel as finer and softer in hand-feel. What counts are the weave, weight and napping stated in the product description.

As soon as the nights turn colder, the same question comes up every year: flannel or flannelette? Both fabrics belong to the classic winter cotton bedding family, feel brushed and warm — and are still often mixed up. Yet, depending on the manufacturer, they can differ in density and hand-feel enough that your choice noticeably affects your sleep comfort. This post explains what sets flannelette apart from flannel, which quality suits which type of sleeper, and what to keep in mind for care and washing instructions.

When the heating season starts, many households switch from lightweight percale or sateen bedding to warmer cotton qualities. Two terms keep coming up: flannel and flannelette. Both are cotton weaves that are brushed on at least one side, which raises fine fibres from the fabric and traps air. This creates the characteristic soft, warm hand-feel. Even so, they are two distinct weave types with their own properties.

What is flannelette bedding?

Flannelette is a dense cotton fabric that is brushed on one or both sides after weaving, for example by fulling. This makes it thicker and warmer than smooth cotton. Originally flannelette was woven in twill; the fabric used for bedding today is usually plain weave. In everyday use the terms overlap, and flannelette is also sold as cotton flannel.

What is flannel?

Flannel is a trade name for fabrics brushed on one or both sides, with a fluffy surface. Cotton flannel is woven in both plain and twill weave. Flannel also exists in wool; flannelette is a pure cotton fabric.

The key difference in hand-feel

There is no sharp line. Flannelette is usually regarded as denser and slightly thicker, flannel often as finer in the yarn and softer in hand-feel. Because manufacturers use the terms differently, check the weight and napping in the product description.

For cold sleepers

If you often feel chilly at night, you'll benefit more from either fabric than from smooth summer bedding. Between flannelette and flannel, the decision then comes down more to personal preference for hand-feel than to an objective difference in warmth.

Care in daily winter use

Both flannelette and flannel made from pure cotton are usually machine washable at 60°C and can go in the tumble dryer on a low setting. Some shrinkage may occur on the first wash, which is normal for cotton weaves – so an extra centimetre of margin in sizing doesn't hurt. Fabric softener isn't necessary for either quality and can actually reduce absorbency as well as the brushed hand-feel over time. After drying, give the bedding a quick shake so it lies smoother.

Look and interior style

For a calm, understated bedroom both fabrics work, as long as the colour and pattern suit the rest of the room.

When each quality is worth it

For very cold bedrooms without heating, or for people who are generally sensitive to cold, flannelette is often more practical day to day, since it barely loses volume even after frequent washing. If softness is the priority and the bedding is changed more often – for instance in children's rooms or guest rooms – flannel has the edge. If you want to try both, you can start the transitional season with a lighter flannel set and switch to flannelette once it turns frosty.

Flannelette vs. Flannel Compared

Property	Flannelette	Flannel
Weave	Originally twill, today usually plain weave for bedding	Plain or twill weave
Napping	One or both sides	One or both sides
Weight	Depends on the quality, see the product description	Depends on the quality, see the product description
Hand-feel	Usually denser, slightly thicker (tendency)	Usually finer and softer (tendency)
Care	Machine washable, usually 60°C	Machine washable, usually 60°C

Good to know for the cold season

For extra warmth in the cooler months, take a look at our wool, alpaca and merino throws and bedspreads.
Pure cotton flannelette and flannel can usually be washed at 60°C, which makes care easier during the heating season.
Both fabrics come in plain and patterned designs, so they suit a calm, understated bedroom style.
If you're unsure which fabric suits your sleeping habits, our customer service team is happy to advise you on our bed linen before you buy.

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Frequently asked questions

Is flannelette or flannel warmer?

How warm a quality keeps depends mainly on the weight and napping of the individual product, not on the name. The hand-feel varies by manufacturer: flannelette usually feels firmer, flannel softer.

At what temperature should you wash winter bedding made of flannelette or flannel?

Pure cotton qualities like flannelette and flannel can usually be washed at 60°C. Checking the care label on the specific set gives extra certainty, especially with printed designs.

Does flannelette or flannel bedding shrink when washed?

Slight shrinkage is normal for cotton weaves on the first wash and is usually limited to a few percent. After that, the size generally stays stable as long as the recommended wash temperature is followed.

How often should you change winter bedding?

Changing it every one to two weeks is common, and more often if you have sensitive skin or tend to sweat more. Since flannelette and flannel are thicker than summer bedding, they take a little longer to dry after washing – worth factoring into your laundry routine.

Is flannel suitable for allergy sufferers?

What matters more than the weave type is the ability to wash the bedding regularly at high temperatures. Both flannelette and flannel made from pure cotton can be washed at 60°C, which is often recommended to reduce dust mites. This alone doesn't mean one of the two qualities is generally more suitable for allergy sufferers than the other.