What is muslin, exactly? (Simply explained)

Muslin is not a type of cotton but a weave: a particularly loose plain weave that deliberately leaves air between the threads. Several of these thin layers are quilted together and then washed – which creates the typical, slightly crinkled natural crêpe.

• The effect: Air between the layers insulates lightly and lets moisture through – so muslin is cool in summer and not cold in winter.
• The feel: Not smooth. Soft, light and textured – like a favourite shirt washed a hundred times.
• The Seralino difference: Three layers and 180 g/m² instead of the usual two layers at 110–120 g/m². Opaque, full drape, no duvet showing through.

Who is muslin for? (The all-season fabric)

Choose muslin if you like bedding that feels soft and relaxed rather than polished.

• Warm sleepers: The open weave wicks heat and moisture away – similar to percale, but without its cool smoothness.
• Cuddlers: Thanks to the three layers, muslin rests pleasantly heavy – without warming like flannel.
• Sensitive skin & children: 100% organic cotton (GOTS), OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 tested, no finishing, no easy-care coating.
• Honestly: If you are after smooth, cool hotel-style bedding, percale is the better choice. Muslin is the soft, relaxed counterpart.

Size guide: the right choice

The standard: 135x200 cm + 1 pillowcase 80x80 cm (for one person).
The comfort size: 155x220 cm + 1 pillowcase 80x80 cm (from 1.75 m tall, or for wrapping up).
The double size: 200x200 cm + 2 pillowcases 80x80 cm (for couples).
Pillows: Matching pillowcases in sets of 2 in 80x80, 40x80, 40x60, 40x70, 40x40, 30x50 and 70x90 cm.
True-to-size guarantee: The stated size is the real size – even after washing. Shrinkage is already factored in.

Care: do I need to iron muslin?

No – and you shouldn't. The crinkle is muslin's quality mark, not a flaw.

• Washing: 40 °C machine wash. You don't need higher temperatures – and they would stress the organic cotton unnecessarily.
• Drying: Tumble dry on low. The fabric is at its softest straight out of the dryer.
• Ironing: Don't. Ironing flattens the layers and takes the air out of the fabric.
• After the first wash: Muslin gets softer with every wash. No lint, no pilling – thanks to long-staple organic cotton.

Why three layers? The difference to ordinary muslin

Most muslin bedding on the market is two-layer and weighs 110–120 g/m². That's light – but often thin, see-through and limp.

• 180 g/m² across three layers: Noticeably more fabric, so it's opaque with a full drape. The duvet doesn't show through.
• Still light: 180 g/m² is still less than flannel (approx. 200 g/m²) and on a par with sateen – just woven airier.
• More durable: More layers spread the friction. The fabric keeps its shape wash after wash.

Muslin or percale?

Both are plain-weave cottons, both breathable. The difference is the hand: Percale is smooth, cool and taut. Muslin is soft, lightly crinkled and relaxed. If you like making a smooth bed in the morning, take percale. If you prefer wrapping yourself up, take muslin.

Learn more: What is muslin bedding? Material, comparison, care →

Discover Seralino muslin: as a complete duvet cover set or paired with matching pillowcases in sets of 2 – in White, Beige, Dark Grey and Dark Green.