Makayla (Knoxville, Tn, Usa) on 09/15/2012
I'm a 31 year old female, and have been suffering from restless legs since I was about 14 or so. I finally think I've figured out what's been causing it, though I'm not entirely sure why - polyester bedding.
I've tried just about everything, including magnesium, potassium, massage and the good old bar of soap trick, but nothing worked. I always though it had been something that I was, or wasn't, eating.
After buying a new bedspread, I noticed that it had been a few days since I'd had my jumpy legs. Took a little while to figure it out, but for the first time in probably my life, I was sleeping with 100% cotton sheets and a 100% cotton woven bedspread. And my restless legs were GONE.
I don't know why this is... Maybe the polyester I usually use doesn't let my legs breathe, or maybe there's even something going on with static electricity. I've tested this a few times since I've noticed, and my old comforter gives me restless legs every time.
This may not work for everybody, but if it maybe helps one person, I'll be happy! I know how frustrating this condition can be.
Replied By Kate (Raleigh, Nc, United States) on 09/16/2012
This is a very interesting post about cotton sheets for restless legs. I don't have restless legs, but I do have trouble sleeping. Although my quilt is made of a combination of cotton and linen, my sheets have polyester in them and so does my mattress cover. I'm going to start shopping for cotton sheets and a cotton mattress cover. Sleep is so important for our happiness and well-being. I believe we should make sleep our number one priority (well, actually, in addition to nutrition). Thank you, Makayla, for sharing your experience with us!
Replied By Grace (Seattle) on 01/31/2017
Polyester clothes, creates a very strong electrostatic field which affects the body which makes the body react. Polyester is the worst fabric you can wear. We purchase all organic 100% cotton sheets, blankets. We began to replace all of our clothes to cotton, wearing cotton sock is very important I can tell big difference in how I feel if I wear a cotton clothing I feel clear, light, calm I feel so much better and healthy if I wear polyester or any synthetic I feel really off and my skin body feel uneasy, uncomfortable and my legs jumpy.
Polyester is made from synthetic polymers that are made from esters of dihydric alcohol and terpthalic acid. 2. Acrylic fabrics are polycrylonitriles and may cause cancer, according to the EPA.