Why you need to stop using the silver threaded cotton earthing sheets
When we first began our grounding journey, we followed the same path that many people do. We were curious about the health benefits of earthing, such as improved sleep, reduced inflammation, and deeper relaxation, and we wanted to experience those benefits for ourselves.
The most obvious way to begin was by sleeping grounded. It sounded perfect, but like many newcomers, we were a little sceptical. We didn’t want to spend a large amount of money only to find out that grounding wasn’t right for us.
After searching online, we found countless options. The vast majority of earthing products available featured silver threaded cotton grounding sheets. They were affordable, widely promoted, and seemed like a great place to start, so we purchased one from a UK company for around £100.
At first, everything seemed fine. We began sleeping grounded on our new sheet, happy to know we were connected to the Earth’s energy throughout the night.
A few months later, we noticed something wasn’t quite right. Our sleep wasn’t as deep, and we began waking up feeling groggy and tired.
To investigate, we bought a continuity tester and a socket checker to make sure everything was working correctly. The socket checker confirmed that our wall socket was grounded, which was good news. But when we used the continuity tester on the sheet, there was no green light. We hadn’t been grounded at all and had no idea for how long.
Assuming it was a one-off issue, we ordered another silver threaded earthing sheet from a different brand for around the same price. We tested it straight away, and it lit up green. Problem solved — or so we thought.
Within a few weeks, the same issue returned. Our sleep quality dropped again, and another test showed the sheet was no longer conductive.
So what exactly was going wrong?
After researching extensively, we discovered what many first-time users eventually learn. Cheaper grounding sheets are typically made from cotton or a cotton-polyester fabric woven with silver plated nylon fibres arranged in a grid pattern. This grid connects to a metal popper at the edge of the sheet, which attaches to a grounding cord that plugs into your wall outlet’s earth pin, connecting you to the ground outside.
Silver is an excellent conductor, which is why it was used in early grounding products. However, silver is also highly prone to oxidation, which quickly degrades its conductivity and prevents electrons from flowing freely through the material.
Oxidation happens when silver comes into contact with oxygen in the air. A thin layer of silver oxide forms on the surface and acts as an insulator that blocks electron flow. Over time, this layer builds up, reducing conductivity and preventing you from truly being grounded.
Several factors make oxidation worse:
Initially, these silver threaded sheets do work, but only for a short time. Within six to twelve months, conductivity begins to fail. Unless you test regularly with a continuity tester, you’ll have no idea that you are no longer grounded.
If the silver thread circuit breaks anywhere near the popper or connection point, the entire grid becomes useless, and your body stops receiving the flow of electrons that make grounding so beneficial.
Thankfully, grounding technology has advanced dramatically since the early silver threaded models. The next generation of products, like our Earthing® Elite™ range, use a carbon infused conductive layer instead of silver threads. Carbon is a superior conductor that doesn’t oxidise or lose conductivity over time.
Our highest quality grounding sheets are far more durable, easy to clean, and resistant to wear and tear. They are also vinyl free, phthalate free, and have a soft, buttery texture that feels comfortable against the skin. They last for years rather than months and provide consistent, reliable conductivity every single night.
At BeGrounded, we believe grounding should be effortless, effective, and built to last. That’s why we use the latest carbon based grounding technology in all of our sleep mats and bedding products.
Here’s why BeGrounded sheets outperform traditional silver threaded earthing sheets:
If you’re still using a silver threaded earthing sheet, there’s a good chance you’re not grounded anymore even if you think you are. Oxidation happens silently, and without a tester, it’s almost impossible to know when your sheet has stopped working.
Switching to a BeGrounded carbon sleep mat ensures reliable grounding every night, better sleep quality, and lasting performance that truly supports your health.
Sleeping grounded is one of the most effective ways to restore balance, reduce inflammation, and support your body’s natural healing processes. But for grounding to work, conductivity is everything.
Silver threaded earthing sheets were a great innovation in their time, but they simply can’t match the durability or reliability of modern carbon infused alternatives.
For a truly consistent and restorative grounding experience, make the switch today and see our Elite Universal Sleep Mat to experience the next evolution of grounding while you sleep.
Most silver-threaded earthing sheets begin to lose conductivity within six to twelve months of regular use. Factors such as humidity, body moisture, washing frequency, and detergents can shorten their lifespan. To maintain grounding benefits long term, many people are now switching to carbon-infused grounding mats or BeGrounded sheets, which don’t corrode.
Silver-threaded earthing sheets use woven silver fibres to conduct electrons, but silver oxidises and breaks down quickly. Carbon-infused earthing sheets use conductive carbon pigment that doesn’t oxidise, so conductivity remains constant for years. Carbon sheets are also softer, more durable, easier to clean, and free from vinyl and phthalates.
Ideally, you should sleep grounded for the full duration of your sleep, around seven to nine hours per night. Grounding works cumulatively so the more time your body stays connected to the Earth’s energy, the more noticeable the benefits such as deeper sleep, reduced pain, and improved recovery become.
The easiest way is to use a continuity tester. Plug your grounding cord into a grounded outlet, connect the tester to the sheet, and press the button. A green light means the sheet is conductive and you are grounded. If no light appears, your sheet is no longer working and needs replacing.
