What is a Good Thread Count Anyway? What to Look for When Buying Bed Sheets

Good thread count is important when purchasing bedding, but it is not the only factor to consider. There are so many choices for bed sheets out there, from various materials, thread count, and weave, it can feel overwhelming. But with a little knowledge, you can find great sheets that work for you. Selecting the right high-quality bed sheets will help you enjoy a comfortable sleep and good-looking sheets that are easy to care for. Quality sheet sets will last so you don’t have to spend a fortune replacing them every year. The right bed sheets will match your sleep style and tastes and feel comfortable night after night. They will fit well, look good, and feel great every time you use them. Knowing your preferences will help you find the best sheets for you.

The following article will cover all of the topics listed below.

• Choosing the Right Materials for Your Sheets
• Selecting a Size
• All About Thread Count
• Depth and durability
• Eco-Friendliness
• Matching and accessorizing Your Bedding

Sleep Preferences – The Feel of Your Sheets

Before you choose the perfect sheets for your bed, consider your sleep preferences. Do you like to snuggle into warm sheets or prefer a cooler feel? Do you prefer cozy and soft, or a satin, silky feel?  sheets that wick away moisture so you sleep comfortably all night, even in hot weather? Linen has a more natural fiber feel than polyester or cotton sheets but can feel scratchy to some sleepers. Keep your preferences in mind as you consider the different choices described below.

Material

The most common materials for bed sheets are cotton and cotton/polyester blends, but there are other popular choices as well.

Cotton

Cotton is the most popular and versatile choice for bed sheets. It is a natural fiber, soft and breathable.  Sheets made of cotton have texture and durability that can vary depending on the type and quality of the cotton fibers and the type of weave used. The following are long staple cottons which are the best for weaving quality cotton bed sheets.

Egyptian Cotton The long, strong fibers found in Egyptian cotton sheets feel soft and smooth. They tend to be more durable over time than shorter-fiber cotton. Egyptian cotton fibers don’t pill as shorter fibers of inferior cotton may, and the fibers hold color better so they won’t fade over time.

Pima Cotton With long silky fibers, Pima cotton sheets feel soft to the touch and very durable. It is also the most wrinkle-resistant of long staple cotton fabrics.

Supima Cotton Supima is a superior cotton developed in the US. Its extra-long fibers assure soft and durable sheets that also retain color very well. Like Egyptian cotton sheets, Supima cotton sheets are breathable and comfortable and will last for many years with proper care.

Quality matters. When selecting cotton sheets pay attention to quality. While cotton is the most popular material for bed sheets, there are a lot of inexpensive, low-quality cotton sheets on the market. The fibers used in these sheet sets are short and weak so they easily break down. Keys to quality are the type of cotton, such as those described above, high thread count (if it is correctly stated, we discuss thread count range in more detail below) and weave. Cheap cotton sheets will and look and feel thinner and rougher, will pill easily and their colors will fade over time.

Polyester

Polyester is a manmade material, designed to be wrinkle resistant, durable and easy to care for. It is an affordable choice for bed sheets, and is often found as a cotton-polyester blend, which gives the sheets more breathability and moisture absorbing ability.

Silk

Silk is one of nature’s most amazing gifts. Made by silkworms, the fibers are amazingly strong and extremely soft for that smooth, luxurious feel. While not everyone prefers the silky feel of these sheets, for those who enjoy them, these sheets will feel great in both warm and cold weather. Because silk doesn’t wick moisture away, it is a great choice for anyone with dry skin. Silk bed sheets should be hand washed or machine washed separately on delicate cycle to keep them at their best. Don’t put silk sheet sets in the dryer. They should be line dried.

Microfiber

These bed sheets are made from man-made materials designed to be soft, durable and easy care. They are hypoallergenic and have good breathability. Microfiber also repels moisture, keeping you dry and comfortable and does not pill, so the sheets stay feeling smooth and soft over time.

Linen

A fabric that goes back centuries, linen sheets are made from the flax plant. These sheets are soft and get softer with each wash cycle. Linen bed sheets have a cooling effect, so they are great in warm climates. They are antimicrobial and have a natural, wrinkly look. They feel more textured than cotton sheets.

Flannel

Flannel sheets are made from cotton. The cotton is brushed to create a soft layer on top of the sheet. Some people like these sheets for the extra cozy feel. They are usually best, however, in cold climates as they are heavier and thicker than other bed sheets, so tend to hold more warmth.

Bamboo

Bamboo has become a popular sheet material for its eco-friendly qualities. The bamboo plant grows quickly and easily, so it doesn’t require fertilizers or pesticides, making it a healthy and ecologically good choice. Made with long fibers, bamboo sheets are soft and durable. Bamboo bed sheets regulate body heat temperature well and are hypoallergenic and antibacterial.

Weave

Percale

Percale sheets are most often made of 100% cotton, but may also be made of polyester, polyester/cotton blend, rayon, or microfiber. With their one-over-one-under tight weave, percale sheets have a soft but crisp feel. They are light, durable, and breathable for comfortable sleep. Percale sheets feel softer with washing and are very durable. They may tend to wrinkle, so some users prefer to iron percale sheets after washing to keep that crisp, smooth look.

Satin

Satin weave is made from filament fibers, fibers that are very long. A satin weave is silky and shiny on one side but not on the other. Satin bed sheets are usually made with silk, nylon, or polyester and they are wrinkle-resistant. They are soft and have the feel of silk sheets. Like silk, they tend to retain warmth when you sleep. As the long filament fibers are susceptible to breakage, these bed sheets are delicate and must be hand-washed and laid out to dry, never put in the dryer.

Sateen

Sateen weave is similar to satin, however it is made with short staple spun yarn fibers. Materials may be polyester, nylon, rayon or cotton. Like satin sheets, sateen sheets are shiny on one side but not the other. They are also wrinkle-resistant. These sheet sets are very soft, but not quite as silky as satin sheets. Sateen bed sheets are a bit more breathable than satin. Their great advantage is durability superior to satin. Also, in contrast to satin, they are easy to care for, machine washable, and tumble dry at low heat.

Plain or Linen Weave

Plain weave is the most basic of weaves and is most often used for linen sheets and it produces a strong, durable fabric. Linen fibers are about 30% thicker than other materials, producing a sturdy, durable and strong bed sheet. New linen sheets may feel a bit crisp with more texture than cotton sheets. Linen sheets have a wrinkled, informal look. Linen’s thick fibers mean it will have a lower thread count, but your linen sheets will last a long time.

Size

Bed sheets, like mattresses, generally come in standard sizes: Twin, Full, Queen or King. Other bed sizes may be Twin-XL and Cal King, so check your mattress guide carefully before buying new sheet sets. If you aren’t sure, you can use a bed size dimensions chart and measure your mattress carefully to be sure you buy the right size sheets.

Thread Count

What is thread count and what is considered good?
Thread count is the number of fibers per square inch of fabric. While it is not the only factor in comfort and durability, in general, higher thread counts will be softer and stronger. Extremely high thread count is not necessary. Generally 200-400 thread count is appropriate for cotton sheets made with quality fibers such as Pima or Egyptian cotton.

Sheets made with heavy fibers, such as linen, flannel or microfiber will have lower thread counts (80-140 TC), whereas the fine, silky fibers in sateen or silk sheets generally will be higher at 300-600 TC. A good thread count, therefore, depends greatly on the material being used.

Be careful about manufacturers who use deceptive thread count by double counting. They use two-ply yarn and then market them by reporting double the actual thread count in the weave.  These are usually short fiber, lower quality sheets that may pill and thin out with use.

Mattress Depth

Today’s mattresses are available in different depths. Deeper mattresses are more supportive for larger and heavier sleepers, or they may better fit the bedframe/headboard set up. With a deeper mattress, in order to use a fitted sheet and keep it tightly tucked under the mattress, your new sheets will need to be deeper than standard fitted sheets. When shopping for bed sheets to fit your deep mattress, measure how many inches in depth you will need, and look for “deep” or “extra-deep” pocketed sheets. When considering how deep your sheets need to be, be sure to add in the depth of any pillow-type, featherbed, latex or memory foam mattress topper you may have on the bed.

Durability

Egyptian and Pima cotton have the longest and strongest fibers and are the most durable. A quality weave such as percale and mid to higher thread count will also be longer lasting. Care is also important in helping sheets last longer. Wash your sheets in cool water on gentle cycle with mild detergent. Line dry or dry separately on low heat. Don’t over-dry sheets as this will result in broken fibers. With care, quality sheets should last at least 5-10 years before they need to be replaced. If sheets become loose and won’t hold their form, or color fading or pilling occurs, it’s time to replace them.

Eco-Friendliness

If you are looking for eco-friendly bed sheets, 100% organic cotton or bamboo are good choices. These are grown without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. If you shop for these products, be sure to check the manufacturer as many products advertised as “organic” may not always be made with an environmentally friendly process. Buying quality bed sheets that last a long time is also a good way to manage the ecological impact of your purchase and reduce waste. Sobel offers quality organic luxury linens you can feel good about.

Match Colors and Styles

It may seem obvious, but take the time to select colors and styles that are both versatile and that match your tastes, bedding set or overall bedroom decor. Quality sheets will last many years, and you want them to fit well into the overall scheme, even if it changes from time to time. Many people keep one or two quality sheet sets of neutral color sheets, such as white or beige, that will work year-round with any covering they may have on the bed.

Accessorize

Bed sheets usually come in sets that include a flat sheet, fitted sheet and one (twin) or two (full or above) pillow shams. You can add to this with accessories such as fresh new pillows, pillow protectors, matching coverlet, duvet, comforter, decorative pillows, or bed throw. A mattress topper will help keep the mattress under your bed sheets feeling fresh and clean, and add a comfortable layer for you to get better sleep.