For a third of your day, you’ll be sleeping under the sheets, so why not make it a bed you love to sleep in? To make that happen, you must buy the best cotton bed sheets available in the market.
After all, buying bed sheets is not like buying a collage photo frame. It’s important to ensure that you are choosing linens that will last and feel great. As you read through labels and claims, here are some things to keep in mind.
1. First, Check the Fiber Content
Because it is soft and inexpensive, 100% cotton is a great choice. Extra-Long Staple (ELS), or Egyptian, cotton is softer and stronger. These sheets are more expensive, and you will have to rely on the company’s word.
There have been instances where cotton was mislabeled for Egyptians. You can also choose cotton/polyester combinations. Although the fabric has a synthetic appearance, it is more durable, cheaper, and less likely to wrinkle than cotton.
2. Thread Count Doesn’t Mean Everything
High thread counts can be achieved by manufacturing techniques that do not affect quality. We found that between 300 and 500 is the ideal range for strength and softness.
Good sheets with a 200-thread count may be available, but they are not as comfortable, and 500-threads is not necessarily better.
3. Learn the Differences between Weaves
Percale and sateen are your primary choices. Percale, a grid-like weave that is simple and light, feels crisp and clean. Sateen is available in satin weaves and feels silky smooth. Although it is a personal choice, we found that consumers prefer sateen.
4. Beware! It may not fit your Mattress
Standard sizes like queen and king don’t take into account mattress depth. If your mattress is very tall, or you have a mattress topper, measure it before you buy. Also, remember to account for shrinkage during laundering. Our fit tests showed that fitted sheets that can fit onto 15-inch mattresses performed well.
5. Always Verify the Return Policy
You can’t tell if you will love the sheets until you have tried them. You can return some brands, particularly those sold online, for any reason up to a few months after purchase.
6. Type of Cotton
High-quality cotton bed sheets are made from cotton with extra-long fibers, also known as long-staple fibers, are of the highest quality and softest.
These fibers can be spun into fine and strong yarns. The Pima, Egyptian, Supima(r) are all long-staple cotton. Non-certified cotton can still be used to make a fabric that looks great and has a high thread count.
How to Care For Your Bed Sheets
These are our 5 tips to keep your bed sheets looking beautiful for years to come.
- Use a mild detergent to wash sheets and pillowcases at least once per week.
- Before you put the sheets in the washer, dissolve the detergent in water.
- Bleach is not recommended as it can cause soft cotton to become brittle. You can use hydrogen peroxide as an alternative to harsh bleach. It can brighten your whites. To prolong the life of your sheets, use them sparingly.
- Use a permanent press to dry your bedsheets. To prevent wrinkles, remove sheets while they are still damp. If you have a clothesline, hang your sheets outside to dry. Mother Nature is the best.
- Your linen closet should be cleaned as you would your clothes. Don’t keep bedding that is worn or grayed.
