Sheet Buying Guide: Understanding Thread Count and Other Key Factors

Buying new sheets can be an exciting task for some and a daunting one for others. Regardless of where you fall, one thing is clear: finding the perfect sheets is about more than just the thread count.

For years, thread count has been the go-to measure of quality when shopping for bedding. However, while thread count plays a role, it’s far from the only factor that determines the comfort and durability of your sheets.

In fact, sheets made from high-quality fibers with a lower thread count can often feel softer and last longer than those with a higher thread count but lower-quality materials.

If you’re looking for the ultimate sleep experience, it’s essential to consider additional factors such as material type, weave style, and overall craftsmanship. Here’s your guide to understanding what truly matters when buying sheets, so you can choose the best option for comfort and longevity.

Fiber

First, consider the fiber type that your organic sheets are made out of. Usually, cotton and polyester sheets (or a blend of the two) will be the most durable and wrinkle-resistant. Polyester lasts longer than cotton, but a blend of the two is relatively inexpensive.

If you’re willing to pay a bit more, consider 100% cotton sheets. Though not as inexpensive as a cotton-polyester blend, cotton offers a cool, soft feel, as it wicks moisture from your skin.

Cotton sheets are also less likely to stain. As a water-loving fabric, cotton releases dirt easily instead of absorbing it. So while you might pay a bit more upfront, you’ll likely have sheets that will last for quite a bit longer.

Any kind of cotton will provide these benefits for you, but long-staple cotton is much softer to the touch than any of the alternatives. Not only that, but you won’t have to worry about the surface pilling and attracting lint quite like sheets made out of other kinds of cotton (particularly those with shorter fibers).

The best cotton sheets are usually sold with monikers and descriptors like “Pima,” “Supima,” and “Egyptian long staple.” Look for those labels as a sign of quality and durability.

You might also find sheets and bedding materials that are made out of silk or linen. Like polyester, the thread count on silk or linen sheets just won’t be as high as it is on cotton. However, these fabrics present other benefits of their own, which is why thread count shouldn’t always be your primary concern.

Linen, for instance, is incredibly thick, making the thread count naturally low. Silk, on the other hand, is so thin that it is usually measured by weight instead of by thread count.

Both flannel and knit are often used to make sheet sets, too. Usually, these two fabric types are actually made out of common, but you won’t find them advertised alongside various thread counts.

That’s because flannel, like silk, is sold by fabric weight. Jersey knit sheets, on the other hand, are built and sewn differently, having a different construction than traditional woven sheets that can't be measured or evaluated by thread count in a reliable way.

Ultimately, the fabric type you choose should be determined by your personal preferences. Sheets made out of Egyptian or Pima cotton will generally be a lot softer and more durable, but they’re also going to be more expensive. You can choose a cotton or polyester blend to save money, but it might not feel as natural.

Weave

It is also important that you consider the weave of your new luxury sheets. A plain weave is the most basic kind of weave, typically woven from equal amounts of horizontal and vertical yarns. These weaves tend to be the least expensive, usually not getting any kind of mention on the bedding’s packaging.

However, if a sheet set has a higher, more upscale weave, you’re definitely going to know about it. Percale is one option, featuring a thread count of higher than 180. This kind of weave is known for its crisp, smooth feel and its ultimate longevity.

Keep in mind that a sateen weave will generally have more vertical than horizontal yarns. Because of this, the fabric will be much softer, but it’s also going to be more susceptible to damages like tearing and pilling than a plain weave might be.

A more intricate wave, like damask or jacquard, will have a bit of a textured feel. These sheets may look quite satiny or they may be coarse.

These kinds of weaves can be durable, too, but often, they are woven on special looms and can be much more expensive as a result of that level of craftsmanship.

As a general rule of thumb, you will be choosing between percale and sateen sheets when you shop. Sateen feels more like satin, soft and smooth, while percale is a more basic, grid-like weave that feels lighter and crisper to the touch. If you want something more lightweight, go with percale - if you’re okay with sacrificing a bit of weight for luxurious softness, sateen is the way to go.

Finish

This is a feature of many kinds of sheets that has lots of people up in arms - many sheets are treated with chemicals. These chemicals are used to help prevent the sheets from shrinking, losing their shape, or wrinkling. Some of the most common chemicals used include chlorine, silicon, and formaldehyde. Alkalis are often used, too.

That said, there are some manufacturers who offer pure-finish bamboo sheets. This can mean one of two things - either no chemicals were used to treat the sheets, or all chemicals that were used for the manufacturing process were removed.

These sheets, of course, are much harder to keep wrinkle-free, but it could be worth it if you have allergies or sensitivities to certain chemicals.

Dye

Be sure to consider whether there were any dyes used in the manufacturing of your anti-allergy bedding, too. All kinds of colors and patterns can be applied to sheets after they have been woven. This can cause the sheets to feel stiff until they’ve been washed several times.

Some of the best sheets are also the softest and were made with yarn-dyed fabrics that were woven from colored yarns instead of dyed. These include jacquard weaves.

While the dye used in sheet sets is something that few consumers take into account, it is a factor that you should definitely consider - and not just in terms of the color of your sheets. You’ll want to find sheets made with dyes that are nontoxic, if this matters to you, and will last you a long time before fading, pilling, or needing to be replaced.

Thread Count

Of course, you should consider the thread count of your sheets when you’re buying bedding, too, even though the thread count isn’t the only factor that needs to be considered.

First - what is thread count? To figure out thread count, manufacturers will look at the number of horizontal (also known as weft) and vertical (warp) threads that are woven together per square inch. If you have 100 vertical threads and 100 horizontal threads, you will have a thread count of 200.

There is no single best thread count for sheets (you’ll also want to consider the factors above) but in general, a good thread count will fall between 400 and 1000.

The highest thread count you should ever consider is 1000 - above that and the rating is not only unnecessary, but it can clue you in to the fact that the sheets might be of a lower quality, too. That’s because the manufacturers will use thinner bits of cotton to squeeze as many threads together as possible.

While that might not sound like a bad thing, it is - when those threads are crammed together, the ply will be increased, but the moisture wicking sheets won’t last as long.

Sheets that are around 800 thread count tend to be double-ply, meaning they’re twice as thick as 400 thread count sheets double-ply sheets are durable and thicker, lasting longer and fetching higher prices. If you sleep with pets, these sheets are ideal, since they'll resist rips and tears. 800 thread count is another good number to shoot for, since it will help your body retain more heat.

What to look for in thread counts and bedding?

If you’re shopping for single-ply sheets, always shoot for a thread count of 600 or so. These sheets will be less expensive than 800 thread count sheets, but they are also not quite as durable.

When it comes to softness, though, they are more or less the same as 800 thread count sheets. They also tend to be quite good at keeping the body cool during the hotter months of the year.

In general, you should try to avoid sheets that are lower than 400 thread count. 400 thread count sheets can be acceptable as long as they are made out of high-quality materials. When you’re shopping for sheets in the lower thread count ranges, choose those made out of materials like long-staple cotton for the best results.

Does a Higher Thread Always Mean A Softer Better Product?

While this would admittedly make it a lot easier to shop for sheets, a higher thread count doesn’t always indicate a better or softer product.

Does a higher thread count mean softer bedding?

In fact, many manufacturers use a bit of creativity when it comes to advertising their thread count, inflating their numbers to counts higher than 800 to make consumers think they are getting a higher-quality product when really, those extra threads don’t mean much.

That way, manufacturers can sell lower-quality sheets for higher prices - their production costs are lower and you think you are getting a better product even though you aren’t.

A single thread could be four plies that are threaded together. A reputable company will call this a single thread, while a less reputable one will call it four. However, thread count usually maxes out somewhere between 500 and 800 - there’s only so much thread that you can weave into a square inch!

Again, there is no single ideal thread count. A higher thread count won’t always be better. Higher thread counts need finer threads, and the finer the threads you have, the soft read more tightly woven the fabric should be. However, when you start using multi-ply threads made out of short-staple, lower-grade cotton fibers, you’re going to get false strength along with a coarse, rough feel and poor durability.

As a result, a sheet set with a thread count of 400 can be better than bedding with a 1000 thread count.

Consider Thread Count as one Factor When Shopping For New Organic Bedding

There are other factors you should take into consideration to determine how good the sheets are. Don’t rely solely on thread count, as this can often be misleading.

For example, sheets made out of multiple-ply yarns often have inflated thread counts. Some bedding companies use 2- or 3-ply yarns to inflate the thread count by two or three times. Although the sheets have a higher thread count, they aren’t exactly better by any means.

Be wary of excessively high numbers, but otherwise, take thread count into consideration - and with a grain of salt.

A Bedding Buying Guide To Give You More Details Than Just Thread Counts

Headed out to buy some new bedding? If so, don’t let thread count be your only indicator of quality. While price, color, and other factors are likely to play a role in the purchase of new sheets, you should also consider the bedding buying guide above.

Be wary of sheets that seem to have excessively high thread count numbers. This can be indicative of false advertising. If you find a 1200 thread count sheet set, for instance, and it’s being sold for $100, then it likely is not the bargain that you think it is. Like everything else in life if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Thread count is far from the only variable that should make its way into your decision-making process. Consider a multitude of variables to find the perfect set of sheets - each and every time.

Lisa Czachowski is a professional social blogger and has worked on several online publications including Citrus Sleep. Lisa is an experienced content writer and copyeditor. You will find many of her works throughout CitrusSleep.com that cover a wide array of subjects including sustainability, natural, sleep products, health, fashion and many more. She is passionate about what providing as much information as possible on products you bring in your home and what we wear.

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