Ever wondered what the difference between bed sheets are? How to shop for what you need? Here is a basic list of different textiles:

Fabrics

  • Combed cotton, a cotton in which short fibers and impurities are removed.
  • Egyptian Cotton - an actual cotton grown in Egypt; extraordinary quality is from a long growing season.
  • Flannel is a nice blend of different cottons, often popular for its warmth.
  • Italian linen is very luxurious, made in Italy from cotton grown in Egypt.
  • Muslin is a rough and tumble kind of cotton; typically used for children's sheets.
  • Percale is a mix between combed and close-woven cloth, of 1) cotton-polyester blends or 2) 100% cotton blends.
  • Pima cotton is grown only in Peru, Australia, or around Pima, Arizona.

Sateen Sheets

  • Sateen is not a fiber, it's a weave of cotton and natural fibers. Produced by a two-thread-over-one-thread way of weaving.
  • Satin is also not a fiber, but a weave of cottons, wool, acetate, silk, polyester, or other materials.
  • Silk fiber sheets are from silkworm cocoons, unwound to reach an amazing 1600 feet. This is the only fabric we use that dates back to over three thousand years ago in civilization.

There are four factors to look for when considering the quality of a sheet: 1) fiber quality, 2) yarn size, 3) finishing, and 4) thread count and construction. 100% cotton is the most widely used kind of sheets; the highest quality for these sheets is long staple cotton. Staple means the length of the fiber of cotton, stronger and finer yarns come from long staple cotton. When you look at yarn size, you are looking at the fineness of the yarn. Higher number means finer yarn. (Think of 100 wools in men's suits). Finer yarns means fabric that is easier to use and much softer than lower yarn size. Very fine yarns can be woven together to create 2 ply yarns, that can then be woven into sheeting. This makes for a very nice, airy blanket that doesn't feel like a blanket.

Finishing is very important to any blanket or sheet of quality. To finish a fabric, it includes singeing and mercerizing. Singeing is very important as it rids the fabric of fuzz that can evolve into pilling on your sheets. Mercerizing is performed under tension to increase strength, dye, and luster. Higher quality bed linens are always mercerized. Thread count is the counted number of threads per square inch of fabric. These include vertical (warp) and horizontal (weft) threads interwoven. The most common thread count sheets to buy are 500 thread count. One downside to buying higher thread count sheets is that quality is sacrificed when making mass productions of high thread count sheets, so the sheets don't feel as soft as they should.

Reasons like these are why you should research your item before you bring it home - that way you will know how to take care of it.

 

Sheets usually come in five basic fibers: Cotton, silk, linen, nylon, poly/cotton (a blend), and polyester. These fibers can then be woven using different weaving techniques which impact the way the sheets feel.

The most common weaves used to make sheets are plain, pinpoint, and satin. The most sturdy sheets use a plain weave—one thread over and one thread under. A pinpoint weave of two threads over and two threads under forms a waffle pattern in the fabric. The feel is slightly rough, the fabric durable. A satin weave with four threads over and one thread under forms a soft plush surface. Because the threads are easier to snag, this weave wears faster.

A satin sheet is usually nylon or polyester. A sateen sheet is always cotton or a poly/cotton blend. The satin weave is used for both.

Thread count is important when selecting sheets. Check the packaging. Listing the thread count is mandatory. If a sheet has a thread count of 160, there will be 160 threads crossing each other in one square inch. If you hold this sheet up to the light you will be able to see through the threads. The sheet will not last for very long, and it will feel coarse to your touch.

A thread count of 180 used to be the standard for a decent quality sheet. This thread count will hold up well, giving you three to four years of service. A count of 200 is even better. The crisp feel of a new cotton sheet with this thread count will relax into a soft, pliable sheet. You can expect anywhere from four to six years service if you trade with another set each week. Once you get to a count of 450, longevity starts going back down because the fibers have to be so fine.

The fiber of a sheet impacts how long the sheet will be comfortable as well as how long it will actually last. Cotton has been a favorite choice for this reason. Cotton does not pill (form balls on the surface). It tends to wrinkle when new, but the problem fades as the sheet gets older. A cotton sheet just thins over time.

Egyptian cotton and Pima cotton are actually the same species of cotton grown in different parts of the world. Both are a long fiber cotton discovered by Columbus in the West Indies. Sheets woven with either of these cottons will last longer than sheets woven with short fiber cotton. Many claim that the feel of Egyptian cotton is softer.

Silk is actually easier to care for than most people realize. As long as the sheets are in a solid color and are washed separately in the gentle cycle, they do not require dry cleaning. Do not overheat in the dryer, though, as this damages the delicate protein fibers. The sheets will fade, but their warmth in winter and coolness in summer cannot be compared with any other fiber.

Linen is a good choice for summer because it draws perspiration away from your skin. The long staple fibers form a strong, crisp sheet. Linen does not pill, is lint free, and dries quickly. It is twice as strong as cotton. It does wrinkle easily.

Nylon makes slippery sheets. It forms pills over time because this synthetic fiber does not break. Polyester, whether used alone or with short fiber cotton, also pills. It will also shrink with each dryer cycle unless you use a lower temperature setting. Both fibers are wrinkle resistant and dry quickly.

The University of Nebrasks Extension has a good page on buying sheets.