Egyptian cotton is lighter in weight, allowing for a cooler night's sleep, especially if the thread count is higher. Cotton sheets do not breath as well as Egyptian cotton, which may make you warmer at night. Egyptian cotton is also more durable than cotton sheets.
Fabrics made of Egyptian Cotton are softer, finer and last longer than any other cotton so are worth putting the slight extra bit of money into. Since finer yarns mean a higher thread count, the weave of the fabric is significantly stronger and lasts a lot longer than regular cotton.
Supima cotton stands for “superior cotton,” which is a step above Egyptian cotton in quality and feel. The fibers have superior durability and can stand up to washings easily. You will find that because supima cotton is so soft, your night's sleep will be comfortable and easy.
A thread count between 400 and 700 is generally optimal for Egyptian cotton sheets. High-quality options with lower thread counts may also be comfortable and frequently cost less.
Egyptian cotton sheets typically get softer and smoother with each washing. While they may start out a bit rougher, they should get a buttery texture over time.
Yes! You Can Use a Dryer for Your Egyptian Cotton Bedding – Thankfully, these amazing sheets are so easy to care for that you can actually put them right in the dryer after they are washed. Promptly remove the sheets and shake them hard before putting in the dryer to help prevent wrinkles in your luxury linens.
Why Egyptian Cotton May Feel Crisp. As a result of the manufacturing process, new sheets tend to be a little stiffer than those that have been in your linen closet for years.
Durability – Viscose from bamboo fabric is known for its durability. It is less likely to pill with use, especially if you take proper care of your bedding. Meanwhile, Egyptian cotton is also easy to take care of, much like regular cotton, but tends to wear out faster than bedding made of bamboo viscose.
The differences between percale and Egyptian cotton sheets lie in the material itself. Similar to percale sheets, Egyptian cotton bed sheets feature a very high thread count. However, Egyptian cotton is only made with the cotton that grows only in the Nile region of Egypt.
Finally, Egyptian cotton is superior because of the natural breathability of the material. Air can easily pass through the sheets, resulting in a more comfortable night's sleep. Poor quality cotton, however, will cause you to feel overheated in the night.
Thanks to the weather in this part of the world, Egyptian cotton plants grow fibers that are long, strong, and highly durable. They're then harvested by hand and manufactured into premium yarn. The result is a bedding material of superior quality and smoothness that lasts for years and feels like silk against the skin.
Quality and Wear
You will do well with purchasing either of these fabrics for your sheets, but if you are looking for higher-quality sheet material, you may want to select Egyptian cotton. You will pay more for Egyptian cotton, but you will have a softer and more comfortable sheet to sleep on.
With such high-quality fibers and threads, 100% Egyptian cotton sheets produce less lint and pilling than other materials. But perhaps the very best thing about 100% Egyptian cotton sheets is that they just get better and better over time. Unlike lower quality sheets, Egyptian cotton sheets improve with age.
Supima vs. Egyptian cotton. We consider Supima cotton "just right" when you think of the incredible quality and price point. This name-brand American-made cotton is known for its softness, strength, comfort, and strict regulation–so you know you're getting the quality you expect.
In our tests, top-rated bed sheets often have thread counts between 300 and 500. Anything above 500 isn't necessarily better (so don't be deceived when you see thread counts over 1,500), and on the flip side, you can still find quality sheets with thread counts under 300.
Cotton is the best material for bed sheets. Top of the line is 100 percent Egyptian cotton. Second best is 100 percent pima cotton, also known by the trademarked name Supima. If a label says simply, "100 percent cotton," assume it's American upland cotton, a rougher, less expensive variety.
Thread count: Single-ply cotton sheets with a thread count between 200 and 400 are ideal for bedding. Sheets with thread counts above or below this range tend to feel thicker or rougher than the best sheets.
Luxury sheets have no limits on thread count or price. Generally, the more you pay, the better sheets you get. Most hotels use sheets with a thread count of 250 while high-end hotels use sheets with a 300 thread count. Some luxury hotels even use sheets of 600 or 800 thread counts, but it varies from hotel to hotel.
Egyptian cotton is breathable and moisture-wicking so is ideal for hot sleepers. Silk and Snow states on the product page that its products are certified by the Egypt Cotton Association, ensuring a high standard of quality.
However, the resulting fabric tends to be somewhat coarse and prone to wrinkling. Our guide to the best bamboo sheets highlights some of the best options available.
Bamboo fibers are naturally breathable and moisture-wicking, which helps to keep the skin cool and dry. This makes bamboo bedding an ideal option for hot sleepers who want to regulate their body temperature and prevent night sweats.
Use a gentle laundry detergent
Pick a quality and pH balanced laundry detergent to wash your Egyptian cotton sheets with. Measure out only half the amount of laundry detergent that you would normally would use, to reduce any damage to the cotton fibres caused by the chemicals. Place it in the washing machine.
According to Kleinman, most people will be fine and won't notice any adverse reactions. But if you have sensitive skin, any chemical remnants may cause itching or skin irritation. The last thing you want, especially if you've just invested in a set of cooling sheets, is to wake up with itchy skin.
Ironing your Egyptian cotton sheets is one of the easiest ways to keep them smooth no matter how often you roll around in the night. To protect this high-end bedding, start by spraying your sheets until slightly damp. We recommend using distilled water and turning your iron to the cotton setting.