100% Cotton bedding is naturally hypoallergenic, and breathable, making it the most desirable option for allergy sufferers. People with allergies or sensitive skin often find that Polycotton bed sheets make them itch.
Low-quality bedding is often made with short cotton fibers, which poke out of the weave and can make them feel rough.
Brilliantly, cotton will absorb the heat from your body throughout the night, allowing you to stay cool and dry (studies show we can sweat a pint of perspiration each night – yuk!). As well as keeping you cool in the summer, cotton bedding will keep you warm throughout winter by absorbing and retaining your body heat.
Single-ply construction found in 200-400 thread count sheets feels softer and will last longer than multi-ply cotton bedding with a higher thread count number. Therefore, 'the best thread count for bed sheets is 200-400, because sheets within this range are soft and durable, ', says Yusuf Ozkanli.
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.
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.
100% Cotton bedding is naturally hypoallergenic, and breathable, making it the most desirable option for allergy sufferers. People with allergies or sensitive skin often find that Polycotton bed sheets make them itch.
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.
Wash Multiple Times
Yes, it sounds like a lot of work and it may not be so environmentally-friendly, but that double wash can do wonders when it comes to the softness of your sheets. Generally speaking, good quality sheets will continue to become softer after every wash, dry, and iron cycle.
Luckily, cotton sheets are very easy to care for. Simply toss them in the washing machine with your favorite detergent on a warm water setting for the best results. Line dry or tumble dry on low or medium heat and promptly remove from the dryer for less wrinkles.
You can't go wrong with cotton sheets for coolness. Cotton's two biggest strengths are: it transmits heat well, and it absorbs moisture well. It cools you down better than any other natural material. It is also more durable and affordable than most alternatives.
If you use a sheet set every day of the year, you'll need to replace it after about two years. However, luxury cotton sheets, like percale and sateen, can offer another year or so of use. And with linen, you'll get three to five years — sometimes more.
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. Fortunately, the quality of Egyptian cotton bedding means that it gets softer with every wash without every pilling, tearing, or becoming scratchy to the touch.
Baking Soda or Vinegar
Put your sheets in the washing machine with one cup of baking soda and run a full cycle using warm water. During the rinse cycle, switch to cold water and add half a cup of white vinegar to the machine. Don't use laundry detergent during this wash.
Actually, this is pretty common. Brand new sheets, and in particular percale cotton sheets often initially feel scratchy or stiff. And that's sure to come between you and a good night's sleep.
Egyptian cotton is hand picked so puts less stress on the fibres, leaving them straight and intact. These fibres can be made longer to create very fine yarns which make it possible to make yarns without sacrificing the length, giving stronger and softer cotton, unlike regular cotton which has more splices.
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.
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.
The difference between the two terms is that one refers to the actual material, that is, cotton. Percale is the style or design of weaving that makes the material strong.
Good quality sheets will become softer after every washing, drying and ironing cycle. For ultimate softness (and durability) buy good quality cotton sheets with a high thread count.
In general, cotton sheets should feel breathable and soft. Cotton sheets sleep cool, making them a great pick for hot sleepers.
They're also usually made of higher-quality materials, such as 100% cotton or Egyptian cotton. As a result, they're softer and more durable than your average bed sheet. So next time you're wondering what makes hotel sheets so special, remember it's not just the thread count: it's the quality of the craftsmanship.
Sheets with a thread count between 600-800 are considered very high quality. A 1500 thread count is through the roof. If you're suspicious about a set of 1500 thread-count sheets for $22 dollars, you're right to be.
Generally, the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet, and the more likely it will wear well — or even soften — over time.
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.