On Becoming Sheet Savvy

If you’re like me, you go through sheet phases. Mainly because life changes and so do our likes and dislikes. So whether it’s the time of year or stage of life, picking a perfect set of sheets should be a top priority. After all, you will spend appr—229,000+ hours in bed during your lifetime. So why not turn that into time well spent? In this month’s article, we will help you become sheet savvy so you can shop like a pro.

Understanding Types of Sheet Fibers

Fibers are what the sheets are made of. The fiber you choose will depend on many things, such as sustainability, personal preferences, allergens, durability, maintenance, etc …

• Cotton (You can buy this as a USA-made and grown product! It’s a winner because of its soft texture, and moisture-wicking capability, prices range from inexpensive to pricey, and the material offers ease of maintenance [No ironing needed]).
• Linen (Linen is a natural product made from the Flax plant making it durable, moisture-wicking, and breathable. However, it wrinkles easily. )
• Polyester (A man-made product that contains synthetics and plastics. They trap moisture and are not a good choice for hot sleepers. They are inexpensive, and easier to maintain than linen, but still may wrinkle.)
• Silk (These extremely soft sheets are made from silkworm cocoons. This material is a great choice for those with allergens. It’s also excellent at moisture-wicking and temperature regulation. Silk requires delicate maintenance and does not have a very long lifespan.)
• Rayon (Bamboo) (Although bamboo sounds eco-friendly, the process of making rayon sheets is a chemical process that leaves no trace of the original fibers. Nevertheless, sheets are softer than cotton and are extremely lightweight and breathable. Sometimes more expensive than cotton and touted as a green product.)

So What Type of Sheet Do You Need?

The type or weave and material you choose are both very important. After all, you can have many different types of cotton sheets. From Turkish Cotton Flannel to Percale Cotton to Jersey Cotton. While they are all cotton, that’s also where their differences end. So knowing the different types of weave and material is equally important to help you put it all together.

Weaves

• Percale – A weave that makes the sheets feel cool, slick, and crisp. Ideal for a hot sleeper or an inviting summer bed.
• Sateen – This is another weave and it gives a buttery soft feel with a slight sheen.
• Jersey – Love that t-shirt feel, and want something more eco-friendly than microfiber? You may want to try jersey sheets. These knitted sheets are low maintenance and may become your new favorite.
• Twill – This weave is much more durable and uses a diagonal weave similar to jeans. The material can be more rough than other weaves so shop for something that is brushed for a softer feel.

Material Types

• Microfiber – These sheets made of polyester are tightly woven and brushed to give a soft feel similar to a t-shirt. However, unlike Jersey sheets, their price point is extremely low, and they come in a wide variety of prints. The downside is that they are usually cheaply made, and don’t withstand the test of time.
• Flannel – Is the process of napping the material to raise it and give it a warm, cozy feel. We find that Turkish cotton flannel avoids pilling and shedding. Choose the quality carefully or you will end up with a dusty bedroom and night clothes that match your sheets.
• Egyptian Cotton – An ELS cotton grown in Egypt’s Nile delta, this cotton allows for fewer splices during the spinning process. This results in a smoother texture.
• Supima Cotton – A high-quality cotton grown in the United States. The long fibers lend strength to the finished product. Plus it retains colors very well giving you a longer-lasting set of sheets with many of the qualities we all love.
• Combed Cotton – An added step in the process removes short fibers from the spun yarn to ensure a thinner, softer feel with an added price tag.

Thread Count

Thread count is the number of threads in a square inch of material. The higher the thread count the better the material is presumed to be. Why? Because the thread used is finer and more threads can be woven into a square inch creating a higher quality product. However, this number is not always accurately represented to the consumer. Therefore, selecting a mid-range thread count of 200-400 will ensure a better quality product.

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