Does Thread Count of Bed Sheets Matter
High thread count doesn't necessarily mean that bed sheets will be softer or better quality and here's why.
04/05/2023
I have been living under the assumption that the higher the thread count of bed linen - the better the quality and, in a way, that is why you expect to pay more for bed linen, particularly bed sheets, that have a high thread count. Having done a bit more research on this topic after shopping around for winter bedding, I discovered that - one would assume - a higher thread count does not indicate better quality.
As I lay me down to sleep
Having a good night's sleep is important if we want to stay on top of our health and maintain an active lifestyle. After all, we spend so much time sleeping that many people will go out of their way to ensure they have all the suggested essentials for a good night's sleep, anything from a mattress that offers the right support, to pillows that adjust to your sleeping position, weighted blankets or lightweight duvet inners, to the perfect curtains, lighting and so on.
To many, having the right bed sheets also matters. Bed linen should be soft but still have a certain amount of crispness, they should not pill at the bottom, and they should ultimately wrap you in comfort to steer you into the Land of Nod. So what makes a good set of bed sheets?
What is thread count?
To put it simply, thread count is the number of 'threads' per square inch of fabric. In many instances, the higher the thread count the finer the threads or yarns used to make the item and hence the assumption that a higher thread count means higher quality and softer fabric. But this is not always the case and there are plenty of examples in the marketplace where high thread count items are no different from the rest. Why? Because this does not take into consideration the quality of the thread of yarn, whether it is cotton or a cotton/synthetic blend, or the weaving process used to produce the bed linen.
What is Egyptian cotton?
This is where things get interesting. Not too long ago we found out that bed linen made using Egyptian cotton offered a better quality product. This is because Egyptian cotton is grown in a specific region where fertile soil and warm climate produce a better quality of cotton - one of finer fibres. Hence the understanding that Egyptian cotton is high quality and will guarantee softness. But now, there is bed linen that advertises high thread count for better quality but that isn't always the case and you could end up buying a product that should have been lower priced rather than the price pushed up. How would you know the difference?
If you want bed sheets or bed linen that are softer than the usual, shop for 180 to 220 for good quality or 300 to 500-thread count for great quality manufactured using 100% cotton yarn.
Make sure to buy Egyptian cotton
If you are prepared to pay more for better quality bed linen, at least make sure that it is Egyptian cotton and not just a cheap imitation. If it doesn't say manufactured using Egyptian cotton, think twice. You could end up buying a 1,000-thread count sheet at a cost of R400 whereas 500-thread count sheet is actually the better product at half the price. According to Good Housekeeping, a test involving a 1,000-thread count sheet and a 500-thread count sheet revealed that the testers found an identical softness for both, despite the fact that one was far cheaper than the other.
Select the best thread count
Bed linen of Egyptian cotton is most definitely going to cost more than plain bed sheets but there is no reason why you cannot opt for a thread count of between 300 to 500, so long as it is not a synthetic blend. You want sheets that are 100 percent cotton and preferably with single-ply weaves. Take note that good housekeeping found that bedding manufacturers were offering 1400-thread count cotton that was actually a cotton, polyester blend, the high thread count being achievable using thin polyester yarns rather than quality cotton.
For softness and quality, select bed linen that clearly states 100% cotton and not polycotton, which is a cotton/poyester blend.
