If you have been around the bedding industry for any length of time, you know that thread count is a word that gets thrown around a lot. But what does that mean? Well, for some, thread count means that you have very high-quality sheets. However, while a thread count is important, it is far from the only thing that makes a good bedsheet.
What is a good thread count for a sheet? That isn’t the only question we are going to be answering in this article. Instead, we are going to look at what makes a good bedsheet as a whole. There are a lot of variables for the comfort level of your favorite bedtime blanket, and you need to be aware of them if you end up going sheet shopping in the near future. There’s more to your favorite bedsheet than meets the eye, so let’s take a look!
A thread count refers to the number of yarns used per square inch of the fabric, and that number is a compilation of horizontal and vertical yarns. For most people, the more yarns you have being threaded to make a sheet, the more comfortable and durable it is. This does have some problems, though.
Not all sheets use thread count to measure by, and for some, the numbers don’t add up.
For example, cotton sheets are normally what we are talking about whenever it comes to thread count. Linen sheets have a thread count too, but a 200 thread count for linen is great, while the same count for satin cotton is not the best.
Sheets like flannel and silk are often measured by weight to determine their quality, and high thread counts don’t always mean that the fabric is of high quality. You also need to be aware of what is a good thread count.
High thread counts are often very unrealistic because manufacturers will use several strands of fibers to make one string. For example, they could wrap three strings around to create one thread and have a technical thread count of 200. However, since they used three strings to create one string, some manufacturers will count the three strings and advertise the thread count to be 600 for a fleece sheet.
Typically, high thread counts are for cheaper sheets that are much lower in quality when compared to lower threaded sheets. Multi-ply thread sheets are prone to breakage and damage because the threads are very low quality.
Instead, you need to look for single-ply sheets, somewhere within the 300 to 500 range. The only time thread count really matters for you is if you are choosing to purchase 100% cotton sheets that are single ply. Otherwise, in some cases, thread count can be ignored entirely.
If you are looking for linen and silk sheets, they don’t have thread counts that can be accurately compared to cotton. Additionally, silk is measured by weight.
Finally, a polyester or blended fiber sheet is designed to have a thread count in the thousands, so thread count isn’t as noticeable with them. That doesn’t mean they aren’t comfortable, though. For example, most reviewers lay down on Vonty satin sheets and think they are sleeping on a cloud!
The higher the thread count, the softer the sheet, and the more durable it will be over time. Still, the thread count isn’t the only factor you should be looking for. You also need to look at the weave of the fabric, the fiber length, and where the sheets were made.
The weave impacts how the sheet is going to feel against your skin and clothing, and the fiber length impacts the quality of the fabric and the weight of the sheet. Finally, if it was made in location, you can analyze what type of cotton is grown, and the quality controls to figure out exactly how the bedsheet was made. Some sheets, like Tencel, are made from wood, but they are very soft!
100% cotton sheets are the best of the best, and you should be aiming for those if possible. Hybrid cotton and polyester blends are admittedly a close second if you find the right ones. We’ve even seen 100% cotton sheets that are in the 1,000-thread count, and those sheets feel very good and are hotel-level quality.
The best thread count for a typical bed sheet is around 300-500. This will get you a very high-quality bed sheet without having to spend a ton of money on them. These single-ply sheets are enough to steer you in the right direction when it comes to getting high-quality sheets.
Anything above 500 is either using multi-ply techniques or is probably more expensive. Keeping the thread count low is okay because the fibers and the sheet construction are what matters the most. Plus, it should also matter how it feels to you. You are the one who is going to have to lay in the sheet every night, so make sure to get a feel for what you like. For example, when most people think of luxury, they think of the Homiest 4 piece satin sheets because those are designed to be heavenly.
Do you want something smooth? Sheets with a bit of texture to them? Sheets that are loose on your bed or sheets that are heavy? Figure this out, and picking a perfect thread count will be the least of your worries!
Figuring out what is a good thread count can really help you as you shop around for sheets Trusted Source Clean, crisp bedding brings comfort like nothing else | Sleep | The Guardian Research shows fresh sheets improve sleep (and even our romantic lives) www.theguardian.com . However, while knowing what thread count you want will narrow your selection down, it will not make the decision for you. You still need to look at the various other variables that go into high-quality sheets.
The fiber length, weave, and even the type of fabric that your bed sheets are made out of will have an impact on which one you want to buy. The highest thread count isn’t always the best, so you need to do your research before you make your purchase. Once you do have a bedsheet selected, you can get into bed and know that your choice was the best one. Now that is something to sleep on!
