Bedding Materials Explained, and Why Thread Count Misleads

Thread count is the number most often printed on the packaging and the number that tells you least. Weave and fibre decide how a sheet feels.

What thread count really means

It counts threads per square inch. Genuine useful range for cotton is roughly 200 to 600. Above that, manufacturers usually count multi ply yarns as several threads each, so a 1000 count sheet may be a 250 count fabric described creatively. A well made 300 count percale outperforms a padded 1000 count every time.

Weave changes the feel more than the count

• Percale: a simple one over one over weave. Crisp, matte, cool, gets softer with washing. The hotel sheet feel. Best for warm sleepers.
• Sateen: more surface yarn floats. Smooth, slight sheen, warmer to the touch, drapes heavily. Best for cool sleepers and colder rooms.
• Jersey: knitted rather than woven. Feels like a t shirt, stretchy, casual, pills more readily.
• Flannel: brushed for loft. Warmest option, seasonal.

Fibres compared

• Long staple cotton, sold as Egyptian, Pima or Supima: fewer fibre ends at the surface, so it feels smoother and pills less. Worth paying for.
• Standard cotton: breathable and durable, softer after a few washes.
• Linen: highly breathable, wicks well, rumpled by nature, expensive up front, and improves for years. Best for hot sleepers.
• Bamboo viscose: very smooth and cool, less durable than cotton, needs gentle washing.
• Microfibre: cheap, wrinkle resistant, traps heat and does not breathe. Fine for a guest room, poor for a hot sleeper.

Deep enough pockets

Measure your mattress depth including any topper before buying fitted sheets. Standard pockets fit up to about 12 in, deep pockets up to about 15 in, extra deep beyond that. A sheet that pops off a corner every night is almost always a pocket depth problem, not a quality problem.

Washing that extends life

Warm not hot, a gentle cycle, and half the detergent you think you need. Skip fabric softener on cotton because it coats the fibres and reduces absorbency. Line dry or tumble on low and remove slightly damp.

See our bath and bedroom range.