If I asked you what criteria you should use to choose good quality sheets, what do you think the number one answer would be? Some might suggest brand name, but I can guarantee that one of the top answers would be thread count.
We’ve all heard it – buy the highest thread count sheets you can afford. They’re more durable, they feel better to sleep in, and the list goes on. There are hotels that boast about their high thread count sheets!
But it’s not true. Okay, pick yourself up off the floor. Maybe I should say it’s not entirely true. So let’s start at the beginning.
What Does Thread Count Even Mean?
In essence, thread count is the total number of threads, or yarn, per square inch of fabric. A higher thread count is generally said to make the sheets softer and more durable.
What’s The Truth?
In fact, the biggest contributing factor to comfortable sheets is the fiber quality, content and weave. And in fact manufacturers have all sorts of tricks up their sleeves to increase their thread count without increasing quality. In the past these have included using 2- or 3-ply yarns (strands twisted together) to increase thread count in the same space.
So What Does Matter?
Content, or what the thread is actually made from. Thread count was originally used to differentiate between types of cotton sheets, and in that context, worked well. But then manufacturers started using it for polyester or cotton/polyester blends, which are a completely different category. Being man-made, polyester can be produced in super thin fibres, making it easy to achieve really high thread counts, but not actually doing much in terms of quality. And it doesn’t matter how high the thread count is – polyester sheets basically never score as well on various tests as cotton ones.
That doesn’t mean polyester sheets don’t have their advantages – they’re generally stronger, more wrinkle-resistant and definitely less expensive than cotton ones. Just don’t be fooled into thinking that a high thread count means they have a better feel.
So What Do I Do?
When you’re shopping for manchester, only use thread count as a guide if you’re buying 100% cotton sheets. There are also “premium” cottons, generally labelled as Egyptian and Pima, that are considered superior because they are made from long-staple cotton, making them more durable with a softer feel. Happy shopping!