Shopping for new sheets can be a daunting task these days. There are so many fabrics and weaves and thread counts available for your new linens. There are endless shelves dedicated to sheets and pillowcases and in some shopping malls there are entire stores dedicated to bedding. Below is an overview of some of the terms and information to consider when shopping for sheets.

Cotton is the most common fiber for linens. Cotton fibers range in length from about ½ inch to 2 inches long. These are called long staple and short staple cottons. Long staple refers to fibers over 1 ½ inches. The acronym ELS stands for extra long staple. Pima and Supima are ELS and some but not all Egyptian cotton is ELS. Just because the label says Egyptian cotton does not guarantee ELS. Long fibers will be more expensive and luxurious.

Silk is a light naturally absorbent fiber. Some silk sheets are sandwashed, a process that creates a very soft finish.

Flax (linen) can last for many years and can be washed over and over and they get softer and softer. A good linen sheet can be passed on to your children. It is a fabric that keeps you cool in summer. One issue is that they wrinkle. Pull them damp from the drier and iron them while they are still damp.

Tencel, Rayon and Modal are semi-synthetic made from cellulose from chemically processed bamboo and other woody plant. They are referred to as semi-synthetic because of the intense chemical processing required. There is controversy surrounding the environmental hazards to this procedure and the use of the term bamboo fabric is not entirely precise. If you are choosing these fabrics to be environmentally responsible you should do additional research to educate yourself on the manufacturing process. These fabrics are light, soft and absorbent.

Synthetic Fibers such as acrylic, nylon and polyester are not generally considered to be very breathable sheets and they tend not to be very durable. However, they are inexpensive and wrinkle resistant. They could be a good choice for a short term need.

Blends are often a good compromise between quality and expense. Common blends are poly/cotton and Cotton/linen. You get the benefits of natural fibers and the wrinkle resistance of synthetics. You can find bleds at a very reasonable price.

Thread Count

Thread count is the number of threads per square inch. The higher the count the more durable and softer the sheet. Low end will have 200 to 300 thread count while the mid range and more common will be 300 to 500 thread count. For a luxurious soft and durable (and expensive) sheet the thread count will generally be over 800.

A factor to consider in thread count is whether it is a single ply or multi-ply construction. Multi-ply is two or more yarns twisted together and then woven. Single ply is just one thread of yarn. Multi ply will be heavier which may not be what you desire and will be a little coarser. Single ply will be durable and soft. The single ply long staple or extra long staple cotton sheets with a high thread count will be high end and on the expensive side.

Weave

Percale is a tight weave with 1 thread over and under 1 thread and is a durable and has a crisp feel. This is a standard weave pattern.

Pinpoint is 1 threads woven over 2 threads and under 1. It has a softer feel.

Sateen is 1 thread woven over 4 threads and under 1. This is the softest weave but not the most durable.

Your preference and budget and lifestyle will dictate your choice. You may not want to put high end linens on a child’s bed but may want to go for the luxury and long lasting durability of a high end Pima or Egyptian cotton for your own.

One last thought; be sure to measure the pocket depth for your mattress. Many mattresses nowadays are pillow tops requiring deep pockets and can be up to 25 inches.