After a long day of work or play, slipping into a cozy bed lined with comfortable bedsheets is a heavenly treat. Since we end up spending roughly one-third of our lives in bed, it becomes that much more important to pick sheets that fit perfectly to your preferences, budget, and climate, while being a treat to your senses.
You are bound to come across a lot of buzz around ‘Thread Count’ when you shop for bedsheets and whether a higher thread count equals better quality and comfort. Let’s dive deep and unravel the myths regarding them and understand the optimum thread counts in bedsheets.
What Does Thread Count Mean?
The Thread Count of any bedsheet can be regarded as the number of threads woven into one square inch of material. The figure depends on the fabric’s weft (horizontal weave) and warp (vertical weave). It is often seen that manufacturers increase weft threads to increase the thread count of the sheets.
As a by-product, thread counts significantly influence the longevity, comfort, and softness of the bedsheets. One of the more popular materials is percale, a crisp plain weave fabric that hosts a moderate thread count, making it breathable and relatively colder to sleep on.
What Is The Optimal Thread Count For Bedsheets?
It is often observed that buyers associate high thread count with high-quality fabric. But other factors like fiber quality and weave also play a major role in making the sheets softer and more durable.
The optimum thread count of sheets ranges anywhere from 300 to 800, with higher numbers meaning more softness (with exceptions). Manufacturers often tend to balloon the thread count by using multiple yarns twisted together, which eventually does nothing to improve the quality of the fabric.
Especially when you’re looking for cotton double bedsheet online, be mindful that a low thread count does not mean a compromise in quality. Some of the more ideal alternatives are combed cotton sheets that fall in the thread count range of 300 to 400.
Another major slipup is that when it comes to thread count, many homeowners tend to forget that the quality of threads plays a far bigger role than the quantity.
When To Ignore Thread Count?
While shopping for bedsheets, the only time the thread count matters (and makes sense) is for 100% cotton, single ply weaves. Polyester or cotton/polyester blends are artificial and thus, can be produced to be super thin and have thread counts in the thousands.
As far as multiple-ply yarns go, manufacturers have used 2- or 3-ply strings to double or triple the thread count by having smaller threads twisted together. On the other hand, Linen has a high thread count because it is thick, and silk is so thin that it is usually measured by weight.
Conclusion
In conclusion, experts usually recommend that the good sheets with a soft feel and good durability over years of use and washing carry thread counts ranging from 200 to 600, depending on whether they’re percale or sateen.
