Cotton Sheets

Cotton sheets on your beds, anyone?

Cotton is a soft staple fiber that grows in a form known as a “boll” around the seeds of the cotton plant. Cotton sheets are of a fabric made from cotton. The most common cotton sheet in the market is known as the bed sheet. The large piece of cloth covering the mattress is called a bed sheet. This cotton sheet is the sheet where one sleeps on.The bedding is one of the most important items in a person’s home. A good night’s sleep is essential to one’s health and a fine sheet on the bed makes a whole lot of difference and an exciting experience. Usually, when shopping for cotton sheets, consideration goes to color first, simply because it is human nature to gravitate towards pleasing and vibrant colors. That is the reason why beds are the focal point in any bedroom.

When buying bed sheets, the 3 most important qualities to be considered are thread count, weave and fabric. Thread count is the total number of threads, which run horizontally and vertically in a square inch of fabric. Higher thread count denotes a tighter weave and gives softness to the material. Weave creates the texture of fabric and affect the look and feel of the sheets. Fabric is the term used for how the cloth feels when it is handled. Below is a brief description of cotton sheets that are available from stores and what makes them unique from each other.

Pima Cotton Sheets

Pima Cotton Sheets are known for its strength and durability. It is bred and developed in the Southwestern United States and has a fiber length of usually 1 ½ inches.

SuPima Cotton Sheets

SuPima is 100% southwestern cotton grown cotton sheets by the SuPima Association of America. SuPima is a certification mark given by the organization members and means “Superior Pima”.

Combed Cotton

Cotton that has already underwent a process to remove shorter fibers and any impurities in the material to create a soft and smooth fabric is called combed cotton.

Egyptian Cotton

Egyptian Cotton is a long staple cotton grown only in Egypt. It is renowned in the world as the strongest, most beautiful and lustrous cotton ever produced and its extraordinary quality is because of the country’s long growing season. Egypt’s cotton sheets are known for a high thread counts and the most luxurious of all cotton sheets. Typical thread count for Egyptian cotton sheet is 200 and above.

Flannel

A blend of cottons, Flannel’s quality is not measured by thread count but instead by ounces of materials used per square yard of fabric. Four ounces or more per square yard is considered a good quality flannel. Flannel bed sheets are very popular because of their warmth. This type of cotton sheet is typically used in baby bedding.

Italian Linen

A luxurious fabric made only in Italy from the long staple luxury cotton of Egypt, the Italian Linen is so high in quality and cotton bed sheets of this material are truly luxury items.

Muslin

Muslin is a cotton sheet that is rougher but tougher than others. When washed, this fabric tends to “pill” and fade more than other cotton sheets. Muslin is also used for baby bedding and looks good when dyed.

With technological advances, cotton sheets become more diverse and colorful with sheets sets becoming popular and matching bed covers and comforters complete the bedding ensemble. No wonder, bedding companies are making waves in the market. At present, cotton sheets come in colors, patterns and fabrics that will give one a hard time deciding which to pick. Bed making using cotton sheets has become a completely creative experience with no boundaries except choice.