What is the highest thread count for egyptian cotton sheets

The truth about the highest thread count sheets is out. It doesn’t matter if the sheets boast a 600- or 1,200-thread count, if the thread itself is cheap and of poor quality, the sheets will be poor quality as well, but not necessarily cheap. Manufacturers have long promoted thread count as the measure of softness and quality, fooling the public into buying the higher priced items. However, avoiding unscrupulous branding and inflated thread count measurements puts you on the side of the well-informed consumer – not to mention keeping money in your pocket.

Demystifying Thread Count

Examine an inch of fabric. Slowly remove each thread one by one, both horizontally and vertically, and count each one. What you are left with is the actual “thread count” for that particular piece of material. Normal thread count for one-ply fibers is 300 to 400. If the packaging boasts a higher number, it’s probably because each strand has been interwoven and twisted with another strand, resulting in one stronger strand but counting as two strands, thus increasing the thread count.

Manufacturers use the two-ply and even three-ply count to cover for the quality of the fabric and the thread. Poor quality fabric needs the more reinforced strands to hold it together. The fabric ends up stronger and can boast a higher thread count, according to Sleep Advisor. The highest thread count for sheets is between 1,600 to 2,000.

Thread Count vs. Softness of Sheets

If you went to boarding school and slept on sheets that were rough as sandpaper, you more than likely were sleeping on 200-thread count sheets, which were inexpensive but tough. Generally speaking, 400-thread count sheets are probably true to thread count, soft and durable. However, anything over 400-thread count is questionable.

Some of the softest sheets are made from Egyptian cotton. Its fibers are longer than Indian or Chinese strands and more durable. What is surprising to the uneducated buyer is that Egyptian cotton sheets with thread counts between 300 and 400 are extremely soft, simply because of the fibers themselves.

Supima cotton, a mix of the words “superior” and “Pima,” is a blend using the elite Pima cotton grown in the Southwest United States and California, according to Forbes. It is both strong and soft, and the sheet sets are made of 400- to 500-thread count fibers.

Thread Count and Sheet Weight

Another factor to point out when deciding on bedsheets is that the lower the thread count, the more the fabric breathes and the lighter the sheet will be. This is ideal for people who live in a warm climate or those who “sleep hot,” writes Push P Linen.

Consider four strands of fiber, twisted and turned, which results in a very thick strand and woven into a bedsheet. That strand counts as four thread counts and produces a very heavy, smothering, short-fiber sheet that will most likely pill. If you live in a cooler climate and like to sleep warm, a higher thread count will work for you. It’ll also cost more money while not necessarily producing a better-quality sheet.

If you’ve found the sheet that best suits your décor that boasts a high thread count, read the label on the packaging. Thread count isn’t the be-all, end-all of sheet quality. India and China are not known for their long-stranded fibers and smooth-surfaced cotton. The also produce heavy sheets that’ll keep you warm in the winter – and the summer. A low-thread count supima sheet, while not necessarily inexpensive, is of high quality and brings comfort, breathability and softness to your bed.

In the past, thread count was a measure of quality—the higher the thread count, the better the quality. However, that simply isn't true anymore. High thread counts can certainly make for better sheets, but the quality of the thread matters more than the number. In fact, a better-quality fiber with a lower thread count will feel softer and stand up to washing better than a lower-quality fiber with a higher thread count. Here's what you pay for when you're buying sheets.

Fiber

Cotton-polyester blend sheets are wrinkle-resistant, durable (polyester lasts longer than cotton), and relatively inexpensive (up to half the cost of all cotton). But if you're looking for that cool, soft feel, nothing beats 100% cotton. You'll rarely wake up clammy on cotton sheets, since the fiber wicks moisture away from your skin. And cotton sheets are less likely to stain than polyester blends; a water-loving fiber, cotton releases dirt easily when wet.

All types of cotton share these wonderful traits, but long-staple (or long-fiber) cotton makes for a noticeably softer sheet, and the surface won't pill and lint like one woven from shorter fibers. The words "Egyptian long-staple," "pima," and "Supima" all denote high-quality long fibers.

Weave

The weave affects the way a sheet feels, the way it looks, its longevity, and its price. Basic plain weaves, which are woven from an equal number of vertical and horizontal yarns, are the least expensive and may not rate a mention on the label. Percale is an upscale plain weave with a thread count of 180 or higher and is known for its longevity and crisp feel.

Sateen weaves have more vertical than horizontal yarns. The higher proportion of vertical threads results in an extremely soft fabric, but one that is more apt to pill and tear than a plain weave. Intricate weaves (such as jacquards and damasks) feel textured, with a pattern alternating from satiny soft to coarse and nubby. They can be as durable as plain weaves, but they are made on special looms and are considerably more expensive.

Finish

Most sheets are treated with chemicals (including chlorine, formaldehyde, and silicon) to keep them from shrinking, losing their shape, and wrinkling. Some are treated with alkalis to produce a sheen.

A handful of manufacturers offer pure-finish sheets, meaning that no chemicals were used or that all traces of chemicals used during manufacturing have been removed. You'll have a harder time keeping these sheets wrinkle-free, but it may be worth it if you suffer from allergies or chemical sensitivities. (Pure-finish sheets are available from Garnet Hill, garnethill.com.)

Dye

Patterns and colors are usually applied to sheets after they're woven, which means the sheets may feel stiff until you've washed them a few times. The softest (and most expensive) colored or patterned sheets, including jacquard weaves, are made of yarn-dyed fabrics, woven from colored yarns.

Thread Count

There isn't really a best thread count for sheets. Depending on budget, aim for a thread count between 400 and 1,000.

The highest thread count you should look for is 1,000. Anything above that number is unnecessary and often lower quality. This is because manufacturers use thinner cotton to cram in as many threads as possible, increasing the ply or the number of single threads twisted together.

Sheets that are 800 thread count are almost always double-ply, meaning they are twice as thick as 400 thread count sheets. Double-ply sheets are thicker and more durable, so they tend to last longer, justifying higher prices. They are also ideal if you sleep with pets because they're better at resisting pet hair. Another advantage of 800 thread count sheets is that they allow the body to retain more heat.

A thread count of 600 is the highest possible for single ply sheets. These sheets tend to be less expensive than 800 thread count. While comparably soft, they are often less durable. However, they are better at keeping the body cooler during the warmer months.

While 400 thread count sheets are the minimum you should look for, that doesn't necessarily mean that they're low quality. In fact, 400 thread count sheets made of premium quality material can feel as soft as higher thread count sheets, possibly even softer. Long staple cotton is an ideal fiber for sheets, but particularly for lower thread counts.

• By Christine Camean
• By Amanda Lauren

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