Bed Linen Buying Guide
Choosing the bedding can sometimes be a real challenge. Materials, colours, washing – it can all be too much if you don’t know what you’re looking for. And your bed should be a pleasant, relaxing and comfortable place that will guarantee you a calm and peaceful sleep. Before you head to bedding stores, here are some things to keep in mind.
Thread Count
Thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads in one square centimetre of fabric. The higher the number of threads, the finer and softer the fabric will be. This is why it’s crucial to analyze the thread count of the bed line. But the thread count is not the only parameter to determine the softness of the fabric. The fineness and quality of the yarn will also affect the quality of the linen. Soft bed linens have more than 200 thread count; go for a high-quality yarn as it will become softer after every washing.
Even though the thread count doesn’t indicate that the sheets will be quality, unless it’s a very quality and expensive fabric, then the high thread count is just numbers. You can’t be sure about the thread count anyway, it’s not that you will start counting them. If you want a crisp cool feel, go for a 400 single pick percale sheet. If you’re into a soft, warm bed and need a stretchy jersey sheet, then the thread count shouldn’t bother you at all.
Still, when browsing the bedding stores, ask the sellers about the thread count and ask them to explain this part a bit better.
Weave
The weave is important – the way the sheets are weaved has a high impact on how they feel. If you’re looking for tightly woven, crisp bedding then goes for percale. This type of bedding is extremely tight, and the dense weave makes it wrinkle-resistant, very soft and even water-resistant to some degree. Some other weaves you can consider are sateen (ultra-soft and lustrous), or flannel that has a nappy texture ideal for cooler weather.
Materials
When it comes to materials, it’s all to your preference. You will spend hours in bed, so it’s essential to choose materials that will feel pleasant, breathable and that won’t cause any skin issues. But if you’re prone to allergies, it’s best to seek materials that are hypoallergenic and are going to keep your skin protected from irritations. So, make sure to always go with natural bedding such as bamboo, cotton, silk, or linen when you buy.
Cotton
The most popular option of course cotton, which is the most expensive, especially if you’re looking for Egyptian cotton. This fabric is very durable, pleasant, soft, breathable and won’t make you sweat during your sleep. It has extra-long-staple fibres and will endure many machine items of washing.
Silk
Silk is a soft, hypoallergenic and breathable fabric for your bedding. It is shiny and smooth so will make your bed even more attractive for sleeping. When choosing silk sheets, be sure that you choose the one with a higher momme; a higher count means the weave is more durable, the sheets will be more luxurious and will endure a long time of use.
Linen
If you’re looking for natural fabrics for various reasons (sustainability, pleasant feeling on the skin) then linen should be high on your list. Linen is timelessly beautiful, always in style and comes in all colours and patterns. It’s a long-term investment in a natural fabric that will spare you from buying new sheets over and over again. This way you aren’t going to contribute to the textile waste people create every day on our planet.
Linen comes from the flax plant that grows in temperate regions like North-Western Europe. People are using it for thousands of years to produce linen textiles like bedding and clothing.
Linen fabric has many great benefits that you should keep in mind when purchasing your bedding. For one, it’s perfect for hot weather and if you’re prone to sweating. It’s super breathable and has moisture-wicking properties; it will absorb water away from your skin and moisture-wicking effect for hot summer nights). It’s known to regulate your body temperature, keeping your skin cool and pleasant. In other words, you will have a pleasant, and uninterrupted sleep (no sweating, no feeling of damp bed).
When going to bedding stores make sure to touch the linen sheets; you’ll immediately realize why linen is so popular and of course why its price is a bit higher than the rest of the materials. The linen is durable and gets softer with time (with every washing it becomes softer and more pleasant on the skin). Just follow the instructions for washing and you’ll get your softest linen sheets. So, practically you’re investing in something that will offer you long-term comfort.