Luxury Bedding Is More Than Just Thread Count
|
Thread count is the most widely referred to term when searching for those "perfect sheets." Generally, the higher the thread count, the more costly you'll find the sheets. But is thread count the real measure of luxury bedding?
Thread count is only one factor in the equation of luxury bedding. The qualities of the fabric are what put the luxury in your sheets. There are, however, two main types of fabrics and they are natural and manufactured. Luxury bedding is almost exclusively made from high-quality natural fabrics such as Egyptian cotton.
Thread count refers to the number of threads per square inch of fabric. A higher count usually indicates a finer thread. It is the finer thread that gives a sheet its softer feel, unless chemical finishers are used. These chemical finishes, which are often used on cheaper sheets, will make the sheets initially appear to be silky smooth, but after a couple washings the finish will wear off. Chemical finishes are also detrimental to those who have sensitive skin or suffer from allergies. In reality thread count is mostly a measure of a sheet's softness and not necessarily its quality. For example a 340 thread count sheet made with Egyptian cotton can feel as smooth as a 400 thread count sheet made with cheaper cotton. Does this mean that a low grade cotton sheet with 800 TC fabric feels twice as smooth as 400?
Not necessarily. If you have been shopping for luxury bedding you may have seen advertisements for 800 + TC sheets. This number can be misleading. These sheets achieve a super high thread count by adding multiple plies of fabric together. While these sheets are smooth, they are not as proportionally smooth as the high number would lead one to believe. The added plies increase the durability of the sheet which may be necessary if the bedding is made from low quality materials. High quality fabrics will be made with high quality fibers which are strong and tightly weaved. The best fabrics are generally going to have a thread count between 300 and 350.
Natural materials, such as Egyptian or Pima cotton, are preferred over manufactured materials for bedding. This is because cotton will allow the body to breathe while at rest. But if one prefers a silk-like feel then Lyocell is a good alternative. It is a manufactured material that is made from natural biodegradable materials.
So remember, when shopping for high quality sheets keep in mind that thread count is more an indicator of the smoothness of a sheet and not as much an indicator of quality. If a bedding set claims to have a high thread count check to see if it is made of a high quality fabric. One should seriously consider an investment in quality bedding materials such as Egyptian cotton for longevity, comfort, and especially if you have sensitive skin or suffer from allergies.
Kelly White is cofounder of Home Delights. You can find more info about bedding and down comforters at: http://www.sleepdelights.com.
|
|
|
Interconnects For Your Audio/video System - Choosing The Proper Cables
Research & DevelopmentI began designing audio and video interconnect cables in 1988. I was asked to develop custom interconnects for discriminating audio and videophiles, who wanted to see and hear the quality of their components and the source material without added personality from their interconnects. The cables I constructed were created to solve two specific problems in interconnect design. Prior...(related: Home Improvement)
Choosing A Vinyl Replacement Window Contractor
Whenever I write an article, it's usually tailored to the do-it-yourself homeowner to help them sa...(related: Home Improvement)
What To Look For In Persian Rugs
Selecting a Persian rug can be a daunting task for most people. There is a lot of misinformation out there as to what to look for. Let's face it, a good Persian ...(related: Home Improvement)
Bring Out The Comforters For Back To School
If the weather is turning chilly it must time for the kids to go back to school. Bring out the comforters, flannel bed linens, quilts and stadium blankets. As in all bed linens and comforter sets, they come in different sizes to fit the bed you own. You probably have a king or queen size bed, and your kids may sleep in loft beds at home or at the dorm. A twin comforter will be just the right size for the kids away at school. Flannel bed linen comes in a lot of colors, patterns, and prints. They are great for young and old providing the right amount of warmth and softness next to the skin.A comforter is generally filled with dow...(related: Home Improvement)
Help With Buying A New Ceiling Fan
When you are choosing a new ceiling fan there are a couple of things that you really need to think about before you go out and...(related: Home Improvement)
The Art Of Power Washing Decks
Since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) started banning the use of pressure treated wood due to chromated copper arsenate (CCA), most people have decided to seal their wood decks as the EPA suggests to prevent the arsenic from leaching into the soil. Most homeowners use local companies to pressure wash their decks and s...(related: Home Improvement)
Remodeling Your Home: How Much Is Too Much?
The classic way for homeowners to increase the value of their house is by remodeling existing rooms or adding on to its current plan.Some choose to build recreation rooms and studies while others add new appliances, fixtures and cabinets to enliven rooms and make their home more attractive to future buyers.But, when should you decide to stop sinking money into a home and buy a bigger place? And how much rehab is too much when it comes time to recovering remodeling costs through a home saleFor instance, if you've just spent $1,000 remodeling your living room and didn't expand your small bathroom, the chances of increasing the number of interest...(related: Home Improvement)
Candle Making 101
If you'd like to try your hand at candle making, set aside two hours one day next weekend, and start with an easy project, using your old candles to test the waters. If it's instant gratification you crave, you'll see the fruits of your labor in just a couple of hours with a minimum expenditure for supplies.People often speak of candle making and soap making in the same sentence as if they are similar experiences. The process is not the same. If you have thought of making your own soap, tr...(related: Home Improvement)
Designing With Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are suited to both casual and formal environments; they feel at home with modern or traditional and will compliment the decor of both minimalist and eclectic designs. Hardwood can be classic, rock, jazz, country, or hip hop. Today's State-of-the-art technology coupled with an almost limitless choice of stains, finishes, styles and designs makes hardwood flooring one of the most practical and versatile floor coveri...(related: Home Improvement)
Country Home Accessories
Country home décor is the most sought after home interior and it's no wonder since country décor invites a casual friendly lifestyle.Make sure you carefully study the specific style, and color scheme then carefully coordinate the colors of each element of your country décor.Although the kitchen is primarily a working area little touches can make a big difference:Pie safes or glass door cabinets can be used for displaying antique china.Hanging potted plants from the ceiling or placing them in the window.You can also display:
- Cookbooks
- Wooden spoons
Skip Troweling Method For Textured Ceilings
There are several ceiling texture choices to choose from when finishing a room. You can simply apply a flat paint to the ceiling, or spray or roll on a popcorn textured ceiling. However both these choices seem to be waning in popularity to the Skip Toweled look. The Skip Troweled look provides a compromise between the flat painted ceiling and the popcorn ceiling. It provides texture but to a lesser extent than a traditional popcorn ceiling.Skip Troweling is relatively simple to do and can be performed by a homeowner who is doing a home addition project.Skip Troweling should be performed after...(related: Home Improvement)
site-map - Copyright © 2006 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved. | Home Improvement