Everything You Need to Know When Buying Bed Sheets
Choosing the right bedding
Choosing the best bedding is essential in creating the perfect the bed space. While investing in a good mattress is the best secret to a good night’s sleep, an equally great linen set is the piece de resistance that will make you want to linger in bed even longer.
It’s the sheets, pillowcases, and blankets, and not the mattress, after all, that come in direct contact with your skin.
Sheet Sizes
The first thing one must know before shopping for linens is the exact size of your mattress. This is the biggest mistake people make when purchasing their linens, says Cristina Tabora, owner of Royal Bedding & Bath. Come into the store with the precise measurements. Garter edges are always a welcome convenience in keeping the beddings nice and snug on a mattress. One could also opt for customized bedding for mattresses that are unconventional in size. California King and Extra Long twin mattresses may require this option, which Royal Bedding & Bath happily provides along with a monogramming service.
Thread count
Contrary to popular belief, the highest thread count is not necessarily the best. Thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads per square inch, and it’s perceived that thread count dictates how soft the linen is. “Good sheets range anywhere from 200- to 800-thread-count,” says Tabora, “although you’ll occasionally see numbers over 1,000.”
According to Forbes, the softness of a sheet relies on its material, as well. The thread count may be lower in a silk-like cotton sheet such as Egyptian cotton, but it will feel significantly softer than a single-ply cotton blend sheet with a higher thread count.
One must also consider ply-count. This is described as the number of threads wound together to make a single thread. Single-ply sheets are usually thinner. If you’re looking at a 600-thread-count sheet, it could mean it is made from 300 double-ply threads or 600 single-ply threads.
Of course, it all depends on personal preference. “A 300-thread-count is very crisp and soft with a matte finish. If you prefer cool and crisp sheets when you sleep or if you just prefer lighter, more breathable sheets, you will like these,” shares Tabora. “If you go higher, the 600-thread-count sheets are buttery, smooth, and satin-like, with a slightly luminous finish.”
Changing your beddings
How often should you change your sheets? This is easily the most commonly asked question when it comes to bedding care. While it isn’t practical to change sheets every day as hotels do, you should at least change and wash your sheets every two weeks. The duvet, on the other hand, may be cleaned after a month’s use.
Washing and drying
In regularly caring for your sheets, washing them with warm water instead of hot will prevent them from shrinking the fibers. If you put them in the washer, ensure that the machine is in either delicate or normal mode, as washing it in a strong cycle setting will cause tangling and wrinkling.
One of the most common mistakes you can make when drying the linens is drying it for too long. “Over-drying is definitely a problem,” says Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute. “It’s best to tumble-dry sheets on low heat for the shortest time possible (and yes, this could take some trial and error to get right). This minimizes shrinkage and helps reduce wrinkling too.”
When ironing your bedding, Tabora advises the use of starch with 300-thread-count sheets to ease the ironing process. “Using a hand steamer directly on the bed or pillows will give your bedding that final look.”
Storing
If you’re storing your bedding sets for an extended period of time, fold and keep them in containers to keep away dust. Don’t bothering sealing them in plastic, as this might cause the sheets to discolor. Separate the sheets with acid-free paper and spray on a linen spray before closing the container.
