Climbing into the bed to get a restful sleep is a moment most people look forward to. As you prepare to drift into a peaceful sleep, you want everything in our bedroom to your liking. You give great attention to all the details, from temperature to a comfortable mattress to a soft pillow. If you can consider one other aspect to create a soothing environment in your bedroom, it is the suitable double bed sheet.
However, selecting the perfect bedsheet is a task easier said than done. Firstly, you will find myriad options in colors and patterns. There is a possibility that you will like so many that it will become difficult to buy one. Secondly, bedsheets these days come in a variety of fabrics. From cotton to silk to polyester, you will find that the options are endless.
Let us look at one other detail you should consider before buying a bedsheet – the thread count. Here is a breakdown of what it is and why it matters.
What is thread count?
Thread count refers to the horizontal and vertical threads per square inch. Generally, a higher thread count is considered to signify a better quality of the bedsheet. However, a lot also depends upon the type of fabric.
For instance, the thread of linen is thick. As a result, a lower thread count linen bedsheet may be a lot softer than a similar thread count cotton bed sheet. On the other hand, a silk thread is so lightweight that often it is expressed in weight instead of thread count.
Why does thread count matter?
Thread count is perhaps the most talked-about selling point of bedsheets. Here is why you should consider it too.
1. Durability
A bed sheet is meant for relatively rough use and should sustain multiple washes in the machine. When you select a double bedsheet with a lower thread count, the fabric can give away after a few washes.
So, what makes this difference? You can test this yourself. Hold a lesser thread count bedsheet against light and try to see through it. You will notice that the light can easily pass across. On the other hand, a bedsheet with a higher thread count will be more opaque.
Thus thread count translates into the thickness of the fabric. A bedsheet with a higher thread count will last you a long time and retain its sheen even after multiple washes.
2. Softness
A bedsheet with a thread count lower than 100 will not be soft to sleep on. It is believed that bed sheets with higher thread counts are softer. However, it is not always true.
You may find that a bedsheet with a thread count of 600 is not as pleasant to sleep on. It could be because it has two thread count with three yarns twisted together.
Thus, you may want to check the fabric type, yarns and weave to make the correct decision.
3. Temperature
Do you often wake up in the night due to night sweats? Did you know that your bedsheet could be to blame?
A higher thread count in cotton bed sheets means a tighter weave of threads. This close arrangement of yarns traps the heat inside and doesn’t let it escape. If you are looking for cooler sheets, opt for a thread count under 300.
Whether the sheet sleeps hot or cold also depends upon the type of thread. For instance, a thicker yarn like flannel will have a lower thread count but will sleep hot.
In Closing Although thread count is one of the most important aspects to consider when buying a bedsheet, it is not the only one. You may want to examine other factors like the fabric type and number of yarns to determine the softness and durability of your sheet before making the optimal choice.