The Truth About Thread-count

There’s nothing better than sliding into a bed with quality sheets. At the end of the day, I can't wait to stretch out under my fresh, soft covers and lay my head down on my luxurious cotton pillow. We spend a third of our lives in bed, so quality sheets are key. But how do you get quality for your money? 

A popular belief is that the higher the thread count, the better quality the sheets. However this isn't entirely true. In fact, thread count can actually be quite deceiving. 

So, what’s the deal with thread count? Let’s take a closer look.

Put simply, thread count is the measure of how many threads are contained within a square inch of the fabric used to make the bedsheets you sleep on. The higher the thread count, the more threads contained within that square inch. 

These days, you can find sheets ranging from 200 thread count all the way up to 1,000+ threads per square inch. With such a range, it’s understandable that most consumers can get pretty confused when shopping for bedsheets. And thus, the myth of “higher thread count = better quality sheets” was born. 

But thread count fails to take into consideration the quality of the thread being used. Not all cotton is created equal, and certain manufacturers looking to maximize profit margins have learned that they can take an inferior cotton thread, purchase it cheaply, and create high thread count sheets at low cost.  

The result is that you have 400-thread count sheet sets made with quality cotton that are much softer and breathable than 600 or 800-thread count sheet sets using inferior cotton.

In addition to all of this, modern manufacturing has uncovered several ways to fake a higher thread count. One such way is to manufacture sheets using two-ply thread (where two individual strands are turned into one) and count them as separate stands within the sheet’s thread count number. Using this method, a 300-thread count product could actually be marketed as 600-thread count, with the consumer unaware that the numbers don’t tell the whole story.

So, if thread count doesn’t tell the whole story, what do we look for when buying sheets? Here are the key things things that make all the difference the in quality:

The Length of the Staple

The best sheets come from what’s known as long-staple cotton

Organic

Organic cotton is not only better for you and your family, but it’s better for the entire environment as well. And it makes for a wonderfully soft sheet!

Size

Size is another important element. Many manufacturers undersize their sheets in order to bring down costs. The result is that frustrating feeling of trying to put a too-small fitted sheet over your mattress, inevitably leading to worn corners and tearing. Make sure the brands you’re considering offer fully sized sheets that’ll properly fit your bed.

A company that we absolutely LOVE is White Terry Home. They are a purpose driven Canadian company offering only 100% luxurious organic cotton sheet sets and duvet covers. The best part? They donate a portion of their proceeds to Sleeping Children Around the World, an organization that provides bed kits to children in developing countries. 

Go to our INSTAGRAM for a chance to win some FREE luxurious cotton bedding from White Terry for your own home!

And now, go get some sleep. You deserve it!