Thread Count
Despite the amount of eye-catching thread counts available at curiously low prices online and at big box stores, a higher thread count does not necessarily translate to a softer, or better quality, sheet.
Thread count refers to the number of woven threads that make up one square inch of sheet fabric, combining horizontal threads (or “weft”) and vertical ones (“warp”). This number ranges from about 150 (often found in inexpensive children’s bedding) up to 1,000 or more in fabrics like satin and silk. But when it comes to cotton, don’t be fooled.
Realistically, only so many threads can fit on a loom. Most experts consider 400 to 600 threads per inch to be ideal — but as a marketing ploy, manufacturers use multi-ply yarns instead of stronger single-ply ones. Extra threads are often twisted into the weft, adding to the thread count without actually doing anything to make the fabric softer or stronger. Fact is, as thread count rises, most cotton sheets become more fragile and prone to rips, pills and snags.
Instead, focus on the fabric. Look for sheets made of Combed or extra-long staple cotton, resulting in a sheet that is softer, stronger and longer-lasting than standard cotton sheets.
Why Sateen
While thread count can be a misleading gauge of sheets, there’s no question that when it comes to softness and quality the best cotton sheets are either Percale or Sateen. More expensive than standard short-weave cotton sheets, both utilize high-quality long-staple cotton; the difference between Percale and Sateen lies mainly in the type of weave.
Sateen is the closest thing you can get to satin — without the high cost and fragile nature of that expensive fabric. The one-yarn-under and three-yarn-over weave exposes more thread surface, giving Sateen a silky feel and luxurious sheen. Naturally wrinkle-resistant, Sateen is more tightly woven and therefore typically heavier in weight than Percale, making it ideal for year-round comfort.
The mercerizing process also makes sateen sheets more resistant to mildew, making them a good choice for anyone with sensitive skin or suffering from allergies.
