For many years, Egyptian cotton bed sheets in Singapore have been deemed the best when it comes to softness and durability. While this statement might have been true at one point, it no longer rings true today. Through this article, we’ll debunk the common bed sheet myths surrounding this type of cotton and dig deeper to find out the truth behind these notions.
Image from ThreadCurve
Myth #1: All Egyptian Cotton Threaded Bed Sheets Are From Egypt
The origin of cotton is believed to make a difference in the quality of the yarn.
Back in the day, authentic Egyptian cotton came from the cotton plant called Gossypium barbadense, which thrives along the Nile River in Egypt. The soil there has a chemical composition that provides optimum growing conditions for cotton. Unlike regular cotton collected by a machine, authentic Egyptian cotton is hand-picked. This is why it has extra-long-staple cotton natural fibers that produce softer and more durable cotton products.
Additionally, the yarn from authentic Egyptian cotton supposedly creates better quality cotton fabric, thanks to Gossypium barbadense that doesn’t produce much lint. Because of this, bed sheets made of this type of cotton are less likely to pill even after multiple washes.
The Truth
Gossypium barbadense can be found and cultivated not only in Egypt but also in different countries, including India, Peru, and the United States. In fact, Egypt isn’t considered the world leader in Egyptian cotton production.
Image by Castorly Stock from Pexels
Moreover, since this type of cotton is expensive, many retailers and manufacturers that offer Egyptian cotton bed sheets got creative in cost-cutting. This is why Egyptian cotton fabric nowadays means that it is:
- Made with lower-quality cotton grown in Egypt
- Made with authentic Egyptian cotton blended with a cheaper type of cotton from other countries
- Cotton grown from Gossypium barbadense plant in other countries
In short, there’s no guarantee that the sheets that claim to be made from 100% Egyptian organic cotton are the real deal.
Myth #2: Egyptian Cotton Bed Sheets Are Always Superior To Other Cotton Types
Long staple Egyptian cotton is said to be the best cotton in the world. Among all types of cotton sheets, those made with it offer incredible quality that promises a good night’s rest.
Image by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
The Truth
Egyptian cotton beddings are luxurious sheets made of softer and finer fibers. Conventional cotton grown from Egypt is claimed to be the best, but there are still other types of cotton that can actually be better in terms of softness, durability, and breathability when looking for bedding sets.
Pima Cotton
Image from Pimacott
Pima cotton originated in Peru and is primarily grown in the southwestern part of the United States. It features medium to long-staple cotton fibers that create ultra-soft, breathable, and durable fabric. This type of cotton also has a similar quality to authentic Egyptian cotton, but it has a silky soft texture and is slightly more affordable.
Supima Cotton
Supima cotton, which is derived from Superior and Pima, is a trademarked name for Pima cotton that’s 100% grown and harvested by cotton farmers in the United States. It has extra-long-staple cotton fibers that take all the softness, strength, and comfort of Pima cotton to the next level. Unlike Egyptian cotton with softer, thinner fibers, Supima cotton has longer, finer threads, ensuring durability.
Image from Supima
Upland Cotton
Upland cotton is the most accessible variety of cotton as it is the most widely grown. It features shorter fibers, so it tends to be slightly rougher, less durable, and less flexible than authentic Egyptian cotton. On the brighter side, it is significantly cheaper than the premium types of cotton, making it an excellent option for sleepers on a budget.
Image by Teona Swift from Pexels
Micro Cotton
Micro Cotton is the trademarked cotton produced in India. It has long-staple cotton fibers. What makes Micro Cotton bed sheets stand out from Egyptian cotton bed sheets is they are specially manufactured with exclusive spinning technologies that make them extra absorbent. Because of this, they are ideal for hot sleepers that need to be kept dry and comfortable throughout the night.
Image from MasterClass
Flannel
Flannel sheets are usually made from cotton and other materials. They are manufactured using a process called napping that fluffs up fibers. Because of their texture that gives instant warmth, these bedding sheets are perfect for snuggling in during cold winter nights.
Myth #3: Higher Thread Count Means Better Quality Sheets
Thread count for sheets refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads woven per square inch of fabric. It has been an important determining factor in bed sheet quality for the longest time.
Since Egyptian cotton bed sheets have finer yarns, they have a higher thread count. This is why Egyptian cotton fabric is assumed to be significantly stronger and longer-lasting than regular cotton fabric.
Image by Teona Swift from Pexels
The Truth
The truth behind bed sheet thread count is that it doesn’t determine the quality, durability, or breathability of a material. It tells about texture to some extent, but it actually measures the softness of the fabric and tightness of the weave.
While the most common weaves include cotton percale weave and sateen weave, generally, high-quality sheets have a 300-400 thread count. Unfortunately, manufacturers add extra threads called “picks” to make their products seem more luxurious. They twist together ultra-thin threads to inflate the fitted sheet thread count or bed sheets in general, often resulting in lower-quality sheets.
When determining the quality of cotton bed sheets, don’t fret over thread counts. After all, it’s not the only indicator of sheet quality. Consider going for other types of cotton instead of Egyptian cotton since they can offer a similar comfort level without carrying a hefty price tag. Apart from the best Egyptian cotton sheets that are offered, these are some factors to look out for when shopping for high-quality cotton sheets:
- Staple length
- Whether single-ply or multi-ply was used
- Yarn count
- Weave method (percale and sateen)
- Type of fabric/material
Myth #4: Egyptian Cotton Is Better Than Other Bed Sheet Materials
When it comes to bed sheets, cotton is preferred by many. Authentic Egyptian cotton, in particular, is highly sought after because of its superior quality and how soft the sheets feel.
While it’s true that it makes for ideal bedding material, sheets made of this type of cotton are usually expensive. Many manufacturers and retailers also use deceptive marketing tactics to entice buyers to get their products, even if they contain very little authentic Egyptian cotton.
Featuring Weavve’s TENCEL™ Lyocell Classic Set in Sky Blue
The key to selecting the right bed sheet is to look for all options available to you. TENCEL™ Lyocell, for instance, is a great cooling material. It comes from wood pulp that is treated and spun into yarn to create sheets with outstanding durability, breathability, and luxurious softness.
Best of all, TENCEL™ is eco-friendly. Compared to regular cotton, it uses less water and energy. It is also one of the most sustainable fibers since it is fully compostable and biodegradable.
Importance Of Debunking Bedding Myths
Egyptian cotton has been recognized as top-of-the-line in the world of cotton bed sheets for so long. Now that we have sorted the fact from fiction, you now know that it isn’t necessarily the best type of cotton sheet. Hopefully, this will help make choosing the perfect bed sheet much easier for you and your personal preference.
DISCOVER WEAVVE'S BEDDING COLLECTION
Cotton Sateen Bed Sheets
Featuring Weavve’s Cotton Classic Set in Midnight Blue
Weavve uses extra-long staple cotton fibers to create finer threads with an honest 600 high thread count and 100 yarn count. Props to single-ply threads, our cotton sheets are guaranteed stronger, smoother, and lighter.
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TENCEL™ Lyocell Bed Sheets
Featuring Weavve’s TENCEL™ Lyocell Classic Set in Lilac Mauve
Our 100% Lenzing TENCEL™ Lyocell bedding starts with premium Lyocell fibers spun into the finest 80s yarn count threads. Fine single ply threads are then woven into 400 thread count fabric, resulting in lighter, stronger, and ultra-comfortable sheets.
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