How to pick your bed sheets

There’s a lot of things that come into play when you are deciding on bed linens. It used to be all about thread count but now there are more things that you need to look at like the finish and the hand. All 3 of these make your linens a complete package.

What sheets feel like on your skin is called the hand or handle. It has something to do with thread count but more to do with the way it’s woven and what’s in the fabric. The characteristics of a sheet include how it drapes, elasticity, softness and how fine it feels. The finish is how it will feel to the skin whether natural or smooth. Thread count is the number of threads per square inch of fabric both horizontal and vertical.

Sometimes you pick up a sheet and it may be a 200 thread count yet the feel of it is ultra soft and you just melt when feel it. It’s ok to not always go for the 500 thread count because it may not have the same feel. It depends on what’s most important to you.

So here’s a few hints for you.
Polyester/cotton blend – few or no wrinkles
Cotton sateen weave – for the feel of satin or silk but you won’t slide off the bed
Flannel – it’s warm and pills quickly
Percale – softens as it is washed often and is very cool feeling
Egyptian and supima cotton – becomes softer after each wash.