What Does Thread Count Mean In Bedsheets?

What Does Thread Count Mean In Bedsheets?

Bedsheet or the bed linen is the sleep product that comes in direct contact with us deciding the comfort and quality of our sleep. Features like good design, soft texture, wash-friendly, durability are amongst a few which we are aware of and look for in our bedsheets. But, there is something more that we have been missing out on all this while, and it is the thread count. The thread count decides on how much wear and tear our bed sheets can take up and how soft its texture would be.

Quality Indicators for a Bedsheet Our bedsheet set has varied choices with items matching our bedroom ambience and the size of our bed. The quality of a bed sheet is another important aspect to be considered.

Though cotton is the most preferred fabric material used in good quality bed sheets there are certain specifications to look for.

1. Thread Count Do you know what Thread count is?

In each square inch of our bed sheet how many horizontal (weft) and vertical (warp) threads are present is what is meant by thread count. For example, a bedsheet with a thread count of 200 denotes it is woven with 100 vertical and 100 horizontal threads in each of its square inches.

What is the ideal thread count for a bedsheet?

Bed sheets with a thread count in the range of 200 to 800 are considered soft and durable.

They sustain many washes without their threads falling apart. There won't be any noticeable increase in quality beyond a thread count of 800. And similarly below a thread count of 200, there won't be any guarantee on the durability of the bedsheets as such sheets wouldn't last many washes.

2.

Thread Quality is defined by Fibre length

The threads used should be of high quality that is, made from longer fibres which would stay intact and not stick out in the weave. Combed cotton is a good option as it has all short fibres removed from its yarn before being spun. Look out for long-staple, extra-long-staple or combed cotton.

3.

Thread quality is defined by Ply count

Single-ply sheets are considered superior in quality compared to multi-ply sheets. In singleply bed sheets, each thread has a single strand of yarn and hence their threads are finer and stronger. On the other hand in multi-ply sheets, each thread has multiple strands of yarn making them coarser and thicker. Bed sheets with multi-ply are rough to feel as the fibres may stick out of the weave.

4.

Weave Pattern

Weave refers to the pattern in which threads are woven together in a fabric. This again is a quality-determining factor. Plain weave has horizontal and vertical threads woven alternately like a checkerboard pattern. This kind of weave pattern renders a cool feel and is used in percale sheets which are best suited for warmer temperatures. Percale sheets with a thread count of 250 to 500 are considered good in quality. Another type of weave pattern is the satin weave in which every horizontal thread lies across four vertical threads.

This pattern gives a soft and smooth feel and is used in sateen sheets. Sateen sheets being warmer and heavier than percale sheets serve as better options for cold climates. Thread count ranging between 300 and 600 would define high quality.

We have a lot of choices when it comes to buying bed sheets. Factors like beautiful design, attractive colour, and satisfying texture make our minds work harder in choosing one amongst the many. What should not be missed out is the quality of the bedsheet as our sleep shouldn't be compromised on a poor quality bed sheet. Considering our preferences, manufacturers like Wakefit offer bedsheets that embrace quality along with the look and feel good aspects.