Sleep is a critical part of our lives. Not many people realized it yet, but our bed and bed essentials like pillows and sheets, are crucial to achieving quality sleep and maintaining wellness. The bed and sheets can either make or break our sleep as they can affect our comfort. So, if you want to spend quality time catching some Zs, it is best to invest in high-quality bed accessories especially in sheets. Knowing the basics of fabric and thread count can help you compare sheet labels wisely and come up with a well-informed decision. But what makes a good bed sheet? Is it the fabric, thread count, or all of the above? Find out below.
Thread Count and Why It Matters
Thread count, also known as TPI or threads per inch, refers to the number of threads woven together in one square inch of fabric. It is used to measure the fineness or coarseness of a fabric. To know the thread count of a fabric, you have to count its weft (widthwise) threads and warp (lengthwise) threads. For instance, if a fabric has 200 weft threads woven with 200 warp threads per square inch, we can say that such fabric has a thread count of 400.
What Is a Good Thread Count for Sheets?
Most of the top-rated bed sheets are made with around 300 to 500 thread count. But you can still find cool, soft, and comfy sheets made with single-ply thread that can last for years with only a 180 to 280 thread count. Again, you cannot rely on just the fabric’s thread count alone to guarantee its quality. Thread count is just an important part of what makes a good sheet.
Is Thread Count Really Important?
Thread count is incredibly important when choosing your next set of sheets; however, it’s not the only thing to consider. What makes a good sheet is not just the thread count but the quality of the thread, fiber content, weave pattern, construction, fabric, and staple length. All these factors can impact the appearance, feel, and durability of your next bed sheet.
