Materials:
? Egyptian cotton: Cotton cultivated in Egypt feels softer than other cottons, generates less lint and is more durable.
? Pima cotton: Previously called American-Egyptian, this is a high-quality cotton developed from Egyptian cotton and grown only in the southwestern United States. The cotton is exceptionally soft, and the fibers are strong and firm.
? Modal: A category of manufactured fibers known for their strength. The fabric retains its shape well.
? Lyocell: A manufactured fiber made from trees. It's soft, strong and absorbent. It's also strong when wet and simulates silk or suede. It's wrinkle-resistant and drapable.
? Polyester: The most common polyester for fiber purposes is polyethylene terphthalate, or PET. It's a strong synthetic fiber that resists shrinking, stretching, mildew, abrasion and wrinkling. It washes easily and dries quickly. It's also used to make plastic soft drink bottles.
? Silk: Silk sheets feel wonderful, but cost and cleaning restrictions make these a somewhat impractical selection.
Egyptian and Pima cottons are generally the most desirable. Always look for sheets that are clearly market ?100% cotton?, many sheets are labeled "cotton rich", and whilst these sheets may prove to be fantastic, the term is misleading in that it often means a mix of cotton and polyester or other synthetic.
Thread Count:
Thread count is the number of horizontal and vertical threads in one square inch of fabric. High-quality sheets have at least 180 threads per square inch. Look for "Percale" on the package to identify sheets with a thread count of at least 180. The higher the thread count, the softer the "hand" or feel of the sheet.
Most people think of a thread count in the 300-400 range as the best (a compromise between count and price), however, thread count does go as high as 700. It should be noted that sheets with a thread count of 500 or over are the result of two threads being twisted in a way that allows the makers of these linens to double the reported thread count. Expect to pay significantly more for higher thread counts.
Other:
Once you've decided on fabric and thread count, it is always nice to look at the construction. Look for things like elastic all the way around, deep pocketed sheets (especially if you have a pillow or box top mattress) and some manufacturers even put elastic flaps on the corners, keeping the sheets in place for even the most restless sleepers.
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Lesson #1: How to search
