You might suspect screw thread count is but a marketing ploy to make Egyptian cotton sheet of paper sound more luxuriant . But it ’s really a scientific terminus , with nonindulgent Union measure on how those threads are counted. So , what is a good thread count for sheet ?
Technically , thread count mean the number of threads woven together in a square inch . You enumerate both lengthwise ( buckle ) and widthwise ( filling ) threads . 100 lengthwise threads woven with 100 widthwise threads produce a train of thought counting of 200.
Thread count has become a cant . The assumption is generally that the more ribbon you wind together , the softer and finer the fabric . But that ’s not always the guinea pig . For instance , a thread count of 200 is good and 400 is soft . Anythingabove 400 , though , will in all likelihood only allow for a high price tatter .
How Is a Higher Thread Count Possible?
So how are enumeration such as 800 or 1,200 , which some manufacturers arrogate , even possible ? How could you fit that many threads into a single column inch ? The unforesightful response is you ca n’t . Some manufacturers employ originative mathematics to encourage thread counting .
In the life of free enterprise and competition , manufacturers battle to calculate their tread counts high , higher and highest . They count not just each train of thought , but each fiber ( called plies ) that make up each yarn . So , a single thread might be four plies twisted together ; one manufacturer will call that one thread , while another manufacturer will call that four thread .
To get to the bottom of this issue , Consumer Reports had an main textile labcount the threadsin a bent of $ 280 poof sheets with a manufacturer - stated thread count of 1,200 . The independent lab only counted 416 ribbon per inch — just 35 percent of what the manufacturer claimed .
The Federal Trade Commission even got involve in the affray , thanks to a request made by the Textile Bedding Committee of the National Textile Association . Bed , Bath & Beyondgot sued for misrepresent thread numeration and , without admitting any wrongdoing , settled the courtship in 2008 by pop the question refunds , talent cardsand discounts .
But thread count is really only part of the puzzler as to whether or not you ’ll enjoy your pile on yoursheets . What about the quality of threads and not just quantity ? And what ’s the big mass with Egyptian cotton anyway ? Are you gettingsleepy ? Do n’t nod off just yet .
Thread Quantity or Quality?
A high thread count does n’t imply much if the threads being counted are n’t high - character . The character of cotton sheets depend on several factor , include fibre tone , yarn size , finishing , screw thread count and construction . A fabric with a train of thought numeration of 200 mellow - quality fibers can have a good hired hand — feeling to the mite — than a ribbon count of 400 substandard - character fiber or twisted threads .
In the man of cotton , the duration of the fiber is an meter reading of quality . In Egyptian cotton , the fibers — also call in staple — are long than in other types ofcotton . Longer staples equal a stronger yarn and moredurablefabric .
A process called carding , where smaller fibers get worked out , provide the long fibre behind , increase the timber of raw cotton vulcanized fiber . And combing , another process , take out even more small fibers . After that , the clean cotton fiber vulcanized fiber get spin into threads and tissue into fabrics .
The fabric then go through two processes : singe and mercerizing . The singeing process burns off fuzz that might develop later into piling on sheet and take away the smooth feeling . Mercerizing is a process done under imperativeness to increase force and to help it have dyestuff .
The Bottom Line
With increased consumer cognizance , the halcyon days of bloated thread counts may be coming to an goal . When choosing sheets , you may need to look for a thread count between200 and 400 . Experts generally agree that paying more for a high-pitched train of thought tally than that is a waste of money . With this in mind , you ’re all set to find the good bottom bed sheet .
