Does Thread Count Really Matter?
When shopping for, and talking about bed linen, we often hear the term “thread count”. What does it mean? And more importantly, does thread count matter? Put bluntly, don’t be tempted by 800 or even a 1,000 thread count sheets. The increased price tag rarely translates into more comfort and luxury, we will explain why!
The best indicators of great quality is the fabric and the tread itself and what it has been made of.
WHAT DOES THREAD COUNT MEAN?
The thread count is the number of threads contained in each square inch of fabric. And a lot of times we are told that the higher the thread count the more luxurious the fabric will feel. Good sheets range anywhere from 200 to 600, although you'll occasionally see numbers over 1,000. So, you would assume that a thread count of 1000 would equal the highest quality sheets right?
Wrong.
In fact, after about 400-500, the square inch has reached its maximum softness and will only feel stiff if the thread count is higher. However, as a marketing ploy, extra threads are often twisted into the weft, adding to the thread count without actually doing anything to make the fabric softer or stronger. High thread counts can certainly make for better sheets, but it's the thread that matters most. In fact, a sheet of a better-quality fiber with a lower thread count will feel softer and stand up to washing better than a sheet of a lower-quality fiber with a higher thread count.
THREAD COUNT ALONE IS NOT AN INDICATOR OF QUALIT.
When manufacturers use only thread count in determining the quality of linen, you can be positive that it is largely a marketing gimmick. That is why you won’t find thread count listed in our product descriptions. The best indicators of great quality is the fabric and the tread itself and what it has been made of. In our case that translates to the cotton quality and our certificates such as Oeko Tex.
BY SIMPLY STATING THE THREAD COUNT YOU WON’T GET THE WHOLE STORY.
The bottom line is that thread count doesn’t take into consideration the quality of the material, the manufacturing process or the finishing — which are all key factors in assessing the caliber of a fabric. And be particularly weary of low-priced linen with a high thread count, this type of bed sheet will likely have a very low-quality weave and won’t be made from the softest of cotton.
Our greatest advice is to read the reviews, read the labels and trust in your touch. There are fewer personal choices that the ones you make for your bedsheets and it’s worth taking a few extra minutes to decide on something you will be wrapped in every night.
And keep in mind that thread count should not be a determining factor while deciding on a new set of linen. That’s why My Luxury Linen offers only the highest caliber fabrics to give you a world-class sleep experience — of any thread count.