In the market for a new set of sheets? Before you start shopping, it's helpful to know what to look for beyond colour, size, and price. If you're looking for something that will not only last but also soften over time, consider these three simple questions to help you determine if your sheets are the real deal or an inferior product masking as high-quality.
1. What type of cotton is it?
Where the cotton is grown is a really important component of a great quality sheet. Egyptian cotton is known for being the very best in the world because of its extra-long fibres, or staples. These extra-long staples make cotton that is extremely soft and smooth, yet durable.
When choosing your linens, always look for a product that is labelled 100% Egyptian cotton. Suppliers can write "Egyptian cotton" on the packaging, even if the product only contains 1% real Egyptian cotton. Looking for 100% pure Egyptian cotton will verify that the sheets are of superior quality and will stand the test of time.
2. Where is the cotton woven?
This one crucial detail - sometimes overlooked - is often the key to a good quality sheet. There are several European countries that are noted for their high-quality weaving standards, but Italy is the gold standard and considered to be the very best in the world. Not only do they have the longest tradition of weaving going back hundreds of years, but they also source the best Egyptian cotton and use the most advanced weaving technology. Au Lit's linens are woven predominantly in Italy, in order to guarantee a superior quality sheet.
3. What is the thread count?
First, let's bust a myth: a high thread count doesn't necessarily equal a high quality sheet! Boasting higher thread counts is often a marketing tactic used to trick customers into believing their sheets are better than they really are. If you have a high thread count sheet, but cotton that is not of good quality or that has an inferior weave, you won't have a good quality sheet. You'll have an inferior sheet with a high thread count.
As long as the sheets have a thread count of 200 or more (anything less than this is considered muslin), your choice of thread count comes down to personal preference, rather than a marker of good or bad quality. If you have a sheet made from Egyptian cotton that's been woven at an excellent mill, thread count just helps you to choose how the sheet feels to the touch - it can be soft and silky, or crisp. It's still important to know thread count, but it only tells part of the story.
Explore the full range of our cotton sheets, all made from 100% pure Egyptian cotton that's been woven in Italy, and sewn right here in Canada.
