What is important when buying Bed Sheets? The 7 Common Bedding Myths.

Bedding companies have used false marketing gimmicks for years. Here's the scoop on thread-count, Egyptian cotton 'quality' and 7 common bedding myths.

Did you know most "Egyptian Cotton" is not actually grown in Egypt?! According to the Wall Street Journal "The Cotton Egypt Association, which licenses the trademark and certifies suppliers, estimates that 90% of products labeled “Egyptian cotton” are fakes." When you see the label Egyptian Cotton, know that it is probably grown in China or India, not Egypt. Supima® cotton, on the other hand, is only grown in California and Arizona and is monitored for quality by the USDA.  

We minimize chemical wrinkle treatments for better breathability, durability and a softer hand. Anti-wrinkle treatments use harsh chemical resins that reduce the quality of the fabric and are potentially bad for your health. Our Signature White sheets are formaldehyde-free; our Carolina Gray has a very low 30 parts per million of formaldehyde, significantly less than the standard 260 parts per million in anti-wrinkle treatments. We chose a great night's sleep over wrinkle-free chemicals.

We've written on this subject in The Huffington Post HERE and on our website HERE. A 1000 thread-count set of sheets does NOT mean premium quality! In fact, it is actually a 250 thread-count that is made of 4-ply yarn. What is a 4-ply yarn? Think about when you braid strands of hair together, making one strand out of 3 or 4; that is a 4-ply yarn. 4 X 250 = 1000. 4-ply yarns can use cheap, low quality cotton to drive down costs and are susceptible to pilling. 

The weight of the fabric has nothing to do with quality in regards to bed sheets. Sheets should have a light, breathy quality to them; allowing your mattress to support you and your comforter/duvet to insulate you. Supima® cotton is 45% stronger than regular cotton which allows for a lighter, more breathable fabric that is also more durable and softer than heavy, multi-ply fabric.

Sateen sheets can be very nice, are less prone to wrinkles and offer an initial, smooth hand-feel. However, compared to a Percale sheet their tighter weave restricts air circulation which leads to a hot sleep. They are less durable and more susceptible to pilling while also being more expensive.
More expensive, less durable and a hot sleep; not a good trade off. The exception is if you have extremely sensitive skin they may be your best option.

This is largely personal preference. Sheets will last longer if washed on a cold setting, as it is easier on the fabric. We recommend trying a cold wash and seeing if you can tell a difference. Check out our Care Guide for more information HERE.

We spend 2900 hours in bed every year. Your bed is the sanctuary you go to rejuvenate after a long day. Sleep and other fun things happen in bed :). Investing in quality bedding is a quick and easy way to improve quality of life for you AND your partner.  

Check out Authenticity 50 Made in USA bedding and upgrade your sleep experience!