To test how well a set of sheets will serve you, we assess fit, softness, and wrinkling. We also test for strength and shrinkage, because we believe that good sheets should last.
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Fit is important because if a fitted sheet (no matter how soft) shrinks so much that you can't get it over your mattress, all other attributes are moot. All but four of the sheets in our ratings could fit a 10-inch queen-size mattress depth after routine washing, but only one was well suited for an 18-inch mattress.
In our shrinkage tests, we wash fitted sheets according to the manufacturer's directions more than 20 times. After each wash, our testers put the sheet on mattresses of different depths to see whether the corners and sides still fit and tuck underneath.
We also compare sheets after each wash cycle with a set of references to determine how much they wrinkle. Wrinkled sheets don't look as neat and crisp on a bed, and you may even feel wrinkles when you lie down.
Our engineers assess the strength of the fibers with a machine that clamps both ends of the sheet sample and pulls it with increasing force until it tears. In our tests, none were weak enough to be a concern under normal usage.
To measure softness, a panel of sensory testers compares each sheet with a standard of fabric swatches covering a range of softness levels.
How do you know whether a cotton sheet is a good-quality sheet? While consumers often hear a lot about thread count, many factors can affect the feel and longevity of cotton sheets, including the weave and type of cotton fiber. Consider the following.
Cotton-rich vs. 100 percent cotton: Sheets touted as 'cotton-rich' are less than 100 percent cotton. The claim indicates that the sheet is at least 50 percent cotton, while the remainder consists of some other fiber. Choose 100 percent cotton designs for a more breathable sheet, which will keep your skin warm while allowing heat from your core to dissipate into the air. This is important especially if you sleep hot. (For more advice on how the right bedding can help improve sleep, see our article on how to get a great night's sleep.)
Thread count: This is the number of vertical and horizontal threads per square inch. The products we test have claimed thread counts ranging from 152 to 680. Thread counts exceeding 400 are most likely produced by using finer/silkier yarns such as pima or Egyptian cotton. But we find that thread count isn't necessarily an indication of quality. One of the best sheets in our tests, the L.L.Bean Pima Cotton Percale, has a claimed thread count of only 280, yet our tests find that these sheets are soft and strong. They also shrink very little and will still fit mattresses up to 14 inches high after a simulated year's worth of washing.
Percale vs. sateen: These terms refer to the weave of the cotton threads. Percale sheets use a 'one-over, one-under' gridded weave. The result is a crisp feel and a matte finish. In sateen sheets, the horizontal threads skip over a few vertical ones before they loop under and over again. What you get is a drapier, smoother, somewhat glossier sheet that some might equate with a more luxurious feel. But the best sheet for you depends on personal preference.
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Types of cotton fiber: Cotton fibers'or staples'come in different classes. These include short staple, long staple, and extra-long staple. Sheets made with short-staple cotton (commonly Upland cotton) are simply labeled as cotton. Those woven from long-staple or extra-long-staple cotton often call that out: Pima and Egyptian cottons are popular forms of extra-long-staple cotton; Supima is a brand trademark for a pima cotton grown in America. Typically, long-fiber cottons are softer, stronger, and less likely to pill. However, unscrupulous manufacturers might mix different types of cotton, so just because a product is labeled as such doesn't mean it will perform as expected.
Before you shop, measure your mattress's height, including your mattress topper if you're using one. While you should buy sheets that have a deeper pocket than the thickness of your mattress, doing so doesn't always mean they'll continue to fit after you wash and dry them numerous times. We've seen shrinkage of up to 6 percent in the cotton sheets in our tests, and one of our synthetic fiber sheets saw so much shrinkage that it failed our test. In almost half the samples, there is so much shrinkage that the sheet no longer fits the mattress. Only three cotton sets in our ratings live up to the claim of 'deep pocket' sheets; none fit mattresses that are 18 inches tall. So keep your receipt. You should wash your sheets before sleeping on them to remove finishes or excess dye. If the fitted sheet shrinks so much that it's difficult to put on your mattress, or if you don't like how the sheets feel once they've been washed, return them.
Contrary to popular belief, the growing practices for organic and non-organic cotton are quite similar, at least from a sustainability standpoint. 'The big differences come down to where the seeds come from, and which chemicals are used to grow and protect the crops,' says Kavita Mathur, an associate professor at North Carolina State University's Wilson College of Textiles in Raleigh. 'When they are produced responsibly, both organic and conventional cotton can be grown with lower environmental impacts.'
She also says you can't typically tell whether a sheet is made from conventionally grown cotton or organically grown cotton. 'They're indistinguishable,' she says. And 'all cotton, regardless of production methods, is biodegradable, microplastic-free, and carbon-capturing.'
When a textile product carries Oeko-Tex certification, it means that every aspect of it'not just the cotton but also its threads, buttons, and any other components'has been tested for toxic chemicals (such as formaldehyde and harmful dyes) and deemed safe for human health.
As for bamboo sheets, they're not as green as you might think. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission has ordered retailers to stop labeling and advertising rayon textiles as 'bamboo.' Once the plant fiber has been processed, it's rayon. You may also see this labeled as bamboo viscose, but it's the same fiber. In addition, the processing uses toxic chemicals that emit hazardous air pollutants during manufacturing. (For more information on what eco-labels mean, see our article on mattress and bedding certifications.)
Our guide to buying natural cotton bedding starts right here at Red Land Cotton. We provide quality cotton bedding, linens, and towels that are 100% made in America. Create your dream bedding oasis with our variety of sheets, quilts, shams, and more in your choice of colors, patterns, and styles. Browse our featured collections of bedding that will inspire your personal style. From our Bankhead Basics and Heirloom Collection to our Lawrence Ticking Stripe Collection, there is a style for everyone to enjoy.
Look for Cotton Percale
When searching for new bedding, set your focus on finding pieces made from a sustainable resource like cotton. Microfiber and polyester bedding are petroleum-based products that have been known to shed plastic short fibers when washed that can end up in our rivers and oceans. Further, percale bedding is commonly sought-out for it's cool and crisp 'hotel' like qualities. It's plain weave has a matte finish and is durable and breathable. When it comes to bedding made from 100% cotton sourced from America, it can be hard to come by, but Red Land Cotton makes it easy to find.
Purchase Locally in the USA
All of our cotton linens are made right here in the USA from cotton grown on our family farm in Northern Alabama. Many don't realize the importance of purchasing textiles made in America. When you buy your bedding and bath towels from Red Land Cotton, you support the manufacturing of the wide woven textile industry. You also support jobs from a family owned business. Lastly, there are positive sustainable environmental impacts that the cotton farming process has.
Learn more from our blog post here.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website 100% cotton bedding fabrics.
The Red Land Cotton Difference
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