Bed sheet buying tips: What is thread count, is a higher thread count better, what is best and everything to know about thread counts, explained

Nov 16, 2023

By Rachael Gavin| 3 months ago

Pick up a set of bed sheets and you're likely to come across the words "thread count" and a number that varies from 100 to 1000.

We've been led to believe this number is an indication of the softness of a set of sheets, and that the higher it is, the better the product.

It turns out thread count isn't as simple as it seems, and it's not quite the indicator of quality many of us assume it to be.

READ MORE: Mosquito zappers that will save your skin

And with more variety in fabric options for sheets on the market than ever before, thread count is less of a selling point depending on the type of material.

Thread count is the number of horizontal and vertical threads per square inch of fabric and indicates the tightness of the weave of threads.

In good news for our wallets, higher thread counts don't mean much when it comes to quality.

"Multi-filament yarn is used to get the number higher. Two ply yarns are also used and included in the count," Chris Campbell, AWTA Product Testing, client relations manager told 9Honey Living.

READ MORE: Chantel Mila's step-by-step guide to making and styling your bed

According to CHOICE, sheets made with multi-ply thread are worth avoiding.

"Multi-ply threads don't tend to be as durable due to their smaller size, so your sheets won't last as long. Also, you're not really getting any extra threads, just extra ply and that has little to no impact on comfort," the consumer advocate said.

Thread count also matters less for sheets made with fabrics other than cotton, particularly when it comes to linen.

"Linen would tend to have a lower thread count than cotton as the yarns are naturally coarser. Bamboo is essentially produced on a synthetic system with fibres imitating cotton in terms of physical dimension," Campbell explained.

For cotton sheets, a thread count of 200 is a good place to start.

If you're looking for cotton sheets with a higher thread count, a number between 400 and 600 is good.

A cotton sheet with a thread count higher than 800 is likely to cost you more without the extra softness you think you're paying for.

As for linen, the Sleep Foundation recommends a thread count between 80 and 140, but points out it's rarely listed for linen sheets because it's not that useful for this type of fibre.

If you're considering bamboo, Linenly suggests a thread count between 250 and 500, while the Sleep Foundation recommends 300 to 500.

READ MORE: The great top sheet debate is raging so we found out how many Aussies actually use one

Since thread count isn't the be-all and end-all we thought it was, the type of material used is a good indicator, and the experts say natural fibres are best.

"Good fibres make good yarns make good fabrics, in short. Longer fibres, egyptian cotton for example, are desirable as they make stronger, finer yarns that are less hairy," Campbell said.

"Despite it being nice and soft to the touch, I'd avoid bamboo as it is processed into viscose rayon. This is not a good fibre for sheeting. It will not be as durable as cotton and lacks the crisp dry hand feel.

"As a fibre, cotton becomes stronger when wet, viscose rayon becomes weaker and therefore does not stand up to washing as well."

If you don't have much to spend on sheets but are looking for something soft and long-lasting this is your best option:

"One hundred per cent cotton, if possible, in a 200 thread count square weave percale sheeting is comfortable and durable and good value," Campbell recommended.

For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here .

Property News: Music promoter Michael Coppel sells Toorak home for more than $30 million - domain.com.au