Accessories
What to Look for When Buying Sheets
An expert shares her insight on fabrics, finishes and signs of quality, and on how to keep bed linens looking their best
In this Q&A interview, Joanna Ross, general manager of design at Australian home fashions company Sheridan, reveals everything you need to know about bed sheets to help you find the right set and keep it looking fabulous for years to come.
Photo from Sheridan
What makes for a good, solid sheet set? It really depends on your personal preferences and climate. Some people like a full set, while others will just use a fitted sheet and quilt cover, with no flat sheet.
Whatever your set comprises, have a couple of sets so you can rotate them every week to reduce wear and tear.
Tip: Don’t forget to use a pillow protector — it will help you get a comfortable night’s sleep and prolong the life of your pillow and pillowcase.
What makes for a good, solid sheet set? It really depends on your personal preferences and climate. Some people like a full set, while others will just use a fitted sheet and quilt cover, with no flat sheet.
Whatever your set comprises, have a couple of sets so you can rotate them every week to reduce wear and tear.
Tip: Don’t forget to use a pillow protector — it will help you get a comfortable night’s sleep and prolong the life of your pillow and pillowcase.
What are the main sheet materials?
- Cotton: Natural, breathable and low-maintenance. Can be machine-washed and tumble-dried.
- Linen: Soft, warm in winter, light and breathable in summer. The Belgian linen fiber sheets in our Abbotson line can also be tumble-dried and will get softer with each wash.
- Tencel: A soft, eco-friendly material made from the eucalyptus plant. Our Tencel Lyocell sheeting is blended with cotton. It’s soft, low-maintenance, drapes beautifully and regulates body temperature.
What are the different sheet finishes all about?
- Sateen finish: Synonymous with luxury. The dense weave tends to have a higher thread count, adding weight and creating a satin-smooth texture and an elegant luster.
- Percale or plain-weave finish: Tightly woven sheets with a more matte appearance and crisper feel than sateen. Percale is durable and resistant to pilling.
- Washed finish: This on-trend style feels soft and feather-light, with a casual appearance.
What are the key things to consider when buying new sheets?
- What climate do you sleep in? Do you have air-conditioning or sleep by an open window? This will affect the weight, weave and fiber you choose for your sheets.
- What feel do you like — crisp, soft or feather-light? Trust your skin to choose.
- What styling do you prefer? If you like hotel-style tailoring, consider luxury-weight sateen sheets; if you prefer relaxed elegance, consider linen.
What are some signs of quality to look for in sheets? Price is not an indicator of quality — it’s what the sheets are made from that’s important. Long-staple cotton is generally considered the best. It gives sheets strength and longevity, and means they’ll last for years.
You should also do the “touch test” and assess how sheets feel in your hand. Although this won’t tell you about a sheet’s quality, it will help you decide if the weave and weight are appealing.
Linen sheets, by default, will feel more textured, but over time and with laundering, they will become softer.
Tip: When it comes to sheets, maintenance is just as important a consideration as softness. If you wash and dry your bed linens in a machine, make sure the sheets can handle it.
You should also do the “touch test” and assess how sheets feel in your hand. Although this won’t tell you about a sheet’s quality, it will help you decide if the weave and weight are appealing.
Linen sheets, by default, will feel more textured, but over time and with laundering, they will become softer.
Tip: When it comes to sheets, maintenance is just as important a consideration as softness. If you wash and dry your bed linens in a machine, make sure the sheets can handle it.
Does a higher thread count signify better sheet quality? Thread count is merely a measure of sheet weight, not quality. More important factors are the quality of the thread, the quality and size of the yarn fibers, and the way a sheet is finished.
What’s the best way to wash sheets? Wash sheets separately using a mild, diluted detergent. Setting your machine to a slow, 100-degree cycle protects the fibers by removing any surface residues.
To keep your sheets looking and feeling their best, wash them weekly to remove body oils and protect the fabric.
To keep your sheets looking and feeling their best, wash them weekly to remove body oils and protect the fabric.
Does the quality of your bedding really matter? We spend more than a quarter of our lives sleeping, so good-quality bed linens is an investment worth making. Take the time to find the right sheets, quilt covers, pillows and quilts for your lifestyle and climate, so you can get the best night’s sleep possible.