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Cotton vs Egyptian Cotton Sheets

Cotton vs Egyptian Cotton Sheets

As you choose new sheets for your bed, you may wonder what the real difference in cotton vs Egyptian cotton sheets is? They have very distinct differences that can help you narrow down your selection when it comes to buying new sheets. While both materials are cotton, you will notice a difference in how they feel; correlating to how well you sleep at night.

What Is Cotton?

The majority of sheets on the market today are produced from regular or traditional cotton. Cotton vs Egyptian cotton sheets is determined by the thread count and how it is woven on the sheets. Cotton uses short fibers that have to be spliced frequently throughout the sheet fabric. This can produce bedding that is rougher to the touch and uncomfortable to sleep on.

You will also notice that you if you buy 100 percent cotton sheets, they may pill over time and washings. They are less durable than Egyptian cotton, regardless of their thread count. Thread count refers to the number of threads per square inch, which is greatly reduced with cotton sheets because of the coarseness and thickness of the cotton used.

The cotton used to make cotton sheets is generally produced in the U.S. This, however, doesn’t mean that you can’t get cotton from Egypt for traditional cotton sheets. It just means that true cotton sheets do not use the same quality of thread as Egyptian cotton sheets.

What Is Egyptian Cotton?

When you look at Egyptian cotton, you are getting a premium fabric or thread that has a very soft and luxurious feeling. It is not as stiff or crisp as cotton sheets are and can be produced with a sheen to it if sateen is used in the weaving process.

Egyptian cotton is only found in Egypt by the Nile River. Because of the rich conditions of this region, Egyptian cotton is grown in long threads. These long cotton threads reduce the number of splices that made when constructing your sheets, giving you a softer feel than 100 percent cotton. Only about 4 percent of sheets are actually Egyptian cotton, with many impostures trying to lay claim to the valuable Egyptian namesake.

In order to make sure you have true Egyptian cotton sheets, you must look for the Egyptian cotton logo that denotes that it is s true product of Egypt. This logo has a cotton plant located within a black triangle. Only then can you be certain that you are selecting real Egyptian cotton and not an inferior product for your sheets.

Durability And Sleep Quality

Some of the other differences between cotton vs Egyptian cotton sheets is the feeling as you sleep. Egyptian cotton is lighter in weight, allowing for a cooler night’s sleep, especially if the thread count is higher. Cotton sheets do not breath as well as Egyptian cotton, which may make you warmer at night.

Egyptian cotton is also more durable than cotton sheets. The higher the thread count of your Egyptian sheets the longer they will last without wear. Cotton sheets do not have the strength of Egyptian cotton and may break down over time and require replacement. You will find that Egyptian cotton is a solid investment for your bed as you will have a long life with this fabric choice, even though it is a significant investment to do so.

Fabric Dying

Finding the color of sheets that you want the most is simple to do with cotton and Egyptian cotton. Both fabrics take to dye well, allowing for a generous selection of colors and patterns to choose from.

There really is no limitation to the appearance of these fabrics, just in the overall feel. If you are looking for a soft to the touch sheet, you will want to select Egyptian cotton over traditional cotton sheets.

Washing And Care

Care for both Egyptian cotton and regular cotton sheets is virtually the same. Both can be machine washed and dried. You will see that cotton may produce a more wrinkled sheet than Egyptian cotton that has softer threads that hold up well during washing and look neater on your bed. This does not mean that cotton sheets can’t have a solid appeal to them, but rather that they may be harder to retain that crisp and put-together look on your bed.

When we look at cotton vs Egyptian cotton sheets, you can easily see the value of buying Egyptian cotton. This fabric is more expensive than traditional cotton sheets, but they feel of them is bar-none to any other material used for sheets today.

Care for both Egyptian cotton and regular cotton sheets is virtually the same. Both can be machine washed and dried. You will see that cotton may produce a more wrinkled sheet than Egyptian cotton that has softer threads that hold up well during washing and look neater on your bed. This does not mean that cotton sheets can’t have a solid appeal to them, but rather that they may be harder to retain that crisp and put-together look on your bed.

When we look at cotton vs Egyptian cotton sheets, you can easily see the value of buying Egyptian cotton. This fabric is more expensive than traditional cotton sheets, but they feel of them is bar-none to any other material used for sheets today.


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