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How Do I... Choose and Care for Sheets?
Beautiful bedlinen not only looks great, it feels wonderful to sleep on – here's how to choose the perfect set
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and design questions. Here, Joanna Ross, general manager of design at 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.
Photograph: Sheridan
What makes for a good, solid 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 pillowslip.
What makes for a good, solid 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 pillowslip.
What are the main 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 fibre sheets in our Abbotson range 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.
7. What are the different 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 lustre.
- Percale or plain-weave finish: Tightly woven sheets with a more matt 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 main 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 fibre 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 of the 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 bedlinen in a machine, make sure the sheets can handle it.
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 bedlinen in a machine, make sure the sheets can handle it.
Does a higher thread count signify better 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 fibres, and the way a sheet is finished.
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 fibres, 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, 40-degree cycle protects the fibres by removing any surface residues.
To keep your sheets looking and feeling their best, wash weekly to remove body oils and protect the fabric.
Wash sheets separately using a mild, diluted detergent. Setting your machine to a slow, 40-degree cycle protects the fibres by removing any surface residues.
To keep your sheets looking and feeling their best, wash weekly to remove body oils and protect the fabric.
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Does the quality of your bedlinen really matter?
We spend more than a quarter of our lives sleeping, so good-quality bedlinen 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.