Buying Bed Sheets
Raise your hand if you've had the same bed sheets since your first apartment or when you registered for your wedding. Ditch those faded and worn out sheets and get a good night's sleep on pretty, practical, and well-made bed linens. Learn how to buy bed sheets and pillowcases for your bedroom as well as how to choose the best thread count for sheets.
Combined with pillows and top coverings, sheets refresh a bedroom for an easy makeover. Crisp white sheets never go out of style, but sheets in colors, prints, and patterns are easy to find in all sizes and price ranges. But beyond good looks, here are some additional sheet terms and facts to keep in mind as you seek out the best bed sheets for your bedroom.
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Thread Count
Thread count for sheets refers to the number of threads woven into 1 square inch of fabric. Why does it matter? The smoothest and softest sheets will have a higher thread count.
Thread count also determines whether a sheet is muslin or percale. Sheets with a thread count of 140-180 are muslin. Everything higher is percale. The most common percale sheets have thread counts of 180-200. Higher-quality sheets have a 250-300 thread count and feel silky to the touch. Sheets with a high thread count (300-400) are considered luxury quality.
If you're wondering what is a good thread count for sheets, look for a minimum thread count of 200. When buying cotton-polyester blend sheets, choose a thread count of 220 or more. Expect to pay more for higher thread counts because it takes more finely spun threads to make them.
Standard Sheet Materials
For comfort and durability, cotton sheets are the best. Want a natural, breathable fabric? Choose 100 percent cotton. If you are allergic to dyes and chemicals, look for sheets made from organically grown, natural, undyed cotton fibers.
Beyond the basic materials, your sheet experience can be totally customizable. You'll find a variety of performance sheets, designed to deliver a particular experience. For example, cooling sheets are designed to be more breathable and to wick moisture. Do a little research on the available options and look for the best sheets to give you what you need for a good night's sleep.
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Other Sheet Materials
Want to find the best bed sheets for your sleeping requirements? Read up on the different sheet materials and pick a material that meets your needs.
Flannel, muslin, oxford, percale, and sateen weaves are most commonly used for cotton bed sheets. Percale, which is tightly woven, is still a basic weave for sheets, as is sateen.
Muslin sheets come at a lower price point than percale because prices are typically based on thread counts. Look for wrinkle-resistant cotton sheets as an alternative to stiff cotton-polyester blends. Machine-washable, combed-cotton percale with a thread count of 200-250 will provide long wear.
50 percent cotton/50 percent polyester sheets resist wrinkling but can be stiff. The 60 percent cotton/40 percent polyester blend is another option. Look for a high thread count (above 220) to ensure quality in cotton-polyester blends.
Silk satin sheets are ideal for cold climates because the material traps warmth. These sheets feel smooth and luxurious, but they are expensive and must be dry-cleaned. Avoid satin-style sheets made of polyester; they feel scratchy against the skin.
Cotton jersey knit is made from the same breathable fabric as cotton T-shirts and is comfortable year-round. Dark colors and patterns tend to fade, however.
Linen, which is ideal for hot climates, is considered the finest sheet fabric. Fine linen sheets last for decades, making them a worthwhile investment.
Not sure which bed sheet fabric is best for you? Buy a pair of pillowcases and see how you like them before committing to a complete set of sheets.
Sheet Sizes
Getting ready to buy sheets? Start by carefully measuring the mattress. Mattress sizes can vary, especially in thickness or depth, and you want to make sure you're getting the right size for your bed. Write down your mattress dimensions, measuring from head to foot, side to side, and top to bottom (mattress thickness). That way you'll know exactly what you need.
These are the standard sheet sizes, listed in inches, for typical mattress options.
Twin Bed: As the smallest mattress, the twin is usually meant for one person.
Twin flat sheet: 66x96 inches
Twin fitted sheet: 39x75 inches
Pillowcase: 20x26 inches
Twin Extra-Long Bed: Usually found in college dorm rooms, this mattress is longer than the standard twin.
Twin XL flat: Not made; use a standard twin flat sheet.
Twin XL fitted: 39x80 inches
Pillowcase: 20x26 inches
Full-Size Bed: Also known as a double, this mattress can sleep two.
Full flat: 81x96 (up to 100 inches)
Full fitted: 54x75 inches
Pillowcase: 20x26 inches
Queen-Size Bed: The queen mattress sleeps two. It is both longer and wider than a full-size mattress.
Queen flat: 90x102 (up to 106 inches)
Queen fitted: 60x80 inches
Pillowcase: 20x30 inches
King-Size Bed: Also known as the Eastern king, this mattress is the largest option.
King flat: 108x102 (up to 106 inches)
King fitted: 78x80 inches
Pillowcase: 20x36 (up to 40 inches)
California King Bed: This luxurious mattress is longer and narrower than the Eastern king.
California king flat: 102x110 inches
California king fitted: 72x84 inches
Pillowcase: 20x36 (up to 40 inches)
Mattress Depths
Many newer beds feature pillow-top or extra-deep mattresses, which often run 14-16 inches deep—and some even thicker. Use these mattress depths as a guide when selecting sheets. Bear in mind that you might need to buy the next size up (e.g. a king flat sheet for a queen-size bed) to accommodate a deeper mattress.
Standard: 7-9 inches
Deep: Up to 15 inches
Extra-Deep: 16-22 inches
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Stocking Up on Bed Sheets
Traditional January white sales are an ideal time to score new sheets. Linen outlets are year-round destinations for bargain hunters and you might be surprised by what you can find, including some of the best sheets at great prices.
For the most savings on quality sheets, look for sales of marked-down individual sheets instead of sets. Mix and match fitted and flat sheets with pillowcases and shams. For mixing, choose white or a solid pastel for one of the sheets or for the pillowcases. Another smart strategy: Consider buying identical sets of sheets so that you can trade off sheets if something spills or a sheet gets damaged.
Stock these items to dress every bed in comfort and style:
Primary Bedroom:
Two or three sheet sets in the correct size. Each sheet set should include top (flat) and bottom (fitted) sheets plus two pillowcases. You may need additional pillowcases if you use more than two pillows. Change and launder sheets and pillowcases once a week.
Two mattress pads: one in the linen closet, one on the bed. Wash every two to four weeks.
Two pillowcase protectors per pillow
One duvet and duvet cover or comforter, if using
One coverlet, quilt, or spread
One summer blanket
One winter blanket
One bed skirt, if using
Guest Bedroom:
Two sets of sheets per bed. Wash linens and remake the bed after each visit so the room will always be ready. Note that a twin sheet set includes only one pillowcase.
One mattress pad for each bed
Two pillows per twin bed; four pillows per full-size bed
Two pillowcase protectors per pillow
Two pillowcases per pillow
One duvet and duvet cover or comforter per bed, if using
One summer blanket per bed
One winter blanket per bed
One bed skirt per bed, if using
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Beyond the Purchase: Sheet Care and Storage
Congratulations, you found your best bed sheets. Now what? You may want to wash sheets prior to using them. With the first, and subsequent wash, follow the manufacturer's instructions on the care tag. Washing and care will depend on the material of the sheet.