Recently, a reader reached out to me and asked for my help picking out some comfy sheets:
Mavis, please help me understand how to buy sheets. Thread count, fabric… I’m confused. I want sheets that won’t pill, feel nice to sleep on (not satin, thanks) and will hold up for years. Many thanks in advance. ~Karen
Karen was in luck because I actually spent quite a bit of time researching sheets a few years ago when I dove into the abyss that is the internet. I just wanted to know how to buy a good set of sheets and I found eighty bazillion articles on how to do just that. Did you know that thread count doesn’t matter? Seriously!! Mind blown, right? Since that was the way I had always chosen sheets in the past, I dug a little further and a wasted day later, I pretty much was a sheet buying expert {you’re accidentally welcome, Karen!}. But before I get into my sheet buying tips, I’ll walk you through what I currently use.
In the summer I like to use these basic Amazon microfiber sheets. They are soft and breathable. They fit perfectly on all of our beds and stay in place. I wash them {in cold water} and dry them regularly and I’ve never had a pilling problem. I also wash them by themselves which might help. The price is really great for the quality.
In the winter I switch over to 100% cotton sheets. These sheets are super soft and silky and I opt for them in the winter because they seem to be more insulating and warm that the microfiber sheets. I’m not a big fan of flannel sheets or I’d throw those on in the winter months, but they make me too sweaty. I never wake up clammy on cotton sheets, since the fiber wicks moisture away from my skin.
If money were no object and I was the type to splurge on things like sheets, I’d love to own a set of these linen sheets. Of course I’d have them monogrammed, too, because if I’m going to spend $200 on sheets, it’s almost a requirement. But seriously, these sheets are woven from fine Belgian flax and they just sound so luxurious I’d probably never get out of bed all day {so it’s probably a blessing in disguise that I’d never buy them!}.
Now onto some help when you’re on the hunt for a new set of sheets:
Thread count isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Basically, throw out what you always thought you knew about sheets. A higher thread count doesn’t mean you’re buying a better quality sheet. It simply means the number of yarn per square inch but thread count does not represent quality! It became this marketing stunt and we all bought into it but the problem is that thread count can be easily inflated by manipulating the process with a low-quality construction or thread. As a rule, you should buy sheets that are above a 200-thread count sheet, but anything over an 800-thread count really doesn’t matter.
Material makes a difference. Of much more importance than thread count is material. Look for material with longer fibers. Longer fibers mean a stronger material which leads to less pilling. Some great high-quality, fiber options are Egyptian cotton, bamboo, pima and supima, organic cotton, cotton-poplin, and some cotton-polyesters.
Know your weaves. A percale weave and a sateen weave are the most popular and both result in great sheets. Go with a percale weave if you’re looking for a crisper or cooler feel and a sateen weave for a softer feel with a little more warmth to it.
Where you shop matters {and so does where the sheets are made!}. Don’t expect to get a set of high quality sheets at Walmart. You will absolutely get what you pay for. Someone once told me that looking at the manufacturer origin is a good place to start. They said that a 200 thread count from France will result in much better sheets than say a 1,000 thread count from Pakistan. You can often find some really high quality sheets at a TJ Max, Marshalls, or on Overstock.com.
Processes matter, too. Having color and patterns added to a sheet after the fact can make sheets stiff and uncomfortable. If you don’t want to drop a pretty penny and buy sheets that are made of yarn-dyed fabrics, woven from colored yarns, you’ll need to wash and dry your sheets a few times before using. Also, if you have allergies or sensitive skin, beware that most sheets are treated with chemicals to keep them from wrinkling and shrinking, and many sheets with a sheen are treated with alkalis to produce that finish. To avoid that, you’ll have to pay a bit more for organic or pure-finish sheets, but your skin and health will thank you!
And there you have a few tips. What are you favorite sheets to use? Any brands you swear by?
~Mavis
Em says
Great write-up, Mavis!
I have found some good deals on sheets at Tuesday Morning.
I love my flannel sheets this time of year. I was thinking just this morning that maybe I should look for sheets that aren’t as comfy, because I really don’t want to get out of bed in the morning, I like them so much.
Barb says
I like soft jersey-knit sheets. I’ve used more inexpensive sheets from Fred Meyer and Walmart, but I love Lands’ End 100% cotton knit sheets. Very expensive ($149 for queen size set), but I get them when they have a 40% off sale and usually use a gift card from a discount site so I get at least 10% off of the gift card, so it ends up being around $75 for the set. I wash them every other week and put them back on the bed. One set lasts 2-3 years and then I put them on the guest bed where they last the entire next cycle.
Carrie says
7 years ago I bought a set of Fieldcrest sheets from Target. They are still usable but because I bought white they no longer look fresh and clean. I replaced them with a set also from Target but made by Threshold. They have not held up so well. There is a hole on the seam of one pillow case and the seam on the fitted sheet has come undone. I can easily repair these issues but by golly they didn’t last a year! I went with a deep teal color that I love and unfortunately I wasn’t a fan of the colors of the Fieldcrest sheets at the time.
debbie in alaska says
I love the Costco sheets. The more expensive Costco brand is great but I actually love the less expensive ones. They are crazy soft and smooth and feel great against my skin. They are a little thinner than the more expensive Costco brand — so maybe the latter is better for warmer months and the former for cooler. But I don’t think you can go wrong with either set and the price is great. I have a king sized bed so the cost savings is significant compared to other brands.
Earlene says
I wait till Kohl’s has their flannel sheets on sale which I have on our bed year round because we like it in summer as a light cover and a warmer sheet in winter. I just got some 40% off last week
Tracy says
100% Cotton Percale from Pottery Barn. Fantastic quality, crisp, and last for-ev-er. I wait until they’re on sale. I put the bottom sheets on the bed straight from the dryer, and iron the pillow cases and the top 3 feet or so of the top sheet. Heaven.
Dawn says
I buy used sheets. It used to gross me out the thought of used sheets, then I realized I sleep on used sheets at hotels. Buying them second hand show how well they wash and you can see how soft they are. It is waaaaaay cheaper. And environmentally friendly. Just my 2 cents!
CAROL SCOTT says
Brilliant logic, Dawn! Thanks for that perspective on second hand sheets!
Amy says
Dawn, I happened upon a super soft pair of sheets at Goodwill one day. They fit my guest bed. I always get commits from guests about how nice and soft they are. I don’t mention they came from GW 😉
Julia says
I like to buy used as well I’ve been disappointed so many time with new sheets, they don’t fit, or the feel yucky, or they rip and pill. Ive returned several sets. Used works for me when I can find them.
Alice says
Yup, I’m in the same group as buying a set a Goodwill. The older sheets equal longevity. I have purchased many new sets and they always get holes in the fitted sheet by our feet with only one year of use. I bought a pea soup green color flannel at Goodwill a long time ago and they are the best. They don’t pill and they don’t fuzz all over the place!
Summer sheets need to be cool and crisp an no pilling. I found a brand (can’t think of it now) that is a more expensive brand that fits the bill.
Alice
Lace Faerie says
I always keep my eyes out for old 100% cotton sheets, especially at estate sales. They are so soft and smooth yet iron up so crisp. Something I did in the early years of our marriage BC (before children).
Helen in Meridian says
I, too, swear by the Kirkland and Charisma sheet from Costco. Unfortunately lots of mfg were tricked over the past 18 months by producers who claimed the cotton was Egyptian for the Charisma and Supima cotton for the Kirkland brand. The new label at Costco does not reflect either in the meantime, sorta like the Madagascar vanilla shortage. I love Charisma for summer and the slightly heavier Kirkland for winter.I just wished they had more of a color choice. I tried their microfiber sheets, and they were OK but not as wonderful as the Charisma and Kirkland.
Karen says
I just bought a set of the charisma sheets, after the first inital wash, they already started pilling. It’s so disappointing.
Carrie says
At least you can return them!
debbie in alaska says
I totally agree on the wish for more color choices!
Tammy says
I bought a set on Amazon for $16 and over a year later they are holding up nicely! I had been looking for sheets and just got tired wading through all the sheets available on Amazon, so I clicked “buy” and voila! they ended up being perfect (which of course is not always the case!)
charwelsh says
Cuddle Duds are the best sheets. Not as heavy as flannel so I can use them year-round. The do pill a bit – or maybe that’s just cat hair!
Carrie says
We have a California king and when we first got the bed I was worried about how much sheets would cost. (My husband is well over 6ft tall and you can’t blame him for not wanting his feet to hang off the end of the bed). Costco doesn’t sell kc sheets in store and the ones they have online are still pricy.
We have target sheets, both 100%cotton and flannel. I have loved there organic cotton sheets. I just bought our second set of flannel sheets (on sale under $30). We use flannel October through at least May and I wash them weekly. Our first set is still in great shape and this will be their third winter. Our 100% cotton are fieldcrest brand and are also doing great (although I needed new pillowcases because my husband must have an oily face and ruins them). I wash warm, one sheet mixed with clothing so they still have plenty of room to tumble around and have had no problems with pilling.
Lace Faerie says
My hubby, too. Now I spray blue Dawn diluted with cold water and now no ever darkening oily stains! Works very well on the inside of his shirt collars, too. Thanks, Mom!
Jamie says
I have bought my sheets from Costco since I can remember. I always buy white Kirkland 400-700 thread count. White goes with everything and can be bleached if needed.
I made two exceptions within the last two weeks. I bought silk sheets at the Silk Market in Beijing, China. I bargained the price to approximately $30 US, so it was my gamble to see how they would hold up and even if we liked them. So far so good. They seem to sleep cool which I like, but they have a seam going by each of the edges which is funny.
I also bought cream sheets on Costco clearance 700 thread count for $19.97 on Friday. I couldn’t resist the price and I like to put queen sized sheets on my kids Extra long twin sized beds. They fit the length and you can tuck the extra under the side, so the bed looks nicer without the fitted sheet straining on the sides.
Amy says
I bought Threshold Target brand sheets several months back. They are the best I have purchased in 30 years. They were less than $40 for a queen. They fit tightly on the bed and the flat sheet is large enough to actually tuck in and stay put. I used to purchase a queen fitted and king flat to solve this problem. But, these work as a set. Staying super soft as well. As someone else mentioned, I too have purchased used sheets. They are on my guest bed and always receive comments on how soft they are. I don’t mention they are used 😉
Bonnie Schmidt says
I was so tempted by the linen sheets that you provided a link to, but ended up going over to Lands End and buying their linen sheets (with monogram) using a 50% off code. Much cheaper and I really trust their quality As for winter flannel sheets, I buy them from Target in the after Christmas sales. They are wonderful. TJ Maxx carries Ralph Lauren cotton sheets and they wear very well.
Donna in VA says
My comment is that I’m only buying white sheets. If one has a problem, the remaining sheets will still match well enough to the other sheets on hand that I don’t need to buy a complete new set. I also make my own pillowcases as needed from leftover sheets.
Mavis Butterfield says
Great point Donna!