| By :
Grubb Young
Sheets come in a plethora of material options, and a sizable range of thread counts. Many house wares stores carry cotton sheets with a minimum of 200 thread count in order to supply customers with affordable bedding options. But grabbing the cheap sheets because they are the right color may not make for the best rest. Thread count does make a difference in the feel of the sheets. Many customers wonder: what does thread number count refer to? Surely there are more than 200 threads in a sheet? This number refers to the number of threads per square inch of the woven fabric of the sheet. The thread count is the total number of threads, including lengthwise and width wise. The general understanding is that the higher the count, the softer the sheets. This is often true. Sheets with thread counts of 250 often have a rougher feel against the skin than sheets with 500 or more count. The kind of fabric used is as important as thread count. Egyptian cotton will likely be softer in all thread number levels than regular combed cotton. Jersey tee-shirt material is known for softness, and even at 200 count is often considered to be softer and more comfortable than combed cotton sheets with a count of 500. Flannel is warmer than all of these options, so if warmth is the quality being sought after, flannel of any thread number count will be preferable to other fabrics in higher thread counts. The type of mattress or mattress pad also makes a difference in what sheet fabric and thread count will be preferred. Many people feel that memory foam mattresses and memory foam mattress toppers tend to "sleep hot". In these instances, cotton sheets with a thread count between 250 and 600 will help keep the sleeper cool. Mattress pads that use plastics to protect the underlying mattress are often rough and scratchy feeling. Jersey tee-shirt, Egyptian cotton, and flannel sheets in mid-range thread counts are good at covering up plastic mattress pads and making the bed mattress feel more comfortable. So yes, thread count makes a difference in how sheets feel, and it is generally understood that the higher the thread count, the softer and more comfortable the sheet will be. However, there is more to sleep comfort than thread count. The fabric is important, and how the fabric will work with a particular mattress material is a consideration that also changes the needs of each individual sleeper.
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