How to Choose Quality Bedding
It’s easy enough to find bedding that’s colorful, soft and stylish. But will it last? Yes! You can absolutely find beautiful bedding that serves you well for years. And, you don’t have to spend a fortune to live with premium sheets and comforters. But how do you know for sure what you’re choosing has a certain quality level that’ll last for longer than a season or two? Here at Pottery Barn, we’re all about helping you understand what goes into quality bedding. We’ll give you tips and tricks on how to choose sheets and bedding that’ll perform for years to come.
Choosing Quality Sheets
For years, you may have thought the higher the thread count, the higher quality the sheets. That’s not the only indicator of what makes a quality bed sheet or pillowcase. The thread count and the type of cotton or other fibers used are the significant factors in choosing good quality sheets.
The higher the thread count, the smoother or less scratchy and long-lasting the sheet will be. That’s because thread count refers to the number of threads woven into a square inch of the sheet’s fabric. Good-quality sheets range from between 200 and 800 thread count. Anything over 1,000 won’t always guarantee top-quality sheets. It could mean the yarns are twisted together, for example. That doesn’t necessarily improve the soft feel of the sheets. On the other hand, low count is not always low quality. Another factor is how the sheets are finished, meaning that there are fewer chemicals used to process the sheet.
As far as the type of thread used, your best choices are cotton, Egyptian cotton, silk and satin. Premium-quality sheets are woven with cloth using extra-long cotton fibers (also called long-staple fibers). These include Egyptian, pima and Supima cottons. A 200-count, combed-cotton sheet in these fabrics will most likely be superbly finished for a soft, durable feel. If you’re opting for the ideal blend, go for combed-cotton or organic cotton with a 300 to 400 thread count. You’ll sleep like a baby. For an extra-healthy dose of softness, try https://www.potterybarn.com/shop/furniture-upholstery/eco-friendly/eco-friendly-bedding/ organic cotton sheets. The cotton is harvested by hand, and no chemical pesticides are used in the production process.
Choosing a Quality Comforter
Knowing how to choose a comforter is simple. However, it pays to know what a comforter is and isn’t. A comforter is a thick, fluffy, quilted blanket with filling sandwiched between layers. A comforter differs from a duvet, duvet insert and duvet cover, though one may appear to look just like a comforter. A duvet insert, which looks like a feather bed of sorts, is placed into a cloth duvet cover (like a sack) for protection. Both comforters and duvets make comfy beds.
Both a comforter and a duvet insert are quilted in order to keep the filling, whether it’s synthetic or natural, evenly distributed for comfort and warmth. The heavier the comforter, the warmer it will be. Compare weights of comforters if you want the maximum toasty factor. A comforter shell with a high thread count will be durable. You’ll want a durable comforter shell because it needs to stand up to those times when you kick it around and pull it on and off you.
How to Buy a Down Comforter
As you get into the details of how to buy a down comforter, you’ll hear about fill power and loft. Fill power is the amount of space an ounce of filling takes up for maximum loft (or height). The higher the fill power, the softer and fluffier the comforter. This information is used for down comforters. A down-alternative comforter may show a fill power equivalent to help you compare comforters.
Down, derived from geese or ducks, is the coating underneath a bird’s feathers. Down is a natural, fluffy, warm insulator, which is why it’s used in comforters. Goose down is fluffier than duck down. Duck down is more abundant and more affordable than goose down. If you’re concerned about allergies, opt for down alternatives for the soft feel of down but without the allergens.
Choosing a Quality Pillow
To complete the best bedding experience, you’ll want a quality pillow. Quality pillows can have synthetic fill or you can choose organic down-alternative pillows for a superior night’s sleep. There’s one important trick for choosing a quality pillow. Know how you sleep. Stomach sleepers need a soft, flatter pillow. Back sleepers usually prefer a medium-thick pillow, while side sleepers rest best on thick, firmer pillows for neck support. Many people are mixed sleepers, which means a pillow of medium thickness with a little firmness is fine for all positions.
Protecting Quality Bedding
To keep your quality pillow in top shape for a long time, invest in pillow protectors that keep out particles like dirt and dust mites. There’s another protective item that does double duty when it comes to creating a pretty bed. A bed skirt is an important finishing item that protects your mattress box spring and frame from accidental welts from shoes or vacuum cleaners.