800 Thread Count Sheets: Pure Luxury Or Deceptive Advertising?

800 thread count sheets are either the ultimate in luxury sheets or the result of deceptive advertising. You can find out the full story here.

To begin, let's look at the definition of thread count. The definition of thread count is the number of threads per square inch. So a 200 thread count sheet might have 100 vertical threads (called the warp) in a square inch and 100 horizontal threads (called the weft) in a square inch. Generally the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet will be.

However, in order to claim the highest thread counts available, some manufacturers have begun to "cheat". They do so by using two-ply thread in their sheets. Two-ply thread consists of two threads intertwined around each other. The problem is that these sheet manufacturers who use two-ply thread will claim double the thread count.

So their 800 thread count sheets are really only 400 thread count sheets with two-ply threads. Keep in mind also that 600 thread count sheets, for example, are not twice as soft as 300 thread count sheets. They are only twice as thick. You can think of the sheets in a hotel or hospital if you want some context. These sheets are usually very thick and not very soft.

Is this method of labelling sheets legal? According to the National Textile Association of America and the FTC, it is. However, the FTC is not happy about it and advises consumers to be on the watch for this practice. Remember, a thread count of anywhere between 100 and 400 is generally sufficient for cotton sheets. For linen sheets, a thread count of 100 will usually be soft enough. Keep in mind that there are other factors apart from thread count that determine the quality of bed sheets.

The first factor is the quality of the material. The highest quality cotton is generally accepted to be Egyptian cotton. The good thing about Egyptian cotton sheet sets is that they generally get softer the more you wash them. Pima cotton sheets are also of a very high quality. Be on the lookout for sheets that say “Egyptian cotton blend” or “Egyptian cotton rich” on the package. These blended cotton sheets could have as little as 5% Egyptian cotton in them. You might as well buy regular cotton sheets and save yourself the money.

The second factor is the treatment of the cotton before it is woven into sheets. One such form of cotton treatment is called mercerization. Mercerized cotton sheet sets last longer than regular cotton sheets. They also repel mildew and lint. Finally, mercerized pillows and sheets have a generally more lustrous look and feel.

The third factor is the weave. High quality weaves will result in longer-lasting sheets than low quality weaves. Egyptian cotton has the most robust weave.

So, keep in mind that an Egyptian cotton 300 thread count sheet set or a 400 count Pima cotton sheet set may be softer and more durable than "800 thread count sheets".