When it comes to bed linen; sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases, the wide range in quality and price can feel overwhelming. Before making a decision, it is important to understand that there is a world of difference between polycotton and 800 thread count certified Egyptian cotton when it comes to look, feel, durability and more. If bedding terms confuse you, our guide lays out the terminology so that you can make an informed choice.

Natural vs Synthetic

A good starting point is deciding on natural or synthetic fibre. Natural materials like cotton, linen or silk are lightweight and breathable but carry a higher price tag while synthetic materials such as microfibre and polyester offer texture and warmth at a more affordable price.

Polycotton

This affordable fabric is usually a blend of 50% cotton and 50% polyester. This option is a popular choice due to its lower price point and durability. Polycotton bed linen is easy to wash and generally wrinkles less because of the high polyester content, which means less or no ironing after washing. The downside is that it can feel a bit rough on the skin as it does not have a high thread count. 

Microfibre

Made from 100% polyester, microfibre duvet covers and sheets are super soft and smooth to the touch. Microfibre is easy to care for as it washes well, holds its colour and dries quickly. Because synthetic materials are usually more affordable, you can also swap out your covers more often to suit changing trends without breaking the bank. 

This soft and cosy recycled microfibre range is made in SA from imported 100% recycled polyester microfiber which is soft and smooth to the touch. It’s also more stain-resistant than other fabrics, easy to clean and highly durable, giving it a longer life cycle and a lower carbon footprint.

Cotton

Cotton is a natural fibre that is both durable, lightweight and breathable. This popular fibre ranges widely in quality and price, but the difference can be felt in the look of the item and the feel on your skin.

Certified Organic Cotton

If bed linen carries this label it means that no artificial pesticides or fertilisers were used in the cultivation of the cotton plant. Organic cotton carries less of an environmental impact so it may be important to you if you practice earth-friendly buying, however, the organic status has no impact on the look or feel of the end product. 

Percale Cotton 

Percale cotton bedding is plain in weave with a matte finish that feels crisp to the touch. Percale has a tight weave that makes it lightweight and breathable which is great for those who get hot at night or live in a warm climate. In terms of look and feel, percale bedding is like a freshly ironed shirt; crisp and fresh. 

Sateen Cotton

Sateen cotton bedding is woven to create a smooth and silky surface that has a satin-like sheen. Sateen is usually a little bit thicker than percale but also has a tight weave. Sateen feels lovely on the skin and looks beautiful if you like a touch of shine on your bedding. 

Thread count

Thread count is often indicated by a number followed by TC. TC stands for thread count. 

Thread count is a measure of the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric and is essentially a measure of the tightness of the weave. 

It is calculated by adding together the numbers of lengthwise (warp) and widthwise (weft) threads within a certain area. For example, a cotton sheet with 100 warp threads and 100 weft threads in each square inch of fabric would have a listed thread count of 200.

Thread count matters because the higher the thread count the softer and smoother the fabric feels. 

While thread count does matter, the quality of the thread used is more important. A better quality thread with a lower thread count is better than a poor quality thread with a higher count. Egyptian cotton is an example of high-quality thread, which you can learn more about below. 

If you’re starting to explore the world of thread count, a minimum of 200 should ensure quality sleep. Shop 200TC linen here> 

Granny Goose offers a wide range of cotton covers in 300 and 400 thread counts both plain and with classic trim detail like piping or satin stitch

Explore the Granny Goose range>

Egyptian cotton

Unlike regular cotton, authentic Egyptian Cotton is delicately hand-picked to maintain the strength and durability of each tiny fibre. Because of its beautiful long-staple fibres, the overall finish of Egyptian Cotton is smoother and silky soft and it only gets softer the more often you wash it.

Exceedingly durable and lightweight, Egyptian cotton fibres are more porous than other fibres, making it incredibly absorbent. The result is that when dyed Egyptian Cotton holds deeper vibrant colour without fading, wash after wash for years to come. 

Egyptian Cotton bedding from @home is certified and accredited by the Cotton Egypt Association (CEA) and carries a Gold Seal. Read more about it here and what makes this particular Egyptian Cotton so superior. 

The range is available in:

Classic 300 thread count

Luxe 600 thread count

Indulgent 800 thread count

Discover our luxurious Egyptian Cotton range

Silk

When comes to ultimate sleep luxury, there is nothing more indulgent than silk. Sleeping on pure silk fabric maintains the hair and skin’s moisture levels and lets your face and body glide without friction, helping to reduce the formation of wrinkles. Silk is also naturally hypoallergenic and breathable giving you the ultimate level of sleep comfort.

The Silk Lady Silk bedding range is made from 100% organic mulberry silk that is magnificently smooth and non-absorbent.

Shop The Silk Lady bedding here>