What is the Ideal Thread Count for Bed Sheets?

The higher the thread count, the better the sheets! For the longest time, even I used to believe it was true… but, thanks to some research and firsthand experience sheets with different thread counts, now, I - thankfully- know better!

The truth is getting sheets and fabrics with thread counts reaching up to 1000 (yep, you heard that right) is a mistaken and oversimplified concept that may lead you into paying too much money for something that’ll not even last for long.

In this clothing care guide, we will explain how to get the best bedding for your bedroom that can look and feel it’s best for years to come. Let’s get started!

Muslin sheets

Some decades ago, most sheets sold in markets were muslin- a cotton plain fabric with a thread count of approx. 140. For hospitals and other institutions, muslin sheets are still the top choice as they are affordable, comfortable, and generally long-lasting.

Some people use these sheets at home too, especially on children’s beds as they get soiled often (and also wet). You can easily sanitize these sheets with hot water washing, heavy-duty detergents, and bleach. In other words, there is no special fabric care needed to keep these sheets in their best form.

Percale sheets

These sheets come with a thread count of 180 and are finer, and comfortable in texture. Typically, they last for years and years without any extra fabric care. For middle-class homeowners, percale sheets are one of the best choices.

For lint and fabric pilling, consider using a dedicated lint remover powder like BIORESTORE ReTergent. Only in one home laundry wash, your sheets will be restored completely, without any extra hassle.

What is a good thread count for bedsheets?

Higher thread counts in fabrics i.e. 200, 220, 250, 300 and upward have ever-finer, softer, and smoother handfeel as they are made of best quality cotton like Egyptian cotton or Pima cotton.

If you want a good balance of durability, fabric care, and affordability, pick a resin-free all combed cotton percale sheet ideally with a thread count between 200 and 250 and a care label that says, “Machine wash”.

While sheets with labels saying, “Hand wash” can feel (seductively) pleasant, it can be harder to maintain them for longer. This is why getting easily washable sheets is a much better choice.

Are sateen sheets worth it?

Sateen sheets (cotton sheets with satin weaves) are one of the most recent hits in the bedding industry. Typically featuring a thread count of 300 or more, these sheets are supersoft, superfine, and somewhat delicate.

Its not a surprise that sateen sheets have effectively replaced plain-weave and twill sheets in most of the upscale stores. Their silky texture and vibrant hues are enough to make anyone leave their traditional fabric care choices behind.

While I am all about elevated sleep experiences, getting those extremely expensive sheets with thread counts of 400 and up to 1000 or more is not something I’d recommend. In my experience, these sheets are less durable and require a lot of care to stay in their best shape as they have looser twists and floats in the weave structure.

Plus, they cannot be bleached and very quickly get that grayish or yellowish tinge of aging cotton. While clothing care products like BIORESTORE cotton can revive pre-loved cotton fabrics in only one home laundry wash, if your garment cannot be washed in a machine to begin with, even BIORESTORE won’t be able to help you.