talk to me about thread count

[madhousewife]

Hi there,

DP and I want to splurge on a new mattress and bedding and I'm wondering if it's worth the extra money for a higher thread count. We usually get our bedding from John Lewis and it's okay, a pain to iron though. what would the difference be if I spent more on a higher thread count? Is there a good reason for a higher thread count, how high should I go and where's a good place to get it?

thanks!

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

I have Egyptian cotton bedlinen with 1000 thread count, and 1600. (Yes, very heavy! But I love it!) It feels gorgeous - especially the 1000, which is older and so has been washed more frequently. After, um, about seven years, there is absolutely no sign of wear, or bobbling, and I generally wash at 60 or even 90 degrees, spin at 1600rpm.

However, it takes ages to dry and is a real PITA in a tumble drier; I'm not one for ironing but most of the creases fall out once it's on the bed, because it's heavy.

I expect both sets to outlive me (but then, I'm pushing 50. )

I also have 200 and 400 thread count bedlinen, the 200 is very light, the 400 slightly heavier, and the 400 is the worst for creasing imvho. Haven't tried 600 or 800, but love my 1000s.

I buy from King of Cotton and have generally found their service pretty damn good. :)

[deliakate]

I think our John Lewis stuff is fine. I have slept at a very posh hotel with a ridiculously high thread count (combined with a fairly hard mattress and a rather high bedframe), and I kept on slipping off the bed in the night - seriously! Perhaps they were too well ironed/starched - but I think I need a bit of "grip"

[HollyBollyBooBoo]

Wow 1000 1600 thread counts - didn't even know they existed!

I've recently bought some 350 threadcount bedding from the Dorma range in Dunelm Mill (I know, shoot me now) but it is truly gorgeous and when you feel it, side by side our old 200 count Next stuff I realise it was worth every penny!

[clux73]

I like the House of Fraser 500 thread plain white bedlinen. It's usually half price

[{http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/null+500+thread+count+bed+linen+in+white/LINSHTWHT,default,pd.html?cgid=S5004}]

[BizzeeBee]

I've been a John Lewis bedding devotee. But, the last set I got was a basic plain white (200 count I think) one from The White Company, and I have been very pleased with it. If you like plain white bedding, my theory was that White Company would really try and offer something good because they don't do lots of different colours. I would go to the shop if you can to feel some different thread counts because they have a large choice.

As for the mattress, I am loving my new John Lewis mattress that cost an outrageous amount (but cost per hour's good sleep must make it OK, right?).

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

I think a lot of it will depend on how warm your bedroom is; I've stayed in top class hotels that offer 400, because most hotels are over-heated (imvho, of course!) and 1000 would be oppressive (and should never be starched, again imvho). But my bedroom is quite cool and I can only say again, the 1000 feels absolutely fantastic, and it'll last forever. I will never regret buying mine. :)

So, madhousewife, what do you think?

[madhousewife]

Wow, thanks for all the great information!
Old Lady - I will check out that link, thank you!
DeliaKate - that's hilarious!
HBBooBoo - MIL takes me to Dunelm, I have bought stuff there too!
Clux - thanks for that link, hopefully I can get those deals in store too?
Biz - never thought of the White Company, will check that out too.
Old Lady - thanks again, you've all been so helpful!!

[Fluffycloudland77]

I've had problems with white company sheets, our bottom sheets have gone to rags in under 3 years. Because I bought them together they went to holes within 2 weeks of each other.

The White Company, known as the shite company at casa fluffy, say anything over 6 months is fair wear and tear. They were 300tc.

So, I went to tk Maxx and got some Christy 300tc cotton sateen sheets instead. They only cost £13 each so if they do wear out quickly I won't mind as much.

[TokiMats]

Thread count signifies the number of vertical and horizontal threads in one square inch of fabric. When working with a high-quality fabric such as Egyptian cotton, the general rule is that the higher the thread count, the better the sheet. Both 600- and 800-thread count sheets like the ones from tshirtbed.eu are noticeably soft to the touch. Depending on your needs and budget as 800-thread count sheets can be priced at almost double those with a 600-thread count you may find attributes that you like about both types. My advice - buy the highest thread count you can afford, as it's worth your comfort, quality of sleep and the better quality bedding will also last longer, and be behaving better after each wash.