Egyptian Cotton Sheets

When it comes to bed linen, cotton is the most preferred one for many, as it provides the desired comfort and durability. Even though, there is a wide range of bed linen, like those made of silk, satin, flannel, etc., Egyptian cotton sheets are the most popular one. It is classified as one of the luxurious sheets and are equally expensive. So, what is it that makes this fabric, the king of cotton? Scroll down to learn about the various aspects of Egyptian cotton fabric.

More About Cotton
We all know that there are various types of cotton and the main ones are the Egyptian, Lima, sea island, Asiatic and American upland. Apart from the above mentioned cotton types that are the most popular among the commercially cultivated ones, there are many other types, like, bamboo cotton, canton cotton, French terry cotton, honey comb cotton, etc. What makes them different and why Egyptian cotton is said to be the best? The quality of cotton is determined with the help of factors, like, fineness of the fiber, its length and the color and degree of whiteness.

What is Egyptian Cotton
Egyptian cotton is obtained from the plant termed Gossypium Barbadense, which is also known as Gossypium Hirsutum. It is said that these plants are native to the United States, but were introduced to Egypt during the nineteenth century, by the then king of Egypt, Mohammed Ali Pasha. It was he who had started the commercial cultivation of cotton, so as to form a part of the lucrative cotton trade. It has been noted that this crop turned out to be the most profitable one for Egypt, during the American Civil War. Even today, Egyptian cotton sheets are very popular across the globe.

Why Egyptian Cotton is the Best
The advantage of Egyptian cotton is that it is obtained from the above mentioned plants. This cotton is said to have extra long, strong and thin fibers that are beneficial in producing thin and long cotton threads. These threads are found to be thinner and longer than those made from other types of cotton. Cotton threads made from Egyptian cotton can be woven closer and are perfect for soft, but, strong and durable fabric. So, Egyptian cotton fabric is believed to be perfect for bed linen, cushion covers, etc. The following paragraphs deal with the various aspects of Egyptian cotton bed sheets.

Egyptian Cotton Sheets
Now, you know that Egyptian cotton fabric is considered to be the most softest and strongest of all types of cotton. It is so versatile that some of the world-famous designers prefer Egyptian cotton to other types. It is said that the softness and durability of Egyptian cotton is due to its high thread count. The thread count denotes the number of threads per inch of the fabric. The higher the thread counts, the fabric will be more soft, strong and long-lasting. The thread count of Egyptian cotton sheets is higher than others and this is one of the reasons for the popularity of this fabric, which is available in different thread counts, like, 400, 600, 1000, etc. In general, a thread count of 200 is required for a cotton sheet, but, a higher thread count will be always preferable. They have a higher thread count. However, some people believe that there is no need of a much higher thread count, like, those above 600.

In short, Egyptian cotton sheets are among the most preferred choices, as far as bed linen is concerned. As these sheets are very expensive, you have to make sure that you are buying authentic ones by checking the following factors. Make sure that the sheet is made of ELS (extra long-staple) cotton, as you may also come across some low quality cotton in Egypt. Another factor is that the thread count has to be higher. You must also go for those sheets that are tagged as 100% cotton, as you may find some blends too.