Looking for Bed Sheets? Skip the Bargain Basement
So I’m going to make a confession. Though I now pass for a bed linen elite, I have purchased sheets at Ocean State Job Lot here in upstate New York. In the not-so-distant past, I was lured into their bedding aisle. Yes… I succumbed to the inexpensive price tag and paid for my mistake. Turns out buying sheets is unlike buying any other product—I was at a total loss. There’s never enough information on the labels to make an informed decision!
I needed an extra set of sheets and never one to pass up bargain shopping, I decided to consider those at Job Lot. You know, occasionally they carry decent brand-name merchandise on overstock so who could blame me for considering their sheets? Behold the 1000 thread count Cotton Blend four-piece set in champagne—marked down to $35.00 . Excitedly, I pounced. “Dress your bed in luxury” for less? I can handle savings like that. The package felt substantial, so I felt confident I wasn’t getting cheated out of value (We’ve all dealt with disappointingly flimsy sheets...).
What a disappointment! The sheets felt very smooth and pleasantly substantial when I actually climbed into bed. But a few weeks later after they’d been washed a few times...I noticed a distinct change. Several washings more and my stylish sheets were decidedly...flimsy. They had even started to wear thin in a few spots! That substantial feeling was gone. And what was this—pilling?? My frustration was acute. So was my embarrassment when even my husband noticed a change. The sheets were inexpensive, sure, but I had been promised “luxury for less” on the package. And everyone knows that higher thread counts make better sheets...right? Imagine my confusion.
Since this unfortunate episode, I’ve learned a helpful tip to eliminate some of the confusion: make your best attempt to “weigh your sheets.” Some are so obviously heavy that they’re bound to be inferior. Why? A high number of yarns or many chemical fillers will weigh down the fabric. In my case, after washing, the fillers also washed out...leaving behind a weakened, deteriorated sheet. In my experience, the material felt flimsy and, well, ‘shoddy’ when I got into bed.
The lesson: Buying sheets is not as simple as it seems. Characteristics such as weight must be considered carefully to reduce frustration.
I learned the hard way that a high thread count, heavily weighted sheet will not wash well. Incidentally, a low thread count, heavily weighted sheet indicates the presence of many thicker yarns, which yield a feel which is anything but smooth and comfortable. And who wants that, and frustrations too, from their bed sheets?
Also in Snooze News to Peruse (Our Blog)
