Thread count of the fabric



One of the first things you need to consider is the type of bed sheet you will buy. The texture and feel of the bed sheet will depend to a large extent on the thread count of the fabric. The usual thread count varies from 180 to even 300. The thread count is an indication of the number of threads woven into every square inch of the sheet. The more the thread count, the more costly and soft the bed sheet is going to be. However, one word of caution here – having a higher thread count does not automatically indicate good quality. If bad quality thread has been woven or if the weave is of a poor quality then the softness of the bed sheet will be affected greatly.

Type of weave

The type of weave on the bed sheet will also determine how comfortable and soft it feels to the touch. Percale weaves are usually used on cotton sheets and result in the regular cotton bed sheets you see in shops. However, a simple variant of the percale weave is to use four threads on top of the sheet and one below. This variant is called a sateen weave. The same weave when applied over silk sheets produces a satin bed sheet. Sateens are soft to the touch but are not as durable as the percale woven cotton sheets.

Fabric type

The kind of fabric you select will also determine the overall comfort factor in your bed sheet. The most common fabric is cotton which is available in several different grades. The cotton quality is determined by the staple which means the length of cotton piece that can be accommodated into a single thread. The higher the staple, the better is the cotton quality. One of the highest grades of cotton is the Egyptian variety. The Pima cotton which is also called Supima is also of good quality. The poly-cotton fabrics are a good choice if you want a wrinkle-free fabric which is also affordable. Flannel bed sheets are extremely warm and are made from wool blended with cotton or fabric. Try and opt for a high thread count when buying a flannel bed sheet. Silk bed sheets are the ultimate in luxury but are not long lasting and very difficult to maintain. Satin bed sheets are also very comfortable and luxurious. However, unlike what many people think, satin is a type of weave instead of a fabric.

Have a child?

If you have a very young child in the house then plastic bed sheets are a very good choice. These are great as they are resistant to heat, moisture and other conditions. Therefore, even if your child spills something on his or her bed sheet you can easily wipe it away clean.

Selecting a mattress

A good quality, resilient mattress will do wonders for your sleep. While it may not be the ultimate cure for insomnia, it does help in creating a comfortable environment for you to sleep in. Here are some pointers at choosing the perfect mattress for your needs:

* Support: Your mattress needs to provide adequate support for your back. Check to see if the mattress bounces back when you press it or sit on it. Ideally, the bounce should not be too much. When you lie down on the bed, your back needs to have resistance from the mattress. Otherwise, your back will just cave in to the mattress!

* Comfort factor: The next thing you need to check for is if the mattress conforms to your body shape. This is critical because otherwise, you will not get adequate support during your sleep.

* Width: You also need to check the width of the mattress. If you are a couple who loves to sprawl yourselves all over the bed then you definitely need a wide bed. If you are single then a smaller sized mattress will do.

* Buy first hand: You maybe strapped for cash and considering buying a second hand mattress. However, it is recommended that you do not do so. The mattress would have already altered its shape to the body of the previous owner. It would also have residues of skin flakes, dust, termites and maybe even bugs. It can lead to a lot of infections and diseases as well.

* Box spring: This is a vital aspect in mattress construction. Using a new box spring on your mattress will enhance its durability and longevity that much more.

* Mattress core: This encompasses the number of coils (ideally, it should be between 600-700 coils), coil gauge which should be higher and the coil connections which should be strong and sturdy.