With mattress designs changing, the average height of innerspring mattresses has increased. Once measuring between eight and nine inches, a new mattress with a plush pillow or European style top may measure as much as twenty inches. Even folks who have a more traditional mattress often use a foam mattress pad for extra comfort. Either way, deep pocket bed sheets can provide a better fit, greater comfort and more style.



Prior to the introduction of fitted bed sheets, most of us used flat sheets and the thickness of the mattress was not much of a consideration. With the introduction of the fitted bed sheet, millions perhaps billions of sets of sheets have been sold worldwide. For years, the average mattress was only about eight to ten inches thick. Today, deep pocket bed sheets are quickly becoming a necessity for the average household linen collection. With modern mattresses getting thicker, the standard size bed sheets in your linen closet simply will not fit.

Modern mattresses, even those that incorporate an innerspring design, can range up to fourteen or fifteen inches thick. Pillow and plush top, European top and memory foam designs have added even more to the overall thickness of the mattress. In addition to more traditional innerspring mattresses, air adjustable and the new hybrid waterbed mattresses can be much thicker than a standard mattress. The result of the changes in mattress design has resulted in a dramatic increase in the sales of deep pocket bed sheet sets.

Whatever type of bed linen you might be purchasing there are a few important things to consider. As a general rule, a set of deep pocket bed sheets will be more expensive than a set of standard bed sheets. Paying more for deep pocket bed sheets is to be expected since it takes more labor and more fabric to make a set of deep pocket bed sheets. A quality set of deep pocket bed sheets should fit well without being too loose or too tight. A loose fitting bottom sheet will be uncomfortable and is likely to slip off at the corners while you sleep. Deep pocket sheets that fit too tightly may literally tear apart at the seams. A quality deep pocket bottom sheet will have elastic banding around the entire edge seam of the sheet. The purpose of the elastic is to hold the entire sheet securely in place.

One indication of high quality and durability in any type of any type of linen is fabric thread count. This is especially true with bed linens. The term thread count refers to the number of threads per inch in the woven fabric, in both directions of the weave. The weave of a fabric is compromised of opposing rows of thread called the weft and the warp.

In general, the higher the thread count of the fabric the softer it feels. Low thread count linens will have a rough, flimsy feel. High thread count fabrics are woven more tightly. Cotton is still the most popular choice for deep pocket bed sheets. Soft, long lasting and easy to care for, cotton is relatively inexpensive, likewise when cotton is blended with synthetic fabrics such as polyester. Percale is an excellent choice for deep pocket bed sheets. Percale is often confused as a cotton polyester blend when is in fact it is the result of weaving and chemical processes that give the fabric a satiny feel and sheen.

Be sure to carefully the instructions on the manufacturers fabric care label. The proper care and laundering of your deep pocket sheets will keep your sheets looking fresh and help you to get the most from for money.