Cotton Facts:

  • "Combed" cotton has been processed to separate out shorter fibers to make a more durable thread.The longer the cotton fiber, the better the quality of cotton fabric.
  • Pima cotton is U.S. grown, with SuPima® (superior pima) is the brand name for the longest fiber cotton.
  • Egyptian is the long staple cotton, considered the finest available.

The main drawback to cotton is that it may be wrinkled after being in the washer. The fix for this is simple - either remove cotton sheets from the dryer as soon as the drying cycle stops, or remove them while still slightly damp, and then hang straight to dry.If you have a sheet with set-in wrinkles, simply toss it into the dryer with a slightly damp washcloth and dry for 5-10 minutes, remove it, smooth out, and fold (or use) promptly.

All cotton sheets can also be ironed for a crisp look and feel.Though most of us don't have the time to iron every sheet in the house, it can be a wonderful luxury to sleep on freshly ironed pillowcases -- a task that takes only a few minutes.

Cotton can be blended with other fibers, usually polyester, to produce a sheet with fewer wrinkles, and at a lower cost.However, blends are not as soft as all-cotton fabrics and are more susceptible to fabric pills (little fabric fibers that twist themselves into tiny knots during use or laundering).

The finest cotton has 600 to 800 thread count. However, the cost can be somewhat inhibiting.