DIY Network

How to Buy Sheets and Pillows Tips on buying sheets and pillows From "Home Made Easy" episode DHME-156

Guest Carolyn Forte, Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care Director, reveals the inside scoop on buying the best sheets and pillows. She ends the confusion about thread count and shares information on therapeutic pillows.

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	Guest Carolyn Forte shares tips to help you with your bed linen purchases.
	Figure A

How to Buy Sheets and Pillows

• Buying Sheets. There are four things you need to look for when buying sheets: fit, fabric, thread count and warmth, and there are essentially three different types of fabric you can choose from — cotton, flannel or satin.

• Cotton percale sheets usually have around a 300 thread count and are your standard, every day sheet. The thread count is the number of threads in a square inch of the fabric. The threads are counted lengthwise and crosswise. The higher the thread count, the softer more luxurious the sheets, and the more you wash the sheets the better they feel.

• However, you can purchase luxury cotton sheets that have a much higher thread count, typically around 500. These sheets are perfect for a high end gift or wedding registry.

• Flannel sheets are very warm and cozy but can get hot and tend to work like Velcro against some sleepwear.

• For some, stain sheets are sexy and luxurious; however others find them way too slippery.

• An important feature to keep in mind when buying sheets is "thread count." Thread counts have really gotten to be a catch phrase when buying sheets. Thread count means the number of threads per square inch of fabric. A sheet with a true high thread count (600 or more) is very expensive--often $150 and up for just one sheet.

• Some manufacturers have been inflating their thread counts by counting the plies within a thread; not the thread itself. They have been marketing the thread count as the most important purchasing aspect when buying a sheet set.

• Rule of thumb: if it's a high thread count and not expensive, it's a fake. The basic rule of thumb is to beware of high numbers coupled with low prices.

• Sheets with true 600 thread counts cost about $150 to $175 each and are soft and very luxurious. However, you can buy lower count sheets that are still very nice sheets.

• Sheets that have a thread count of 310 can retail anywhere from $30 to $70 and are still soft and luxurious.

• If you believe that you have purchased a sheet that is not living up to its thread count claim, you will realize it soon enough. Sheets with sketchy thread counts typically feel lush in the store but shrink a lot and become rough after only a few washes. However, sheets with true high thread counts should increase in softness and maintain their luster for years.

• The type of cotton (pima, Egyptian, or supima), the kind of staple used (long staple cotton creates fine, soft, yet strong yarns) and the quality with which it's woven all make a huge difference in the look, feel and overall quality of a sheet.

• One other important factor to consider when buying sheets is the thickness of your mattress. Mattresses are getting thicker and thicker, not the mention the pillow top mattress pads that are very popular. Watch out for sheets that are marked "guaranteed to fit all," they are make only for mattresses measuring 15" deep or less. If you bed is thicker than that, be sure to buy sheets that advertise extra-deep corners or pockets.

• Pillows. There are three basic types of pillows— down, synthetic and therapeutic. It really depends on your preference.

• Some people can't live without down pillows, and others are allergic to them. While some people love the support that a therapeutic pillow offers. The key to finding the right pillow is all in how you sleep. The position you sleep in determines what pillow you should buy.

• If you sleep on your side, be sure to buy a firm pillow that keeps your neck propped above your shoulder. Foam models that mold to your neck are usually a good bet. A foam pillow costs about $50 and tends to be firmer. But, they are generally not washable.

• If you sleep on your back you should look for a medium density pillow--soft enough to cushion but firm enough to support your head from tilting back too far. A down pillow might be a good option for a back sleeper. A down pillow usually costs $60-$100 and is soft and conforms to your body.

• If you are allergic to down there are many new synthetics that give the feel of down without the allergies. They are easy to wash and sell for $15 and up.

• If you sleep on your stomach, most doctors say to change positions. This is the worst position for you to sleep in since it is unnatural and adds stress to the neck and shoulders. But, if you cannot readjust, look for a soft therapeutic pillow that can help keep your spine properly aligned. They are great for people who regularly wake up with pain in their neck, shoulders or back. They are typically made from a combination of foam and other materials such as down or gel. The pillows cradle your neck and keep your spine properly aligned. A good pillow to consider would be a memory foam pillow that is encased in down so it looks and feels like a regular pillow, but has the support of a therapeutic pillow (figure A).

GUESTS :

Carolyn Forte
Home Care Director
Good Housekeeping Institute
E-mail: cforte@hearst.com
Website: www.goodhousekeeping.com