Best Bed Sheet Thread Count

Diving into bed feels like heaven when you have a good set of sheets. But can they also be the answer to a quality night’s rest, or even… your relationship? How should an individual choose the bed sheets that are best for them?

We direct our questions to Clara Teo, 34, the co-founder of Sunday Bedding. The popular local bedding brand is the brainchild of her and her husband Alex Fan, 35, and is best known for its soft, luxurious and ethically and sustainably made bed linen. They are also parents to their daughter Emma, who is eight months old.

Clara Teo, 34, the co-founder of Sunday Bedding, and husband
Clara Teo, 34, and Alex Fan, 35, the co-founders of Sunday Bedding

Read More: Sunday Bedding Review – New store at Raffles City

After operating primarily online for three years, the duo recently opened Sunday Bedding’s first flagship store at Raffles City, as well as a storefront at i12 Katong.

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Clara clues us in about choosing the best sheets for yourself and for babies, how she deals with revenge bedtime procrastination, cleaning hacks, and more.

Bedsheet Size, Thread Count, Material: How to choose the best bed sheet?

Best Bedsheet Material: Cotton vs Bamboo vs Linen

With cotton and polyester making up 90 per cent of the world’s production of textiles, Sunday Bedding believes that textiles diversity is the key to a more sustainable textiles economy. They focus on sourcing materials such as bamboo and linen, which strike a balance between functionality and sustainability. Both materials are also well suited for the local climate.

If you’re dithering over which bed linen to get, think about your personal lifestyle and preferences. If you tend to sleep without air-conditioning or get hot while you snooze, consider bamboo, which is cooling and moisture-wicking. It’s also soft, silky and drapes beautifully.

In terms of durability, French linen is a winner. Linen is a highly versatile breathable fabric that regulates temperature. French linen also has a slightly coarse hand feel that softens with each wash to become soft and cocooning. Clara shares, “It has a natural, textural feel and is a perfect addition if you are going for a cosy, rumpled look in your bedroom. Both bamboo and linen fabrics also trap less dust versus cotton, making them suited for those with sensitive skin.”

“For those that wash their sheets frequently or have pets or kids, go with cotton as it withstands multiple washes, and is highly breathable,” she recommends.

Read More: 8 Best Mattress Brands in Singapore

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Bedsheet Size, Thread Count, Material: How to choose the best bed sheet?

Are Tencel Bedsheets Good?

Both bamboo and Tencel are similar in their hand feel as they are made from a similar chemical manufacturing process. Tencel fibres are produced from the pulp of eucalyptus wood while bamboo fibres are, as the name suggests, produced from bamboo pulp.

“We chose to offer bamboo instead of Tencel as the technicians at our facilities managed to have better results for colour fastness on bamboo fabrics,” Clara says. “As we focus on offering print designs and a wide variety of colours, we decided to offer Bamboo as an alternative instead.”

She continues, “Bamboo sateen feels and looks ultra-luxe, because of its slight sheen, and smooth and silky feel against the skin. It’s particularly comfortable for those who run warm in their sleep. Bamboo is easy to maintain as well. Our bamboo sheets only require a simple machine wash or air drying. They are even wrinkle-free so you can skip the ironing and go straight to bed!”

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Bedsheet Size, Thread Count, Material: How to choose the best bed sheet?

Best Bedsheet Material for Children

The brand has recently launched a new Little Joys collection of crib sheets, crafted with its bestselling bamboo sateen material, and featuring hand-drawn checkered prints and nature-themed colours.

According to Clara, the fabric is good for children not only because it’s soft and cooling, and great for lulling little ones away for a good night’s rest. It’s also hypoallergenic, quick-to-dry, easily absorbs sweat, and stands up to any liquid-related baby accidents.

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How to clean and maintain bed sheets?

How to Clean Bed Sheets?

Dirt, dust, oil and sweat build up quickly on bedding. The longer they accumulate on the sheets, the more stress is put on the sheet fibres. Grubby sheets are also more appealing to microscopic mites.

It’s a good idea to change your bed sheets and pillowcases once a week, or every two weeks. Pillow protectors and mattress covers also require washing at least once a month.

  • Silk is strong, but needs special laundering to keep its fibres intact. Wash silk items by hand the first few times. Afterwards, you can switch to machine washing, but choose the gentle or hand-wash cycle and resist the urge to use the extra spin cycle option.
  • Linen is a soft yet durable natural fibre. The  more frequently linen sheets are washed, the softer they become, the material dries quickly, so the sheets don’t need a long or hot drying setting. Better yet, air-dry them.
  • Bamboo fibre sheets are best laundered with cold water and soap made for natural fibres, or with neutral pH levels. Colours may run during the first few washings, so make sure to wash this material separately.

Here are Sunday Bedding’s best tips to keep your bedsheets in tip-top condition:

  • Wash your sheets at 30 or 40 degree Celsius.
  • In the event of stains, separate stained fabrics as they may carry more bacteria.
  • Know how to treat different stains, as they call for different settings.
  • For protein stains like spit, milk spills, poop, and most food stains, use cold water as warm water can cause stains to set. Rinse off any residue by holding your sheets under running water. For older stains, let it sit with a stain remover for a few hours or overnight before washing. Line dry in the sun where possible. The sun will naturally bleach stains and help to disinfect the fabric.
  • For baby sheets, opt for a gentle, baby-friendly laundry liquid.

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Best Bed Sheet Thread Count

Generally, the higher the thread count the softer the sheets. However, while this results in a better hand feel, too high a thread count can result in heavy bedsheets that are prone to piling and may not be durable.

Good sheets balance thread count and durability. Consider other factors such as material and weave, which can achieve the same effect as a high thread count without compromising on durability.

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Bed Sheet Weave Explained

Percale is light and durable with a more matte finish, and gets softer with every wash. However, it can feel a little rough and is more prone to wrinkling.

Sateen has a smoother finish that mimics silk, but without the high cost and fragility. It is naturally wrinkle-resistant, too.

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Hotel Bedsheet, Mattress, and Height

For the five-star hotel bed experience at home, take a leaf out of the Four Seasons Hotel’s book. Its sleep experience includes double-walled windows, gasketing around door frames and a Four Seasons Hotel bed.

Four Seasons Hotel’s bed is 75cm high, instantly giving you the feeling of loftiness. The hotel worked with Simmons Bedding Company to design a proprietary mattress with a heat-absorbing core that keeps you cool and comfortable throughout the night; the mattress also features pocketed coil motion separation, and a choice of three toppers. 

All beds come with a signature topper for classic comfort, but side and back sleepers can request a softer mattress topper to reduce pressure points on hips and shoulders. Front sleepers will enjoy a firmer topper that allows the spine to fall into its natural curve. 

Crisp white sheets are a must for the luxury-hotel look. After the mattress topper is laid, cover it with a fitted sheet, followed by a flat sheet. A down comforter (covered in a white quilt or duvet cover) is next. Have at least four pillows for a queen- or king-size bed, and use pillow protectors for a smooth finish. Complete the look with one or two cushions.

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Uniqlo Bedsheet Airism Review

Airism, the Uniqlo technology – incorporated in a wide range of innerwear – that wicks away heat and moisture from the body. It’s a God-sent for humid countries like Singapore.

Launched in 2019, Uniqlo Airism bedsheets are light and breathable, feels cool against the skin, and are anti-odour and anti-perspiring. This means you will feel cool and comfortable throughout the night.

If you’re like me, an asthmatic allergic to dust and dust mites, these Uniqlo bed sheets are pretty easily to wash on a weekly or bi-weekly laundry schedule. Plus, they dry really fast. I can pop it into the washing machine and dryer in the morning, leave it out to air dry, and use it again at night after work.

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So far, I’ve had my Airism bedsheet for a year. They’ve been through some intense wash and dry cycles but have not gone out of shape nor faded. That’s pretty impressive.

However, the bed sheet is pretty thin. If you have pets, their claws can easily tear the Airism bedsheet or pillow case. If you can live with the tears and holes, then all is good. The Airism bed sheet’s weave seems pretty solid – the tears don’t seem to unravel any further.

The Uniqlo Airism bedsheet’s texture veers towards the silky and smooth satin feel – something many Singaporeans will love. If you are used to the cocooning feel of linens and cotton, you may need some adjusting to.

Uniqlo Airism Bedsheet Queen Size is $19.90 on sale.

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How many bed sheet sets should I have?

Keep at least three sets of sheets per bed. This way, you can have one set on your bed, one in the laundry, and one tucked away in the closet. By rotating the sheet sets, they will last longer and won’t wear out as quickly.

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When should I change my bed sheets?

Bedding can last for many years, but too frequent and improper washing will break down even high-quality bed linen. Replace them when the fabric gets thin, shows fading, or develops pills (small balls of fluff on the surface). If the edges of the sheets look shabby and frayed, it’s time to retire them.

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Part of this article first appeared on Singapore Women’s Weekly.