We’ve got to let you know a little secret. A high thread count has been believed as the indicator of thread count but actually its reality has been hugely exaggerated.
For years, retailers and manufacturers have been using thread count as a very convenient marketing tool to trick the customers into believing that they are buying a better quality product. However, the truth is quite opposite.
What does thread count mean actually?
Thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads woven together in every square inch of a fabric. It’s a measure of the density of the fabric. You can count both horizontal (warp) and vertical (weft) threads, so 100 horizontal threads woven with 100 vertical threads produce a thread count of 200.
Thread count alone is not critical to bedding quality. According to the Consumer Reports, in reality a thread count of 200 is fine, 400 is softer, but anything above 400 is more likely to only provide a higher price tag.
What is multi-ply yarn?
It’s only possible to fit a certain number of threads per square inch of the fabric. The exact number of threads depends on the thickness of the yarns, that’s normally around 300-400. So how are thread counts as 800 or 1200 even possible?
Manufacturers wanting to produce a high thread count bedding wrap individual cotton yarns around each other that creates plait-like threads, that’s called using multi-ply yarns.
Using double-ply or triple-ply threads (where threads are made of two or three lower-quality strands that are twisted together) manufacturers often count each of those threads twice or even three times. This means that 400-thread count sheets made of triple-ply threads can be marketed as 1200-thread count.
Let’s make it more simple for you! A 300-thread count sheet is comprised of 150 vertical threads and 150 horizontal threads woven together. Also, a 900-thread count sheet has 150 vertical threads and 150 horizontal threads! In this scenario, the manufacturers actually twist three threads together (similar to how you braid your hair) and then triple-count the thread!
What is the best thread count?
A high thread count doesn’t represent superior quality if the threads being counted are not of high quality. Also, thread count alone is not critical to bedding quality and it depends on the factors including yarn size, fibre quality, finishing, and construction. The best bedding typically has a thread count between 200 to 400. Any thread above 400 is actually an inflated figure due to multi-ply threads, meaning you’ll have to pay a premium price for a product that doesn’t feel any softer. So, paying more for higher thread count is simply wasting money.
With increased consumer awareness and law regulations, the shady marketing tactics of bloated thread counts seem to be coming to an end. Some big names in the home textile industry got sued for misrepresenting thread counts. So, always make the right bedding choice by acknowledging the facts and myths about thread count and don’t get manipulated.
