Egyptian Cotton: Here’s What You Need to Know
Learn why Egyptian cotton is the best kind of cotton in the world and the top ten reasons you should select Egyptian cotton for your luxury bed linens.
In the world of luxury linen, Egyptian cotton stands alone as the superior fabric for bedding and bath linens. The term “Egyptian cotton” is typically used to refer to the extra-long staple (ELS) cotton produced in Egypt. Cotton fibers in Egypt can grow extra long due to the country’s climate, making them ELS fibers. Egyptian cotton typically has a staple length of 1 to 2 inches.
Let’s examine Egyptian cotton in more detail to see what makes it unique.
What is Egyptian Cotton?
Regular cotton is derived from a different plant, whereas Egyptian cotton is derived from the Gossypium Barbadense, which gives it unique characteristics. Egyptian cotton has extra long fibers which can produce thread or yarns that are thinner and smaller in diameter yet stronger than other types of cotton.
As a result, more threads can be used to produce a luxurious fabric with a high thread count. The best bedding sets use this higher-quality raw material.
Egyptian cotton is grown in Egypt and it’s the climate in Egypt that helps the longer staples (fibers) to grow. The yarn can however be exported to other manufacturing regions like India, China, and the USA where it is woven into cloth.
What’s the Best Egyptian Cotton Bedding?
Before anything else, confirm that the bed linens are made of Egyptian cotton that is truly 100 percent pure. Look closely at the label. Some bedding can be produced with a mix of Egyptian cotton and lower-quality cotton but still called Egyptian cotton. Read the bed linen label to make sure it is 100% certified Egyptian cotton.
Next, choose the weave style that you want. Good-quality weaves include percale and satin. Percale is a closely woven plain weave with a thread count of 200 or higher. It generates bedding of a medium weight that is gloss-free, crisp, and firm.
Thirdly, choose your thread count. The price of good thread counts typically ranges from 200 to 800.
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What is So Special About Egyptian Cotton?
Egyptian cotton fibers are special among all varieties of cotton. Egyptian cotton is grown in particular geographical and climatic conditions, including hot weather, sunlight, humidity, and fertile soil. This makes Egyptian cotton fiber (or “staple”) longer, stronger, and more durable. See Supima Vs Egyptian Cotton.
These Egyptian-grown long-staple (LS) and extra-long-staple (ELS) cotton fibers produce finer, smaller-diameter yarn than other cotton, but they are stronger. This delicate, long-staple yarn is woven into the fabric with proportionately more threads per square inch of material (high thread count) for a softer, more opulent feel.
The Durability of Egyptian Cotton
True heirloom linen is made of fine Egyptian cotton, which gets better and cozier with use. Bear in mind that the initial feel of Egyptian cotton bed linen is a bit “harder” than other cotton when the bedding is new.
This is caused by the bedding set’s use of cotton that has a tight weave; it will be more apparent with percale weave sheets (sateen weave will typically be softer). You can be sure that your Egyptian cotton bed sheets, pillowcases, duvet cover, and bedspread will get softer with each wash.
Unlike regular cotton sheets, which become worn out over time, the feel of Egyptian cotton bedding definitely gets better with use, and you will come to value it more and more as time goes on. Egyptian cotton used in the production of fine linen bedding can last for decades with proper care.
When shopping for luxury bedding or bath towels, look for products labeled “Egyptian Cotton” and the words “long staple cotton” or “extra long staple cotton.” This makes sure the towels and sheet set you buy are made of real Egyptian cotton.
How to Care for Egyptian Cotton Bedding?
Your Egyptian cotton sheets will last if you take care of them properly, and they’ll get comfier and more attractive over time. We always advise carefully reading and observing the manufacturer’s instructions. The good news is that virtually any set of Egyptian cotton sheets can be washed in your washing machine at home. Follow these simple guidelines:
- Before using it for the first time, wash your Egyptian cotton bedding in cold water with a small amount of detergent on a cotton pre-soak. This initial wash will help “set” the threads. Remember that cotton will wrinkle, so spread it out on the bed and tumble dry briefly.
- Sort your linens by color and weight before washing them regularly. Don’t wash Egyptian cotton sheets with heavy or bulky items like a mattress pad, or items with zippers that can damage the sheets.
- Pick a laundry detergent that is specially designed to clean and care for fine linen. We advise using the concentrated, enzyme-based Heritage Park Luxury All-Purpose Detergent to get rid of tough stains while preserving the quality of your fabric.
- Pre-treat stains prior to washing. Never add detergent directly to the fabric; instead, mix it with the water as the wash tub fills or dilute it with water before adding the linens. Avoid packing too much laundry into the washer because this could abrade the fabric unnecessarily. Use a gentle cycle, warm water, and a cold water rinse to clean Egyptian cotton bed linens. If possible, dry linens on a line in soft outdoor sunlight, which is gentle on fabric and provides natural “bleaching.” Never use fabric softener or chlorine bleach; oxygen bleach is acceptable if the care label permits it.
- The sheets should be shaken out and dried on low heat if you’re using a dryer. Utilize no dryer sheets. If you’d rather not iron the sheets, spread them out on the bed while they’re still slightly damp.
Conclusion: Egyptian Cotton
Egyptian cotton fabric is denser and frequently has a higher thread count than regular cotton sheets due to the finer yarn used in its production. At the same time, Egyptian cotton is more luxurious, stronger, and lighter in weight.
Only cotton that is certified as Egyptian cotton and derived from the plant Gossypium Barbadense can be considered to be truly Egyptian. The longer staples and fibers that can be spun into extremely fine threads can only grow in Egypt due to the country’s climate.
FAQs
Is Egyptian Cotton the Same as 100% Cotton?
The strong and unbroken yarn of Egyptian cotton results in a fabric that is flexible. Therefore, 100% Egyptian cotton bed sheets have an incredibly soft feel and can last even longer than regular cotton. In contrast to another cotton, it also doesn’t pill, even after numerous items of washing.
What’s Better Than Egyptian Cotton?
Supima cotton stands for “superior cotton,” which is a step above The feel and quality of Egyptian cotton. The fibers have exceptional durability and are easily washable.
Is Egyptian Cotton Good for Skin?
Egyptian Cotton bed linen is especially good for sensitive skin since it prevents any discomfort, rashes, and scratchy feelings. This is another reason why many people with sensitive skin opt to purchase Egyptian Cotton towels, especially for drying their faces, as it doesn’t irritate the skin and also imparts a calming sensation.
