Is Egyptian Cotton Good? Textile Fact Or Fiction?

There are many people buying Egyptian cotton sheets, but is Egyptian cotton good? Let’s find out.

The best sheets are allegedly those made of Egyptian cotton, as you may have read or heard. That might have been true at one time or another. But today, when you see “Egyptian cotton” on a label it could mean that the fabric is made with high-quality cotton—or that it’s made from lower-quality cotton that just happened to be grown in Egypt.

We want to share a little of our expertise with you in order to empower you to choose your sheets wisely and put an end to these widespread misconceptions.

Is Egyptian Cotton Good?

Egyptian cotton has long been regarded as the standard for opulent sheets, and the Nile is the reason for this fabric’s stellar reputation. Despite not being the best for your hair, the valley’s fertile soil and humid climate are ideal for growing cotton. See also: Pima Cotton Vs Egyptian Cotton.

And not just any cotton, but a type that creates long-staple fibers (shorter fibers break more easily, itch, and can even pill!), which when woven together make super snuggly sheets that last for yonks. So far, so good.

Read:

• What Makes Egyptian Cotton Special?
• How to Wash Egyptian Cotton Sheets Safely?
• Bamboo Sheets Vs Egyptian Cotton: Which is Better for You?
• Percale Vs Egyptian Cotton: How to Choose?

The issue, though, is that just because a label says “Egyptian cotton bedding,” it doesn’t necessarily mean the yarns were made from the premium variety you’ve heard so much about. You see, with the techniques that farmers use nowadays, high-quality long-staple yarns can be grown almost anywhere in the world, from Pakistan to Peru.

Therefore, there is really no need to worry about it being Egyptian as long as you buy your bed linen from a company that cares about the quality of their product and is helpful in guiding you to the product that fits your bed and pocket. Both subpar and excellent cotton can be grown in Egypt.

Benefits of Egyptian Cotton Linens

Although Egyptian cotton products might be a little more expensive than, say, your average cotton duvet cover, the quality you’ll get in return is excellent.

Egyptian cotton bed linen is not only incredibly strong and oh-so-soft but also less likely to lint or pill. Egyptian cotton gets softer with use and washing and is significantly lighter than short-staple cotton.

This means that it is still insulating during winter and is refreshingly breathable during the hot summer months, with many thread counts coming in above the 600 mark. Imagine how wonderful your guests will feel after a restful night’s sleep on such calming sheets.

Owners of guest houses can gain a lot from using Egyptian cotton bedding. Egyptian cotton sheets with colors retain their vibrancy after washing and won’t make your guests’ rooms look washed out because of their high water absorption capacity.

Egyptian Cotton Thread Count

Despite the fact that some things are undoubtedly better when they are bigger, thread count is not always one of them. The thread count doesn’t tell you anything about the fabric’s durability, quality, or breathability, though it does influence how the fabric feels and how you choose fabrics to some extent.

Its primary function is to determine the density of fabric by counting the number of woven horizontal (or “weft”) and vertical (or “warp”) threads that make up one square inch of fabric. This means that the product contains more fibers the higher the count, but if the count is too high, the weave will be too tight and airflow won’t be as good.

Not ideal for a comfortable night’s kip. Only the number of threads is disclosed by the thread count, which says nothing about the quality of the yarns used.

Some manufacturers even employ “creative math” to inflate the numbers on their products to make them seem more opulent. This frequently results in sheets that are more brittle and susceptible to rips, pills, and snags.

Conclusion: is Egyptian Cotton Good?

Luxury sheets made of softer, finer fibers are known as Egyptian cotton bedding. The best conventional cotton is allegedly grown in Egypt.

So the next time you’re shopping for sheets, or even towels, look for labels that specify they’re made with long-staple or ELS cotton or combed cotton, for the best quality. Beyond that, what really matters is what you feel is the best, not where the cotton was grown.

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