How to Choose Bedsheets: Thread Count, Cotton Types and Weaves Explained

Thread count is the number most bedsheet listings lead with, and it's the one that tells you the least. A sheet with an enormous thread count can feel stiff and hot. A modest one can feel lovely for years.

How a bedsheet feels comes down mostly to the fibre, the yarn and the weave. Whether you're still happy with it a year later depends on the size, how well the colour holds, and how it copes with your washing machine and the afternoon sun.

Here's how to choose bedsheets that are comfortable in Indian weather and still look good after many months of washing.

The thread count myth

Thread count is the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric, counting both directions. Up to a point, more threads can mean a denser, smoother fabric.

The catch is how the number gets inflated. Some manufacturers use multi-ply yarns, where several thin strands are twisted together, and count each strand separately. That can turn a modest fabric into a headline number, often made from thinner, weaker yarns.

What to do instead:

• Treat a mid-range thread count as plenty. A count in the low hundreds up to around 400, made from good single-ply cotton, usually feels better than a sky-high count made from cheap multi-ply yarn.
• Look for "single-ply" in the description.
• Be wary of very high counts at very low prices. Good long-staple cotton isn't cheap, so the maths rarely adds up.

Fibre matters more than the count

Long-staple versus short-staple cotton

Staple is the length of the individual cotton fibres. Longer fibres spin into smoother, stronger yarn that pills less and softens with washing. Short-staple cotton feels rougher and tends to pill sooner.

Egyptian, Pima and other labels

Egyptian and Pima are long-staple cotton varieties, which is why they appear on premium sheets. But labels can be loose, and a premium name at a bargain price deserves scepticism. Plenty of excellent sheets are made from Indian-grown cotton too. Fibre length and finishing matter more than the name on the pack.

Other fibres

• Linen: very breathable and cool, softens with every wash, but creases easily and costs more. Lovely for hot summers.
• Mulmul or mul cotton: very light and soft, ideal for sticky nights.
• Polyester, microfibre and poly-cotton blends: cheap, crease-resistant and colourfast, but they trap heat and can pill. Less comfortable in humid weather.
• Bamboo-based fabrics: usually a regenerated fibre like viscose or lyocell, not raw bamboo. Soft and cool to touch, but check the care instructions.
• Flannel: warm and cosy for north Indian winters.

Percale or sateen?

The weave changes the feel as much as the fibre does.

Percale

A simple one-over, one-under weave. Percale feels crisp, matte, cool and breathable, a bit like a well-ironed cotton shirt. It's a strong choice for Indian summers and anyone who sleeps hot. It creases more and softens over time.

Sateen

A weave that puts more threads on the surface, giving a smooth, silky feel and a soft sheen. Sateen drapes well but feels warmer and breathes less. It can snag and pill more easily than percale. It suits AC rooms and winter better than a humid summer.

Which to choose

If you sleep hot or don't run the AC all night, choose percale. If you like a silky feel and sleep cool, sateen is worth it. Many households keep a percale set for summer and a sateen or flannel set for winter.

Get the size right

• Measure your mattress: length, width and depth. Thick mattresses and toppers need deeper fitted sheets or larger flat sheets. If you've recently bought a new one, our guide to buying a mattress online covers sizing too.
• Don't trust size names alone. Indian bed sizes aren't fully standardised, and one brand's king may not match another's. Compare the sheet's dimensions with your measurements.
• Flat sheets need overhang. In India, flat sheets are common. Allow enough extra on each side to cover the mattress depth and tuck in properly.
• Fitted sheets need deep pockets with elastic all the way round if your mattress is thick.
• Check pillow cover dimensions against your actual pillows.

Fading, shrinkage and pilling

Shrinkage

Cotton shrinks, especially in hot water and high-heat drying. Look for "pre-shrunk" or "pre-washed" in the listing. If it isn't mentioned, size up slightly on fitted sheets, and wash in cold or warm water.

Fading

• Harsh sun fades colour fast. Dry sheets in the shade or inside out, especially dark and bright prints.
• Dyes matter. Listings that mention reactive dyes usually hold colour better than pigment prints, which sit on the surface of the fabric and can feel stiff.
• Wash new printed sheets separately for the first few washes, in case the colour runs.
• Keep bleach away from coloured sheets.

Pilling

Short fibres and synthetic blends pill most. Long-staple cotton pills least. Turning sheets inside out and avoiding overloaded machines helps too.

Care that makes sheets last

1. Wash before first use to remove finishing chemicals and loose dye.
2. Use a gentle cycle, mild detergent and cold or warm water.
3. Don't overload the machine. Sheets need room to move to get clean without wearing.
4. Dry in the shade and avoid high-heat dryers.
5. Rotate two or three sets per bed so each one gets a rest.
6. Make sure sheets are fully dry before folding, especially in the monsoon, to avoid that musty smell.
7. Store them in a dry, ventilated cupboard.

Buying bedsheets online

• Read the fabric composition, not just the title. "Cotton feel" and "cotton rich" are not the same as 100 percent cotton.
• Look at customer photos for true colour. Listing photos are carefully styled.
• Search reviews for "faded", "shrank" and "pilling", especially from people who've had the sheets for a few months.
• Be sceptical of giant bundles with a huge thread count at a tiny price. Here's how to tell if a deal is really a deal.

Setting up a new place? Our guide to setting up your first home on a budget covers the rest of the essentials.

Frequently asked questions

What thread count is best for bedsheets?

A count in the low hundreds up to around 400, made from good single-ply cotton, is plenty. Fibre quality and weave matter more than a high number.

Is percale or sateen better for Indian summers?

Percale. It's crisp, matte and breathable, so it feels cooler. Sateen is smoother but warmer, and suits AC rooms and winter better.

How do I stop cotton bedsheets from shrinking?

Buy pre-shrunk sheets where you can, wash in cold or warm water, and avoid high-heat drying. Size up slightly on fitted sheets that aren't pre-shrunk.

Why do my bedsheets fade so quickly?

Harsh sun, hot washes and surface pigment prints are the usual causes. Dry in the shade, wash on a gentle cycle and look for reactive-dyed cotton.

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Sheets chosen for how you sleep, not the number on the pack. Try Nudge.