Bed Linen Quick Facts + Super Duper Deal

As I pulled the sheets out of the dryer a couple weeks ago, I noticed huge rips in the top hem of the flat sheet.  Basically they were just wearing out and tearing along the seam.  Since we only have *one* set of king-size sheets (and since visions of $$$ were dancing in my head), I pulled out the sewing machine and mended the rips with some zig-zagging.  Patting myself on the back for making-do,  I made the bed and haven't given it another thought.  Until this...

 

 

Yeah, that's the mattress pad showing through.  The funny thing is that there's only one explanation for the *one* thin spot in the fitted sheet- all my tossing and turning.  I never thought about rotating the fitted sheet with each washing, but I will do so from now on.  Like rotating the mattress, it will wear more evenly, thus lasting longer.

 

So with a bit of research, I've learned:

• There are three factors that determine the quality and feel of a sheet: fiber, weave and thread-count.

Fiber

• If the label reads only "100% cotton", it is made from the most common cotton and can be anything from short to long fiber.
• Pima, Supima, and  Egyptian are long-fiber cottons that are typically stronger and less likely to pill.
• Supima is the same thing as Pima.  Supima simply refers to the trademark of the Supima Association, which promotes Pima cotton.
• Egyptian cotton is the finest and has the longest fibers.

Weave

• Words like oxford, percale and sateen refer to the weave of the fabric.
• Oxford is heavy and (probably) holds up the best, percale is (probably) the most typical weave, and sateen has the softest texture.

Thread-Count

• High thread-count doesn't guarantee quality.
• 200 thread-count is a good standard, but 300 will be noticeably softer.
• If you choose quality cotton (Pima or Egyptian), a 300 thread-count will (probably) be just as good as 400 or 600.

Information pulled from here and here.

 

This morning when I opened my email, like a message from above, there was a picture of bed linens advertising a special deal from LivingSocial.

 

 

For a total of $29.95, I purchased a king-size sheet set that is exactly the right color (light grey), Pima Cotton, 300 thread-count, percale weave.  I'm pretty sure TJMaxx can't beat this deal; and if nothing else, it saved me a shopping trip... in which I most definitely would have bought something else I don't really need.

 

So if you are in the market for sheets, here's the deal:

 

Go here. Purchase the LivingSocial deal for $25.  Then head over to designerliving.com and find a sheet set that works for you.  For reference, this is the sheet set I purchased.  If you choose a set that qualifies for their January sale, you'll get an additional 30% off.  Use the 30% off code as a coupon code and your LivingSocial redemption code as a gift certificate.  The instructions on your LivingSocial voucher will give you more specific details.  And if you're really ambitious, it looks like you can sign up for designerliving.com emails and get an additional 10% off!

 

Happy Hump Day!