For years now, there’s been a myth circulating among consumers about the importance of purchasing sheets with the highest thread count money can buy. The marketing world, and perhaps some misinformed “experts,” have craftily woven a story insisting that higher thread count (600, 800, to 1,000 plus) equates to a more luxurious, higher quality, and longer-lasting sheet.

Unfortunately, for most shoppers, until they’ve had their eyes opened to the truth, they will probably continue to seek out those ridiculous numbers in exchange for a sheet that’s actually subpar where it really counts.

Considering the average American spends approximately 6.8 hours a day sleeping already — a number medical professionals warn should be even higher — a new set of proper sheets might be just the kind of incentive needed to get some extra shuteye.

“Thread count, quite literally, is the number of yarns per square inch,” says Danielle Dorn, Creative Director at Under the Canopy. Having been in the textile industry for over 15 years, and currently serving as the creative lead at one of the most well-known and well-established organic bedding companies around, Dorn had much to say when it comes to navigating the misconceptions surrounding thread count.

“Historically, thread count is how consumers have shopped for sheets. They were told there was a direct correlation between the two,” Dorn says. “In reality, marketing was driving the thread count misconception. Thread count can sometimes be an indicator of quality, but you have to look at other factors as well when buying sheets. More important than thread count is the construction and type of cotton going into the sheets.”

Construction, as Dorn mentioned, is an important factor in the quality of your sheets. The yarns used to construct sheets can either be single or multi-ply yarn. And because multi-ply yarns (plied yarns) are made by twisting two or more yarns together, this typically results in a weaker weave (and a less durable sheet) when compared to a single-ply yarn.

As for industry regulation, Dorn comments on the lack of FTC mandate for determining thread count. “The FTC states that plied yarns should only be counted as one thread when determining thread count, but this is a voluntary enforcement. They cover the issue under a section which prohibits deceptive practices, but this can be open to interpretation and many companies proceed with these deceptive practices. It’s unfortunate there is not greater enforcement on the issue– consumers deserve transparency, always.”

In a letter to the FTC, one business owner points out the deceptive practices exercised by his competitors: “The common practice in the U.S. textile bedding industry for decades has been to count the number of thread in both the warp and filling directions. Yarns were counted as one yarn, regardless of weather the yarn was single ply or multi-ply yarn. In recent years, however, some textile bedding suppliers have changed the way they have determined thread count by counting plied yarns individually. This practice inflates the thread count numbers to levels which double or triple (or more) the thread count as determined by the long-standing, traditional way.”

As for material quality, Dorn believes “the better the fiber, the softer the hand” is true, and that “a low thread count sheet with a better fiber will last longer than a high thread count sheet with a lesser-quality fiber.” She also goes on to mention how “organic fibers are generally shorter in staple, but the fiber is superior, making it a longer lasting, better quality sheet.” This is why it’s recommended to choose quality materials that aren’t blends (remember, single is superior in comparison to multi-ply). And like Dorn mentioned, quality cottons are best, something you won’t need to worry about if shopping with Under the Canopy–all of the company’s sheets are cotton and organic.

Sheets with a thread count of 200 can indicate quality, regardless of the lower number. In fact, it’s all Under the Canopy sells, and this business isn’t afraid to display it proudly. “Under the Canopy is all about transparency, so we think the customer should know the thread count of our sheet,” says Dorn. “Our sheets are actually superior than a lot of our competitors in the market due to the quality fibers we use, and our single-ply construction. When we state what our thread count is, you can be sure that is the true number.”

As with any product available for purchase, research and knowledge are the threads that separate an informed consumer from an unsuspecting one. That’s why, before shopping for anything, even an item as innocuous as a set of sheets, it’s always wise to brush up on products and the company you’ll be shopping with. By purchasing your bedding from Under the Canopy, you can rest assured that the quality is top notch.

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Regular bedding is riddled with dangerous chemicals, like formaldehyde. And by now we know that what’s on our skin ends up absorbed by our skin, and ultimately filtered through our bodies. The daily chemical inundation can be hazardous to your health, which is why we’re presenting you with several luxurious organic bedding alternatives that will have you sleeping like a baby.

Mother Earth Living reported on the drawbacks of sleeping in close contact with traditional bedding, as opposed to organic or 100 percent cotton, and the findings were pretty nightmarish. The site said “polyester-cotton blend sheets and ‘no-iron’ cotton bed linens are treated with a formaldehyde-based permanent-press finish to keep them wrinkle free.” And once these chemicals are embedded within the threads they don’t wash out and will actually continue to emit formaldehyde-containing gasses for the life of the linens. Imagine these sheets being pulled close to your face as you drift off to dreamland.

Furthermore, chemicals like those found in wrinkle free and synthetic, crude oil derived bedding, including comforters and blankets, can cause immediate symptoms depending on your sensitivity. Mother Earth News again noted that “formaldehyde exposure can cause headaches, skin rashes, respiratory problems, fatigue, and insomnia.” For some reason, that just doesn’t sound like a recipe for a good night’s sleep to us.

Fortunately, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite luxurious organic bedding options that are made with chemical-free organic cottons, natural wools, and other materials that will have you well on your way to a safer, sounder, and more serene abode. Below, you’ll find sheets, blankets, and even the occasional pillow to help you rid your room of toxins and help you catch some serious Z’s.

Comforters

1.Cotton Comforter

This duvet insert is made from pure organic cotton, inside and out, and is a great down comforter alternative. It’s easy to care for, quilt-weight, and good for your health.

2. Stamped Dots Duvet

This beautiful GOTS certified stamped dots duvet cover and shams from West Elm seamlessly blends casual luxury and health-consciousness. The printed exterior is graduated and mottled, like a piece of contemporary art for your bedroom.

Blankets

3. Carmel Cotton & Wool Blanket

With a luxurious blend of organic cotton and washable merino wool, this COYUCHI blanket is free of the scary chemicals we touched on earlier. The weave is designed to have superior insulating properties and it comes in a variety of soft, beautiful colors. Drape this over the foot of your bed for a bit of color, or use it as your primary blanket – either way you can’t go wrong with this one.

4. Organic Plisse Blanket

Another GOTS certified find, this 100 percent organic cotton blanket features a slightly puckered finish, resembling a subtle waffle pattern and several neutral colors. These would look great as part of the bedding ensemble, or as a throw or blanket that’s kept neatly at the foot of the bed.

Sheets

5. Cotton 220 Percale Sheets

Made from 100 percent organic cotton, these beautiful sheets should be a staple in every linen closet. With a variety of colors to choose from and a finish that gets softer wash after wash, they’re definitely worth checking out.

6. Damask Stripe Sheets

These GOTS certified organic cotton damask stripe sheets from LOOP are simple yet beautiful in their approach to minimalism and chemical-free living. The 400 plus thread count is perfect for those of you who want a buttery feel to your linens right from the start.

7. Ikat Stripe Sheets

These trendy and beautiful sheets are made from GOTS certified organic cotton, boasting variegated ikat stripes that would pair well with solid and patterned bedding alike. The soft, spa-like colors are the perfect addition to a serene bedroom setting.

Pillows

8. Handwoven Rope Pillow

This chunky GOTS certified 100 percent organic cotton decorative throw pillow will add much-needed texture to the rest of your organic bedding. The extra-thick cotton yarns are handwoven in a Leno weave to create the thick texture of this signature pillow.

9. Handmade Botanical Pillow

The pillow pictured above from LOOP is handmade using water-based screen printing on soft hemp linen in order to create a sun-faded antique look. The fabric feels like a fine linen, but is made from hemp, which grows up to 6 times faster than flax (where linen comes from). The pillow is filled with a Kapok, a natural cotton alternative.

We hope you’ve benefitted from our luxurious organic bedding roundup and plan to give this safer bedding a try. Let us know what your favorites are on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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Image of Woman Stretching via Shutterstock

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