By: Bill Mason

Since your bed is the focal point of your bedroom and the bed linens are the defining part of the bed, it is important for you to use care when selecting your bedding. Are you familiar with the terms used in describing bedding? Here are some brief definitions of a few of the terms which may not be familiar.

·        Egyptian Cotton has been around since the 1800’s, and has become extremely popular in recent years. It is distinguished by its’ long staple, which means there is more continuous fiber to use in creating threads It is smaller in diameter but stronger than other cottons. This creates a stronger fabric which is light in weight yet breathes well. It will produce less lint and therefore will not pill after repeated washings.

·        Organic or Natural  bedding is made from cotton which has been grown naturally, i.e. no pesticides, no chemicals, no preservatives and no dyes.

·        Thread Count is the number of threads per square inch of fabric, both horizontal and vertical. Thread counts run anywhere from 120 to 1500 or more. The higher thread count materials will generally have softer textures. However, the fabric composition and finish will determine how soft a sheet will actually be.

·        Duvet Covers are large two-layer sack type covers with a zipper or buttons at one end, in which a comforter may be inserted. They match the rest of the bedding, are generally machine washable, and serve as protection for the comforter.

·        Bed in a Bag sets consist of a complete bedding ensemble including sheets, pillow shams, pillow cases, a duvet cover and a comforter. You can also get larger sets, which include a tailored bed skirt, extra down pillows with shams, and a small decorative pillow with sham.