Bed sheets like they used to be? - YouLookFab Forum

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Bed sheets like they used to be?

Monica Heel

Member

Hi, there,

How come older bed sheets (like handing me downs from grandma and my hubbies' mother-in-law) are so soft and wonderful with no pilling and I buy 400, 600, or 1,000-count cotton sheets year after year and they all fall apart so quickly? I'm talking literal, visible pilling of the sheets after minimal wear (a few weeks). Over time as I moved away from a twin bed in college to our king size now, I gave away those wonderful old sheets. Today I have one sheet left -- a top sheet my hubby's mom gave me that we use for the kids' play tents. It is a lovely quality. That's what I want. It does not seem to be the thread count…is it the mix of fabric type or it's better to buy sateen like here https://comfortersetreviews.com/???

I'm willing to pay for it…what about buying a hotel sheet? like I heard maybe Westin is good? I was figuring hotel sheets get so much wear and washing that they must have the quality I am looking for???

Bonus question…if you have an opinion on sheets, maybe you do on towels, too…I am also considering copying hotels by buying white towels next time around. My last towel purchase at BB&Beyond was a major $350 disappointment.

Thanks.

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28 replies

Latest reply was from josie411

Anonymous

I've been happy with LLBean sheets

Gail

Veteran

Not much advice on sheets as I gave up on expensive ones years ago. I buy the jersey ones, not my first choice but they are soft and cheap to replace. I know that they are not for everyone but we seem to have just got used to them. I always buy white towels, again easy to replace and I don't have to worry about matching the colors. I don't buy super thick ones as I find they they end up smelling funky quicker even with lots of laundry interventions.

Laurie

Veteran

I buy 1000 count Egyptian cotton sheets on Overstock.com. The brands vary and I go by reviews. I use them, take them off, launder in Dreft, iron, and put back on. They last about 18-24 months and then start to come apart at the seams or fray at the edges - usually the pillow cases, and the fitted sheet go before the top sheet. Then I get new ones, and sometimes the puppies and kittens at the Humane Society get to sleep on scraps of donated 1000 count Egyptian cotton! The sheets and towels are definitely less than $350 on Overstock. and they definitely do not pill, although they wrinkle and are much nicer if you iron them. In fact, the minute I put a freshly ironed sheet on the bed, one of our cats jumps on the bed and stretches out all over it. Yes, I iron for my cat!

I standardize on white linens - sheets, towels (also buy Egyptian cotton towels on Overstock.com). I have standardized on white china for the same reason. Easy replacement, goes with anything else decorative.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

West Elm gets my vote for great bed linen. Highest thread count.

The hydro cotton towel range at Nordstrom is my favourite.

THE WHITE COMPANY Classic Hydrocotton Bath Towel

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13

cjh

(website)

Veteran

It would make sense that higher thread counts might wear out faster. The threads are more delicate. If the cotton isn’t a long fiber length, that makes it even more fragile. And the wear, rips and holes happen where there is high friction, where feet or shoulders rub when turning over at night. It’s too bad that these silky, lovely luxury items aren’t suited for everyday use.

Personally, I’ve always preferred a crisp, percale finish or weave for bed sheets. That is extremely hard to find nowadays, but shows good performance over the years. Lately, Ralph Lauren has made that type, which I buy at TJMaxx. I find by having 2-3 sets, I need to replace a set of sheets every 3-4 years.

RobinF

Veteran

Good question! I don't have a problem with them falling apart but with them not fitting well. I hate loose sloppy sheets and it seems like ours stay nice after washing for about one night.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like Garnet Hill sheets

kerry

Veteran

LL Bean’s flannel and Land’s End oxford cotton sheets. The flannel gives up A LOT of lint first few launderings but no pilling. The LE oxford sheets aren’t super soft to start but I think will soften more with laundering and are super sturdy and the fitted sheet does not slip around.

https://www.llbean.ca/shop/Her.....refn1=cust

https://www.landsend.com/produ.....3349,43581

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I've also heard that a higher thread count isn't actually better - too soft and it wears out faster.

I'm a cheapskate so I've never spent more than ~$75 for a sheet set; I quite like the Target Threshold ones that are recommended by The Wirecutter.

NancyW

Veteran

Lands End for my oversize mattress well and wear well. I like mine crisp. Also take a look at The Vermont Country Store for ‘old fashioned’ sheets

Eva

I'm in Europe, so don't know what sheets in the US used to be like, but my grandparents had white linen sheets that were much heavier and more substantial than the cotton sheets nowadays. They used to be a bit stiff when new but would become softer with time.
Have you tried linen sheets instead of cotton? I think you can get stonewashed ones nowadays that will be soft even when new.

Anonymous

My DSIL gets The best sheets at thrift shops. I have had LL Bean flannel sheets pill badly and 1000 thread count were awful and wore out quickly. They were Vera Wang. I would never buy them again. Towels... I want the thin microfiber that absorb and dry quickly but can no longer find them except small hair wraps.

Helena

Veteran

I have to say, the best sheets I've gotten are from Costco - I too have found that if I go too high on the thread count, they wear out quickly ... I wish I could remember the thread count of the set I bought recently; I want to say it's 350 and it's soft enough for me but seems to be holding up really well too.

JAileen

Veteran

We have Hotel Collection from Macy’s. The sheets last forever. We did buy new ones, but that was because we had a new mattress set and the old sheets didn’t fit the extra deep mattress. I hang them on the clothesline to dry because I like crisp sheets.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

We have had good experience with sheets from Pottery Barn and Garnet Hill. One hint: do not wash sheets with towels -- I think that helps the pilling issue.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is fascinating! I have never had white sheets pill or wear through. They have thus far looked so good after soooo long and so much wear! Towels are another story....

Granted, we do not use flannel or knitted sheets. I suspect they pill more?

Aquamarine

Veteran

I recently splurged on a set of Boll and Branch cotton percale sheets, and I like them a lot so far. I wouldn’t say they are thick but they are crisp and cool.

I also have old sheets from my European grandmother and they are a fantastic, thick cotton. But they do not fit today’s mattresses.

slim cat

Veteran

IKEA sets in cotton/lyocell fabric. Soft and comfortable.

cindysmith

Veteran

No wisdom to add but eagerly reading all the recommendations!

unfrumped

Veteran

I had good luck with Lauren 100% cotton sheets at TJMAXX, and stalked a second set there in my colors. No idea if they are online somewhere.
Wasn’t sure what they would be like, but turns out they are smooth but “ crispy”, which I prefer to very soft sheet fabrics like cotton knits or bamboo or even some woven cottons that are somehow more limp.

AJ

Veteran

So far so good with this Martha Stewart set:

https://www.macys.com/shop/pro.....ID=9221696

I bought the Drip Drop print. It's been a year since I bought it and still looks new.

ropeball

The thread count is now more of a marketing ploy, as it could be using short weave cotton, and double up on the construction. There’s lots of articles that explain that. The keyword to look out for is long weave cotton. Egyptian cotton could be short weave, as they realized people will pay money if they put the word Egyptian on it. The higher thread count could mean thicker sheet, but if it is short weave, it will disintegrate sooner and therefore pill or have holes faster. A longer weave cotton could have a thread count of 300 and still last longer and more comfortable than higher thread count sheets.

Personally I have stop using cotton and move to linen sheets. I want it to be cooler in the summer and I find it trap heats better in the winter. Linen do not use thread count. Some people don’t like it because it’s not as smooth as cotton. However I do find it get softer with regular wash. I wash it 3 times before the first use. I have one set and it’s been 2 years of daily use. I’ve only just discover small holes in my husband’s side feet section, as there’s lot of movement and rubbing there. So, I need to start looking for replacements (waiting for that sale).

DonnaF

Veteran

We use the heavier weight Lands End flannel sheets. The lighter weight flannel is just as soft or may be softer but it doesn’t last as long. I once bought flannel sheets at Costco; they pilled and became rough.

elpgal

Veteran

Our sheets from Charter Club (Macy’s) and The Company Store have held up so well that I am bored of them. I am craving some fast-fashion sheets.

nemosmom

Veteran

Another vote for the Costco cotton sheets! Charisma brand, I think? I've had our set for nearly three years and wash them weekly. They wear like iron! I don't like flannel or jersey - too hot!

Anonymous

Another vote for Ralph Lauren bedding that has softened and held up for more than ten years. I wish I had bought more of it when it was on sale.

Beantown

I have been very happy with the percale sheets from Brooklinen - they wash really well. I've also like the sheets from the Company Store.

josie411

We have two sets of sheets from Sheets & Giggles and love them! No pilling, cool yet not cold. Super soft. https://sheetsgiggles.com/coll.....sheet-sets