You don’t have to live in a tropical climate to know what it’s like to sleep hot. In fact, plenty of us have suffered symptoms such as night sweats, stickiness, and general unpleasantness when the temperature runs too high. While you might not be able to control the number on the thermometer, you can take steps to make your room cool and comfortable – and you don’t have to inflate your AC budget to do it. Premier cotton bedding can go a long way toward keeping you cool and dry on even the hottest of summer nights. 

Beloved for its breathability, cotton is the ideal material for sleep. Not only does it allow heat and moisture to pass through, but it also wicks dampness away from the skin. And of course the material’s soft texture contributes to its status among bedding greats. Ideal for sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, and comforters, cotton maintains its softness and strength no matter how many times you wash it. So you don’t have to worry about your favorite bedding ripping, tearing, or coming apart in the laundry. 

While cotton is clearly a low-maintenance favorite, it is important to treat your cotton bedding products with care in order to extend their lifespan. Here are some of Latest Bedding’s top tips for keeping your cotton products stronger (and softer) for longer.

Protecting Your Cotton Sheets and Comforters

One of the best ways to preserve your cotton bedding is to wash and dry it appropriately. To keep your cotton smooth and beautiful, we suggest washing it with cold water. For best results, avoid overstuffing the washing machine and separate bedding from clothing and other items. The goal is to prevent your sheets and blankets from snagging on buttons, snaps, hooks, and zippers. We also recommend avoiding bleach and fabric softener, both of which can damage your premium bedding products. 

Most of us appreciate the smell of sheets dried on the line in the fresh summer sun. Unfortunately, our busy schedules tend to prevent us from air drying laundry. The good news is it’s typically fine to toss cotton sheets and comforters in the dryer. It’s best to avoid overdrying by taking items out of the machine when they’re still slightly on the damp side. When in doubt, follow the care instructions on the package to give your bedding the best shot at going the long haul.

Of course, fabric quality has an effect when it comes to long lasting cotton bedding. While percale tends to be a bit more durable than sheets with a sateen weave, both are solid options for families. Additionally, 100 percent Egyptian cotton is ideal due to the fact that it’s made from extra-long staple fibers picked and harvested by hand. Strong and fine, these strands result in yarn that resists tearing and maintains its softness for years to come. 

Invest in High-Quality Cotton Bedding

The good news is choosing long-lasting cotton bedding doesn’t mean sacrificing style for quality. At Latest Bedding, we’re proud to offer a wide assortment of fashion-forward luxury comforter sets, sheets, and accessories by all the top brands. Here are just a handful of the cotton products currently available in our online shop:

BEBEJAN RED FLORAL VINE 100% COTTON 230 THREAD COUNT 5-PIECE REVERSIBLE COMFORTER SET

As summer winds down, many of us are anticipating the long, cold nights ahead. Fortunately, you don’t have to bid the beauty of summer goodbye thanks to the Bebejan Red Floral Vine set. Crafted from 100 percent cotton sateen, this five-piece reversible collection boasts a thread count of 230. Featuring red trumpet flowers on one side, the set showcases a linen-like textured print on the reverse. Along with the comforter, this stylish collection includes two reversible pillow shams, an embroidered square decorative throw pillow, and a printed oblong pillow. There’s also a bonus bag for convenient storage. And because the Bebejan sets are machine washable, you don’t have to worry about wasting time at the dry cleaners.

BEBEJAN ASTI BLACK 100% COTTON 230 THREAD COUNT 5-PIECE REVERSIBLE COMFORTER SET

Those with a more formal taste in bedroom decor can still enjoy the solid comfort of cotton. Made from 100 percent cotton sateen, the Bebejan Asti Black Set is as cozy as it is sophisticated. The front side of this 230 thread count comforter features a print of floral medallions bordered with a twisted rope design. On the back, you can find a dark grey textured print that offers a nice change of pace. Along with the comforter, the collection comes with two zippered pillow shams and two decorative pillows. A bonus bag finishes off the set, which is available in sizes queen and king. Interested parties can pick up additional items, including window panels, valances, and decorative throw pillows. 

TRIPLE LUXE SATEEN SHEET SET | HOTEL COLLECTIONThere are few bedding items more important than a good set of cotton sheets. After all, this material maintains almost constant contact with your skin while you sleep. An ideal choice for those seeking softness and style in one package, the Triple Luxe Sateen Sheet Set boasts sumptuous triple embroidered stitching over delicious 700 thread count sateen. The set, which includes a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, and two pillowcases, boasts a creamy white backdrop with a subtle stripe pattern. Choose from shades like Gold, Teal, Black, and Arctic. 

Trust Latest Bedding With Your Comfort

The Truth About Thread Counts and Quality Sheets

Does higher thread count determine quality? In the previous century, sheets with a 180 thread count were an incredible luxury.  Nowadays, you'll find 1,000 thread-count sheets on the market. Let's look behind the numbers.

Thread Count

Thread count is simply how many horizontal (weft) and vertical (warp) threads cross in a square inch. Depending on the weave structure, there are only so many threads you can fit on the loom. Consumer Reports confirmed that among "100-percent-cotton percale sheets in [their] tests, some had a thread count of 400, but thehighest-rated sheet had a thread count of 280."There are several ways thread count can soar, and more doesn't always equal better.

• Thread Thickness - If you use thinner, less durable thread, you can fit more threads on the loom. This method doesn't increase comfort and can significantly decrease the durability and lifespan of the sheets.

• Thread Ply Count - Instead of weaving with strong single-ply Extra Long Staple threads (more on that in Fiber Quality, below), threads of lower quality are twisted together into 2-, 3-, or even 4-ply. By counting the ply rather than the thread, manufacturers can multiply the actual thread count. Presenting the information in this way is accepted, if a bit misleading, within the industry. Also, those plied threads lead to rougher fabric because you can feel the ridges of the ply.
   
  
• Picks - This method is traditionally used to create decorative patterns in woven fabric. Extra threads run along the weft creating patterns independent of the main weave. When used to inflate thread count, the pick is simply a second thread paired with the main thread and does not add a pattern. If these "filler picks" are overused, they can strain the warp threads and weaken the fabric.

Weave

The weave is the pattern of vertical (warp) and horizontal (weft) threads that create a fabric. This pattern determines how the textile looks and feels and also its longevity. Different weave patterns have different names and characteristics.

• Percale woven cotton is cool, crisp, durable, and long-lasting. 
• Sateen woven cotton creates a soft, smooth, and luxurious feel with an elegant sheen on one side and a subtle matte finish on the other.
• Jersey is a knit fabric. Economical, stretchy, warm, and soft.
• Flannel is plain woven. The surface is brushed to create a cozy feel. Compare flannels by weight, not thread count.
• Linen is plain woven for a light, airy drape. Linen is more breathable than cotton, but more insulating.

Finish

Most sheets on the market are chemically or mechanically treated to prevent wrinkling or shrinkage or to alter how they feel against your skin. Examples include:

• Mercerization - Strips off the outer layer of the fiber, giving the fabric a sheen. While this allows the fabric to more easily absorb a richer depth of color, it weakens the strength of the fabric.
• Wrinkle resistance - A chemical resin treatment is employed to reduce the need for ironing after washing.
  
• Shrinkage control - A manufacturing process designed to minimize shrinkage that may make your sheets slightly less soft and diminishes the breathability that allows you to stay cool while sleeping.

Selecting sheets by how they first feel in the store can be misleading. Some manufacturers add hand enhancers, such as silicone softeners, that wash out after the first laundering. That soft feeling could also be masking a chemical treatment that has weakened the fibers. By contrast, sheets made with certified-organic cotton and all-natural linen, such as those from Coyuchi, are never chemically treated They are minimally processed and never undergo artificial finishing treatments, maintaining the integrity and health benefits of the natural fibers.

Fiber Quality

High-quality cotton fabric is made of longer cotton fibers that are naturally stronger and softer. These long fibers, known as Extra-Long Staples (ELS), are single-ply strands over 1-3/8" in length that will always result in lower thread counts. Coyuchi sheets use ELS cotton fibers for the finest quality fabrics. Longer fibers = lower thread count = higher quality. In addition, lower thread counts mean your sheets are light and breathable, an important factor when pairing them with natural and organic mattresses and toppers.

All the sheets we offer are woven simply with the strongest natural fibers and an appropriate weave. Rather than comparing thread counts, remember the bigger picture and don't be misled by artificial enhancements. 

References

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/11/04/thread-count-does-not-matter_n_6121180.html

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/09/higher-thread-count-doesn-t-guarantee-better-sheets/index.htm

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2010/04/q-a-when-buying-sheets-does-thread-count-matter/index.htm

http://www.seattletimes.com/life/some-sheets-have-inflated-thread-count/

https://www.coyuchi.com/the-naturalista/thread_count/

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Will 100% Cotton Shrinks

The Cotton is a natural fiber. Cotton is widely used in the textile, upholstery, and bedding industry. The quality of this material is unbeatable. People love cotton clothes and sheets as they absorb moisture easily. They also regulate body temperature and keep you calm. Using bed sheets made of cotton is a great idea to have a good night’s sleep. Most of the bedding industries make use of this fiber extensively to manufacture goods.

"Yes, in the current situation 100% cotton will shrink, because now the environment has changed affecting the quality of the fabric, people will wash their cotton clothes carefully, use normal water, chemical-free detergent, after washing Dry the cotton clothes in the shade or in the air due to the sun."

• This is Quite real that Cotton Fabric Shrinks after some time with regular washes.
• 100% Cotton Fabric Shrinks Even When Dried in The Dryer and when Washed in Hot Water.

Though cotton has set a benchmark to all the other fibers, 100% Cotton is known to shrink. This is one of the main reasons that stop people from investing in items that are 100% cotton, because they have doubt of Will 100% Cotton Shrink or not. With the desire to sell the products, the manufacturers may end up blending other fibers with cotton. By doing this, the shrinkage happens in lesser amounts. Most of the bedding materials available these days avoid using 100% cotton.

Do Garments and Sheets Make of 100% Cotton Really Shrink?

The answer to the above question is a 'No.' The clothes with 100% cotton in them should be washed using cold water. The cotton clothes shrink drastically when they are soaked and washed using hot water.

As we all know, cotton is obtained from a plant, regarded as a vegetable-based plant. They are easy to be shrunk when exposed to hard water. Luke Warm water can reduce the shrinkage, not completely. Cotton is the 'King' of all fibers, but it can become a menace managing it at times.

Steps to take care of cotton products:-

Always read the label on the cotton products when you buy them. All the details would be mentioned, and it becomes easy for you to proceed with the purchase. It is one of the easiest fabrics when it comes to maintenance.

You can wash them like any other clothes. They can be dried easily too. Exposing it to the sun might cause the colors to fade. An air dryer is an apt way to dry cotton clothes. Soaking cotton sheets with all the other garments are not recommended.

The colors from the other clothes can be quickly absorbed by cotton material. Stains are to be removed prior to soaking the cotton sheet in water. While drying makes sure to flip the garment inside out and then dry it in the sun. Doing this will keep the colors intact. Shrinkage of cotton materials can be prevented by following the washing and drying instructions carefully.

The Cotton materials do not only shrink, and they stretch too. Cotton clothes stretch when they are dripping with water. By using water that is more than 130 degrees Fahrenheit, cotton will shrink up to 20%. It not only shrinks but can cause severe damages as well.

Things to check when you are buying cotton sheets:-

• Read the wash care label to understand if it is 100% cotton or a blend.
• If it is made of 100% cotton, read the instructions on washing and drying.
• Use cold water to soak, rinse and wash.
• When all these things are followed diligently, it becomes easier to maintain the cotton fabric. Amongst all the other ordinary fibers, cotton is an outstanding one because of its user-friendliness.

Why Does 100% Cotton Shrink?

The shrinking of cotton fabrics generally occurs in the drying process only. Drying process also has got to have a heat source sort of a gas or electric dryer. This quick drying process causes the natural fibers of the material to become crumpled together.

Perhaps the most reason why cotton shrinks is that they're made up of organic and not man-made fibers. Washing machines don't get hot enough to melt or shrink man-made fibers like polyester, rayon, et al. These fibers have high heat endurance.

Cotton on the opposite hand may be a natural fiber that doesn't getting high heat resistance. Also, cotton is usually stretched when it's made into the thread clothes makers got to produce high quality fabrics. That stretching makes cotton weak to shrinking and washing machines are more than willing to help out in that objective.

Does Cotton Fabric Shrink and When Does Cotton Stop Shrinking?

Yes, it does. But there are some possibilities to that answer. Cotton might not shrink a second instance if it has been properly pre-washed. That means you should purchase a higher size when get cotton fabrics if the manufacturer has not pre-washed the items. If you use cool water when washing cotton clothes the cotton may not shrink. Hot water is not friendly for cotton.

Fortunately, cotton isn't like wool. The ultimate material does shrink tons and almost whenever you wash it if you are doing not follow correct cleaning procedures. Cotton generally only shrinks once which is that if it hasn’t been pre-washed.

Pre-washing is important if you would like your cotton outfits to last you an extended time. Sometimes clothing manufacturers pre-wash their apparel and sometimes they are doing not. Check the label to form sure if that has been done or not. When buying fabric for stitching your clothes, always pre-wash the cotton material. If you are suspicious and separate your clothes, you should be able to avoid any shrinking problem.