1. The Weave
The very first thing to consider when buying ANY type of bed linen is the weave.
Simply put, the weave describes the way the individual fibers of the fabric have been woven or twisted together when the fabric was being made.
For example, if the fibers have been twisted together very tightly, then you get a sturdy fabric, but if the fibers were twisted together loosely, then you get quite a flimsy type fabric.
So in other words, the weave of the fabric will determine how crisp, smooth, wrinkly (especially after wash), cool (on the skin), soft, warm, clingy, durable and even how shiny your sheets will be.

2. Thread Count
The next thing to consider when shopping for sheets, after the weave, is the thread count.
The thread count is the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric and can range from 180 to over 2000 threads per square inch. The higher the thread count, the softer the fabric.
When shopping for a sheets look for thread counts of between 200 250 as a bare minimum. The higher this figure gets, the more luxurious the bed linen!
Sheet prices are based on the thread count. The higher the thread count the more expensive the sheet.
Caution: Although a high thread count would normally mean that you get a better quality of sheet, please don’t consider thread count alone when making your buying decision. Remember that you may get a fabric with high thread count but of poor fabric quality and inferior weave! So consider everything if you want to buy the best.

3. Length of Fibers
The best types of sheets have a high thread count, good weave and are made with long fibers. Long fibers give sheets a silky smooth feel.
If you want fabrics that have long fibers and are generally smooth to the touch, you should look for Egyptian, supima and pima cottons. These cottons have the longest fibers around (Egyptian cotton has the longest fibers from group).

4. Standard Fabrics for Bed sheets
Fabrics come in two types; natural and synthetic.
Natural fabrics, like cotton, silk, linen and wool, are made by nature, whereas synthetic fabrics (nylon and polyester) are man-made.
As a general rule, natural fabrics are more breathable and most people find them more comfortable.
Synthetic fabrics are good value for money and are generally warm.
When choosing fabrics, quality is a must. Always look for a good combination of weave, thread count and fibers. Again, to make your life a just little easier, here’s a list of some standard fabrics used in sheeting at present:
Cotton in general: Excellent for comfort and durability. A natural fabric which is very breathable.
Egyptian Cotton: The highest quality cotton available. Very long fibers, giving it great softness, luxury and smoothness. Feels great against the skin!
Supima and pima cottons: Also have long fibres and feel soft and smooth to the touch.
Cotton and Polyester combination: Although the polyester can pill over time, these types of fabrics wrinkle less and are easy to iron. The polyester adds durability to the fabric.
Silk: As you know, silk is the QUEEN of luxury. This is also a natural fiber. It’s value is measure on it’s weight (it’s called the ‘momme weight’). The higher the momme weight is, the better the quality of the silk. An average silk sheet would weigh between 10-12 momme fabric.

Before you rush off to buy sheets for your bed, you must know what size sheets your bed will take! If you don’t, you’ll be wasting your time.
So be prepared. You should also measure the height of your mattress and keep this information with you when you choose your sheets.
Here are the basic sheet sizes you should keep in mind:

Twin: flat (66 x 96 inches), fitted (39 x 75 inches)

Full: flat ( 81 x 96 to 100 inches), fitted (54 x 75 inches)

Queen: flat (90 x 102-106 inches), fitted (60 x 80 inches)

King: flat (109 x 102-106 inches), fitted (78 x 80 inches)

California King: flat (102 x 110), fitted (72 x 84)

If you follow the steps outlined above, there’s no reason why you shouldnt buy good bed sheets every time you shop. Its helped me!
Good luck
Lucia Izuogu
Buying bedding can be confusing and time-consuming — But NOT Anymore!………… http://www.betterbeddingbuying.com

About the Author

Lucia Izuogu is the owner of www.betterbeddingbuying.com a website which provides information on how to buy bedding effectively. It gives an explanation of bedding terms and recomendations as a guide to buying bedding of all types (including baby bedding allergy bedding etc).

Written By: Lucia Izuogu

Microfiber bedding is a newer fabric and is very, very popular these days- but have you every wondered what this microfiber truly is?

To the layman who doesn’t want a bunch of technical data, the fiber is microscopically thin..1/100th the diameter of a human hair. Microfiber bedding, as a result is wonderfully soft to the touch.

Products made from microfibers like nylon and polyester are created with fibers that are also strong and extremely thin. These fibers are even thinner than the most luxurious than natural fibers, such as silk. And get this- microfiber can even be made to feel like suede, cotton or silk! How cool is that? Fabric created from microfiber that is then used to create your bedding means that you will have products that are lighter, more comfortable, long lasting, breathable and even easier to clean. And it doesn’t come with a high pricetag either.

Products created from these fibers are also great for allergy sufferers.

Dust mites can live in such places as comforters, pillows and mattresses, microfiber can be woven into dense covers that do not allow the dust mites to escape and bother the allergy sufferer. Microfiber is an invention that has made a big difference in the lives of those with allergies. Zip on pillow covers, quality mattress pads, duvets to cover comforters and even comforters made with microfiber exteriors have reduced the problems for those allergic to dust mites significantly.

But these products are not just for those with allergies.

Let’s look at some of the great bedding you can find made from microfiber:

The Bolder Peak Comforter by Columbia is a great example of the use of microfiber to create practical bedding at low prices.

This reversible comforter has an exterior shell made of 250 thread count microfiber and 100% polyester filling. The comforter is labeled machine washable. Color combinations are navy/camel, black/blue and Berry/China Berry. Practical as bedding choices for dorm rooms, guest rooms, master bedrooms and every bedroom in your house, you’ll love the prices you’ll find on these microfiber comforters by Columbia.

Dockers doesn’t just make clothing anymore.

The famous Dockers label can now be found on bedding- including a reversible comforter set that comes with matching bed skirt and shams.

The microfiber polyester outer shell holds 100% polyester filling to create a lightweight but cozy comforter. Stain Defender technology means that spills and stains will be few and easy to remove because they will not bond with the fabric. Amethyst, black, navy and other colors are combined to provide lots of color choices in the reversible comforter. The pillow shams and bed skirt match one side of the comforter and coordinate with the other side. This microfiber choice is a great way to stretch your bedding dollar.

Microsuede and microfiber combine to create a great comforter from the J.C. Penny line of bedding.

One side of the reversible comforter is microfiber polyester, the other side is polyester microsuede, providing variation in textures. The hypoallergenic 100% polyester filling makes this machine washable comforter a great choice. Available with matching cotton/polyester blend pillow shams. Colors are black/tarragon, navy/wedgewood and thyme/tarragon.

If you want a comforter that feels like real down, you’ll want to know about Camden’s Reversible Down-Like Comforter. This bedding is filled with microgel, a down-like product that is allergy resistant and has that luxurious down feel. The outer shell is polyester microfiber and ten reversible color combinations are available. If you love down but don’t love the weight of down, you’ll love this down-like microgel filling inside the lightweight microfiber shell.

If you prefer blankets to comforters, Biederlack has created the Aurora Microfiber Bed Blanket that is light weight yet warm and cozy. The soft feel of the microfiber makes this bedding choice perfect in any and every one of the nine beautiful colors available. All common sizes are also available. You’ll want to add several to your bedding collection because they are reasonably priced yet high quality and fully machine washable.

Remember to read and follow the care labels on your bedding created from microfiber. Most microfiber should not be left in a hot dryer for prolonged periods of time. The material dries quickly because of the tiny fibers in the bedding.

Microfiber- A new favorite in the world of bedding.

Patricia Bowlin helps you choose just the right bedding for your home. Find hundreds of great Free tips, advice and information on finding your next favorite pillows, bedding collections, blankets, bed linen and comforters by visiting here now.

About the author:

Patricia Bowlin is an entrepenuer, writer and researcher who loves to share her tips, sense of humor, advice and ideas on creating the perfect bedroom sanctuary. Get hundreds of Free useful tips, advice and ideas now by visiting http://www.best-in-bedding.com

Written By: Patricia Bowlin

Beginning on plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia, latex is sap milked from rubber trees in a manner not unlike collecting maple syrup. Local workers harvest the liquid latex and prepare it to be processed. The liquid latex is then shipped in drums to locations in Europe and the United States where it is manufactured into mattress cores and toppers, as well as pillows. Unlike Talalay processed latex foams, natural latex has no added petroleum or other chemical additives making it a truly all natural material. Being a 100% renewable resource, as well as biodegradable, natural latex does not have the taxing effect on the environment as other conventional bedding material.

2. In bedding, natural latex provides support where it is needed most by contouring to the bodys natural nuances:

It relieves pressure points, particularly at the shoulders and hips, and it allows for better circulation with less tossing and turning. The result is a deeper, more restful slumber.

3. Natural latex is remarkably conducive to situations that require custom mattresses:

Available in a wide range of firmness levels, it is simple to build a mattress that caters to an individuals needs: his and her sided beds, toppers, and more. Because of the wide variety of firmness variations available, natural latex can help ensure you feel as comfortable as possible when it matters most. Integrating an open cell structure with a pin core design allows for maximum breathability essential for removing excess heat and moisture that can prevent a good nights sleep.

4. For those who struggle with allergies natural latex provides a safe haven as it is naturally hypoallergenic, and anti-microbial:

This means that moulds, mildew, and dust mites that may help trigger allergies will not be waiting for you in bed, where they can be the most frustrating.

5. A naturally resilient and durable material, natural latex will supply consistent performance for 20 years or more.

6. The Advantages of Latex mattresses have been tried, tested and proven in Europe for decades:

Unlike the plethora of new age sleep systems available today, latex mattresses have been tried and tested in Europe for over twenty years. Their ability to withstand the test of time as well as provide an all-natural sleep surface that conforms to the contours of the body is finally beginning to catch hold in the United States.

7. Other new age sleep systems cannot offer the same qualities as natural latex:

Viscoelastic (memory) foam offers good support and relieves pressure points, but comes up short in other areas. It is a chemical product that is not biodegradable and as such it is not environmentally friendly. It doesn’t breathe like natural latex, which translates to a more stuffy and sticky sleeping environment. Memory foam easily retains moisture and is an environment prone to dust mites and molds, leaving allergy sufferers sniffing and congested during what should be the most restful time of the day. Being far less resilient than natural latex, viscoelastic foam has a lifespan of only about 10 years, meaning it will need to be replaced twice as often:

8. Air beds, such as sleep number beds, offer much less support and pressure point relief than natural latex:

They are non-breathable bladders full of air so they offer no way to keep moisture and heat from building up during the night. The only advantage of this type of mattress is its adjustability, which is only an advantage to those who enjoy varying firmnesses.

9. Innerspring mattresses seem a thing of the past when compared to natural latex – they don’t provide nearly the amount of support and customization opportunities:

Frequent tossing and turning is the result of pressure points caused by a rigid spring system. The batting material in the cover cultivates any amount of dust mites, molds, and fungi giving them free range to reek havoc on allergies. Motion is easily transferred through the mattress decreasing the quality of sleep for couples. It is clear why the standard is changing.

10. The independent cell construction of natural latex is not prone to transfer movement allowing two people to comfortably share the same bed without disrupting each other with every motion.

Natural latex provides excellent support and effectively relieves pressure points. Couples can sleep soundly together without disruption. It is a natural product and is environmentally sound. Designed to be breathable it is effective in keeping heat and moisture build up to a minimum for more comfortable sleep. Finally, it is hypoallergenic and antimicrobial to keep allergy sufferers well rested. It is easy to see why natural latex is far and away the best natural sleeping surface available.

About The Author

Ben Hermsen, a latex mattress enginner, is a manager for http://www.foamsource.com where he champions the benefits of latex mattresses, toppers and pillows for both individual health and also the preservation of our natural environment.

Written By: Ben Hermsen

If your sleep is worse than it used to be a few months ago, check for signs of mattress deterioration. To determine whether you need a new mattress, take note of any stiffness or sore muscles or joints when you wake up in the morning. Any friction of the fabrics, unusual sounds and if there is a noticeable dip formed by one or two sleeping bodies on the mattress will tell you that the mattress needs to be replaced.

Most mattress ratings consider such attributes of a mattress as thickness, the material the mattress is made of, a warranty, price point and special features such as hypoallergenic qualities, stress-relieving design, and the fabric of the covering. After carefully studying the customer reviews and mattress ratings, this is what most people look for in a mattress:

1. The material.

Organic cotton and soft wool have become very popular among health-conscious buyers. However, cotton and wool mattresses are not treated with fire-retarding chemicals required by law. The mattress should not contain any polyester fillings and should be made of pure wool, preferably lamb or alpaca wool or at least latex foam. The perfect mattress should be dye-free, dust mite repellent, hypo-allergenic and anti-bacterial. Ideally, the mattress should be moisture repellent and flame resistant, too. The mattress should be encased in unbleached organic cotton. Memory foam mattresses are highly rated as the most suitable mattresses for allergy sufferers, but some people suggested that these mattresses become stiffer in a hot climate.

2. The shape.

Firm mattresses provide more support and the most upscale models are doctor-prescribed. In general most reviewers prefer soft and thick mattresses which provide more comfort. The most common wish is that the mattress should regain its shape and should not flatten over time. People highly rated mattresses that are durable and are likely to last many years.

3. The size.

Most mattresses reviewed in mattress ratings are available in twin (single), double, queen, king and Californian king sizes. In general, people prefer to buy a mattress from a manufacturer that offers all imaginable sizes.

Your mattress foundation is also important. Ideally, you should get it from the same manufacturer because it will prolong the life of the mattress. When properly chosen, mattress and foundation will keep your spine healthy and naturally curved, ensuring you have a good sleep and pain-free morning. After a good night sleep on an orthopedic mattress your sleep will become deeper, and you will have much more energy during the day.

About the Author

Kathryn Whittaker writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Mattresses please visit http://www.mattress-overview.com and for additional Mattress related articles please visit http://www.mattress-overview.com/mattress-articles/

Written By: Kathryn Whittaker