What's Really Beneath the Sheets

It’s amazing to me that given the amount of lifetime we spend in and on our sheets, ( more than a third of our life) that we don’t devote more time, energy and money on them.  Most of us just don’t think about them, until we spend a few nights at a great hotel and realize, oh that’s how good sheets can feel.  And what’s really odd is that while the sheet making industry hasn’t changed much, very few sheets stack up to Consumer Reports testing.  In fact only 4 of 23 sets they analyzed were even worthy of recommending! Sorry but I have to say it - Holy Sheet!

The problem is, sheets don’t always do what they promise to do.

Some fitted sheets literally rip at the seams when testing them.  Others had that nasty pop up the corners problem even when they claimed to fit.  And then there were wrinkle free sheets, ( Eddie Bauer even) that were very wrinkly.  Other sets even had mismatched colors inside the packaging for a set of sheets!~   And did you hear about the Federal Trade Commission coming down on 78 retailers, including Sears.  The problem is they have been labeling the sheets as “eco friendly bamboo”  But the processing uses toxic chemicals and the plant fiber that is processed is rayon, NOT bamboo.

One of the sheets that made a claim the feds didn’t like was the Ty Pennington Style set, along with the Empress Silk and the 100% Bamboo Viscose.

Looking for great sheets, here are the ones that met the Consumer Reports Best Buy and Recommendation:

A1 Wamsutta - $200  – These are for those of you who don’t want sheets too soft or too crisp

A2 Wamsutta - $ 150  - These are if you prefer soft sheets.

B1 L.L. Bean $100  - If crisp sheets are you favorite. These 100 percent cotton percale sheets are at the top of the ratings

Sheet shopping pointers:

• Overall, Consumer Reports says since sheets are not a new or complicated product, make sure the sheets fit well, don’t shrink, are strong, and don’t cost hundreds of dollars.

• Cotton/Polyester blends don’t wrinkle as much as 100 percent cotton, but they aren’t as soft

• Remember that sheets are treated with fabric enhancers to improve how they feel when you shop. Watch the weave – Percale is closely woven and feels crisper while sateen is glossier and softer.  Twill can create a soft or crisp feel.

• Make sure you have the measurements before you shop.

• Buy sheets a couple of inches deeper for shrinkage.

• Keep the receipt! Believe it or not you CAN take back your sheets if they shrink, fade or you don’t like how they feel once they are washed!!
  
  

For more info, check out www.consumerreports.org

 cindy@cindydole.com