The thing coming between you and a good night’s sleep

might be the thin layer of bedding between you and your

mattress.When it comes to improving your sleep, activity

leading up to bedtime and the quality of a mattress are more

frequently discussed factors, but as it turns out, bed sheets

and pillow cases, such as

dobby sheets could be the reason you’re not

refreshed when you wake up each morning. 



When it comes to improving your sleep, activity

leading up to bedtime and the quality of a mattress are more

frequently discussed factors, but as it turns out, bed sheets

and pillow cases could be the reason you’re not refreshed

when you wake up each morning. And, contrary to popular

belief, a higher thread count, unto itself, might not be the

solution.


1. Higher thread count doesn't always

mean higher quality.



Think sheets and pillow cases with 1,000- or 1,500-

thread count are more luxurious than those with smaller

numbers? Think again. Michael J. Breus, an Arizona-based

sleep expert known as "The Sleep Doctor," says

thread counts exceeding 500 are redefining the word

"thread" because, at that point, "what

you're looking at is probably two textiles that are woven

together."


Ariel Kaye, the founder and CEO of Parachute, a

California-based bedding company, doesn't even mention

thread count on her website. "Anything that’s over 400

is a manipulation of fabric or thread," she says.

"The problem with higher thread counts is that they use

these synthetic finishes; when they dissipate, the sheets are

going to be unrecognizable." Both experts recommend

thread counts that top out at about 400.



2. Some materials are cooler than others.
Synthetics have a tendency to trap heat, making for a

more uncomfortable sleep experience; quality cotton gets

better reviews. According to the Parachute website, Kaye

’s company uses “Egyptian cotton, combed with precision to

remove all impurities.” Breus' preferences are also

along those lines. “The bottom line is that pima cotton or

an Egyptian cotton are the best materials to use in a

sheet," he said. "I, personally, like the sateen

type of finish, just because it’s softer." For

menopausal women who are prone to hot flashes and night-

sweats, Breus often recommends moisture-wicking sheets, which

offer next-level coolness.


3. Wash new sheets before you use them.


And, if possible, do that more than once. “Make sure

that you wash your

embroidery sheets set at

least two times before putting them on your bed," Breus

said, "because, a lot of times, when they’re in

packaging, there are [irritants] that can get on them.”

4. For sleepers with sensitive skin,

detergent may be more of an issue than bedding material.
“The bigger deal with sensitive skin has to do with what

you wash it in, in terms of detergent, than the actual

textile itself, in most cases," Breus said. "So,

what you really are looking for is those [detergents] free

from things like perfumes, dyes and things like that."

That said, Kaye's company is certified by OEKO-TEX, which

checks to make sure no toxic chemicals were used in a

manufacturing process. “Fiber might have been grown

organically," Kaye said, "but that doesn’t mean it

wasn’t processed without toxic chemicals."

5. Toss bedding in the laundry basket every

seven to 10 days.
There's nothing that feels quite like climbing into a

clean set of sheets, so it might be worth doing a little

extra laundry if you want to get the best rest. But switch

out the bedding more often if you're more active than

most. "Let’s say you work outside, and you’re not

showering before bed, then, clearly, you’re going to have

another issue; you’re going to have to change your sheets

more regularly," Breus said. "But, generally

speaking, I think a good guide would be once a week.”

6. Seasonal bedding might make a difference.
“My wife and I, we change our sheets seasonally,"

Breus said. "We have more of a jersey, T-shirt-y

material in the wintertime and a much lighter one,

seasonally, for the summertime.”

7. Buy new bedding every 18 to 24 months.
Like most clothing (other than, say, jeans and sneakers),

newer bedding just looks and feels better. "Like any

fabric, hot water and repeated washing will shorten the life

span," Kaye added.
8. Can't wait that long and want a less

expensive solution? Just buy some new pillowcases.
“It will completely change the way your bedding

feels," Kaye said. "It’s just a really easy way to

get that freshness, and make you feel like you have a whole

new set of bedding."

9. Oh, and about that myth that silk

pillowcases can reduce or prevent wrinkles?
Breus is skeptical, and contends wrinkles are more of a

matter involving skin dehydration. “Whether or not you have

wrinkles," he said, "has nothing to do with the

surface on which you sleep."