Egyptian Cotton Sheets vs. Sateen Sheets

Deciding which type of luxury sheets to purchase is easier when you have the facts. Sateen sheets feel soft when new and have sheen to them, while Egyptian cotton sheets soften over time with use. Both are made from cotton and have much to offer, making the choice one of budget and personal taste.

What You Need to Know:

1. About sateen sheets: Sateen sheets are 100 percent cotton sheets with a high thread count and a lustrous sheen. They are woven from combed, carded or long-fiber cotton threads that are then mercerized, meaning they're soaked in lye and then in acid. This process not only strengthens the cotton fibers and makes them more durable, but also gives sateen sheets their signature sheen and helps them accept dye evenly.
   
2. About Egyptian cotton sheets: Egyptian cotton is woven from the cotton plant gossypium barbadense, which is native to Peru and the West Indies but is also grown in certain American regions. This plant produces long, thin fibers that won't pill because the plant itself produces little to no lint. With proper care, Egyptian cotton sheets will last several decades, which helps justify a higher price tag.
   
3. Considerations: Although sateen sheets look and feel luxurious, they are prone to pilling and wrinkling. Egyptian cotton sheets keep a crisp, ironed look but are initially coarser than their sateen counterparts, softening after being washed repeatedly. Sateen sheets are soft right out of the package.
   
4. Benefits: Egyptian cotton sheets don't pill or produce much lint, making them a perfect choice for those suffering from dust allergies. Egyptian cotton sheets are extremely breathable and won't stifle you during warm months but will retain body heat during colder months. Also, the extra-long cotton fibers used to produce Egyptian cotton are also thinner, which translates to higher thread counts. This is why Egyptian cotton sheets are so durable. Sateen sheets, because of the mercerizing process, resist mildew, also making them a good choice for anyone suffering from allergies. Sateen sheets drape well and also have a high thread count due to the cotton fibers used. Sateen sheets, like Egyptian cotton sheets, are breathable and suitable for any season.
   

Buy Egyptian Cotton Sheets
Buy Sateen Sheets

This article was written by Tonya Goodspeed from Overstock.com