How long would you expect high-end bed linens to last?

[Anonymous]

I have Company Store sheets (their basic colored version, about $100 for a set and maybe thread count of 300) and they have lasted (in rotation) for 5+ years. They wear well, getting softer but not threadbare with age. In fact, I am planning to get another set soon to replace the RL ones I have that are all frayed at the edges and getting bare spots!

[Anonymous]

High thread count alone no longer necessarily equals good sheets. You can get 600 thread count at Homegoods or Target and they are not the same as true high-end sheets. Scandia Down sheets should NOT be shredding after three years of use.

[Anonymous]

I find that even places like Garnet Hill are getting their sheets from China or Pakistan. The best sheets, IMO, are from Portugal, Germany (flannel), France, Italy, and the US.

BTW I bought "high count" sheets from TJ Maxx and I am sorry that I did. They are rough and scratchy. I am getting rid of them.

[Anonymous]

Check out tjmaxx or homegoods...you can often find excellent quality sheets there for a great price. I have a pair of calvin klein sheets that were cheap but comfy and they have been going strong for ten years now. They don't look brand new but aren't shredding.

[Anonymous]

My mom used to work for a linen company and bought a few sets of very nice, high thread count sheets. The sheets were very soft, but after 2-3 years, every set would start to shred, just as you've described.

Since then, I've gotten sheets of a variety of qualities. A decent thread count, but of a mid-range price, seems to work best for us and last the longest. I've got a set I'm using now from Costco, probably had them 6-7 years and still going strong. They were a bit scratchy at first, but good after a few washes.

[Anonymous]

Higher thread counts = thinner sheets. I swear by Garnet Hill sheets. I bought my first set simply because I liked the design, didn't know about the quality. They lasted 7 years! And when I bought the last set, they included a $50 gift card! Also, the ones I have are made in Portugal.

[Anonymous]

OP - I had a high end italian duvet cover and instead of buying matching italian sheets, I bought reasonably priced ones in a solid color that worked just fine. Duvet cover is still in reasonable (although due to our cat) not perfect shape. It's been 8 years.

[Anonymous]

I can put in a plug for the Kirkland 600 thread count sheets. We have them at our second home, but I am thinking bringing them home to use here. Love them! Our sheets at home are 400 thread count from Garnet Hill, which have also held up well, although I would probably need to think about new ones in a year or two (we've had them four years). The Kirkland ones have more stiffness to them.

[Anonymous]

All sheets rip. Sometimes the higher count, more expensive ones are softer and rip more easily. Probably should be treating them less harshly in washer & dryer.

[Anonymous]

OP: maybe the dryer is too harsh on them.

[Anonymous]

CostCo sheets are excellent!

[Anonymous]

We love the Martha Stewart sheets from Macy's - thought that was before we joined Costco, and we have since adopted the philosophy of buying everything there if its sold there. Quality is awesome, and if it fails you can bring it back forever.

[Anonymous]

Okay, so most people don't understand what makes textiles hold up or not but let me explain a couple of things coming from a former textile conservator...

1. If a sheet is high thread count and satin/sateen weave, it will not hold up well, long term. The weave structure of sateen means that each thread floats on the surface of the fabric before being caught by a crosswise thread. These floats get more wear but they also mean that you can get a higher thread count because they will squeeze closer together. Extremely high thread counts just mean you have a thinner sheet, you will wear through it quicker.

2. If you want your sheets to hold up you should wash them with warm/hot water, and as little detergent as you can get away with (you don't want any detergent left in the sheets after the rinse). Use a soak setting if your machine has it and make sure to rinse with warm water as well. I also wash one set at a time on the large load setting but I don't have a really large washer.

3. Do not use fabric softeners, or any bleach type products. The fabric softeners make the sheet less/not absorbant. Bleach and bleach type products whiten/brighten by removing the top layer of the fabric. If you start off with a 600 thread count sateen sheet and you bleach it on a regular basis you are slowly making the fabric thinner and thinner and it wasn't very thick to begin with. If you need to remove body oils use an enzematic cleaner like Borax.


If you want good sheets that will hold up well, lets say 10 -15 years if you have 2 - 3 sets, you want to purchase approx. 300 thread count percale sheets that are 100% cotton.

If you want "heirloom" quality sheets, sheets that will last your lifetime and longer, you want percale woven 100% linen sheets (with no distressing). These have proven the test of time I have worked in museums where they have 18th, and 19th century sheets that were used for 50 - 60 years and are in amazing condition.

Personally, over my dead body would I pay $190 for a sateen woven sheet. If you want Sateen (it is a softer weave then the crispness of percale). I would look at spending no more than $100 for the set and plan to replace them every 3 years, they just don't hold up as well as percale.

[Anonymous]

10:58 -- thank you so much for this info!

I have very fond memories of the sheets at my grandparents' home. I'm pretty sure the twin bed sheets dated to the '40s or '50s and were incredibly smooth, soft, and strong. And I think someone ironed them (luckily, not I).

We have some sheets from JC Penney that we think will be like these. They are quite thick and stiff. The tag says Hotel on them, but I just looked at the site and didn't see them available.

[Anonymous]

PP: thanks for this info: If you want good sheets that will hold up well, lets say 10 -15 years if you have 2 - 3 sets, you want to purchase approx. 300 thread count percale sheets that are 100% cotton.

We have a set like this from Laura Ashley (U.S. made) which we received as a wedding gift 20 years ago. It is one of our favorites and has held up beautifully. Other pairs have been replaced through the years. However, it is getting harder and harder to find 100% cotton percale in the lower thread counts of 200-300 since the higher thread count seems to be more popular.