High thread counts can certainly make for better sheets, but it's the thread that matters most. In fact, a sheet of a better-quality fiber with a lower thread count will feel softer and stand up to washing better than a sheet of a lower-quality fiber with a higher thread count. Besides thread count, here's what you pay for when you're buying sheets.

Fiber

Cotton-polyester blend sheets are wrinkle-resistant, durable (polyester lasts longer than cotton), and relatively inexpensive (up to half the cost of all-cotton). But if you're looking for that cool, soft feel, nothing beats 100 percent cotton. You'll hardly ever wake up clammy on cotton sheets, since the fiber wicks moisture away from your skin. And cotton sheets are less likely to stain than polyester blends; a water-loving fiber, cotton releases dirt easily when wet.

All types of cotton share these wonderful traits, but long-staple (or long-fiber) cotton makes for a noticeably softer sheet, and the surface won't pill and lint like one woven from shorter fibers. The words "Egyptian long-staple," "pima," and "Supima" all denote high-quality long fibers.

Weave

The weave affects the way a sheet feels, the way it looks, its longevity, and its price. Basic plain weaves, which are woven from an equal number of vertical and horizontal yarns, are least expensive and may not rate a mention on the label. Percale is an upscale plain weave with a thread count of 180 or higher and is known for its longevity and crisp feel.

Sateen weaves have more vertical than horizontal yarns. The higher proportion of vertical threads results in an extremely soft fabric, but one that is more apt to pill and tear than a plain weave. Intricate weaves, such as jacquards and damasks feel textured, with a pattern alternating from satiny soft to coarser and nubby. They can be as durable as plain weaves, but they are made on special looms and are considerably more expensive.

Finish

Most sheets are treated with chemicals (including chlorine, formaldehyde, and silicon) to keep them from shrinking, losing their shape, and wrinkling. Some are treated with alkalis to produce a sheen.

A handful of manufacturers offer pure-finish sheets, meaning that no chemicals were used or that all traces of chemicals used during manufacturing have been removed. You'll have a harder time keeping these sheets wrinkle-free, but it may be worth it if you suffer from allergies or chemical sensitivities. Another finish-free option: organic sheets, which are untreated and woven from cotton grown without the use of pesticides.

Dye

Patterns and colors are usually applied to sheets after they're woven, which means the sheets may feel stiff until you've washed them a few times. The softest (and most expensive) colored or patterned sheets, including jacquard weaves, are made of yarn-dyed fabrics, woven from colored yarns.

Dust Mite

Because most of us “average” humans spend a third of our lives in bed, we use pillows to rest our heads on when sleeping (as well as for a variety of other peculiar practices!). Pillows are the place for heads, our dreams and for our “Dust Mites”.

These minute Mites are as fond of your bed as you are, but, unlike a few of us, they prefer to stay in bed for a lifetime, and, unless vigorously attacked, always will.

We, our Dust Mites and us, get on fairly well together in the same bed, but for people with allergies the result is often Asthma, wheezing, night coughs and stuffiness (Most of us have experienced “stuffiness” of some sort or other – in one bed or another).

It is estimated by a well known estimator, who wishes to remain anonymous, that a third of coughs in bed are due to Dust Mites. A further third are due to embarrassment, and a final third of coughs are to avoid laughing out loud!

The pillow can be that area of the bed of highest parasitical involvement, or scientifically speaking , where we and our Mites are too close for comfort. So what can we do to keep Mites hopping out of, and not in to our pillows?

Regularly put pillows out to air “on a dry day”. Always use pillow protectors and wash them regularly in very hot water as cold water kills nothing. One of the reasons Dust Mite allergies are on the rise is due to cold water washing, So wash all your bedding Hot! Hot! Hot!. Pillows get very old and grumpy after three to four years of use. (That’s 1118894 1/2 generations of Mites. The gestation period for pregnant Mites is around 4 1/2 minutes). Did you know, you can stand 126 Dust Mites on the head of a pin, providing the last one stands on one leg. So if you see a Dust Might, step on it.

So buy a good pillow and wash it (Hot!) or dry clean it at least once a year. Also “plump up” your pillows vigorously, it gives the female Mites a headache and any fool knows that interferes with their sex life.

So what pillow to buy? How many of you have bought nearly every pillow on the market and are still not happy? Hands up!

Well did you know the Dust Might does not like wool, makes them scratch causing skin disorders. How to Treat A Dust Mite with Skin Disorders.So if you are having reactions to these little pests you might want to try wool products. The Dust Mite struggles to penetrate Down and Feather shelled pillows as the weave is so tight, especially those Mites with larger “mite baring hips”. Synthetic pillows are so inexpensive replacing them twice a year will help.

If none of this helps then you will need to encase your pillows with a Dust Mite Proof Cover and we just happen to have them. We also cary Dust Mite Mattress Covers and Dust Mite Covers for your duvet/quilt.

And Next the infamouse BED BUG

Wool Pillows, Duvets/Quilts and mattress Pads

Feather Pillow

Down and Feather Pillows

Synthetic Non Allergenic Pillows

Latex Pillows

Dust Mite Covers for Pillows and Mattresses

Bed Bug Prorectors for Pillows and Mattresses