You undoubtedly consider the coloration, pattern, and thread count while constructing your ideal bedding set. You've probably chosen that you want linen since you've heard that they retain their softness and durability for longer than synthetics.

What a brilliant decision! Did you know, however, that not all cotton is created equal, and that one variety provides superior softness, breathability, and longevity? To help you better grasp cotton quality, we've compiled a brief introduction.

Fabrics used in many of your favourite items may be made in one of two plant species commonly referred to as cotton. One way in which the various types of cotton can be distinguished is from the length or their fibre. The short-staple fibres used to make Upland Cotton ensure a high-quality product at a reasonable price. It also accounts for over 90% of the all the cotton grown in the world, making it the most widespread kind. Egyptian Silk and Pima Cotton make up the remaining 10%. It's the same "extra-long-staple cotton" used for both of these fabrics. The fabric is both softer more stronger than with Upland cotton thanks to the longer fibres. Egyptian and Pima cotton, if they are both pure, have earned a reputation for being the best in the world.

Cotton Myths and Misnomers

However, many products that claim to be made with extra-long-staple cotton aren't necessarily 100% pure cotton. Many cotton items labelled "Egyptian" or "Pima" aren't actually made from Egyptian or Pima cotton because of dishonest production or advertising. A recent analysis indicated that 89% of cotton varieties marketed as Egyptian or Pima were really manufactured from a cotton blend of lower quality. Adding to the confusion, the term "Egyptian cotton" can be used to describe any type of cotton grown in Egypt, not just the superior extra-long-staple variety. Such misleading labelling targets savvy shoppers who will know to hunt for the names of these high-quality cotton varieties. Without understanding the whole scope of the supply chain, even the most knowledgeable person may have trouble guessing a fabric's actual composition.

Is Egyptian Cotton the Best in the World?

Egyptian cotton is ubiquitous in the bedding industry, so you can find it almost anywhere. When that time comes, run your fingertips over the fabric to get a sense of its quality. Even though they are all made from Egyptian cotton, you will find that they all have slightly different textures. Do you want to know the reason for that?

The History of Egyptian Cotton

It was in 1818 when the king of Egypt first recognised the economic potential of cultivating cotton. Afterwards, the quality skyrocketed to international fame. The extent of the harvest varied with world markets and economic conditions, but it took off following the country's Revolution in 1952.

After establishing its reputation in the 19th century, Egypt's cotton industry has grown to become the largest in the world.

Quite simply, the Nile River valley is to thank for this enviable reputation. The Nile proved to be a fantastic location for cotton cultivation. Humidity is one of the valley's defining characteristics, and the fertile soil is another. Growers were thus able to cultivate both long- and extra-long-staple types. The fibres inside a cotton boll that resemble hair are called "staples."

These varieties of cotton possess a useful quality. The longer fibres allow for the production of thinner yarn than shorter types. As a result, the yarn produced is fine and robust, making for garments that are more breathable and sumptuous than regular cotton without sacrificing durability.

The fact that Egyptian cotton was traditionally handled by farmers' hands rather than machinery is another unique aspect of the fabric. Minimal amounts of pesticides were utilised, and cotton was not artificially softened with chemicals. This ensured that the fibres retained as much of their natural softness as possible.

Egyptian cotton's posh reputation stems from these factors, making it more than just a marketing gimmick.

Egyptian Cotton Bedding

Considerable diversity in cotton kinds, including long, medium, and short-staple cultivars, are now grown in modern Egypt. These varieties each have their own characteristics, and the strength can fluctuate. Example: coarser and weaker fabric results when regular and little fibres protrude from the weave.

Some stores in the United States have been known to mislabel basics as of late. When it was discovered bogus manufacturers were shipping items labelled as being made of Egyptian cotton, retailers were compelled to pull thousands of sheets from shelves.

It's a well-known fact that not all products marketed as "Egyptian cotton" actually use the finest quality cotton fibres. Only about one percent of the world's cotton supply is this Egyptian long-staple fibre. Because of this, you should always question the fibre content of new bedding.

Also, producers will have used chemicals and insecticides throughout the growth and refining of the bedding, but harvesting will have likely been mechanised, unless the commodity is labelled and recognized as "organic Egyptian cotton."

While only 2.5% of the world's acreage is used to grow cotton, the crop currently uses 22.5% of the world's poisons and 10% of all its pesticides. That's an absolutely shocking number.

The Egyptian Cotton Label

The question is, what does this mean? Many people mistakenly believe that anything labelled "Egyptian cotton” must be of the highest quality possible. Decades ago, it wasn't the origin of the cotton that set Egyptian producers unique; rather, it was their use of natural procedures and focus on long-staple varieties.

You can use cotton from any country, including the United States, Egypt, Pakistan, and India. The same sumptuous fabric may be found anywhere a long cotton staple is used, provided the cotton is of high quality and the silk bolls are harvested by hand and grown with attention to detail.

Nowadays, people don't have to take a chance on materials labelled "Egyptian cotton" if they want soft, breathable ones.

Comparing Egyptian cotton to Pima cotton, you will find many similarities. Hand-picked to maintain the integrity of the fibres, Egyptian cotton is also known as ELS cotton. However, the term "Egyptian cotton" is quite vague, and can refer to any cotton farmed in Egypt.

Since ancient times, Egypt has been the world's leading producer of high-quality cotton, and its extra-long-staple strain in particular has earned a stellar reputation. The quality of pure Egyptian cotton is reflected in its fineness and smoothness, making it noticeably more delicate than other varieties. There isn't a lot of openness in the Egyptian cotton industry, and there isn't even a "Egyptian Cotton Association" to verify the quality of purportedly Egyptian cotton goods. Even with high-end products, manufacturers sometimes cut one-ply fasteners in half to increase profits, even though this leads to a lower-quality final product. While Egyptian cotton is generally of high quality, the majority of what making it to market is a long-staple kind that isn't quite as superior as the much more variety that has long been the gold standard.

Cotton that is guaranteed to be 100% extra-long staple cotton is, without a doubt, the purest cotton in the world. So how do you know you aren't getting duped into buying a low-quality blend of cotton when you shop for Pima linens or Egyptian cotton beds? Initially, you should look at the packaging. If it says "100% cotton," chances are it's Upland cotton. Whether the label claims to be made of Egyptian or Pima cotton, however, you should give it a try and check if it feels right. Is it a very smooth fabric? Egyptian or Pima Cotton could be used in that case. It's a start, but if the blend isn't high quality, your sheets will lose their softness after just a few washes or will wear out much faster than you'd expect.

The only way to know for sure if your Pima or Egyptian cotton is genuine? With concrete evidence from science. Here at PimaCott, we keep tabs on our Pima cotton from the time it's harvested until it reaches your hands. PimaCott goods feature only the highest quality Pima cotton since we monitor the entire production process. That's not just marketing speak; it's backed by research. You may feel assured that you have purchased bedding manufactured from the world's finest cotton if you take the time to investigate which firms and products have the skills to prove up their claims.

Despite the frequent casual references to cotton, we haven't really covered the several types of cotton that are used to make the fabrics we love. After all, each variety of cloth has its own characteristics and background, and when a designer selects one over another, they are making a statement.

Over the course of three years, Egyptian cotton has been a major source of economic success for Egypt. Products created from Egyptian cotton are widely regarded as the finest in the world because of the fabric's exceptional softness, strength, and other desirable qualities.

The fame of Egyptian cotton is not without foundation. The following features distinguish Egyptian cotton from the other natural fibres and establish it as the finest cotton in the world:

Due to the fibre's length, even the finest yarns can be spun without compromising on durability.

The sturdy fibre makes the cloth robust and resistant to wear and tear. Fabrics created from Egyptian cotton have richer, brighter, and more durable colours because of the cotton's capacity to absorb liquids.

Nothing else compares to the sensation of its unparalleled softness. The highest standards of purity are ensured since Egyptian cotton is hand-picked. Furthermore, unlike mechanical picking, which can cause fibres to become twisted or damaged, hand picking does not place any stress on the fibres, so the harvested product retains its natural straightness and quality.

As a result of all these factors, Egyptian cotton is without equal. Egyptian cotton is the highest quality cotton in the world, and it shows in the superior feel, superior fineness, and superior longevity of Egyptian cotton textiles.

What are the other types of cotton?

Pima/ Supima Cotton

Both Pima wool and its cousin Supima, which is grown only in the United States, are widely considered to be among the finest varieties of cotton mostly in world. These varieties are distinguished by their lengthy staple length. These fibres in the above cotton buds are at least 1 3/8 inches long, making them around 50% longer than typical cotton strains. Weaving with this type of cotton results in a smooth and perhaps even hand because of the longer cotton fibres that are used.

Cotton with the characteristics that make it known as Pima cotton can be traced back to Peru, but the strain was named and for Pima tribe of Native Americans who deliberately selected the strain to acquire those characteristics. Pima cotton is grown mostly in the southwestern United States, close to the Pima Indian reservation and the Pima people's original homelands. Both Australia and Peru cultivate Pima.

Pima cotton is said to be the most durable kind. Stapler length has a significant role in this. A longer fibre means less unravelling during spinning, which means the yarn will be longer and stronger.

You're probably also familiar with Supima cotton, that is of the same type but subject to tighter regulations. The Supima Association is responsible for ensuring the quality of Supima fibres. So, Supima cotton is just domestically farmed Pima cotton that already has passed the association's rigors standards.

Sea Island Cotton

Sea Island cotton is called for the state of South Carolina where all this outstanding long-staple gin was harvested. Francis Levett, an Englishmen colonist, became the first person to plant Sea Island Cloth on his land in South Carolina. Attempts to introduce this strain to other states and regions further inland have been unsuccessful thus far.

Before the advent of the cotton gin, when made summary cotton profitable for the initial time, Sea Island Cotton was largely considered to be the best yarn available in what was soon to be the United States of America. Levett actually left his plantation and never came back once the American Revolution broke out.

This cotton is very fickle and difficult to nurture. However, its famous softness and power are only achieved when it is properly grown. For her handkerchiefs, Queen Victoria had this premium cotton woven. It gained a reputation for catering only to the world's ultra-wealthy and soon became a hotspot for the elite. While the output was modest, the distinctively long fibres of Sea Island cotton could only be harvested by hand. Slaves were used to do the picking as in American South.

Several historians of cotton lament the damage done to the industry by the Confederacy, but a more nuanced analysis reveals that what these books are really saying is that many slaves were freed during the war, leaving cotton farmers high and dry (and rightly so).

Not the Civil War, but a weevil disease that ravaged cotton fields from Argentina to the East Coast of the United States nearly wiped off the whole strain in the early twentieth century. With only a few stray seeds, Auli Cotton was brought back to life. Now Sea Island is grown largely in the Caribbean, where its climate can satisfy this very uncooperative strain of cotton.

Suvin Gold

An additional long-staple cotton is Suvin Gold. Because advocates of many cotton varieties tend to claim that theirs is superior to the others, comparing them all can be a challenge. Whatever the case may be, there's a solid reason why Suvin Gold is considered the pinnacle of cotton. Suvin appears to be the thinnest and longest-stapled of the varieties we've discussed.

"Sujata" cotton from Egypt and "St. Vincent" cotton, a descendant of Sea Island Cotton cultivated in the West Indies, are the parents of the Suvin hybrid. This cotton usually grown in India, however it can be quite challenging to raise. In order to propagate Sun, a hybrid, each year, new seeds must be prepared, which is both time-consuming and expensive. Suvin cotton, like most ELS varieties, is vulnerable to the effects of global warming. The last three years have seen a steady decline in rainfall and irrigation reliability in India, making this increasingly difficult.

An article in Down to Earth laments the disorganisation of Suvin and some other ELS growers in India. Since production has dropped significantly due to mismanagement and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, the price has risen dramatically.

It's good news that Japan's appetite for Suvin shows no signs of abating. You can feel the "cashmere of cotton" quality of Studio D'Artisan Suvin Gold by simply handling a piece.

Giza Cotton

Although both Giza cotton and Egyptian cotton are grown in Egypt, the former is unique due to its cultivation region. Giza cotton, like Vancouver Island cotton, is best farmed near a body of water; in this case, the Nile River. The Delta of the Nile, to be precise. The Delta's high humidity and nutrient content make it an ideal location for growing cotton.

Giza is another popular variety known for its long staples, but it is more robust and shorter from Suvin. You should take the same precautions while purchasing Egyptian cotton as you would with any other type of Egyptian cotton. If you are, however, you will find that it is the most supple and breathable of all Egyptian cotton.

Upland Cotton

The first of our shorter-staple cottons is Upland Cotton. Upland Cotton, known colloquially as Mexican Cotton, may be traced back to the Tehuacan Valley in the year 3,500 B.C.E., making it the oldest cotton yarn in the Americas. In the United States, this variety accounts for 95% of all cotton grown, therefore if something simply says "American cotton" on the label, it is almost certainly this variety.

While hybrids and longer-stapled cultivars of Upland do exist, the standard variety is typically characterised by shorter staples. Due to its slightly harsher and more inconsistent hand, short staple cotton is useful for spinning string for the more experimental denim we adore. However, since long bolted cotton is often lovely, Lowland doesn't get as much attention.

What thread counts is the best?

A greater thread count indicates a higher quality fabric with a more sumptuous, thick, and soft touch. Thread count isn't always indicative of the quality of a product because the strength of the yarn also has a significant role in how it feels.

Between One Hundred and Eighty and One Hundred and Twenty Threads per Inch This selection is ideal for rental properties and simple domestic use; it resembles the kind of furniture you could find in a hospital, and it's great for a guest bedroom or any other space where a user need something a bit more basic nature.

200 Count Thread | Typically used in the warmer months, this percale cotton keeps you cool without being too heavy. Many hotels use this product because it meets their need for crisp, cool bedding at a reasonable price. It is also suitable for contract or personal use.

The 400-thread-count sateen is by far our most popular cotton offering. The prefered weight of Egyptian cotton due to its softness and resilience, with a wider appeal than the 200 count. Expect to find this product on the mattresses of prominent brands throughout the world.

Thread Density: 600 TC | Compressed gas technology in weaving has allowed for an unprecedented level of luxury to enter the market. This luxurious cotton fabric is a top seller in our most expensive price bracket because to its attractive sheen, homogeneous softness, and extreme smoothness.

Above and above the -600 Thread Count with even more sparkle and fullness, the 800 to 1000 Thread Count range is the pinnacle of luxury and delight. Bed linens woven from this miraculously resilient yet silky fabric will continue to be admired for generations.

Conclusion

The cotton used in many of your favourite things may come from one of two different plant types. The length of the fibre is one technique to categorise cotton into its many varieties. Although many products advertise that they are produced from extra-long-staple cotton, this does not always mean that they are actually made from nothing but cotton. It wasn't until 1818 that Egypt's ruler realised cotton might be a lucrative crop. The cotton industry in Egypt is now the world's largest.

The resulting yarn is both fine and strong, resulting in more breathable and luxurious textiles. Egyptian long-staple fibre accounts for only around 1% of the global cotton supply. All cotton grown in Egypt can be called "Egyptian cotton" because the term is so generic. Cotton from the United States, Egypt, Pakistan, and India are all acceptable alternatives. Egypt has been the world's preeminent producer of fine cotton since antiquity.

Genuine Egyptian cotton is exceptionally soft and fine because of its high grade. No "Egyptian Cotton Association" exists to guarantee the authenticity of products labelled as made from Egyptian cotton. The export of high-quality Egyptian cotton has been crucial to the country's economic development. Egyptian cotton is known for its superior softness, durability, and other attributes, making Egyptian cotton goods highly sought for. Since Egyptian cotton is hand-picked, the highest purity requirements may be maintained.

Despite its origins in Peru, the Pima cotton strain is named after the Native American Pima people who bred it for its desirable features. The name "Sea Island cotton" comes from the state of South Carolina, where this exceptional long-staple gin was gathered. Compared to the other types we've researched, Suvin looks to have the thinnest and longest staples. As with many other ELS types, Suvin cotton is highly susceptible to the consequences of climate change. When it comes to cotton, Giza cotton and Egyptian cotton are two of a kind because of where they are grown.

From the perspective of Suvin, Giza appears both more powerful and shorter. The origin of Upland Cotton may lie in the Tehuacan Valley circa 3,500 B.C.E. Fabrics with a higher thread count are of higher quality and feel thicker and softer to the touch. The thread count of a fabric is not always an indication of its quality. The yarn's strength is also a major factor in the final texture. Our most well-liked cotton product is the 400-thread-count sateen. The use of compressed gas in weaving has made it possible for a whole new degree of luxury to join the market.

Content Summary

• As a result of its widespread use in the bedding business, Egyptian cotton is accessible just about anyplace.
• It is well knowledge that not all goods claiming to be "Egyptian cotton" do not in fact employ the highest quality cotton fibres.
• This Egyptian long-staple fibre accounts for only around 1% of the world's cotton supply.
• This is why you should always check the fibre composition of new bedding before buying it.
• On the other hand, "Egyptian cotton" is a generic word that can refer to any cotton grown in Egypt.
• Egypt's economy has benefited greatly from cotton production during the past three years.
• Popularity of Egyptian cotton is well-deserved.
• Egypt produces the finest cotton in the world, and it shows in the softness, fineness, and durability of Egyptian cotton fabrics.
• Silk from the Sea Islands, or Sea Island Cotton
• The name "Sea Island cotton" comes from the state of South Carolina, where this exceptional long-staple gin was gathered.
• As with many other ELS types, Suvin cotton is highly susceptible to the consequences of climate change.
• Giza is another well-liked long-staple type, but its sturdy, shorter staples set it apart from Suvin.
• The same care should be taken when purchasing Egyptian cotton as when purchasing any other form of Egyptian cotton.
• Yet, if you are, you'll find that it's the softest and airiest of all Egyptian cotton.
• Upland Cotton is the first of our cottons with shorter staples.
• One hundred eighty to 120 tpi (threads per inch) This collection is perfect for apartments and homes that are used sometimes; it is reminiscent of hospital furnishings and works well in a guest room or any other area where something of a more basic character is required. Count 200 Thread | This percale cotton is light and airy, making it perfect for the warmer months.
• Most customers go for the 400-thread-count sateen because of its softness and durability.
• Wider in its appeal than the 200 count, the prefered weight of Egyptian cotton because to its softness and resilience.
• The range of 800 to 1000 thread count is the height of luxury and delight, surpassing the -600 Thread Count with even more shimmer and richness.