I have a set of sheets I bought from Pottery Barn on sale that I love love love, but they don’t make them anymore. I love them so much I usually wash them and put them right back on the bed. One day I will open the washing machine and they will have fallen apart and floated away. Before that happens I’d like to acquire some more sheets I love, but I don’t know what to look for. The Pottery Barn are the kind that are crisp and smooth and cool to the touch. They were fairly expensive even on sale. Someone told me that I might be looking for Percale sheets. Their biggest con is they wrinkle like crazy. Do dopers think I am looking for Percale?
My experience is the polar opposite. My sheet sets are each around 1000 thread count, and I’ve had them for about ten years now. They still feel very soft, and I don’t have tears in them.
I have no idea what the brand is anymore; they’ve been washed often enough that the tag is blank now.
Not cheap, but they’re the best, softest, most substantial sheets I’ve ever owned.
I’ve had sateen sheets before but don’t care for the sheen look. I like the soft look.
To the best of my knowledge, percale means “higher than 250 thread count”. Wikipedia essentially agrees with me: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percale.
I bought some bamboo sheets last year and I absolutely LOOOOOOVE them! They are by far the most luxurious feeling bed linens I’ve ever owned. And I have a set of 1000tc cotton sheets that I’m judging the bamboo ones against.
I buy cheap, t-shirt cotton sheets.
Low cost, & I never notice the difference.
I have some five-year old bamboo sheets from Bed, Bath, and Beyond that I love (though they seem to get a little dirtier than cotton.) Time to get another set, but I can’t find 'em at BB&B anymore. Any recommendation on where to go for bamboo these days?
If you go to amazon and search for bamboo sheets, you’ll get some options.
But explain to me why some say “rayon bamboo”? I’m thinking that you want natural fibers for sheets, not synthetic. I was thinking bamboo is natural because bamboo is… well… a plant. So where does rayon come in? Or maybe I don’t know what rayon is.
Aside: If you find a product of any kind that you like, it’s best to buy, like 100 of them or something, because they will surely stop making whatever it is as soon as word gets out that you like it. At least that’s what always happens to me.
I jumped on the ‘microfiber sheets’ band wagon, a couple of years ago. Then I almost lost my little toenail to a snag.
I hate high thread count cotton sheets because, no matter how often you wash them AND yourself, they will soak up body oil like a sponge and get waxy over time.
I just buy what’s on sale at Target or BB&B. As long as the thread count is over 350, I’m okay.
I assume the rayon is for durability, since Glory and I mentioned upthread that pure bamboo sheets (name brand Beech) are very fragile. The “Pure Beech” sheets they now sell are 30% cotton for durability.
ETA: Has anyone tried those Sheex? They have crappy Amazon reviews so I’m reluctant. They gotta be great for the price.
I got mine from Tuesday Morning for about $80 for a king set.
The bamboo has to undergo a chemical process in order to become fabric. Rayon is any fabric made from cellulose. Rayon made from bamboo, bamboo rayon or bamboo could be on the label, but as long as no blend is indicated then it can be assumed that the fabric was made from 100% bamboo as a raw material. There are bamboo/cotton blends out there.
I didn’t know that–thanks! 
Cotton has gotten so high. 
I love high count cotton sheets, slightly crispy when clean they mellow to super soft and very breathable.
Jersey and flannel seem to stick to my pajamas when I roll over, and wrestling with my sheets in the middle of the night isn’t what I call fun.
I picked up a set of 400 or so count sheets recently, after I stopped hyperventilating over the prices of the 1000+ count sets. They’re scratchy.
My Mom, feeling sad for me found some 100% Egyptian cotton 1500 thread count sheets on sale and bought me two sets. The tag on the sheets says 100% microfiber. Insert another sad face here.
I decided to give the microfiber a try and put them on yesterday. I’ve only slept on them one night, but they were okay. Not scratchy and not sweat inducing as I would have thought 100% artificial fibers to be. I can’t really say for certain, they’re too new.
And these can be washed and dried on high? I thought rayon disintegrated in the dryer or something.
I want to thank you…I just bought a set of Target’s organic sheets in slate grey color with a black and white comforter set. I washed them all and am looking forward to sleeping on them tonight!
I dry everything on the lowest setting, so I’m not sure. They do lose some fluff in the dryer after every wash, but so far, there has been no deterioration in quality. I’ve had them for about 2 years now.
Yikes! Don’t thank me till you’ve at least slept on them! 
I would say that after 2 months and many washings I was finally able to call them “the best”. Don’t forget to wash them in warm too – sheets won’t soften on cold.
Ps I have the slate gray too
I bought a pair of sateen sheets last year. I had to wash them six times before they somewhat soften. They are so wrinkle looking. They don’t make for a nice inviting sheets. I think they are cheap looking. I like nice crisp sheets. I can’t understand how they are still on the market. People still actually buy this product?
Yep! Lots do. Because they’re soft and comfy. Nobody really invites people into their bedrooms but their SO’s so who cares how they look?
When I had money, 800 count was minimum.
Now that I’m broke, I go to Estate sales and buy leftovers.
I picked up “designer” (high end) sets new, for dirt cheap (the old boy knew how to live).
They are incredibly sturdy - about twice the thickness of the 800-count, and wear like iron. They are also quite comfty.
I didn’t get a comforter, and the pattern is out of production, so I turned to ebay. Prices started at $140 and went up quickly. Never mind…
I went to Macy’s a month or so ago and, for the hell of it, wandered into the bedding section. The only “designer” I saw was “Martha Stewart” (Steward?). I remember seeing her hot-gluing trash together to make “attractive and/or useful” items for the home. If you decorate in “late garbage dump”, I guess that made sense.
Give the old girl credit - if Oprah can take a daytime talk show and parlay into world’s richest and have Presidents eager to call on you, Martha can sell bedding made in third world by wage slaves.