Buzzwords

Ways Companies Lie About Thread Counts

Companies are not always honest when it comes the thread count they put on their sheets. Thread count is the measure of threads in a defined area, there are tricks that companies do to deceive the consumer into thinking that the thread count is higher than what it actually is.

Don’t be fooled! Below are the tactics that companies use, so make sure you know the signs and be wary next time you buy sheets.

Count Plied Yarn Threads as Separate Threads

Common practice when it comes to counting thread has always been to count the thread in the warp and filling directions. Yarn was also always counted as one yarn, whether it was multi-ply or single ply. Thread count is used by consumers to make their final decision when buying sheets for their home. Now, companies have changed the way that they count yarns and threads, they will count the plied yarns individually. This practice inflates the thread count to either double or triple than counting the threads the traditional way. Inflating the thread count has caused confusion for consumers, since they now have to figure out which way the thread count has been calculated.

Using Cheaply Spun or Treated Threads or a Basic Wave

When a sheet is made with better quality fibers, but has a lower thread count, it will feel softer than sheets with a low quality fiber and higher thread count. The weave of a sheet effects the feel of sheets. Basic weaves have the same number of yarns, both vertically and horizontally, these won’t even be mentioned on the label. Don’t be deceived into buying cheaply made sheets. Be on the lookout for the words of “luxury,” “smooth,” “soft” are merely just marketing terms, don’t buy into them.

Fool You With a Soft Touch

While you may think that touch will help you avoid being fooled by thread count, that is simply not true. Companies use certain tactics to fool you that their sheets are soft. They will apply polishes or waxes or other such substances that will create a softer feel. These will most likely wear off after a few washes. Sheets that are of a great quality will feel better and softer with each wash and they will last for years and never pill. At the store the best way to determine the quality of the sheet is to look at the seams. The seams will tell you if the sheets are of good quality, poor quality sheets will have threads hanging off the seams and won’t be uniform.

Overstate the Threads per Inch

Companies usually take advantage of their consumers lack of knowledge of thread count. They will exaggerate the number of threads per inch by counting each individual strand of yarn, when a strand is made up of multiple strands. This accounts for high count sheets retailing for a reasonable price, that’s an indicator of how the quality of sheet actually is.