So, What’s the Ideal Thread Count?

Thread count has become a buzzword in marketing, often used to promote luxury bed linens, shirts, and other woven products. You might hear that the finer the threads, the softer and more luxurious the fabric—and therefore, the higher the price.

But our laundry professionals at My Locker Laundry don't always agree with this. According to Uncle Leong, "It's not always the case. A thread count of 250 is good, 500 is better, but anything above 500 often only adds to the price without offering a noticeable difference."

In other words, a thread count between 250 and 500 is considered ideal. Some people prefer lighter, crisper fabrics (with lower thread counts), while others like a warmer, silkier feel with higher thread counts, which tend to have a tighter weave and a buttery-smooth texture.

If the thread count dips below 250, the fabric may feel rough to many.

What About 1,200-Thread Count Sheets?

You may come across sheets boasting thread counts as high as 1,200. But is that really better than 500? Uncle Leong, who's spent his 40+ years career in laundry care, explains: "Thread count is about how threads are woven together. 

So how could a thread count of 800, 1,200, or even 1,600 be possible? The short answer is: you can't.

Some manufacturers use creative math to inflate thread count numbers. Rather than counting individual threads, they count each fiber that makes up a thread. For example, a thread might be made of multiple fibers twisted together, and one manufacturer may call that a single thread, while another counts it as several threads. Therefore, when you see a thread count above 500, it likely refers to fibers, not actual threads.

Quality vs. Quantity

While thread count is important, the quality of the thread matters just as much. A high thread count of inferior-quality threads won't feel as good as a lower count of premium-quality threads.

The quality of cotton is primarily determined by the length of its fibers (also called the staple). Shorter staples are around 1.125 inches long and are the lowest quality. Long staples (at least 1.25 inches) are considered high-quality, while extra-long staples (1.375 to 2 inches) are the finest and most luxurious.

What About Egyptian Cotton?

When it comes to cotton, we highly recommend Egyptian cotton. Known for its extra-long staple, it produces sheets that are luxuriously soft and durable. Genuine Egyptian cotton sheets will usually be labeled as such, and they tend to have a higher thread count due to the finer nature of the cotton fibers. Expect to pay a premium for these sheets because of their superior quality.

While Egyptian cotton was originally grown in Egypt, it's now cultivated in various regions, but the name still carries a reputation for quality.

What About Supima Cotton?

Supima cotton is a trademarked name for American-grown Pima cotton. Known for its strength and durability, Pima cotton produces soft and resilient fabrics, making it an excellent choice for high-quality sheets and other woven goods.

Key Takeaways

Now that you know more about thread count, quantity, and quality, you can make a more informed decision when purchasing fabrics. Here are the key points to remember:

• Thread count measures the number of threads in a square inch of fabric (warp + weft).
• Higher thread counts (250–500) generally mean better quality, but anything over 500 is often inflated and may not offer a noticeable difference.
• Quality is just as important as quantity; long-staple cotton fibers result in softer, more durable fabrics.
• Egyptian cotton is known for its fine quality, while Supima cotton offers durability and softness.

Now you can confidently select the fabric that best fits your needs during your next purchase.

Have Questions?

If you have any specific questions about thread count or laundry care, feel free to email us at cs@mylockerlaundry.com. We're happy to help!

To learn more about what we do, visit our website: www.mylockerlaundry.com.

About My Locker Laundry

My Locker Laundry is a time-saving e-commerce and dry cleaning service based in Singapore. We offer a seamless experience with our hassle-free electronic lockers, which are installed at no extra cost. This innovative solution allows customers to drop off their laundry, including business shirts, winter jackets, bed sheets, and more, at their convenience, eliminating the need to visit traditional dry cleaners.

Our omni-channel service integrates both digital and offline customer interfaces, along with a powerful backend system that includes microservices architecture, CRM, factory optimization, and logistics management. This ensures that we deliver the fastest, most efficient laundry service with uncompromised quality.

By using our locker-based solution, we tackle two of the most significant challenges in laundry—convenience and time. No more wasting time on location or waiting for store hours.

Visit our website to learn more: www.mylockerlaundry.com.