How do you pick a good sheet set?

I have the worst time picking sheets!  We only have one set that is really soft and that I really like.  The other day I found a sheet set that was 600 threat count and on clearance!  It felt soft in the packaging.  Now that it's on my bed, I can skip the exfoliation service at the spa because they are scratchy and uncomfortable!  What do you look for when you buy sheets?  What am I missing?

I used to work in a linen store so I think I know a lot about sheets...LOL

Thread count is the main thing.  The higher the better.  I am perplexed as to why the 600's were scratchy.  Maybe they were packaged wrong!!  I sleep on 450 right now but have higher and I really love them.  My goal is to get some that are 1000 for Christmas.  You also have to realize that just because the count is high doesn't mean it's a high quality sheet.  If it was on clearance there is probably a reason.  I like Wamsutta brand sheets.  But usually for a count that high you should be paying around 60-70 bucks for it.  If you want it to be good that is.  We got sheets at Ollies once because they were really high thread count...and it was totally ok because they were from Kohls...so you can find deals...you just gotta see where they were previously sold....

I also love jersey tshirt sheets.  So soft.  But you have to wash these so much more often cause they are like a tshirt...LOL..

jojogirl:

The higher the better.

That's what I thought so I was hoping these would be really soft and comfortable!

jojogirl:

But usually for a count that high you should be paying around 60-70 bucks for it.

jojogirl:

You also have to realize that just because the count is high doesn't mean it's a high quality sheet. 

I have 600 count sheets that I bought from walmart. They did soften up a lot after I washed them several times and used fabric softener. Did you wash and dry them first??

I have always found good sheets at JcPenney or Macys.  I have never bought from Target or Walmart except for the kids so I can't say if they are good or not.  They might be.  The fact that they were that cheap makes me believe that they were on clearance for a reason.  Maybe wash them with fabric softener like the pp suggested.  That might help.

dawnklasen:

I have 600 count sheets that I bought from walmart. They did soften up a lot after I washed them several times and used fabric softener.

Oh thank goodness - maybe there's hope yet!

dawnklasen:

Did you wash and dry them first??

jojogirl:

I have always found good sheets at JcPenney or Macys.

One more related question...what about sheets made from different cottons, like "pima" cotton or "egyptian" cotton?  Are any of these better than another?

It is a personal choice.  I like egyptian cotton since that is what I sold back in the day.  Everytime I think of Pima cotton I think of martha stewart and eveything she trys to sell is crap IMO......but I think both are fine...I'm just an egyptian cotton girl.

jojogirl:

Everytime I think of Pima cotton I think of martha stewart and eveything she trys to sell is crap IMO...

mtgirl:

Well then no Pima at my house...dh hates Martha and has banned anything related to her being in our house!

LOL. Martha drives me NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I washed the sheets twice on hot and added fabric softener to the rinse cycle. I added bounce sheets in the dryer cycle :)

jojogirl:

I used to work in a linen store so I think I know a lot about sheets...LOL

Thread count is the main thing.  The higher the better.  I am perplexed as to why the 600's were scratchy.

Me too, I worked at Sears in the bed & bath dept in high school--THE most boring dept!  Anyway, Jojo's right, the higher the thread count, the better, softer they are supposed to be. We have 300 on right now and they are pretty soft.  IDK, maybe make sure you're buying them from a dept. store. 

I worked at Sears in the bed and bath dept too but in college.  I worked in a local linen store back home when I went home for the summers.  Isn't that funny?!?!  I have a love affair with all linens in general.  My dh says I compulsively buy them.  I think because back when I was in college I could care less what I slept on and helped real moms and wives pick out stuff for their grown up homes and not a college dorm...LOL...I now can't pass a linen store without going inside and browsing....

I just didn't like the dept because there was never anyone shopping there--they only passed thru to get to sporting goods or electronics!  Christmas time wasn't too bad.  My mom worked at Sears in college, too.  When I first got hired there, females had to wear dresses/skirts!!!  I think once a month we could wear pants, and it had to be dress pants!  Sears took a long time to get to women being equals!  I don't think it was just my store!  This was in 1995!!!  Finally, they changed it but it was still pretty ridiculous the guidelines. 

When I was in college, I worked at another dept store--worse, in the shoe dept!!!  I like bed & bath a lot after that!  Sears was my first job and I met DH there, so I guess it wasn't sooo bad!