What Are Egyptian Cotton Feel Sheets Made Of?

Geography

• Not all Egyptian cotton comes from Egypt. "Egyptian cotton" refers to a specific type of long staple cotton that originally was cultivated in Egypt but is now also grown elsewhere. However, the Egyptian cotton grown in Egypt is still considered to be the best because the long growing season there allows cotton to grow to its full maturity.

Fiber Length

• The primary way of classifying cotton is by the length of the staple. Egyptian cotton has the longest staple of all types of cotton, which is largely why it is considered to be the best. While the staples of other African cottons average about an inch long, Egyptian cotton fibers average about 1 3/8 inches. While this may not seem like a significant difference, fiber length is one of the most important factors in determining the quality of the finished product. Egyptian cotton sheets that are not 100 percent Egyptian cotton are likely a blend of these high quality fibers with short staple, lower quality cotton fibers.

Fiber Width

• The quality of cotton depends not only on fiber length but on fiber width. Most cotton fibers range in diameter from .0005 to .009 of an inch. Egyptian cotton fibers have the smallest diameters in this range, allowing Egyptian cotton to produce very fine yarn. When spun tightly, these fine yarns can create strong, soft fabric.

Cellulose

• Eighty-seven to 90 percent of cotton is made up of cellulose. Egyptian cotton is largely considered to be stronger and more durable than other types of cotton, due to the cellulose that makes it up. High quality Egyptian cotton contains cellulose that is stronger and more absorbent than the cellulose of other cottons, adding the benefits of strength and durability to the softness imparted to Egyptian cotton by its long fibers.

Ensuring Quality

• To ensure that your sheets are the highest quality, make sure they are labeled 100 percent Egyptian cotton. Sheets that claim to be made with Egyptian cotton may actually be manufactured with as little as 10 percent Egyptian cotton, with the other 90 percent made up of lower grade types of cotton. True Egyptian cotton sheets have a soft feel that gets softer with every wash, but to get this quality, they must be made with 100 percent Egyptian cotton.