Behold the new ‘short-sheeting’
WHAT IS SHORT-SHEETING?
In March, the U.S. International Trade Commission found that foreign sheet manufacturers were shorting consumers on thread counts. Thread count is a measure of the number of threads per square inch in a fabric, and higher thread counts have long been associated with softer sheets. But in recent years, manufacturers have slapped ever-higher thread count claims on their packaging in a sort of bedding arms race that defied believability. The ITC found a “widespread pattern” of sheets made in India, Pakistan and China with “grossly inflated” thread counts. For example, its investigators found that some sheets labelled 800-thread count were only 250-thread count.
HOW WAS IT UNCOVERED?
The case was brought before the ITC by AAVN, a textile maker that says other manufacturers were competing unfairly. “The pervasiveness of falsely advertised sheets hurts the entire industry,” said Ajay Mago of the Culhane Meadows law firm. “Once AAVN realized what some suppliers were doing to mislead consumers, it felt a moral obligation to do something about it.” Mago is the lawyer who aired the textile industry’s dirty linens before the ITC on AAVN’s behalf.
WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT?
The ITC issued a general exclusion order banning companies from importing sheets with inflated thread counts. Thanks to the ITC order, Customs and Border Protection agents are empowered to test and seize suspicious sheets at the border instead of letting them into the United States.
WILL THAT END THE SCAMMING?
That depends. “Hopefully, Customs will do a good job enforcing the general exclusion order,” Mago said. “It’s a big step in the right direction ... a victory both for consumers and suppliers who play by the rules.” Meanwhile, with many of the mislabelled sheets of yore still on store shelves, shopping for bedding continues to be one of the most daunting household quests. “Finding the right sheets is overwhelming due to the labels and claims being made by the brands,” said Lexie Sachs, senior textiles analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI).
SO HOW DO YOU SHOP FOR SHEETS?
Despite the hype that led to all of this international sheet skulduggery, thread count is just one factor to consider, according to the GHI. And higher is not always better. “Our tests have shown that the sweet spot is often 300500,” GHI says. “Anything over 500 isn’t necessarily better.” Thread count is also a personal preference. Sheets with a 500-thread count might be soft, but they could also be too heavy for someone who tends to heat up while sleeping.
WHAT ELSE TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING BEDDING
Another factor is the length of the threads. The GHI explains that “extra-long staple (ELS) fibres are softer and stronger than traditional cotton.” You may not see sheets labelled “ELS” but could instead see the words “Egyptian,” “Pima” or “Supima” cotton. Just be advised that these terms are also misused by some unscrupulous sheet manufacturers. There also are two basic kinds of weaves: sateen and percale. Sateen has a smoother, silkier feel. Percale feels light and crisp. Neither is better than the other, it’s personal preference. If your mission is to find extra-soft sheets, two terms to look for are “brushed” and “combed” cotton. This processing removes nubs and debris from the surface of the fabric, making it softer. If wrinkles make you as restless as a princess sleeping on a pea, there are wrinkle-resistant sheets. Some have polyester blended into the cotton to reduce wrinkling. Beware that those can pill or cause you to sleep hot. Others are treated with chemicals to prevent wrinkles.
FINDING THE RIGHT SHEETS IS OVERWHELMING DUE TO THE LABELS AND CLAIMS BEING MADE BY THE BRANDS. — LEXIE SACHS, SENIOR TEXTILES ANALYST, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING INSTITUTE