There have been many questions raised about Egyptian cotton over time, like whether they are worth their price or are just an unnecessary luxury.
Why Egyptian cotton? Egyptian cotton is softer, more comfortable, and more durable than other types of cotton. When Egyptian cotton is woven into a fabric, it has a unique, comfortable feel because of its fibers that are longer than other cotton types.
Dr Ibrahim Abbas El-Said Ibrahim, a professor of Agronomy at Alexandria University completed a study that deduced that fibers that contain more of the long cotton fibers are of the highest quality. Most Egyptian cotton varieties have long staple fibers.
Below is an expository on Egyptian cotton, explaining why its features are more remarkable than any other type of cotton available on the market.
What is special about Egyptian cotton?
Compared to other kinds of cotton, Egyptian cotton can be woven into longer and sturdy fibers. According to an article on theguardian.com, it is one of the most luxurious cotton types available. There are actually incidents of companies trying to counterfeit the quality.
Egyptian cotton possesses outstanding qualities like softness, durability, and density that make fabrics woven from its yarns the best option for your beddings. It is also notable for its luxurious feel, making it the “white gold of Egypt”, as it is sometimes called. Bedding made from this fabric is breathable and suitable for any weather all year long.
In summer and hot weather conditions, Egyptian cotton absorbs excess moisture leaving your skin dry rather than sticky and uncomfortable, as in the case of non-absorbent fabrics. Moreover, this cotton fabric gives warmth in cooler conditions because of its hard and durable texture.
Another unique feature that Egyptian cotton has is its porosity. This characteristic allows it to absorb colors better during the dyeing process. In addition, it helps Egyptian cotton to retain colors for a longer period. As opposed to other fabric types, it will not fade easily even if it undergoes frequent laundry and will add vibrance and color to your room.
Few things feel better than getting a good night’s rest after a long day on nice bedding like those that are made from this type of cotton. Quite often, other types of cotton are woven with a bit of Egyptian cotton and sold for lower prices.
However, this compromises the quality of the fabric, making it less unique and authentic than pure Egyptian cotton. Materials made from 100% Egyptian cotton are luxury items. The Cotton Egypt Association (CEA) is an organization that certifies whether materials are 100% Egyptian cotton as claimed by retailers. This verification process involves accurate DNA tests.
The specific features of Egyptian cotton, together with the unique climate conditions in which it grows, account for its prohibitive cost, hence, creating a perfect cost-for-value market situation.
Where is Egyptian cotton grown?
Historically, Egyptian cotton is grown along the Nile in the delta of Egypt. However, contrary to the common notion that it is exclusively grown in Egypt, this cotton is also grown in many other parts of the world.
Apart from Egypt itself, some other countries where this cotton type is grown include India, Peru, China, Sudan, Israel, Uzbekistan, Australia, and some parts of Southwestern USA. Regardless of how widespread the cultivation of the plant is, Egyptian cotton grown in Egypt is often regarded as the best for its notable feature of the length of its fibers.
The soil on which it grows possesses rare chemical properties that are catalysts for the production of long-staple cotton that is in turn woven into longer fibers. This sets it apart from the cotton grown in all other areas worldwide and marks Egypt as the most reputable location to produce the best premium quality fiber.
It is important to note that some contradictions result from the name “Egyptian cotton” as it is often used when unnecessary. This means that the term is readily used to suggest quality without paying attention to the origin or source of the material or sheet in question. Adding the word “Egyptian” to “cotton” immediately presents it in a luxurious light, regardless of where it was grown.
As a result of different farming conditions and how widespread cotton farming is across the world, the so-called Egyptian cotton has been developed into so many varieties due to constant crossbreeding. There are varieties of Egyptian cotton that are no longer extra-long-staple according to the New Yorker. However, the species known as the extra-long staple makes up for 3% of the world’s cotton production and is grown in other countries like the United States, Israel, and Turkmenistan.
Hence, Egypt now stands among the handful of countries that produce similar kinds of cotton, especially the longer staple cotton. With these many varieties, quality and luxury are now associated with the longest staple cotton rather than the soil from which it grew, though real Egyptian cotton still stands out as the best.
Why are Egyptian cotton sheets best?
These sheets are preferred over others because of their breathability, durability, and softness. These best sheets derive their unique qualities from the characteristics that are associated with Egyptian cotton. The premium quality of the extra-long-staple cotton gives its fibers a good length and is subsequently woven into the best sheets.
Breathability is an advantageous feature of the Egyptian cotton sheets that covers several factors that bring about comfort. That is, these sheets are porous and can allow air to pass through, for climate and environmentally conscious individuals, this fabric is good for any weather.
In the heat, you can lay on the sheets made from Egyptian cotton without the discomfort from moisture and sweat that gets the body sticky, as the fabric can absorb this moisture leaving you cool and dry. In cooler weather with little or no moisture to be absorbed, a good duvet together with the Egyptian cotton sheets will keep you warm all night long. I recommend 600 thread count Egyptian sheets, click here to see the pricing on Amazon.
More so, the hard fiber woven into sheets gives you the softest finish any fabric can have. The texture of the sheets contributes generously to rest, comfort, and good sleep to suit all your bedroom needs. As a result of the quality of these sheets, they have better radiant colors that give your room the best look, adding color and beauty for the longest period.
These sheets are also unique for their durability as they do not fade easily from washing within the longest possible period. To crown it all, these sheets are of high quality with high cost, hence, asides from the warm and cozy feel, they give an air of affluence and lifestyle with luxurious taste within the home. You get value for your money. Meanwhile, other fabrics with similar qualities may not be as durable and only last a short while.
How can you tell if Egyptian cotton is real?
The most effective way to be sure you are purchasing 100% Egyptian cotton is to identify the CEA’s (Cotton Egypt Association) accredited gold seal. The authentic fabric passes through DNA testing and the final accreditation process is the labeling with the seal.
Here is a video that shows how to know if your Egyptian sheets are fake or not:
No doubt there are many manufacturers with fake seals or no seal. However, to ensure that you are making the right purchase, the model of the authentic seal can be used in comparison to what is on the cotton fabric. Also, the fabric without the seal should not be purchased in your search for 100% Egyptian cotton.
There are a few other ways to identify the original fabric. One important thing to note is these fabrics have exceedingly prohibitive costs as evidence of their rare value. This means a $50 Egyptian cotton sheet is a fake, bearing in mind that it is a luxury item, but this does not make the original outrageously costly or unaffordable.
Conducting simple research on the internet, as well as contacting some companies reputable for their authentic cotton products can save you from purchasing a low-quality fabric that is being sold as the real deal. The internet has a lot of fake product busters and promotes original products. Taking your time to search well can reveal these unauthentic products.
Another key point to note is the distinguishable qualities of authentic Egyptian cotton. If the fabric is not soft, durable, or breathable, then there is a good chance that you might be getting a fake. Good products stand out, hence, there will be no need for a debate once you notice that the noteworthy features of Egyptian cotton are absent from the fabric you are about to purchase.
Finally, it is important to also check for reviews dropped by customers of the fabric manufacturing company and ensure you are comfortable with the feedback customers leave. Also, you might want to check carefully, looking out for fake reviews that may be doctored and follow a singular pattern.
Egyptian cotton thread count
Egyptian cotton sheets have a thread count of 400 to 700. Considering that no less than two hundred thread counts are the standard for quality fabrics, Egyptian cotton with not less than four hundred is indeed high quality and luxurious.
The thread count of a material refers to the number of vertical (warp) and horizontal (weft) threads in a square inch and is accepted to identify high quality and durability. Hence, the general rule is the more the thread count, the more authentic and durable the fabric.
From its thread count, it cannot be overemphasized that the Egyptian fabric has superior quality and is durable. A combination of luxury, quality, and comfort would be the perfect choice for your home. This is why Egyptian cotton is irresistibly desirable.
Also, a higher thread count means finer threads and softer fabric, while a lower thread count may be associated with coarse or rough fabrics. Therefore, Egyptian cotton is notably soft. Nevertheless, in many cases thread counts higher than 400 may only attract a prohibitive cost and take the luxurious tag.
However, you should note that a thread count of more than 400 with low-quality thread is not better than a fabric with high-quality thread and a thread count of 200. This means higher thread counts do not always stand for higher quality. The length of fiber is a better indicator of quality.
Click here to view the details at Amazon for pure Egyptian sheets that have a thread count of 1000.
Without any special recommendation, all you know about Egyptian cotton is enough guidance to help with your beddings fabric selection since it is significant for all your bedding necessities. The perfect texture will always be cozy against your skin and smooth enough for peaceful sleep.
Below Is a Table Analyzing the Popularity in Thread Count for Egyptian Cotton Bed Sheets:
| Purchased Egyptian thread count | Percentage of total results |
| A slightly expensive, but the popular choice of thread count for buyers interested in Egyptian cotton was 600. | 25% |
| Egyptian cotton with threads counts of 500 was not used as often used by forum users. | 12.50% |
| By far the most preferred thread count for Egyptian cotton was 400. | 43.75% |
| Another lesser purchased thread count number for Egyptian cotton was 300. | 12.50% |
| Lower thread count Egyptian cotton such as 250, were not as sought after. | 6.25% |
What is the most expensive cotton in the world?
Sea Island cotton is regarded as the rarest and most expensive in the world.
The Sea Island cotton falls among a group of cotton types known as extra-long staple (ELS), scientifically called the Gossypium Barbadense species. Other expensive types of ELS cotton include Indian Suvin and Egyptian Giza 45. They all constitute only 10% of all the cotton cultivated in the world while the American Pima is the most common ELS cotton.
You should take note of how the place of growth is not the most important criteria for calculating the worth of cotton, but the length. While ELS cotton is handpicked carefully to ensure proper handling, the American Pima, as well as the short-staple cotton, are machine picked, this may account for their lower cost, compared to other types of ELS cotton.
The remaining 90% is short-staple cotton which is quite common and grown worldwide. Pieces of ELS cotton are also priced for their outstanding softness, superior quality, strength, and sturdy fiber. Their limited quantity is attributed to the selective environments and weather conditions required for their cultivation.
An ideal amount of sunshine, rain, and humidity should be considered to ensure maximum productivity and a rich harvest. Like most crops, ELS cotton should be managed properly to avoid mishaps that lead to poor harvest. The high cost of maintenance and production coupled with environmental factors contribute to the expensive nature of the types of ELS cotton.
In general, the Egyptian Giza is five times as expensive as other types of Egyptian cotton. It is also interesting that these cotton types like rare diamonds are governed by strict laws protecting workers, the environment, and even consumers. This further underscore the reason for their remarkably excessive cost.
