Egyptian Cotton

Due to modern textile science, consumers of the world are exposed to more fabric choices than have ever been available to mankind.  Outdoor clothing manufacturers are constantly trying to increase their market share by promoting their newest “proprietary” fabric. It seems somewhat ironic that modern outdoor enthusiasts routinely venture forth to commune with Mother Nature clad in nothing but synthetic fabrics derived entirely from petroleum products. In all fairness, many of these new fabrics outperform natural fabrics in breath-ability, durability and their ability to repel rainwater. In cold wet weather, wearing the right fabric may mean the difference between mild discomfort and hypothermia or worse.

Although synthetics dominate the outdoor clothing market, natural fibers still enjoy overwhelming popularity in bedding products. If you were to shop for queen sheet sets at your local department store or bedding specialty shop, the vast majority would be made from cotton, cotton blends or silk.

Why do cotton and other natural fibers still dominate the bedding market?

We will discuss this and related topics in upcoming posts.

What makes Egyptian cotton so special? Part of the answer lies in the rich soil of the Nile Delta. For thousands of years, the Nile River has washed nutrient rich soils from Lake Victoria and “Upper Egypt” down into “Lower Egypt” and deposited them in the Nile Delta. The rich soil and year-round moderate climate create conditions ideally suited for growing cotton.

Cotton is the country’s major export and the Egyptian Government has taken an active role in protecting the health of the country’s cotton plantations. It has placed strict controls growing methods and created numerous safeguards to prevent disease. The resulting cotton is of such high quality that it can be used to create 1000 thread count sheets and other luxury linen products.