Egyptian Cotton

As we have discussed in previous posts, cotton fiber length is determined by genetics and growing conditions. Ideal conditions produce long fluffy fibers that are used to create men’s dress shirts, 800 thread count sheets,  or a variety of other luxury products.

Although Egyptian Cotton consistently produces long fibers, the same can be said for cotton grown elsewhere. In the mechanized age we live in, almost all cotton is picked by machines. Unfortunately, these machines tend to cut and break the fibers.

Egyptian Cotton farmers pick each cotton boll by hand. While it is obviously more expensive to pick cotton this way, Egyptian farmers take great pride in their work. They realize that discriminating buyers all over the world will be willing to pay a premium for products made from their exceptional crop.

Scientists who research textiles have concluded that ideal growing conditions include nutrient rich soil and very warm weather both of which can be found in Egypt’s Nile Delta. Natural cotton fibers vary from 3/8″ to 2″ in length depending on species, soil, moisture and climate conditions. Shorter varieties are called “short staple” and longer varieties are called “long staple.” Egyptian Cotton is almost exclusively “long staple” with fiber lengths usually exceeding 1.5″

Scientists have also concluded that there is a direct correlation between fiber length and the strength of the resulting fabric from which it is made. Because each fiber is so long, they can be woven into finer threads. These finer threads can then be tightly woven into luxury bedding products such as 1200 thread count sheets, pillowcases, or duvet covers.

Although synthetic fibers might be ideal for tents and outdoor clothing, they are not always the best choice for other applications. Cordura sheets (coated nylon pack-cloth) would be waterproof and last forever but they wouldn’t be very comfortable. Yes, synthetics continue to improve, but cotton fibers have several characteristics that make them ideal for bedding, towels and clothing.

Cotton fibers are naturally hydrophilic (a scientific term for substances that like to soak up lots of water) This is a desirable trait for clothing because it allows sweat to wick away from the body and promote natural cooling. This ability becomes even more important for towels and wash cloths. (Try wiping a spill off the kitchen floor with some rayon or nylon and you’ll see what I mean.) Cotton fibers are also fine enough to create a fabric with a soft feel which makes them an excellent choice for fabric with direct skin contact such as tee shirts, underwear or king sheet sets.

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.

Like Luxury Hotels, Hospitals are in the business of serving their guests. Although hospital stays are often more expensive than luxury hotels, patients frequently try to forget their stays. Who wants to remember pain or sickness anyway? Why then would hospitals spend money on expensive Egyptian cotton sheet sets when they could buy sheets made from less expensive materials? Is this just one more example of waste in the American healthcare system? Hardly!

Hospitals are under intense pressure from the media, congress, taxpayers and insurance companies to cut costs. Under this pressure, they are constantly looking for ways to not only reduce initial purchase costs, but to also reduce the lifetime cost of ownership.

Hospital laundries are notoriously rough on linens, particularly due to the processes required by modern infection control standards. Normal short fiber cotton products disintegrate after only a few washings. Egyptian cotton’s long strong fibers are more resilient to this type of abuse. Although Egyptian cotton sheet sets cost more initially, they end up saving money by outliving their competition.

Luxury Hotels around the world pamper their guests with high thread count Egyptian Cotton Sheets. These hotels are far more than places to sleep, eat and have meetings. They are in the business of creating memorable experiences in an environment where were every need is supplied, every detail is attended to, and service always exceeds expectations.

Creating this environment is not easy; it requires attention to millions of details. A master chief oversees the creation of each culinary masterpiece. The Concierge must have answers for every question and resources to fill every need. Even the Bellhops, Maids and Maintenance staff are carefully trained to provide the best of everything to their guests.

Some people believe we are more likely to remember our final thoughts before going to sleep at night. Luxury hotels must believe it as well. At the end of the day, they wrap their guests in the softest most luxurious sheets in the whole word: Egyptian cotton sheets.