We spend 56 hours a week on our sheets, leaving behind dirt, sweat, oil, and more. Choosing the most durable, comfortable, and affordable option can be overwhelming with all of the options out there. 

When you’re shopping for sheets to go with your new mattress, there are a few things to keep in mind: thread count, pocket depth, the weave, and the fabric. And what do all these things mean? In this article, we’ll review one brand and discuss how to take care of your sheets, plus we’ll go over all those terms that get thrown around like “thread count” and “pocket depth.” 

Research & Resources

In writing this article, we:

  • Read 10+ articles
  • Scoured dozens of customer reviews
  • Spent 12+ hours writing and revising to produce the most value-driven content possible 

Amerisleep Cotton Bed Sheets

The Amerisleep Cotton Bed Sheets are made with 100% combed cotton percale fabric and feature a 310 thread count. When cotton is combed, that means it’s been pre-treated before being spun into yarn, making it very soft. A percale weave gives sheets their classic “crisp” feel, like a freshly ironed shirt.

These sheets, in particular, were engineered to go perfectly with the Amerisleep memory foam mattresses. They sleep cool so you won’t need to worry about waking up sweaty or uncomfortable. Currently, they are sold in four different neutral colors, so you can easily integrate them into your current bedroom decor. These sheets ship free and come with free returns, but it does not come with a sleep trial period like the Amerisleep mattresses. 

Size Twin 11” Twin XL 11” Twin XL 18” Queen 18” King 18” California King 18” Split King 18”
Price for a set $100 $111 $111 $140 $156 $156 $189

 

Amerisleep Organic Cotton Bed Sheets

Amerisleep Organic Cotton Sheets

The Amerisleep Organic Cotton Bed Sheets are 100% Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton, and their 300 cotton thread count plus sateen weave makes them super soft, not scratchy. Even the packaging is biodegradable, so you can feel good about not contributing to unnecessary waste. 

One set includes one fitted sheet, 1 oversized flat sheet, and 2 pillowcases. The sheets are generously sized, so you shouldn’t have to deal with puckering or tugging to fit the sheets over your mattress. These sheets ship free and come with free returns.

Size Twin 11” Twin XL 11” Full 11” Queen 11” Queen 18” King 11” King 18” California King 11” California King 18” Split King 18” Split California King 18”
Price for a Set $111 $122 $133 $147 $147 $171 $171 $171 $171 $209 $209

 

Taking Care of Your Sheets

While the construction and materials used to make your sheets will determine how durable they are, how you take care of them will ensure they last as long as possible. Most sheets should last 6-8 years (about the same as a high-quality mattress). Here are our best tips for keeping your sheets intact for a long time:

  • Roll them into a loose ball before throwing them into the washer–this will ensure they don’t get caught in the agitator and stretched out
  • Consider using a gentle detergent that won’t break down the sheets over time (some bedding companies even sell their own detergent)
  • Remove them from the dryer immediately and shake them out; avoid ironing 
  • Use a rubber or wool ball or tennis balls wrapped in socks to ensure the sheets dry evenly
  • Avoid washing the sheets with other things; if you overload the washer and dryer, the sheets may get stretched out or twisted
  • Try washing your sheets on the hot/warm cycle during the winter (if you live somewhere where it gets cold); this can reduce allergens and extend the life of the sheets

Does Thread Count Really Matter?

You’ll hear the words “thread count” a lot if you’re shopping for sheets. While thread count is important to the overall feel of the sheets, a high thread count (above 400) does not necessarily mean the sheets will be better. In fact, if you want your sheets to keep you cool, a thread count around 300 or so is ideal. After all, sheets can only fit so much thread in them per square inch. Be wary of astronomical thread counts–companies can use lower quality threads to bump up the count, diminishing the quality. 

Temperature Control

Your sheets can regulate your body temperature and depending on the type of sheets you choose, this can be a good or a bad thing. Typically, cotton, linen, and bamboo sheets are the most breathable and thermo-regulative options as long as the thread count is not so high that it weighs down the sheets, causing your body heat to get trapped. The best thread count will vary depending on the fabric and the weave, which you can read more about below.

The Amerisleep sheets we’ve reviewed in this article come in percale and sateen weave. For percale weave sheets, stick to a thread count of 200-400 if you want a lighter feel, or 400-600 if you prefer something heavier and aren’t worried about sleeping cool. Sateen sheets usually perform best at a 300-600 thread count. 

Sheet Fabrics

Most sheets are made with cotton, and that’s probably the fabric you’re used to. However, don’t be afraid to branch out–there’s quite a few other options now that could suit your needs.

Material Highlights
Cotton Most popular choice is Egyptian cotton because of its softness
Tencel Made of rayon or lyocell. Recyclable, eco-friendly, has a silky feel
Linen Made from fibers of the flax plant, can be the softest feeling if stonewashed. Considered more high-end, linen sheets are often a little more expensive 
Microfiber Synthetic (usually made of a polyester blend), stretchy 
Bamboo Eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, durable, often a little more expensive

Weave

The sheet’s weave will affect the feel of the sheet as well, and a tighter weave combined with a high thread count may mean the sheets will be heavy or warm. 

Weave Highlights
Sateen This weave is popular because its texture is similar to silk, but it’s much more cost-effective
Percale Percale is one of the most common weaves in “cooling” sheets because it’s so lightweight 
Jersey A jersey weave fabric is more prone to pilling, but it can be cooling in the summer and warm in the winter 
Satin A satin weave is perfect for summer because it’s incredibly smooth and light

Other Things to Consider When Buying Sheets

While buying sheets is an important component of your bedroom setup, there are a few other things to consider.

Your mattress type

While there is no “best mattress” for using sheets, certain sheets will be more compatible with certain mattress types. For example, if you’re using a foam mattress or foam or hybrid innerspring that uses foam, you will want to consider sheets with more cooling properties. The Amerisleep cotton sheet set will work well with the Amerisleep mattresses because they have a relatively low thread count (310), ensuring you won’t sleep hot. 

Mattress toppers 

When you use a topper or comfort layer on top of your mattress, that can affect the fit of your sheets. Make sure you choose sheets that are oversized so you don’t run into this problem.

Mattress protectors

Using a mattress protector shouldn’t affect the feel of your sheets at all unless it’s padded or made of a plastic material that makes a lot of noise and moves around. For more help choosing a noiseless, waterproof protector, see our article here. 

Bed positioning

If your bed is next to a window, it might retain more heat or your sheets may be prone to fading. Make sure you choose neutral colored sheets to avoid this or move your bed to a more shaded area of the room. 

Pocket depth

Pocket depth refers to the cinched edges of a fitted sheet. Nobody likes a fitted sheet that comes loose constantly, so look for sheets with deep pockets (if you have a thick mattress or use a topper, you will need extra-deep pockets). A fitted sheet with elastic around the entire sheet (instead of just on the corners) will improve stability. 

Sleeping position

If you’re a side sleeper, back sleeper, stomach sleeper, or combo sleeper, you can find comfortable sheets! Sleeping position is not a major factor in buying sheets, but if your sleeping position is influenced by your weight, your height, chronic illness, pregnancy, or other things, those can come into play when choosing the best sheets. 

Conclusion

Buying sheets doesn’t have to be a traumatic experience–as long as you’re armed with information. We hope this article has given you enough confidence to go out and buy the best sheets you can for a good night’s rest. 

 

This article is for informational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or other medical professional.