We spend a third of our lives in bed, so good bed linen is worth choosing well. Here is what actually matters.
Fabric first
- Pure cotton: breathable, soft and cool — the best choice for most of India, most of the year.
- Cotton blends: crease less, but are warmer and less breathable.
- Linen: very cool and long-lasting; softens beautifully with use.
About thread count
Thread count is the number of threads in a square inch. Higher is not always better: very high counts are sometimes achieved with thin, multi-ply threads that are less breathable. For cotton, a well-woven sheet in the mid range, made with good long-staple cotton, often feels better than an extremely high count.
Size
- Measure your mattress — length, width and depth — before you buy.
- Allow tuck room: a flat sheet should be about 40–50 cm wider and longer than the mattress so it tucks in on all sides.
- Indian double, queen and king sizes vary between brands, so compare the measurements rather than the name.
Hand block printed bed linen
Hand block prints bring colour and craft to the bedroom, and natural cotton is lovely to sleep on. Wash separately at first, in cold water, and dry in the shade so the colours stay bright.
Coming up next
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Next: 11 Oct
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Navratri Day 2: Maa Brahmacharini, The Goddess of Devotion and Penance
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