Finding sheets you love is easy with our simple sheet buying guide.

1. Choosing Your Cotton

Most people love the softness of pure, 100% cotton sheets. Choose quality cotton sheets and they will reward you with a naturally comfortable touch, or hand, that just gets better with each washing.

When shopping for luxury sheets, you'll see terms like pima and Egyptian cotton. These are long-staple varieties of cotton, meaning the cotton fibers are longer. The longer the staple, the stronger the yarn, resulting in more durable sheets and bedding.

2. Thread Count Explained

Thread count simply means the number of cotton threads per square inch of sheeting. But is a higher thread count necessarily "better" than a lower one? It all depends on how you like your sheets to feel.

If you love a thick, comforting sheet, reach for thread counts of 600 and up. You'll love the luxurious weight and dense, silky hand of these sheet sets. These extra-high thread count sets are especially nice in wintertime, just for their rich weight.

If you prefer a cool, breathable sheet, select sheet sets in the 300 to 600 thread count range. These are also excellent sheets that will deliver the experience you're looking for.

3. Single-Ply, Two-Ply: What's the Difference?

"Ply" refers to the twist of the yarn used to weave your sheets. A two-ply yarn literally twists two finer yarns together to form each thread. Two-ply sheets can be found in some of the higher thread counts and are the favorites of many sleepers.

A single-ply sheet set is woven from single yarn threads. Single-ply weaves take a little more time to manufacture, but the end result is a sheet with a lightweight, graceful hand that some people prefer. Give both types of "ply" a try to find out what suits your sleeping style.

4. Finding the Right Weave

How a particular sheet is woven has a huge effect on the way it feels against your skin. Two sheet weaves are very popular right now. The more common one is sateen, which, as the name suggests, feels silky and elegant to the touch. The sateen weave gives sheets a naturally lustrous look and finish, adding that extra sheen to your bed's décor.

You'll also find percale sheets making a comeback among bedding aficionados. Percale is a one-up-one-under weave that will remind you of your favorite woven shirt, or the sheets you had growing up. It has what's often described as a "crisp" hand: wonderfully cool and refreshing, without the lustrous finish of a sateen weave.

5. The Perfect Fit

If you've purchased a pillowtop or extra-deep luxury mattress, look for sheet sets labeled "extra-deep pockets." This means that the fitted sheet is especially made to accommodate those thicker mattresses. A little elastic on the fitted sheet will also help the sheet stay in place for a beautiful, comfortable bed.

6. Caring for Cotton Sheets

Every set of sheets we sell is labeled with care instructions. For best results, follow these instructions exactly.

Here are some additional tips to ensure that your sheets provide years of nighttime bliss.

1. Only wash sheets with sheets - not with the rest of your laundry.

2. Don't overload the washer or the dryer. Give your sheets a chance to tumble properly.

3. Especially with luxury sheets, avoid overdrying them. Stop the dryer once the sheets are no longer damp - don't bake them.

4. Remove your sheets from the dryer promptly. Then fold them immediately or put them back on the bed.

** Mattresses under 9 inches thick are considered standard products, so special sheets are not needed. Products 9-13 inches thick are considered high contour mattresses thus requiring deep pocket sheets. Mattresses over 13 inches thick are considered custom products and require special sheets.