Bed Sheet Myths You Should Stop Believing — Especially About Egyptian Cotton

December 11, 2025

Whether you browse online bedding stores or walk into a physical showroom, you’ll find an exciting variety of options—each highlighting unique features designed to enhance your sleep.

Among them, Egyptian cotton bed sheets often stand out as a popular favourite. While they are well-loved for their comfort, it’s helpful to understand what truly defines quality so you can choose the bedding that suits you best.

Just like bed mattresses and pillows, not all bed sheets are created equal—and not all are what they claim to be. There are countless misconceptions surrounding cotton bed sheets, silk bed sheets, and even new-generation materials like TENCEL™. If you're investing in bedding that supports better sleep and long-lasting comfort, it’s essential to separate marketing myths from actual quality indicators.

In this guide, we debunk the most common bed sheet myths—especially those concerning Egyptian cotton sheets—and show you how to identify truly premium fabrics based on fibre quality, weave, breathability, and authenticity.

1. Myth: Egyptian Cotton Is Always the Best Cotton

Let’s start with the biggest misconception in the bedding world.

Many people believe Egyptian cotton is automatically superior, but the truth is more nuanced.

The Truth: Quality Depends on Fibre Length and Purity — Not Just Origin

High-quality Egyptian cotton comes from extra-long staple (ELS) fibres that are strong, soft, and extremely durable. These fibres allow the yarn to be smoother and finer, producing premium-feeling bed sheets.

However…

Not all Egyptian cotton on the market is ELS. The term “Egyptian cotton” is not heavily regulated globally. This means:

Some products use shorter, lower-quality cotton but still carry the label.
Some “Egyptian cotton” bedding blends Egyptian cotton with regular cotton.
Many brands cannot trace their cotton’s origin.

What truly matters?

Fibre length
Purity (100% ELS cotton)
Honest sourcing
Transparent certifications

Premium ELS cotton—whether from Egypt or elsewhere—will always outperform low-quality cotton labeled “Egyptian.”

Certified Egyptian Cotton at Robinsons

Robinsons offers bed sheets made with certified 100% ELS Egyptian cotton, ensuring they meet the high standards associated with premium cotton. The Egyptian Luxury Sateen Bed Sheet Set (Heritage Collection by Robinsons) uses this certified fibre to deliver the smoothness, breathability, and long-lasting comfort that Egyptian cotton is known for.

2. Myth: Higher Thread Count Always Means Higher Quality

Thread count is one of the most misunderstood metrics in bedding.

Consumers often assume that sheets with a 1,000 or 1,500 thread count are automatically softer and better.

The Truth: Thread Count Has a Quality Ceiling

Here’s what most shoppers don’t know:

Authentic single-ply cotton rarely exceeds 400–600 thread count.
Anything higher often involves multi-ply yarn, which can feel heavier or rougher.
Manufacturers may inflate thread count using twisted or layered fibres.

What actually makes a bed sheet luxurious?

Fibre quality (e.g., ELS cotton or TENCEL™)
Weave type (sateen, percale, twill)
Finishing process
Breathability and softness

In short, a well-made 400TC sheet can feel better than a low-quality 1,200TC sheet.

3. Myth: All Cotton Sheets Feel the Same

Another common myth is that “cotton is cotton.”

The Truth: Cotton Quality Varies Dramatically

Cotton bed sheets differ in:

Staple length
Yarn strength
Weave
Finishing

Cotton comes in categories like:

Short staple cotton — budget, tends to pill
Long staple cotton — smoother and softer
Extra-long staple cotton (ELS) — the premium tier

ELS cotton includes:

Genuine Egyptian cotton
Supima® cotton
Giza 45/Giza 87 cotton varieties

These fibres produce stronger, smoother sheets with superior durability.

4. Myth: Silk Bed Sheets Are Hot and Slippery

Silk often gets a reputation for being slippery, sweaty, or high-maintenance.

The Truth: High-Quality Silk Is Breathable and Temperature-Regulating

Silk’s natural properties include:

Thermoregulation — keeps you cool in heat and warm in cooler temps
Smooth texture that’s gentle on skin
Hypoallergenic fibres that resist dust mites

The “slippery feeling” usually comes from cheaper satin polyester marketed as “silk-like.”

If you enjoy a luxuriously smooth and cool sleeping surface, silk bed sheets may be a great choice.

5. Myth: TENCEL™ Is Just Another Synthetic Fabric

TENCEL™ is sometimes misunderstood as a manmade, synthetic material like polyester.

The Truth: TENCEL™ Is a Natural, Sustainable Fibre Derived from Wood Pulp

TENCEL™ Lyocell is known for:

Exceptional softness
High breathability
Smooth, silky feel
Moisture-wicking abilities
Sustainable closed-loop production

Many premium bed sheet brands now offer TENCEL™ bed sheets because they’re ideal for hot sleepers, sensitive skin, or humid climates.

6. Myth: The Weave Doesn’t Matter — Only Fibre Quality Does

Even the best fibres can feel mediocre if the weave is poor.

The Truth: Weave Determines Feel, Temperature, and Durability

Here’s what each weave offers:

Percale

Crisp, cool, matte finish
Great for warm environments
Lightweight and breathable

Sateen

Smooth, silky, luxurious
Slight sheen
Gentle on your skin

Twill

Durable with subtle diagonal texture
Resists wrinkling
Great for long-term use

Choosing the right weave based on your sleep preference is just as important as choosing the right fibre.

7. Myth: Price Always Reflects Quality

High price tags can mislead shoppers into believing the product is superior.

The Truth: You’re Often Paying for Branding, Not Always Quality

A higher price may include:

Branding markup
Marketing costs
Packaging
Imported materials

But what truly reflects quality?

Transparency in sourcing
Certifications
Fibre purity
Manufacturing standards
Customer reviews

Premium quality does not always require a premium price tag—especially when you know what to look for.

How to Choose Truly High-Quality Bed Sheets

Now that we’ve debunked the myths, here’s what you should really evaluate when buying bed sheets:

A. Fibre Quality

Prioritise:

ELS cotton (Egyptian, Supima®, Giza varieties)
TENCEL™ Lyocell for breathability
Mulberry silk for luxury and skin benefits

High-quality fibres produce soft, long-lasting sheets.

B. Authenticity

Look for:

Clear material labels
Certifications (OEKO-TEX®, Egyptian Cotton Association, Supima®)
Transparent manufacturing information

Authenticity ensures you get what is advertised.

C. Weave Type

Choose based on your preference:

Prefer crisp and cooling? Go for percale.
Love buttery-smooth softness? Choose sateen.
Want durability? Pick twill.

D. Breathability and Comfort

Hot sleeper?

TENCEL™
Cotton percale
Lightweight weaves

Prefer something cozy?

Sateen
Mulberry silk

E. Finishing and Craftsmanship

Quality finishing enhances:

Softness
Colour retention
Durability
Smoothness

Avoid sheets coated with chemical softeners—they wash off quickly and may irritate skin.

Final Thoughts: Discover the Truth Behind Common Bedding Beliefs

Choosing bed sheets shouldn’t be confusing. When you move beyond marketing myths about Egyptian cotton sheets or high thread counts, you’ll find that true comfort comes from:

Authentic, high-quality fibres
Ethical production
The right weave
Breathability
Your personal comfort preference

Whether you’re exploring Egyptian cotton, premium cotton, TENCEL™, or silk bed sheets, understanding what truly determines quality helps you make a smarter, longer-lasting investment in your sleep.

Robinsons’ Egyptian Luxury Sateen Bed Sheet Set is one example of how carefully selected materials and craftsmanship come together to elevate comfort and durability.

Great sleep starts with the right materials—and now you have the clarity to choose wisely. Discover premium fabrics, buttery-soft textures, and hotel-like comfort at Robinsons Singapore .

👉 Browse Robinsons Hotel Collection Today