Getting into bed at the end of the day is undoubtedly one of life’s great pleasures, a pleasure made exponentially better when the sheets are fresh, soft and chosen to suit your lifestyle. We spend a third of our lives in bed, so selecting the right linen — something you will likely own for years to come — is as important as choosing the right mattress. To guide you along the way, we’ve rounded up some of the questions we get asked the most in our shops.
Cotton or Linen?
Both cotton and linen are natural, breathable fibres that will lead to a restful night’s sleep. FOXFORD bed linen is predominantly cotton — a fibre that will not only keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter but also has a soft, luxurious feel, especially when it’s been freshly washed and ironed. If you prefer a rustic, crumbled finish to your bed sheets however, then linen could be the one for you
What Does Thread Count Mean?
Thread count is commonly used to explain the difference between the various cottons. The higher the number of threads there are in a square inch of fabric, the higher the thread count. However, a higher thread count doesn’t always guarantee the quality of the cotton, so it’s important to consider the quality of the yarn, too. Generally speaking though, a higher thread count cotton will have a warmer, cosier feel.
Are there different weaves?
FOXFORD bed linen has a choice of two different weaves: percale and sateen.
Percale
This is a plain weave, where warp and weft (vertical and horizontal threads) are woven between each other one at a time.
This checkerboard style weave produces a strong fabric with a crisp, fine matte finish.
Sateen
In this style of weaving, warp and weft threads are interwoven with filling threads, resulting in a smooth, lustrous look and feel.
Higher thread count sheets are usually constructed with a sateen weave.
It’s important to make sure your new sheets will fit your bedroom setup by checking the dimensions beforehand. All of our bed linen is sized to the standard dimensions which we’ve popped below as a handy guide. Remember, if you’re planning to use a mattress topper, you should factor this in when measuring, as they can add extra height to the mattress.
Fitted sheets
Single: 90 x 190 cm or 36 x 75 inches
Double: 137 x 190 cm or 54 x 75 inches
King: 152 x 200 cm 60 x 78 inches
Super King: 180 x 200 cm or 72 x 78 inches
Extra deep fitted sheet depth: 40 cm or 16 inches
Duvet covers
Single: 135-140 x 200 cm or 54 x 78 inches
Double: 200 x 200 cm or 78 x 78 inches
King: 225 x 220 cm or 90 x 86 inches
Super King: 260 x 220 cm or 102 x 86 inches
Flat sheets
Single: 180 x 270 cm or 72 x 106 inches
Double: 240 x 270 cm or 94 x 106 inches
King: 275 x 275 cm or 108 x 108 inches
Super King: 290 x 275 cm or 114 x 108 inches
What about pillowcases?
Before choosing the colour and pattern of your pillowcases, it’s important to know the size as there are a few different types out there. From Oxford to square and everything in between — we’ve got you covered.
What Size is a Standard Pillowcase?
A standard pillowcase measures 50 x 75 cm and is designed to fit snugly over a standard pillow.
What is a Housewife Pillowcase?
A housewife pillowcase and a standard pillowcase are exactly the same.
What Size is an Oxford Pillowcase?
An Oxford pillowcase measures 50 x 75 cm — the same as a standard pillowcase — with the addition of a 5 cm decorative border around the edge.
What Size is a Square Pillowcase?
A square pillowcase measures 65 x 65 cm and may also have a wide-stitched flat hem around the edge
to create a border similar to the Oxford style
How should I care for my bed linen?
How often you choose to wash your sheets is based on personal preference, but we’d recommend
washing FOXFORD sheets once a week. Use a small amount of mild detergent, and avoid bleach as this could break down the fibres. Sheets may be tumble dried on a very low heat according to their specific care labels, but they should be removed before completely dry, to avoid wrinkles.
When possible, sheets should be dried outside, but we know this isn’t always possible in Ireland!
