Frequently Asked
Questions
What does Thread Count mean?
This is the combined number of warp (lengthways) and weft (width ways)
threads per square
inch of
fabric.
What is the envelope style duvet
covers?
Envelope Style: Envelope style duvet covers feature an
internal flap which
closes the duvet
inside and holds it in place.
What is meant by Percale?
A closely woven plain weave fabric with a thread count of 200 and above
(some
would argue 180 and above).
What is a Sateen?
A weave construction where the weft (width ways) yarn floats over 3 to
5 (commonly 4)
warp yarns to give a satin type finish.
What is carded cotton?
Carding is a mechanical process whereby a web of fibres is untangled
and aligned
by a series of metal teeth rotating at high speed. This process also removes short fibres and
any remaining waste
material and readies the fibres for the yarn spinning process.
What is combed cotton?
This is a process which can be done in addition to carding to improve
the
quality of the yarn. The fibres are further aligned and short fibres plus any remaining
impurities are removed by
passing through finer combs. This process gives a more even, smooth, clean and stronger yarn.
Fabrics made from
combed cotton will be more expensive due to this additional process.
What is Egyptian cotton?
Egyptian cotton has a longer fibre staple length due to the favourable
growing
conditions in the Nile Delta. This will give a stronger, smoother yarn.
What is Yarn Count?
This is the method used to describe the density (thickness) of the yarn
and is
traditionally given in “cotton count” e.g. 16’s, 30’s, 40’s. In this system the lower the
count, the thicker the
yarn, so a 16’s yarn will be thicker than a 40’s yarn. The higher counts e.g. 40’s, 60’s will
be used in bed linen.
The metric system used to measure yarn density is the “tex” system which works in the
opposite way whereby the
higher the tex value the thicker the yarn.
What is Pilling?
Pilling (often described as bobbling) occurs when fibres break free
from the fabric as
a result of abrasion. These loose fibres form an entangled ball which is loosely attached to
the fabric surface
giving a rough and worn appearance.
What is Pilling?
Pilling (often described as bobbling) occurs when fibres break free
from the fabric as
a result of abrasion. These loose fibres form an entangled ball which is loosely attached to
the fabric surface
giving a rough and worn appearance.
Benefits of cotton?
100% cotton bed linen provides greater comfort due to its naturally
absorbent properties which will absorb moisture
from the body during sleep.
Benefits of polyester/cotton?
Polyester cotton combines the absorbent properties of 100% cotton with
the easy care and faster drying characteristics of polyester.
Why wash before use?
During manufacture, lubricant is applied to the yarn used to form the
terry loops, which assists the insertion of
the terry loop weft during weaving. This lubricant gives the yarn a slippery surface, which
means the loops are
very easy to pull. A pre washing process is essential both to remove this lubricant and to
allow the ground weave
of the towel to shrink in, which tightens the fabric and holds the loops in place. Around 3
times the usual
quantity of detergent is required in the pre wash to ensure all lubricant is removed.
What does GSM mean?
The standard measurement for weight of fabrics is Gramm’s per Square
Metre (GSM).
This is also used to indicate the quality of a towel. The higher GSM the better the quality.
Which GSM?
The softness and absorbency of a towel will be greater with increasing
GSM, therefore the
higher the GSM, the more luxurious the towel. A towel that weighs less than 400gsm will feel
thin and this should
be the minimum weight for hand/guest towels. Luxury towels fall in the region of 500 – 650gsm
and higher in some
cases.
What are the benefits of cotton?
Cotton table linen is more absorbent which is often more desirable for
napkins in particular; and can be finished to
a crisp sheen giving a luxurious drape.
What are the benefits of 100%
polyester?
100% polyester table linen has a higher strength and lasts
longer than cotton. Shrinkage is minimal. It also has increased stain release properties and
has a faster drying
time than 100% cotton. This is desirable from a laundry production perspective as production
costs are reduced.
Polyester constructions have been developed to give a softer, absorbent more cotton like feel.
What is meant by Mercerised?
Mercerising is a process by which cotton fibres by are swelled with
treatment in concentrated Sodium Hydroxide. This gives the fibres a circular cross section
which increases the
lustre, improves shrinkage, strengthens the fabric and increases colour retention.
