Is Egyptian cotton better than other types of cotton? What’s the difference between standard cotton vs Egyptian cotton? Those are the questions that many people ask themselves before buying new bedding.

Because both kinds of cotton have their pros and cons, deciding which type is best for you will take some thought. With that in mind, in this post, we’ll break down the main differences between Egyptian cotton and cotton to help you choose. But first, let’s answer the question on everyone’s minds – what is Egyptian cotton?

What is Egyptian cotton?

Egyptian cotton is sourced from Gossypium Barbadense, a plant that originated in South America but is now harvested mostly in the Nile Delta. Nowadays, Gossypium Barbadense accounts for more than 5% of the world’s cotton production. Thanks to the Nile Delta’s extremely fertile soil and advantageous climate conditions, Gossypium Barbadense can grow for longer in Egypt than in other territories – hence its name.

But what makes Egyptian cotton stand out from other kinds of cotton? Basically, this type of cotton is comprised of extremely fine fibres. Unlike other variants, Egyptian cotton is hand-picked – meaning all the fibres are left straight and intact. This means that the fibres can be woven together more consistently, which results in a much softer and resistant fibre.

Cotton vs Egyptian cotton – which one is best?

Whether you’re choosing bedding for a new home or you’ve decided to treat yourself to some fresh new bedding for winter, you should be aware of the difference between Egyptian cotton and cotton. Below is a short list explaining the main distinctions between both kinds of cotton.

Softness

Regular cotton is often made from cotton fibres taken from many different types of cotton plants. While this makes regular cotton very cheap to produce, but it also means that it can be quite hit and miss. For this reason, at Victoria Linen, all of our cotton products are quality checked to ensure they meet our high standards. However, we can’t guarantee other retailers will do the same…

On the other hand, Egyptian cotton has a stronger and crisper composure than the vast majority of other kinds of cotton. This is all thanks to its origins. Because Egyptian cotton is made from untreated, long fibres taken from the same kind of cotton plant, it is much softer and smoother than regular cotton. On top of that, Egyptian cotton is also a lot more breathable – which means that it possesses temperature-control qualities that makes it a great choice for bed sheets, towels and duvet sets. However, it may take several washes to reach peak level of softness.

Durability

When it comes to durability, Egyptian cotton also has the upper hand over regular cotton. Let us explain. The higher the thread count of your cotton bed sheets or towels, the longer they will last without being deteriorating. Because Egyptian cotton always comes in a high range of thread counts, it is a lot sturdier and harder to break apart from regular cotton.

But it’s not just about the thread count – it’s about the quality of the cotton as well. A bed sheet with a thread count of 300 Egyptian cotton fibres will be a lot stronger and more durable than the same model of bed sheet made of 600 regular cotton fibres.

Care

Is Egyptian cotton better for washing and drying? Well, the truth is that both regular cotton and Egyptian cotton are fairly easy to care for. In the vast majority of cases, both can be machine-washed with detergent and fabric softener without causing much strain to the fabric. That being said, there is a small difference between Egyptian cotton and cotton when it comes to care and washing.

While there is a chance that certain low-quality cotton sheets may be ripped if machine-dried, all bedding made of Egyptian cotton can be safely put into a tumble dryer. Even better, machine-dried Egyptian cotton bed sheets will be less likely to come out completely wrinkled, provided you avoid using an overly high heat setting.

Cotton vs Egyptian cotton – the verdict

Now that we’ve gone through all the main differences between both types of cotton, it’s time to ask this question again – is Egyptian cotton better than regular cotton? The verdict is in – yes, it is. On top of being crisper and softer, Egyptian cotton is a lot more durable and easier to take care of. And thanks to its temperature-control qualities, Egyptian cotton also helps you regulate your body temperature in those cold winter nights.

So, what is the downside of Egyptian cotton? Some might say that would be its price tag – but that’s not necessarily accurate. While it’s true that regular cotton might be cheaper to purchase initially, this is often a false economy. After a couple of years, your regular cotton bed sheets will have deteriorated and you may have to buy new ones. In comparison, Egyptian cotton bedding lasts for a really long time. So, if you’re looking for new bedding and you’re happy to spend a little more at the outset, you know what to do. Choose Egyptian cotton bedding – it’s a safe investment.

Top-of-the-range Egyptian cotton duvet sets at Victoria Linen

If you need a new duvet set for your home, you’ve got two options in front of you. You can buy a duvet set made of regular cotton, which will be cheaper to purchase initially but will need to be replaced after a few years. Or you could invest in a high-quality Egyptian cotton duvet set that will keep you and your family warm and comfy for ages. If you ask us, it’s a no brainer.

Why is Egyptian cotton better? Because it’s sturdier, softer, smoother and easier to care for than regular cotton. At Victoria Linen, we stock a wide range of top-quality bedding made of Egyptian cotton. So, whether you’re looking for a new double bed sheet set or a small double fitted bed sheet, Victoria Linen is the way to go.

In case you’d like us to make a bespoke bedding product for you or if you just want to learn more about what we do, please call us today on 01706 2220020 or email us at info@victorialinen.co.uk today.