[I am an old Macy's employee, this information I am sharing we refer to as "product knowledge"]
BATH LINENS
BATH LINENS
Materials & Fabrications
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Towels
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The price of a towel is determined by the
cost of making the product, including:
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Quality of cotton used
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Density of the loops woven into the
towels
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Tipping and embellishment
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Bath
Rugs
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Three kinds of fabrics are used: Synthetic (Nylon, Acrylic, and
Polyester), 100% Cotton and Blended.
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Rugs with backing will stay put on tile
floors but may not be as durable as the backing will eventually deteriorate
from machine washing and drying.
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Rugs without backing and reversible rugs
will be more durable but can be slippery on tile floors.
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Shower
Curtains
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Shower curtains and liners are available in
both fabric and vinyl:
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Fabric curtains and liners are
lightweight and are often machine washable.
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Vinyl curtains and liners are heavy duty
and better at keeping the water inside the shower but may not be machine
washable.
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Sizing
can vary a few inches by manufacturer but the ‘standard’ sizing is:
Sizing
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Bath Towels
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Bath Rugs
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Bath Sheets — 35” x 60”
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18” x 24”
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Bath Towels — 27” x 52”
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22” x 35”
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Hand Towels — 16” x 30”
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25” x 40”
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Wash Cloths — 13” x 13”
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30” x 50”
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Fingertip Towels — 11” x 18”
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Lid cover
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Tub Mat — 27” x 52”
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Contour
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Beach Towels — 30” x 60”
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Novelty-cut shapes
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The standard shower curtain size is 70” x 72.”
A shower curtain should hang 3” to 4” below the edge of a tub or 1” to 2”
longer than the step of a walk-in shower.
COMFORTERS
& PILLOWS
Pillows, comforters and “feather beds” can be
filled with natural materials or synthetic materials:
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Natural fillers include: down, feather or both
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Synthetic filler include: polyester fiberfill
or visco-elastic memory foam
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Hypoallergenic options are available in each,
for people with allergy concerns
Consider
the Fill
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Fill Type
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European
goose down has the most loft and retains the most heat.
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Fill Power
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The
higher the fill power, the lighter, fluffier and more insulating the
comforter.
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Fill Weight
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Down
weight is measured in ounces. Heavy doesn’t mean hot. High fill weight and a
low fill power will feel reassuringly heavy without being too warm.
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Types of Comforters:
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100% down is the most expensive and warmest
type of comforter filling. The level of warmth is based on the amount of fill
power contained inside.
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Down / feather is a combination of natural
fibers that provide a down similar look and feel to 100% down without the
price.
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Down / feather fillings have a proportioned
amount of both materials to provide warmth. Please check the tag on the item
for details. This is a cost effective way of providing warmth.
Selecting the Right Pillow:
Maintaining proper alignment
of the head, neck and shoulders while sleeping will provide a more restful and
restorative sleep. Different sleep styles require different pillows to achieve
this alignment:
Back Sleeper à Medium – Firm
Side Sleeper à Firm
Stomach Sleeper à Soft, plump pillow, possibly
in memory foam
SHEETS
Materials and
Construction
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Thread Count
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The
number of threads woven in each inch of fabric. The higher the thread count,
the softer, more comfortable and durable the sheets are.
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Type of Fabric
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100%
cotton is breathable and wicks moisture
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Type of Cotton
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Egyptian
cotton of a high thread count has the softest “hand” or “feel”
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Egyptian Cotton
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Made
from cotton grown on the Nile River. It is a luxury item offered by many of
our brands.
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Pima Cotton
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Made
from cotton grown mainly in the USA. It has long fibers that create a
comfortable feel. This is a good choice for customers seeking a less
expensive alternative to Egyptian cotton.
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Cotton / Poly
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Blended
fabrics combine comfort with durability. Cotton provides softness while
polyester provides a neat, iron-free look.
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Creating a New Look
Flat sheets, for a Contemporary
Look:
Offer a flat sheet to replace a fitted sheet.
Using 2 flat sheets creates a ‘hotel’ look. Also, offer alternate colors to
create a ‘warm’ or ‘cool’ feel.
Pillow Cases and Shams:
Offer patterned or complementary colors to each
sheet set. This method of accessorizing creates vibrancy and dimension to every
sleeping area.
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Which
towels are the most absorbent?
Towels that have denser, long
loop in Egyptian or Turkish cotton tend to be more absorbent. These also tend
to be softer to the touch.
What
is the difference between a bath towel and a bath sheet?
The difference between a bath
towel and a bath sheet is size. A standard bath towel is 27” x 52” while a
standard bath sheet is 35” x 60”. One is not better than the other, it is a
personal preference.
What
is the difference between a 100% cotton towel and a cotton / polyester towel?
In a cotton / polyester towel,
the base and edging of the towel will consist of these blended materials. The
looping on the towel will always be 100% cotton for maximum absorbency.
Should
fabric softeners or dryer sheets be used on towels?
It is not recommended because
fabric softeners may leave a film on the loops that diminish a towel’s
absorbency. When in doubt, always follow the care instructions on the
manufacturer’s tag.
What
is the difference between a bath mat and a bath rug?
A bath mat or tub mat is made
of the same material and color as the towels it matches. It often has a pattern
or border cut into it to differentiate it from a towel. A bath rug on the other
hand, is an actual rug. It does not match the towel fabric, but matches a color
or theme. Often a tub mat is put over the rug temporarily to absorb the water
when coming out of the shower or bath. A rug can also be used as a purely
decorative item in the bathroom.
I’m
allergic to down—are there options available that will provide me with the same
level of comfort and warmth?
Yes, there are several options
to choose from in both hypo-allergenic and down alternative synthetic, many of
which are designed to mimic the benefits to down.
What is
a duvet?
Think of a duvet as a big
cover for your comforter that creates additional warmth and completes look of
your bed.
What
is the difference between a comforter, bedspread and coverlet?
A comforter is warm and fluffy cover that hangs to the top of the box
spring and is heavier than a bedspread or coverlet. A bedspread is a thinner decorative covering that hangs to the floor
and is heavier than a coverlet. A coverlet
is very lightweight and mostly used for decorative purposes at the foot of the
bed.
Do
pillows and comforters need to be dry cleaned?
We recommend that you follow
the care instructions on the manufacturer’s tag for all items as the directions
will vary from one product to another.
What
is “memory foam”?
A heat sensitive,
visco-elastic foam that adjusts to the shape of your body.
What
are your most popular sheets?
The damask strip and solid sheets are most
popular fir a few reasons:
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Great basics in mix and match colors
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500 threads count pima cotton, that becomes
softer with every wash
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Iron-free
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Regular fits up to 18” mattress / extra deep
fits up to a 22” mattress
What
is the difference between Egyptian and Pima cotton?
Both are long fiber cottons,
which produce a softer more luxurious yarn. Egyptian cotton refers to cotton
specifically grown on the rich, fertile soil of the Nile River. Pima is a kind
of cotton that started in the Southwest US in the early 1900’s. Today it is
grown in the US, Israel, Peru and Australia, The term “Supima” is a licensed
name used to promote textile and apparel products made of 100% American Pima
cotton.
How do I know which size works
for my bed?
Twin Rollaway
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30” x 72”
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Twin
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38” x 75”
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Twin XL
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38” x 80”
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Full Rollaway
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48” x 72”
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Full
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54” x 75”
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Queen
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60” x 80”
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California King
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72” x 84”
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Eastern (standard) King
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76” x 80”
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TERMS
& DEFINITIONS
Term
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Definition
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Baffling
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A
type of box-like construction that uses sewn-in cloth “walls” to keep the
fill in place, preventing “pancaking”
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Gusset
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Fabric
“walls” on the perimeter of pillows, comforters & featherbeds that
improve stability, reinforce seams and provide additional support, especially
in pillows
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Hypoallergenic
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Natural
or synthetic fill materials that are less likely to cause an allergic
reaction and may help reduce the presence of dust mites.
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Damask
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Damask
is the fabric that has pattern woven within. Today, it generally denotes a
texture richly woven with flowers, striped or other designs
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Embellished
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A
textile that contains decorative stitching, lace, buttons, etc
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Sham
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A
purely decorative pillow cover that goes over a standard, king or euro size
pillow. The word “sham” means false, this the pillow sham is a false pillow
case.
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