Textiles Shopping Guide

[I am an old Macy's employee, this information I am sharing we refer to as "product knowledge"]

BATH LINENS

Materials & Fabrications
Towels	The price of a towel is determined by the cost of making the product, including: ─     Quality of cotton used ─     Density of the loops woven into the towels ─     Tipping and embellishment
Bath Rugs	Three kinds of fabrics are used: Synthetic (Nylon, Acrylic, and Polyester), 100% Cotton and Blended. ─     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. ─     Rugs without backing and reversible rugs will be more durable but can be slippery on tile floors.
Shower Curtains	Shower curtains and liners are available in both fabric and vinyl: ─     Fabric curtains and liners are lightweight and are often machine washable. ─     Vinyl curtains and liners are heavy duty and better at keeping the water inside the shower but may not be machine washable.

Sizing can vary a few inches by manufacturer but the ‘standard’ sizing is:

Sizing
Bath Towels	Bath Rugs
Bath Sheets — 35” x 60”	18” x 24”
Bath Towels — 27” x 52”	22” x 35”
Hand Towels — 16” x 30”	25” x 40”
Wash Cloths — 13” x 13”	30” x 50”
Fingertip Towels — 11” x 18”	Lid cover
Tub Mat — 27” x 52”	Contour
Beach Towels — 30” x 60”	Novelty-cut shapes

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:

─     Natural fillers include: down, feather or both

─     Synthetic filler include: polyester fiberfill or visco-elastic memory foam

─     Hypoallergenic options are available in each, for people with allergy concerns

Consider the Fill
Fill Type	European goose down has the most loft and retains the most heat.
Fill Power	The higher the fill power, the lighter, fluffier and more insulating the comforter.
Fill Weight	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.

Types of Comforters:

─     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.

─     Down / feather is a combination of natural fibers that provide a down similar look and feel to 100% down without the price.

─     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
Thread Count	The number of threads woven in each inch of fabric. The higher the thread count, the softer, more comfortable and durable the sheets are.
Type of Fabric	100% cotton is breathable and wicks moisture
Type of Cotton	Egyptian cotton of a high thread count has the softest “hand” or “feel”
Egyptian Cotton	Made from cotton grown on the Nile River. It is a luxury item offered by many of our brands.
Pima Cotton	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.
Cotton /  Poly	Blended fabrics combine comfort with durability. Cotton provides softness while polyester provides a neat, iron-free look.

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:

─     Great basics in mix and match colors

─     500 threads count pima cotton, that becomes softer with every wash

─     Iron-free

─     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	30” x 72”
Twin	38” x 75”
Twin XL	38” x 80”
Full Rollaway	48” x 72”
Full	54” x 75”
Queen	60” x 80”
California King	72” x 84”
Eastern (standard) King	76” x 80”

TERMS & DEFINITIONS

Term	Definition
Baffling	A type of box-like construction that uses sewn-in cloth “walls” to keep the fill in place, preventing “pancaking”
Gusset	Fabric “walls” on the perimeter of pillows, comforters & featherbeds that improve stability, reinforce seams and provide additional support, especially in pillows
Hypoallergenic	Natural or synthetic fill materials that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction and may help reduce the presence of dust mites.
Damask	Damask is the fabric that has pattern woven within. Today, it generally denotes a texture richly woven with flowers, striped or other designs
Embellished	A textile that contains decorative stitching, lace, buttons, etc
Sham	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.