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COPYRIGHT 2005 Consumers Union of the United States, Inc.
Silk pillowcases that shred in the wash? Linen sheets so wrinkly after laundering that you might as well not bother making the bed? Sky-high thread counts based on creative calculating? Note to the makers of sheets in our tests: Stop sleeping on the job.
Much has changed in the bedding business. Tried-and-true names such as Cannon and Charisma are largely gone, a result of company bankruptcies. High-quality percale sheets--the kind we have recommended--are harder to find, too.
Instead, consumers are faced with high prices, unfamiliar brands, poor-wearing fabrics, and marketing that wrongly places a premium on the highest thread count. Standard sheets used to last years; some of those we tested don't even come close.
In short, we didn't find much to like among the 19 queen sheet sets we tested, which are priced from $30 to $385 and are found in bed-and-bath and department stores and online. They included trendy weaves such as sateen and satin, and nontraditional fibers such as polyester and modal, a cellulose fiber made from wood.
Unsuitable fabrics. In 20 launderings following the manufacturer's directions, the Domestications Washable Silk pillowcases were in shreds. The Linens 'n Things Home Brilliance Jersey knit sheets shrank so much after just five washings that they no longer fit the bed. Then there was the Cuddledown Heirloom Voile set, which is sheer. Who wants to see through to the mattress pad or pillow protector? Even the percale sheets in our tests were only fair for strength, typically a standout feature for percale.
Almost all the tested sheets needed ironing to look their best. Some of the unusual fibers require even more care. Silk needs delicate laundering. Sateen can rip on a toenail or cat's claw; satin can snag even on chapped hands....
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