by Saxon Henry 

Since March is the month that Nature begins nesting, Iwanted to share with you the great breadth of knowledge of a veritable linenencyclopedia, Fabrizio Biasiolo, owner of Casa del Bianco. After all, there’snothing more comforting than a well-made bed.

Selecting and Buying Linens

What’s the most important thing to consider when buyingsheets? There is no right fabric. There is only a fabric that is right for you.Your own personal taste and your intended use should dictate your choice. Cotton, percale or sateen, sheets are smooth, strong and comfortable and demandrelatively easy care. Linen is the strongest fiber, but the least uniform, andit has great airflow for coolness, but its irregular surface creates sheetsthat are not quite as soft as cotton and ones that wrinkle more than otherfibers. Silk sheets are woven from extremely smooth, thin uniform yarns andtend to feel more luxurious, but they are substantially warmer than eithercotton or linen, and they require more care.

Why is Egyptian cotton considered the best? Egyptian cottonhas the longest fibers when spun, producing the smoothest yarns for weaving.The result is the most comfortable cotton fabric. Linens made of Egyptiancotton also pill less (the annoying balling of loose fibers on the fabric’ssurface) and offer greater durability so they last longer.

What’s the difference between percale and sateen? Theconstruction of these fabrics makes each feel and perform differently. Percaleis woven with the same number of threads in the warp and weft on the loom, andthey interlace evenly in a basket weave pattern. This balanced weave produces astrong fabric with maximum airflow to make summer slumber cool. Sateen is wovenwith an uneven number of threads in the warp and weft so more threads floatover the fabric surface, producing its characteristic beautiful sheen but alsocreating a fabric that is less porous with less airflow and is consequentlywarmer. Since sateen is an unbalanced weave, there is also a greaterpossibility of surface pilling from friction of the unbalanced threads rubbingtogether. On the plus side, however, sateen sheets require less ironing thanpercale.

What is the truth about thread count as a measure ofquality? Thread count is very misunderstood.  Higher thread counts do notassure comfort or quality. After a certain point, the denser the number ofthreads per square inch, the heavier and less supple the fabric becomes. Asheet with a very high thread count (800 and above) will be hot and heavy onthe body and a sleeper will feel as if they are sleeping under a tablecloth. Werecommend 400 to 600 for optimal comfort because with bed linens, it is theweight per square meter that counts. The optimal weight for sheets is 110 gramsper square meter.

What is so special about Italian linens? Without a doubt,it’s the three processes called the “finishing” – bleaching, burning andmercerization – which are done better in Italy than any other place in theworld that make Italian linens special. Manufacturers may buy fine Egyptiancotton yarn, weave it anywhere in the world on the best German looms, but ifthey don’t “finish” in Italy, the fabric will be inferior. The same holds truefor wool, silk, cashmere and leather finished in Italy.

Preserving the Life of Fine Linens

How long should fine linens last? The life of linens ismeasured in “washings” not years. Care for them well and they will give youlong service. The paradox is that as linens approach the end of their “life,”they often feel their best – softer and softer. By following proper washing anddrying instructions and by alternating your linens (allowing them to “rest”between uses), you can greatly extend the life of your linens.

What is the best way to wash linens? We recommend cold waterand very low detergent and, if necessary, only non-chlorine bleach. Always washlike items together to minimize the abrasion. For instance, separate towels andsheets.

What is the best method for drying linens? Contrary to whatour grandmothers taught us, it’s not line drying. Cotton is sensitive to heatand sun and it’s important not to over-dry or over expose cotton sheets. Ifusing a dryer, set the temperature at medium and remove from the dryer whiledamp. This will allow sheets to air dry and will preserve the fabric whileminimizing wrinkling. If you do iron or touch up your linens, be sure to usemoist heat.

Why have my expensive sheets lost their luster? There is agood probability that you have excess detergent remaining in the fabric,possibly soldered into it from too long in a hot dryer. Washing sheets in coldwater a couple of times without detergent will often restore their originalbeauty and sheen.

How should I store my linens? Linens don’t require specialstorage, but you should never seal them in plastic. Adding a lavender sachet toyour linen closet is a lovely way to lend fragrance to your bed; plus it’s anatural insect deterrent.