Why Egyptian Cotton is a good choice for your Bed Linen

Egyptian Cotton has become synonymous with exceptional comfort and feel. However, like with most amenities and creature comforts of today, people do not think about where Egyptian cotton originated and how it has become a staple of the textile industry. Now known worldwide for being made into the finest bedlinens, ensuring lasting quality.

Egyptian cotton is special because it is usually handled by farmers and not by machines. No pesticides are used, no chemicals are used to clean up the cotton and people are used to pick the cotton. Therefore, the cotton remains soft because the fibers are not disturbed during harvest. Pure Egyptian Cotton yarns do not have that brilliant white optical effect when produced, linen look yarns ensure that the cotton is as soft as when it is first woven before any dying is introduced. Mild Mercerising and Sanforsing of the cotton before dying ensures that the cotton is conditioned for years of lasting strength and quality without compromising the earthy qualities that made this yarn so famous.

Cotton has existed in Egypt since ancient, almost even prehistoric, times. Native cotton in Egypt was actually not of a very good quality. Therefore, when an Ethiopian cotton was sent to Egypt, the founder of modern Egypt was advised to buy some so that he could grow just a small plot. After the first harvest was exported, he began to grow more of the cotton. Cotton trade was most especially busy in a square in Alexandria, where the first trading began in 1865.

The Nile is also a very important part of Egyptian cotton's history. Without it, cotton and other crops would not have survived for very long. Egypt's moderate climate also played an integral role in developing the popularity and long-standing characteristic of cotton as Egypt's cash crop. Improvements to Egypt's irrigation systems increased cotton's wealth-producing power as the crops began to improve in quality.

Unfortunately Egypt does not produce enough cotton to satisfy all of the world wide demands, so looking out for the symbol of authenticity when buying bedding is important as many yarns can be blended or mixed with other lesser quality of cotton although this is mainly found in cheap or budget bedlinens that are marketed as Egyptian Cotton. The organic farming procedures in Egypt do not make for a cheap source of good quality cotton and unfortunately everything has a price hence the reason genuine Egyptian Cotton is reserved mainly for the better end of the market. You will find pure egyptian cotton in the higher thread count linen as this long staple fibre of the Egyptian Cotton lends itself to a stronger and more tactile weaving procedure.


Bedlinen Direct supply a range of egyptian cotton sheets, mattress protectors, matress toppers, duvet covers, bedspreads, comforters and table linen.