Archive for the ‘Egyptian Cotton Sheets’ Category
The Versatile Daybed Pop Up Trundle
By Sadie A Peterson
If you are looking to add some additional sleeping space to your room, the daybed pop up trundle combo is the way to go! You not only get sleeping space for two that only takes up space for one when not in use, but you also have options of where to sleep that second person.
The daybed pop up trundle is the easiest to use of the various trundle options. You just slide it out from under the bed, raise it to its normal height, and lock it into position. With a little bit of practice, you can probably do it with just one hand! No need to flip it all around while opening up the legs like with a lift up trundle unit. And because it is not a trundle drawer version, you can move the trundle bed wherever it is needed.
Most people think that when you set up your pop up trundle bed that you will put it alongside the daybed itself. Obviously this is an option, and probably the most preferred one if you are sleeping adults in the daybed. Simply line the two beds up together and you have the equivalent of a king-size bed. You can use either 2 twin-size sheet sets or you can use a king-size set. Then in the morning, strip the bedsheets, lower the trundle bed, slide it back under the daybed, and your room is back to normal.
But with your daybed pop up trundle, you have OPTIONS! You can slide the trundle out from under the daybed but leave it at ground level … great for when sleeping smaller children. Or you can raise the bed and put it anywhere else in the room where it fits better. Or, you can even put it in another room if you need to. Just be sure to not pop it up until you have it where you want it as the open trundle bed will be more difficult to move.
If you’re thinking about adding additional sleeping space somewhere in your house but are concerned that you really don’t have room to dedicate solely to sleeping the occasional guest, a daybed pop up trundle arrangement is by far your best bet. For the space of one bed, you get two beds … and you are not even required to sleep both those guests in the same room. Underneath the daybed is built-in storage space for your trundle bed so you won’t even have to find somewhere to store your extra bed.
Bamboo Sheets and the Benefits For Your Hotel
By Kit Cassingham
While attending a bed and breakfast conference recently, I visited Inn Style in the vendor section to investigate what they had in the way of organic cotton sheets. Instead, I found organic bamboo sheets. The sheets I found are 100 percent bamboo fiber sheets, not a bamboo/cotton blend.
These sheets have all the benefits of satin, silk, and high quality Egyptian cotton bed sheets, with few of the disadvantages of any of them. The price is quite reasonable. Nothing slips off them during the night (the way you experience satin sheets). The hand (how it drapes across your hand) is heavenly. These sheets, be they knit or woven, are soft, supple, and silky to the touch.
Bamboo and silk fibers are more easily damaged by bleaching than other fabrics, so using baking soda and white vinegar in your wash and rinse cycles, respectively, are a better way of keeping sheets clean, bright and soft (and not stinking of perfumes found in fabric softeners). If the sheets get a tough stain, Stain Solver is powerful oxygen bleach you can safely use on them. Bamboo sheets also fair better with a cold-water wash, rather than a warm- or hot-water wash. Think of the comfort you create and the money you save with these laundry changes!
Bamboo sheets are a great alternative to organic cotton because bamboo grows readily much less water than cotton, and without fertilizers or pesticides. By buying natural-colored, un-dyed sheets, you have completed the cycle of natural bedding. And they feel so good you are taking care of your guests, treating them like royalty, but on a reasonable budget.
The knit bamboo sheets I bought from Inn Style to experiment with came in several, softly-hued colors; I chose natural. I later found white, 250 thread-count woven bamboo sheets at Sam’s club. They are a much better quality than any discount bed sheet I’ve ever experienced or purchased. The fabric in both sets of bamboo sheets is soft and drapes nicely. They breathe well, helping keep your guests comfortable all night.
Personally I have preferred jersey-knit sheets because I live in a cool-temperature climate and these sheets regulated my temperature year ’round. I was concerned that I was going to lose that temperature balance if I gave up my knit sheets. Neither of the bamboo sheet sets is a problem for me; I maintain the right temperature while I sleep.
The sheets were soft when we first opened the package. Each has been laundered only twice, so far, but the laundry results are positive. When I removed the knit sheets from the drier the first time, after a few hours of being crumpled, I was relieved to see they weren’t terribly wrinkled. Both sets are somewhat wrinkled after the laundry cycle, which will be a problem for some people, but a non-issue for me. I’ll report again after we’ve had them longer and washed them many more times.
Organic bamboo sheets are a natural for the lodging industry. Bamboo is ecofriendly in its growth patterns, and if you take care of your bamboo sheets naturally, they also are good for your guests with allergies and chemical sensitivities. You can buy them at several places.
Fill Power and Down Alternatives
Determining the quality and potential warmth of a given comforter is quite simple when you’re working with down. That’s because of the standardized measurement known as fill power. In a nutshell, fill power refers to down material’s ability to insulate a sleeper. To obtain this measurement, one must compress the down and observe as it fluffs up once released. Down with greater fill power will fluff up all the more.
In the case of a down alternative comforter, it’s important to look at the thread count of the material and the type of fill used. The most comfortable, highly insulated filling will approximate down in nearly every way with the notable exception that it’s made of fiber. Any thread count greater than 200 will mix resilient strength with surprising softness. Don’t forget to factor in breathability as certain comforters can be stifling.
Simple Solutions to Sleepless Nights
I started having trouble sleeping a few months ago and just couldn’t pinpoint the cause of the problem. At first it occurred to me that I should stick to a regimented sleep schedule - maybe a strict routine would get my mind and body used to resting at a given time of night. That approach didn’t work at all; I just spent even more time tossing and turning in bed. Then I saw my doctor and he prescribed some sleep aids.
The pills did what they were supposed to do - they knocked me out and left me hazy and exhausted the next day. I knew then that pharmaceuticals were not the answer; rather, it was up to me to find a safe, natural solution. A friend recommended that I take a simple approach and just find some softer bedding. I switched from my lumpy old blankets to goose down comforters, and the difference was immediately apparent. Ever since, I’ve been sleeping soundly through the night.
Staying in a 3 Star Hotel
Last week I had the opportunity to stay at a 3 star hotel. I was going to a small conference in a city not far from home but knowing it would be late at night to drive home I decided to book a room. I book the hotel on line and some times you wonder if the rooms are as nice as the pictures.
When I walk into the hotel it was every bright and clean and well kept. The room I had was just like the picture on the website.
It had a mini kitchen with full frig, 2 electric burners to cook on, a microwave oven and a dish washer all the amenities of home. There was chesterfield on one side of the room and the bed on the other.
The bed was made up with nice white cotton sheets and lots of pillows. The comforter was a chocolate color with a white design through it. There was also a matching pillow to go with the down comforter.
This room was all that I hope it would be well maintain ,clean, bright and with all the luxuries you look for when you book a hotel room away from home.
This hotel was to me a 3 + more and I would look to stay at this hotel again if it was in the area I was going to in the future.
Does Thread Count Affect Bed Sheet Quality?
By Corinne Waldon
There is no feeling better than getting into a clean bed, turning the lights off, closing your eyes and falling asleep as your head hits the pillow. On the reverse side, there is nothing worse than crawling into bed, turning off the light, tossing, and turning for hours on end, trying to get comfortable so you can get some sleep. The night seems long and never ending, and knowing you are going to be tired the next day when you get up makes it all the worse. Statistics show that people need between seven and nine hours of uninterrupted sleep nightly. Being comfortable in bed is important since so many hours are spend sleeping, and good bedding can make the difference between sleeping like a baby or laying awake counting sheep.
What is Thread Count?
Measuring fabric and seeing how many yarns or threads there are woven into the length and width of one square inch, is know as the thread count.
Bed linens can be anywhere between 80 to 1,000 and the average range that is commonly carried in most stores is from 150 to 400. Sheets made of cotton, muslin other cotton blends typically have a count of 150. Thread counts of around 160-180 believed to be average quality. Two hundred and over are sometimes referred to as percale. A standard rule is the higher the number, the more expensive the bed sheets.
Does Thread Count Affect the Quality of Bed Sheets?
Consumers want to purchase bed sheets that feel wonderful and will be around many years. Thread count is important but there are also some other things to consider. Among other factors, does affect the ‘hand’, or the feel of the bedding when it touches your skin. You need to consider what fabric the bed sheet is made of and the finish. Counts in the range of 200 to 600 are very durable and soft but remember that other features should be important to you also. When choosing your bed sheets, here are a few items to remember:
1. Cotton/polyester blends of fabric do not feel as crisp and cool but the seldom wrinkle.
2. Flannel and brushed cotton are the right choice for you if you are looking for warmth.
3. By picking 100% cotton weaves, you will get the feeling of satin but it will not be as slippery.
4. Cool and luxurious percale gets softer with each washing.
5. Egyptian cotton has the longest fiber and is known as the ‘King’ of sheets. It becomes softer with each washing while remaining luxurious, smooth and durable.
Most people enjoy a good quality bed linen with a relatively high thread count for optimum comfort. To make sure that the correct sheets are purchased check the thread count before making a decision.
Turn Down the Heat at Night
In these harsh economic times, it’s not unusual for American families to live on a tight budget. For me, “shoestring” doesn’t even begin to cover it. Of course my wife and I are sure to provide for our children’s every need, but sometimes there’s nothing left after grocery shopping and the other staples are out of the way. In any case, it’s taught us to live in a thrifty and energy-efficient manner.
I took special care to weather-proof our home this fall, and we’ve talked to the kids about conserving electricity and heat to drive down the bills. As it turns out, my wife and I have been able to turn the heat down several degrees at night knowing that we’ll stay warm beneath a queen goose down comforter. I’ll be looking for smaller versions of the very same comforter for the kids.
Choosing the Perfect Bed Sheets
By Myloer Jamery
You spend a lot of your time sleeping, which means you definitely want to sleep on something comfortable. Choosing the right bed sheets is definitely important and there are many things to consider. Here are several tips to help you choose the best bed sheets.
First of all, when you are purchasing bedding, you definitely want to make sure you purchase the right size of sheets. There are many different types of mattresses out there, and just because your bed is a king size bed, doesn’t mean regular king sheets will fit. There are pillow tops, extra thick mattresses, California Kings, and more. Pay attention to the size of you bed when you buy to ensure the sheets fit.
It’s important to consider the thread count of your sheets as well. The higher the thread count, the softer your sheets are going to be. If you go with a low thread count, you’ll spend the night on scratchy sheets, which means you won’t sleep well. Sheets over 250 count are the best, and the higher, the more comfy you’ll be at night.
Of course, material is also important when choosing the perfect bed sheets. There are various materials to choose from, including silk, cotton, satin, and flannel. Probably the most common choice is cotton, because it is cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. However, some people love the warmth of flannel sheets, while other prefer the luxurious feeling of silk or satin sheets.
These are just several things to think about when picking out bedding. Your sheets are important to a good night’s rest, so choose carefully.
Mattress Measurements - Know What Size You Need Before You Buy
By Robert Schielmann
Before you begin to shop for a new mattress you may have to do some measuring to find out exactly what kind of space you are working with. Mattress measurements are an important factor when buying a bed. Sure, everyone might love to have a king sized bed but that certainly does not mean it will fit in your room. Sometimes a king sized bed will fit, if you put all of your other furniture in the closet but you normally would not want to do that. Mattress measurements are fairly standard with very little variation.
Standard twins are usually 39×75, twin XL which is extra long is normally 39×80, and full size beds are just about 54×75. Notice the patter, unless you get a special XL mattress it is likely that your mattress will measure 75 inches in length, which is standard. Extra length might not be required if you are 6 foot tall or under, however if you are over 6 feet, plan on your feet hanging off of the bed unless you advance to the XL size.
Queen size beds are 60×80 so you do get an extra 5 inches there which means that you are comfortably safe if you are under 6 ½ feet tall. The majority of people are so there is a bit more safety in that measure. Now for the king size beds, a standard king is 78×80 but a California King is 72×84. Now that is a bed! Minus the frame, headboard, or foot board you will have to use a 6 foot by 7 foot area just to fit the bed. That’s a pretty large area, especially if you factor in a nightstand, dresser, and a chest of drawers.
You will have to have correct measurements for your mattress so when you decide to buy the linens for it; you can select the right size. Standard king size sheets will not fit on a California king nor will standard twin sheets fit on a twin XL. You have to measure the thickness of the mattress as well as the length and width. If you do not then when you buy comforters and other accessories, they cover the mattress and hang down low enough. Many times the mattress measurements are converted into metrics which can be a bit intimidating but really are not that difficult. 1 inch = 2.54centimeters, 1 foot = 30.48 centimeters, and 1 meter = 39.37 inches. There is a little something for you to work with when you are measuring your mattresses.
A Green Home Decor Gift Idea
By: Michelle Radcliff
With the holidays fast approaching, its time to start thinking about what gifts you want to buy this year for family and friends. If you know someone just starting out in a new home or apartment, this environmentally-friendly gift idea is both unique and affordable.
Whether you’re looking for a housewarming gift, wedding gift or Christmas gift, a bamboo bath towel set bamboo sheet sets makes a great gift. “Going green”, a term that is referred to for anyone wanting to become more environmentally responsible and aware, is a fast growing trend. More and more people are looking to buy products that have the least negative impact on the environment. The materials used to make a product and the methods used in manufacturing it are the determining factors of classifying something that is “green” or environmentally-friendly.
Bath towels, bamboo sheets, or any textiles that are made from bamboo fiber as opposed to cotton have several advantages. First, bamboo is a highly sustainable material. It is one of the fastest growing woody plants in the world; some species grow 3-4 feet per day! Cutting bamboo down actually promotes rapid regrowth. Bamboo comes in many different species that are very versatile, making it extremely adaptable to different growing environments. Bamboo uses high amounts of carbon dioxide, a common greenhouse gas and produces large amounts of oxygen. It is abundantly available in many rural communities that are economically challenged, making it a valuable resource to help improve the economies and preserve the cultures of these communities.
In addition to the environmental benefits of bamboo, it also has some natural health benefits as well. Bamboo produces a unique anti-bacteria and bacteriostasis bio agent called “bamboo kun”. This enables textiles made of bamboo to be naturally anti-bacterial and deodorizing. Bamboo requires less dye than cotton while producing more vivid colors. Another disadvantage of cotton is that it takes large amounts of pesticides to maintain and grow it. Bamboo yarn is softer than cotton, often compared to cashmere.
These are some of the great benefits of giving bamboo fiber bath towel sets as a unique, ecofriendly gift. They are also an affordable gift, you can find a set of three that includes a bath towel, hand towel and washcloth for under $40.00. Bamboo bath towel sets and bamboo sheets are great for people with allergies because they are naturally hypo-allergenic and anti-microbial. They’re a gift you can feel good about giving.