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how long do cotton sheets last?

FireFire Posts: 19,096
in The potting shed
I have some duvet covers that were new ten years ago and are now falling apart all over. They are pure cotton from John Lewis and I have taken good, gentle care of them. It seems very disappointing that they should not be more robust.

What is your experience? Thanks
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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I bought some Egyptian cotton duvet covers and sheets from John Lewis about 30 years ago @Fire and they lasted about 10 years too before starting to tear or wear thin and holey.

    I now buy from IKEA and have some that are 20+ yrs old and others just 6 or 7 and all fine - so far.   
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited December 2023
    What’s the Thread count?  That’ll make a considerable difference to the wear. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    No idea of the thread count - I understand this is a bit of a red herring. One reason is that a high thread count can just indicate finer weight thread (so is more likely to break).

    My sheets were good quality, though. I think 'polycotton' mixes will last hundreds of years. I have one from fifty years ago that belonged to my parents and is as new. 

    If it was a quality cotton shirt with lots of daily wear I might understand it but for a duvet cover with no forces acting on it, apart from the washing machine, I do find it odd that it should be falling apart. I don't use a tumble drier. Eco powder. 

    I suppose I expect quality things to last well if looked after. I am trying to fix all the splits but I suspect the whole thing is not long this world/ 

    🫤


  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
     Cotton soaks up sweat and body grease,  not saying anyone’s dirty,  just that’s what it does, and that weakens and rots it.
    You’ll have to do sides to middle like grandma did,  then when it’s completely beyond repair cut in pieces and put in the  compost heap.   Nothing wasted,  nothing bought in vain. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    edited December 2023
    I find that a really  high  thread count makes sheets brittle.  1 think 300  is the maximum  I would pick.
    I had a high count fitted sheet that had no give in it. It split every time I used it. Dumped in a fit of pique. Most of our rubbish goes to an incinerator  to produce heating so I feel no guilt  - just righteous  indignation 
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    When I can no longer save it, I will keep the material to re-use. I want to teach myself to make clothes (properly). Sheets are pretty much the cheapest way to get material to learn on.

    Doe anyone have pure cotton sheets that have lasted more than ten years? I suppose if the material is thicker (heavy weight) it will wear better.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited December 2023
    I had some pure cotton twill sheets given to me that had been my then husband’s godmother’s. They were quite thick. 

     She said they’d been a wedding present so must’ve been around 25 years old at least  … they  were lovely and soft because they’d been washed so many times … she’d given them to me to make pram and cot sheets for my forthcoming first baby.

     They lasted through lots of hot washes for him and his younger sister @WonkyWomble 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
     I have. No idea where they came  from. Some M&S and some  IKEA.  I'm  not certain  the really  thick stuff lasts  better. I  fact, I  don't  believe it does.
    There's  an optimum  count . Don't  know  what it is, though 
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Mine are 100% cotton @Fire.   Can't be doing with polycotton anything, including clothes.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • rowlandscastle444rowlandscastle444 Posts: 2,612
    I have pure cotton sheets and duvet covers from John Lewis, and after ten years, they've certainly taken a lot of wear and tear. But I sleep poorly, toss and turn, and rub a stubbly chin across the top of the duvet cover and parts of the sheet.

    While I've got some that last longer, I'd replace them, knowing that they've served me well. John Lewis have good quality Egyptian cotton, but my stubble is like sandpaper. Think what that might do to even the best sheets!
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