Is Egyptian Cotton Worth It?

Being of Egyptian descent, I was always curious why my mom strictly bought Egyptian Cotton™ sheets and bedding. What makes it so much better than regular cotton? Lucky for me Google holds the answer, and after some research I learned a lot about why Egyptian Cotton™ has received its high quality reputation. Products made from Egyptian Cotton™ tend to be priced higher, so is it really worth the money?

A Brief History On Egyptian Cotton

The first known person to cultivate Egyptian Cotton was a Frenchman by the name of Monsieur Louis Alex Jumel. After he came across abandoned cotton plants in a Cairo garden, Jumel took a chance and through experimentation was able to create an extra-long staple cotton. Word of this accomplishment reached Egypt’s ruler and soon after, the Egyptian cotton industry began to thrive. Prices of Egyptian cotton rose across the worldwide market in 1862 as a result of the chaos of the American Civil War. In a haste to keep their mills turning, Europeans were desperate to buy Egyptian cotton. The creation of the Suez Canal in 1869 also had a significant effect on the production and distribution of Egyptian Cotton. With the ability to travel by ship so much faster, more and more countries took an interest in Egyptian Cotton.

Always hand-picked In egypt

Two young Egyptian boys hand picking cotton in Egypt
Source: Getty Images

The nutrient rich soil of the Nile River Valley and Egypt’s humid weather conditions make it perfect for growing long cotton fibers. Also known as staples, these fibers range from 1 1/2 inches to 2 1/4 inches, making it twice the size of other cotton fibers. Egyptian Cotton™ is hand picked, guaranteeing that the fiber is as pure as can be. Unlike mechanically picked cotton, hand picking the cotton does not put stress on the fibers, allowing them to remain intact. The cultivation process for Egyptian Cotton™ is extremely meticulous, ensuring that the cotton is gathered at 5 specific stages of its life. This process yields a top tier quality of soft and luxurious cotton fibers.

What Makes Egyptian Cotton So Luxurious?

Luxurious Egyptian Cotton 600 Thread Count Comforter
Source: BellaDonna Home Decor

So why is it that when shopping for sheets and other bedding, you should keep an eye out for 100% cotton? The strength of the cotton fiber makes Egyptian Cotton™ super durable and more resistant to stress. Egyptian Cotton™ is also highly absorbent of liquids, allowing it to hold die exceptionally well. The fibers of the cotton are supremely soft and last longer than any other cotton in the world. With every wash, the cotton gets softer and softer. After feeling the physical difference between regular sheets and Egyptian Cotton™ sheets, I can confidently say that Egyptian Cotton™ is worth the price. The lightweight fabric feels amazing on your skin and keeps you temperate while you sleep. While the most popular use for Egyptian Cotton™ is for sheets and bedding, the highly absorbent properties of the yarn make it great for making towels robes, and clothing . You can wash Egyptian Cotton™ year after year and it will not change its level of quality (as long as you make sure not to wash it with fabric softener). The feel of this high-quality cotton can only be compared to silk, making it a highly desired material for luxury home products.

Cotton Egypt Association

The CEA Accredited Gold Seal of Approval
Source: Pure Parima

Throughout the years, Egyptian Cotton™ has been blended with inferior quality materials, creating the need for the Cotton Egypt Association. Founded in 2005, the CEA is passionate about keeping Egyptian Cotton™ 100% pure. The existence of the CEA is based on the desire to be transparent with consumers as well as reassure them of the quality of Egyptian Cotton™ products. In order to use the Egyptian Cotton name and logo, the manufacturer must receive an accreditation from the CEA. In order to determine the quality of the product, DNA tests are done of the cotton to ensure that the fiber is completely genuine.

Is It Worth It?

Products made from Egyptian Cotton™ tend to fall on the pricey side, but considering that they don’t depreciate in quality, buying sheets and clothing made from Egyptian Cotton™ is worth the investment. Every wash will make it softer, and the breathable material is far less likely to accumulate lint compared to shorter staple cotton. If you are looking to buy a high quality bedding set, I would strongly recommend choosing 100% Egyptian Cotton™ for all of its beneficial qualities.

References

Egyptian cotton | Cairo | Nourtex Company For Exports. (n.d.). Nourtex. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://www.nourtexports.com/egyptian-cotton

History of Egyptian Cotton | Egyptian CottonTM. (n.d.). Egyptian Cotton. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://www.cottonegyptassociation.com/history-of-egyptian-cotton/

Is Egyptian Cotton Really the Best in the World? (n.d.). Nour Luxury. https://www.nourluxury.com/blogs/news/egyptian-cotton-best-in-world

Question: Are Egyptian Cotton Sheets Worth It. (2021, September 30). SeniorCare2Share. https://www.seniorcare2share.com/are-egyptian-cotton-sheets-worth-it/

Where to Buy Egyptian Cotton | Egyptian CottonTM. (n.d.). Egyptian Cotton. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://www.cottonegyptassociation.com/where-to-buy/

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