The bedding buying guide

Everything you need to know, from Egyptian cotton to thread count and washing rules

Is Egyptian cotton the holy grail? Should you be buying bamboo? Will silk save your hair? We asked the experts

There is a lot of information online about what makes good bedding. Dig into it, however, and you’ll see that most advice comes from the bedding brands themselves, making it tricky to sort facts from marketing hype.

To cut through the noise, we asked independent experts to help demystify some of the most common bedding questions, from decoding thread count to unpacking bamboo’s sustainability credentials. We heard from technical textile consultant Beverley Carter and textile expert and fashion consultant Sarah Denise Cordery. We also consulted sleep gurus James Wilson, AKA the Sleep Geek, and Max Kirsten, known as the Sleep Coach, to find out what has worked for their clients. For a beauty professional’s take on the benefits of silk bedding, we turned to skincare specialist Dr Kemi Fabusiwa.

For those more subjective queries – the flat v fitted sheet debate, or whether to go Oxford with your pillowcases – we consulted interior design professionals for an insiders’ take. Thirteen of them also shared their favourite bedding brands with the Filter.

Which material is best?

The consensus is that no one material is “best” – it’s about what’s right for the individual. “It makes sense to go for breathable, thermoregulating materials that prevent overheating and feel nice on your skin,” says Kirsten. His preference is cotton or bamboo, but some of our interior designers swore by linen.

Cotton is the most common bedding material, and all our experts recommend that if you do plump for it, look for the 100% sort for maximum comfort and breathability, particularly if you’re a hot sleeper. A few factors will affect how cotton feels: the quality of the threads used, the ply (the number of single threads twisted together), the type of weave and the treatment of the cotton. Then there is the thorny issue of thread count to unpick.

Is a higher thread count better?

“If you took a magnifying glass to one square inch of fabric, then counted the number of threads going vertically and horizontally, that would give you the thread count,” says Cordery. “It’s like the muscle of the fabric; the more thread you’ve got there, the heavier and smoother the material will be.”

Generally, you’ll see bedding marketed from 200 thread count up to 1,000-plus. But these claims can be misleading, says Cordery, since quality is dependent on the use of single-ply threads. She explains that some companies cheat the system by using two-ply (or even three- or four-ply) instead. “These are shorter threads and aren’t as high quality; they’re twisted together, which means the thread count will be doubled, but the fabric won’t be as strong.” So, a two-ply 300-thread-count product could be marketed as 600 and may feel slightly thicker but, Cordery warns, could bobble more easily – and no one wants bobbly sheets.

How can you tell if the threads are one-ply or not? With difficulty, as it’s not information we found readily available from brands. Cordery recommends feeling the fabric and checking if it starts to bobble when rubbed if you’re buying in-store. If the thread count is suspiciously high and the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. After all, says Cordery, “it’s very difficult to get 1,000 threads in a square inch of fabric unless it’s a very fine thread.”

Expect to pay £100-160 for a double high-thread-count sheet from mid-range retailers. In contrast, we found sheets marketed as 1,500 thread count for less than £20 on Temu and AliExpress.

And even if bedding is single-ply, 100% cotton and the thread count claims are legitimate, Wilson says a high thread count may not be the best solution for everyone: “Some people claim a higher thread count makes the cotton less breathable and can make you hotter in bed.” And if affordability and easy care are the top priorities, there are plenty of good-quality cotton-rich blends around, which will be cheaper than pure counterparts, quicker to dry and crease less easily.

Is Egyptian cotton better than cotton from anywhere else? If so, why?

Egyptian cotton has benefited from very effective marketing in recent years, but not all bedding carrying the name is equal. The thing to look for is “long-staple” cotton. Giza cotton, a variety grown only in the Nile valley, is known for its long, fine fibres and is touted as the most premium. “There are fewer breaks in the thread and that translates to a soft, long-lasting fabric that ages very well.”

That’s not to say other countries can’t grow long-staple cotton fibres – Pima cotton, for example, which grows in Peru and the south-west of the US – but all our experts concur that 100%, one-ply Giza Egyptian cotton is extremely high quality and can reach those high thread counts without the material feeling too thick or rigid. As you would expect, the price tag reflects this.

Percale v sateen weave

The weave type also affects the feel of cotton and influences the thread count. You’ll see cotton bedding categorised as sateen or percale. “A sateen weave is more densely packed together, so it will feel silky and have a lustre to it,” says Cordery. It will have a higher thread count and feel thicker and warmer than percale. A percale weave has more space between the threads and a cool, crisp feel. It may feel more lightweight and breathable and will dry quicker, but it also creases more easily than sateen.

Sustainability

You should be able to find clear information about a brand’s sustainability credentials on its website. Cordery recommends looking for the likes of the Better Cotton mark, an international sustainability initiative, and Oeko-tex certification, which ensures products haven’t been manufactured using harmful chemicals. If it’s organic cotton, look for the Gots, Global Organic Textile Standard, which certifies that the production process is environmentally and socially responsible.

Linen v cotton: which is best?

Some of our interiors experts swear by linen. Katherine Ormerod, author of Your Not Forever Home, loves it all year round, finding it cool in summer and “cocooning and warm” in winter. Banjo Beale, an Australian-born, Scotland-based interior designer and author of Wild Isle Style, is definitive: “Once you go linen you never go back.” He also praised the material for its breathability.

For others, cotton can’t be beaten. Charlotte Tilbury from Penrose Tilbury interior design doesn’t budge from high-thread-count bedding: “It has a comforting weight to it and drapes beautifully.” Interior designer Eva Sonaike says the “soft” and “luxurious” feel of cotton against the skin is unsurpassed by any other material.

Both linen and cotton are natural fabrics derived from plants, but what are the technical differences? “Cotton is harvested from the soft tufts of fibre that form after the cotton plant’s flowers die off,” says Carter. “They’re cleaned, combed and spun to yarn.” Linen, meanwhile, is derived from the flax plant. “It comes from the long fibres within the stems. For them to be usable, they’re steeped in water – retted – until the outer surface rots away and the fibre within separates.” The result is a looser weave that’s rougher to the touch than cotton and has that lived-in wrinkled appearance.

Both are durable and breathable, but linen has the edge here; it’s stronger and more breathable thanks to the looser weave. Plus, it’s particularly hypoallergenic. “Moisture breeds bacteria and linen wicks moisture away from your skin more effectively than cotton,” says Cordery. These qualities make it good for hot sleepers.

On the downside, linen is usually more expensive due to the more labour-intensive production process and because it doesn’t grow as widely as cotton. Some people may find it coarse, but it softens over time with washing.

What about bamboo?

Bamboo bedding has a soft, silky texture with significant hypoallergenic qualities; it’s effective at wicking away moisture and is antibacterial and antifungal. Wilson and Kirsten both report that bamboo works for their clients for whom temperature is an issue and those with skin conditions such as eczema. Carter reminds us that bamboo is a “quick-growing renewable material”, which is often why it’s trumpeted as a sustainable choice.

However, all our experts flag the use of potentially environmentally harmful chemicals in the manufacturing process. Price-wise, 100% bamboo sheets can be more expensive than some cotton versions, but are more affordable than, say, high-thread-count Egyptian cotton. Pure linen also tends to be pricier than bamboo.

For a similar silky, soft fabric that is kinder to the environment, Cordery recommends lyocell (sold as Tencel). It’s derived from wood pulp and is made in a closed-loop process, which recycles most of the water used in production, stopping harmful solvents leaking out into the environment. You may see bedding made with bamboo and Tencel blended with other textiles, such as cotton, so check the sustainability of those if that’s important to you.

Source: The Guardian

What is the Doctrine of Laches?

In the realm of Philippine law, the doctrine of laches plays a pivotal role in ensuring fairness and equity. It is a legal principle that prevents a person from asserting a claim if they have delayed unreasonably in doing so, to the prejudice of another party. This doctrine is rooted in the idea that "equity aids the vigilant, not those who slumber on their rights."

Defining the Doctrine of Laches

Laches is not merely about the passage of time; it concerns the inequity of enforcing a right after an unreasonable and unexplained delay. While statutes of limitation provide a fixed period within which legal action must be initiated, the doctrine of laches focuses on the fairness of allowing a claim to proceed despite the delay.

Elements of Laches

To invoke the doctrine of laches in the Philippine legal context, the following elements must typically be established:

1. Neglect or Delay: The party asserting the claim failed to act within a reasonable time to enforce their right.

2. Knowledge of the Right: The claimant was aware, or should have been aware, of their right to take action.

3. Prejudice to the Opposing Party: The delay caused harm, disadvantage, or prejudice to the other party.

4. Inequity of Allowing the Claim: Enforcing the claim after such a delay would be unjust or unfair.

Laches vs. Prescription

It is important to distinguish laches from prescription, as they are separate legal concepts:

• Prescription is a statutory concept that sets a fixed time limit for filing legal actions. Once the prescribed period lapses, the right to bring the action is extinguished, regardless of the circumstances.

• Laches, on the other hand, is an equitable principle that can be invoked even if the statutory period has not yet expired, provided the delay in asserting the claim is deemed unreasonable and prejudicial.

Application in Philippine Jurisprudence

The Philippine Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld the doctrine of laches in various cases, particularly in disputes involving property, contracts, and inheritance. For instance:

• In property disputes, a party who fails to take timely action to reclaim land or assert ownership rights may lose their claim if the opposing party has occupied or improved the property in good faith over a significant period.

• In inheritance cases, heirs who delay challenging the distribution of an estate may be barred from asserting their claims if the delay causes undue hardship to other parties.

Example Case

Consider a scenario where a person’s ancestral land is occupied by a relative. Despite being aware of the situation, the owner takes no action for 30 years. During this time, the relative builds a home, plants crops, and resides on the land in good faith. If the owner suddenly files a case to reclaim the land, the court may dismiss the claim on the grounds of laches, as the delay has caused significant prejudice to the relative.

Importance of Vigilance

The doctrine of laches underscores the importance of vigilance in protecting one’s rights. It serves as a reminder that the law does not favor those who neglect their responsibilities or delay legal action to the detriment of others.

Conclusion

In the Philippine legal context, the doctrine of laches is a safeguard against stale claims and inequitable outcomes. It promotes fairness by balancing the rights of claimants with the interests of those who may be unjustly affected by unreasonable delays. To avoid the pitfalls of laches, individuals must be proactive in asserting their rights and taking timely legal action when necessary.

Source: ZRE

Prior Physical Possession Immaterial in Unlawful Detainer

Prior Physical Possession Immaterial in Unlawful Detainer: Understanding the Philippine Legal Context

In the Philippine legal system, the Rules of Court provide mechanisms for the recovery of possession of real property. Among these remedies is an action for unlawful detainer under Rule 70. This specific remedy is designed to restore possession to one who is deprived of it through unlawful means, even if prior physical possession is not held by the complainant.

Defining Unlawful Detainer

Unlawful detainer occurs when a person unlawfully withholds possession of a property after the expiration or termination of their right to occupy it. Typically, this involves a lessor-lessee or similar relationship, where a lease or agreement allows lawful possession initially, but such possession becomes illegal upon termination of the arrangement.

Prior Physical Possession: Not a Prerequisite

Contrary to common misconceptions, the complainant in an unlawful detainer case does not need to prove prior physical possession of the property. Instead, the focus is on whether the defendant unlawfully withheld possession after the termination of their right to remain on the property.

The Supreme Court of the Philippines has consistently upheld this principle. In cases of unlawful detainer, the issue revolves around the existence of an agreement, express or implied, that granted the defendant possession of the property and whether such possession was properly terminated. As long as the complainant can demonstrate a better right to possession, physical possession before the alleged unlawful withholding is irrelevant.

Relevance of Ownership and Possession

It is crucial to distinguish between ownership and possession in unlawful detainer cases. Ownership is immaterial; the case strictly concerns the right to physical possession or possession de facto. The rightful possessor need not be the owner but must establish a legal right to possess the property superior to the defendant’s claim.

The Supreme Court clarified this in Supreme Transliner, Inc. v. BPI Family Savings Bank, Inc. (G.R. No. 165617, September 27, 2006), where it emphasized that the determination of prior physical possession is not necessary in cases of unlawful detainer because the issue centers on whether the withholding of possession was unlawful after the right to occupy had expired or was terminated.

Procedure and Timeliness

An unlawful detainer action must be filed within one year from the date of unlawful withholding of possession. The complainant must prove the existence of an agreement or tolerance for the initial possession and that such right has been terminated.

Failure to file within this period may result in the complainant losing the right to pursue an unlawful detainer action. However, other remedies such as an accion publiciana (for recovery of possession filed in the regional trial court) or an accion reivindicatoria (for recovery of ownership and possession) may still be available, though they follow different procedural and jurisdictional rules.

Significance of this Legal Principle

The principle that prior physical possession is immaterial in unlawful detainer reflects the Philippine judiciary's commitment to swiftly resolving disputes over property possession without delving into issues of ownership. It ensures that rightful possessors can reclaim their property without undue delay, fostering respect for agreements and legal possession.

Conclusion

Understanding that prior physical possession is immaterial in unlawful detainer cases simplifies the legal landscape for litigants seeking to recover possession of property. By focusing on the existence of a prior agreement and the unlawful withholding of possession, this principle reinforces the efficiency and accessibility of remedies under Rule 70 of the Rules of Court in the Philippines. Whether you are a lessor, lessee, or property owner, knowing this distinction is essential in protecting your rights.

Source: ZRE