what did sears do to this magic pillowcase?
April 4, 2022 10:38 AM Subscribe
24 years ago, as I prepared to leave for my freshman year of college, my mother took me to Sears and bought me a set of bedsheets. Nearly a quarter century later, I still use the pillowcase from that sheet set, because it turned out to have been the single greatest pillowcase ever manufactured by man. But...
As you might expect with 24 years of nightly use, it's beginning to show its age. Or rather, it's kind of starting to finish showing its age. It is worn through so much that, if you take the pillow out of it, it's see-through. I haven't been able to wash it in a washing machine for a while, and now I'm worried that even gently hand-washing is going to be too much for it. So it's been a while since I've washed it at all, which, yeah, gross.
I've tried, over the years, to replace it, but I've failed each time. The problem is, this is the softest pillowcase I've ever felt, and more importantly, almost comically cold. The only reason I understand the meaning of the phrase "cool as the other side of the pillow" is because I owned other pillowcases before this one. This one is cool on all sides, all the time. No joke, if I get razor burn from shaving, I just lay my head on my pillow for a couple minutes; it's cool enough to soothe the razor burn. It stays cool even in summer. In winter, it's damn near frigid. If I put it in the fridge, it would get warmer.
There is, as far as I can tell, nothing particularly special about this pillowcase. Even back in 1998, Sears was pretty downmarket, and I'm sure we didn't buy anything that would have passed for luxury even by the meager standards of Sears. I'm certain it was the Sears equivalent of something like Target's Room Essentials line: the cheapest stuff possible to get your kid off to college. Literally just a solid color (navy) cotton percale, completely inauspicious. Nothing to suggest it would be the Platonic ideal of pillowcases for decades to follow. Honestly, if it had been marketed as such, we probably wouldn't have bought it; our only consideration at the time was low price. The thread count was probably like seven, haha.
I've purchased other pillowcases in the years since, of various different types. I've tried 100% cotton, cotton-poly blend, polyester microfiber, organic cotton, high thread count, etc., but none of them have the feel I'm looking for. I'm using them all with the same pillow, so that's a constant. Last year I started researching this a bit and bought the Wirecutter's recommendation for cotton percale sheets, specifically because they mentioned how cool the sheets are. And like, the sheets are acceptably cool. The pillowcase is just normally cool, though, which is a downgrade from what I've got.
So my question is twofold: First, is there an explanation for while some pillowcases are cooler than others? I understand percale is the coolest fabric in general because of the weave, but there seems to be variation in the coolness from one percale pillowcase to the next. I also understand the pillow itself plays a large part, but again, all this has been on the same pillow. And I know nothing is going to be as soft as something that's been broken in for 24 years - I figure the softness will come with time, and I'm more concerned about the coolness. And second, can you recommend a particular pillowcase that might work for me?
As you might expect with 24 years of nightly use, it's beginning to show its age. Or rather, it's kind of starting to finish showing its age. It is worn through so much that, if you take the pillow out of it, it's see-through. I haven't been able to wash it in a washing machine for a while, and now I'm worried that even gently hand-washing is going to be too much for it. So it's been a while since I've washed it at all, which, yeah, gross.
I've tried, over the years, to replace it, but I've failed each time. The problem is, this is the softest pillowcase I've ever felt, and more importantly, almost comically cold. The only reason I understand the meaning of the phrase "cool as the other side of the pillow" is because I owned other pillowcases before this one. This one is cool on all sides, all the time. No joke, if I get razor burn from shaving, I just lay my head on my pillow for a couple minutes; it's cool enough to soothe the razor burn. It stays cool even in summer. In winter, it's damn near frigid. If I put it in the fridge, it would get warmer.
There is, as far as I can tell, nothing particularly special about this pillowcase. Even back in 1998, Sears was pretty downmarket, and I'm sure we didn't buy anything that would have passed for luxury even by the meager standards of Sears. I'm certain it was the Sears equivalent of something like Target's Room Essentials line: the cheapest stuff possible to get your kid off to college. Literally just a solid color (navy) cotton percale, completely inauspicious. Nothing to suggest it would be the Platonic ideal of pillowcases for decades to follow. Honestly, if it had been marketed as such, we probably wouldn't have bought it; our only consideration at the time was low price. The thread count was probably like seven, haha.
I've purchased other pillowcases in the years since, of various different types. I've tried 100% cotton, cotton-poly blend, polyester microfiber, organic cotton, high thread count, etc., but none of them have the feel I'm looking for. I'm using them all with the same pillow, so that's a constant. Last year I started researching this a bit and bought the Wirecutter's recommendation for cotton percale sheets, specifically because they mentioned how cool the sheets are. And like, the sheets are acceptably cool. The pillowcase is just normally cool, though, which is a downgrade from what I've got.
So my question is twofold: First, is there an explanation for while some pillowcases are cooler than others? I understand percale is the coolest fabric in general because of the weave, but there seems to be variation in the coolness from one percale pillowcase to the next. I also understand the pillow itself plays a large part, but again, all this has been on the same pillow. And I know nothing is going to be as soft as something that's been broken in for 24 years - I figure the softness will come with time, and I'm more concerned about the coolness. And second, can you recommend a particular pillowcase that might work for me?
Ha, I’m in the exact same situation except my pillowcase only took 5 years to fall apart. But it just fell apart last week. It was part of a Wamsutta sheet set from Bed Bath & Beyond. I’d try checking them out. I still haven’t looked for a replacement so I’m not sure if all their sheet sets are like this, or if they tend to be.
posted by stoneandstar at 10:56 AM on April 4, 2022
posted by stoneandstar at 10:56 AM on April 4, 2022
I bought vintage sheets from eBay, also Marimekko, and they function as you describe. Very soft and always cool to the touch. Try searching eBay for "vintage Dan River pillowcase" and see if anything appeals.
posted by twelve cent archie at 11:00 AM on April 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by twelve cent archie at 11:00 AM on April 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
I don't really have an answer for an equivalent modern brand - and I as well tend to lean towards percale. One thing you could look into are vintage linens. I'm total sucker for a vintage pillow case and you can find them at antique malls or flea markets. Usually pretty inexpensive (depending on your market) and they are generally unique and 100% cotton.
posted by rdnnyc at 11:19 AM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by rdnnyc at 11:19 AM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
Your question made me curious, and I found this on Forbes: How To Buy The Right Bed Sheets: Sateen Vs. Percale Vs. Linen
They point out that Percale gets better with use, so maybe you have to give your new stuff a couple of years.
I'm right now sleeping in vintage bed coverings -- my pillowcase might be a hundred years old or more. I think it is worth searching them out, because it takes ages to wash new stuff till they have that lovely softness. But right now I am not going for coolness at all. It's cold out there. For coolness, you might try out linen. It isn't as robust as cotton, but it is really nice and cool in the warm months. Linen also gets softer with use, but it doesn't really do well in the dryer, if that is an issue.
I like my muji pillowcases. They are not expensive, so you can give them a try.
BTW: ironing your pillowcase makes it cooler (when it has cooled down)
posted by mumimor at 11:21 AM on April 4, 2022
They point out that Percale gets better with use, so maybe you have to give your new stuff a couple of years.
I'm right now sleeping in vintage bed coverings -- my pillowcase might be a hundred years old or more. I think it is worth searching them out, because it takes ages to wash new stuff till they have that lovely softness. But right now I am not going for coolness at all. It's cold out there. For coolness, you might try out linen. It isn't as robust as cotton, but it is really nice and cool in the warm months. Linen also gets softer with use, but it doesn't really do well in the dryer, if that is an issue.
I like my muji pillowcases. They are not expensive, so you can give them a try.
BTW: ironing your pillowcase makes it cooler (when it has cooled down)
posted by mumimor at 11:21 AM on April 4, 2022
So by the Wirecutter recommendation do you mean you bought the Bean Sun washed percale sheets? Because of those aren’t doing it, my other suggestion would be to go very low thread count. IKEA has super cheap, low thread count percale (although I forget the name) that I used to really love for its coolness.
posted by HotToddy at 11:21 AM on April 4, 2022
posted by HotToddy at 11:21 AM on April 4, 2022
Yes and ironing does make it cooler!
posted by HotToddy at 11:22 AM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by HotToddy at 11:22 AM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
I wonder if it was a Perma-Press or no-wrinkle finish? If I recall correctly, Sears used to have a lot of marketing tied up in easy-care/no-iron clothes, so maybe that leaked into bedding fabrics. I have found the smooth texture of the chemical finish on the fabric to be cooler than other fabrics.
posted by blnkfrnk at 11:30 AM on April 4, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by blnkfrnk at 11:30 AM on April 4, 2022 [5 favorites]
You might want to look into the type of cotton not just how it is woven. Try Supima or Egyptian cotton sheets, they are basically the same thing though one is grown in the US and one in Egypt and Egyptian will cost more. They have longer fibres that are smoother and stronger than most cotton produced now a days. They breathe better and don't trap the heat. They also wash to become super soft and wonderful to sleep under and will last for ages. Verify that they are actually what they say they are, there are a lot of cheap knock offs claiming they are either of these types of cotton. Specially with Pima or Supima cotton they will mix it with a more standard cotton. I have bought sheets made with Pimacott a trademarked brand of cotton and been very happy with them, but be prepared to pay though the nose for them.
posted by wwax at 11:36 AM on April 4, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by wwax at 11:36 AM on April 4, 2022 [3 favorites]
I have some bamboo sheets that are very smooth and cool. Have you tried that fabric?
posted by Rock Steady at 1:22 PM on April 4, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by Rock Steady at 1:22 PM on April 4, 2022 [5 favorites]
IKEA has super cheap, low thread count percale (although I forget the name)
You might be thinking of Dvala? They do stay cool but unless something's changed recently, I find that they don't soften up much even with several years of use. The pillowcases/shams that come with Ikea's least-expensive duvet cover sets are even lower thread count (maybe double digits) and cotton-poly rather than 100% cotton. It's been a long time since I've had those around, but I think they're a bit closer to old-school department store bedding.
posted by blerghamot at 2:45 PM on April 4, 2022
You might be thinking of Dvala? They do stay cool but unless something's changed recently, I find that they don't soften up much even with several years of use. The pillowcases/shams that come with Ikea's least-expensive duvet cover sets are even lower thread count (maybe double digits) and cotton-poly rather than 100% cotton. It's been a long time since I've had those around, but I think they're a bit closer to old-school department store bedding.
posted by blerghamot at 2:45 PM on April 4, 2022
Go to a thrift store and feel the pillowcases. I've found great brands this way for all kinds of items.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 5:07 PM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 5:07 PM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
We got some Ralph Lauren cotton percale sheets from TJ maxx a few years ago that my wife has designated as summer-only sheets cause they're so cool to the touch.
posted by dudemanlives at 6:31 PM on April 4, 2022
posted by dudemanlives at 6:31 PM on April 4, 2022
I’m on my iPad and it would take ages to download but Sears catalogs are online. Find the year or nearest year and look up sheets.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 7:39 AM on April 5, 2022
posted by TWinbrook8 at 7:39 AM on April 5, 2022
Okay, the 1990 catalog loaded and ummm…percale sheets, 180 thread count, PERMA-PREST, cotton and polyester (no percentage). One page had branded JP Stevens sheets, same description. Link
posted by TWinbrook8 at 7:59 AM on April 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 7:59 AM on April 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
Kind of a flier here. Years ago, I saw an exhibit on quiltmakers in Georgia. They used the fabric bolt-ends that were generated from local mill. As I recall, the mills closed in this timeframe (early to mid eighties). So, maybe a pinnacle product from the mill as it was in its twilight? Right cotton, right milling, right craftsmanship? Just prior to the US outsourcing fabrics and clothing to the rest of the world? Like I said, this is a flier...
posted by zerobyproxy at 8:55 AM on April 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by zerobyproxy at 8:55 AM on April 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
For the ones you've purchased that don't satisfy you, I'd suggest just washing them over and over and over again. Like, keep them in your hamper in perpetuity. Maybe after a few hundred washes they'll be better?
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:45 AM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]