Full XL Sheets

Full XL sheets are a must have item of bedding for those folks who enjoy the extra room found in an extra long or XL full bed. Now available in a wide range of fabric choices and a rainbow of decorator colors, you can find XL full sheets with the feel, comfort and fit that you need. Fabric choices for XL full sheets include luxurious 100% Egyptian cotton, 100% cotton, cotton polyester blends and even fabrics made from bamboo and hemp.

An Full XL mattress measures 54 inches wide by 80 inches long. This is a full 5 inches that a standard full size mattress. The extra 5 inches means that a bed sheet for a standard full bed will not fit on an extra long full bed. The height of the mattress can also affect the fit the sheets which makes having the right size sheet all the more important. Since the introduction of plush top and European top mattresses, mattress heights have grown from 7 or 8 inches to over 18 inches. Fitted sheets with shallow pockets will not fit correctly on a deep mattress.

The same is true with XL full size beds. The combination of extra length and height makes it necessary to find deep pocket sheets that are fitted for the extra length. Trying to squeeze an XL full mattress into a set of sheets designed for a standard full mattress will result in a poor fit.

Buying XL full sheets is easier when you know what to look for in a quality sheet set. Buying bargain sheet sets can save money but may cost more on the long run. Bargain bed sheets will not hold as well and will need to be replaced sooner than a quality set of bed sheets. Bargain bed sheets are often made with lower quality fabrics and may not be sewn with the same care and attention to detail.

Even though bed sheets for XL full beds are not always available at your local retail store, good fitting, quality sheets are available from specialty bedding stores and the internet. Again, knowing what makes for a quality set of sheets will make your shopping experience easier and more cost effective.

Count on the Threads

Knowing the wide array of fabrics used for bed sheets is helpful in selecting the right sheets for you. Choosing between cotton, cotton blends and other available fabrics, starts with understanding fabric thread count. A quality set of bed sheets should have a minimum thread of at least 200. Fabric thread count is measured as the number of threads per square inch of fabric. The basic crisscross weave pattern uses two threads called the warp and the weft. The warp thread runs in the direction of the long axis of the fabric. The weft thread runs in the direction of short axis of the fabric. Though some fabrics may use variations of this pattern, all fabrics are woven in the same way. Less expensive bed sheets will have a thread count lower than 200 threads per square inch of fabric. Bed linens with a thread of 100 will feel flimsy, somewhat coarse and are more likely to pill. Bed sheets and linens with thread counts of 200 or higher will feel much more substantial and softer. Fabrics with higher thread counts are more durable. The thread count of a bargain sheet set may be as low as 100. Bed sheets with a low thread count, regardless of the fabric type, will feel flimsy and coarse. Make sure the sheets you buy are properly labeled with the thread count.

Full XL Fabric Choices Galore

A versatile and durable fabric, cotton is still the most popular choice for bed linens including XL full sheets. Cotton and cotton blends will stay comfortable even after repeated washings. In addition to cotton and cotton blend fabrics, there are other great fabrics that will give you all of the comfort of cotton and are environmentally friendly.

Sustainable fabrics made from hemp and bamboo fibers are incredibly soft and durable. Bamboo and hemp are grass fibers that can be grown without additional irrigation or the use of chemical fertilizers and insecticides.

Hemp fibers have been used for thousands to produce fuel, paper, fabric and even rope. Hemp fibers can be spun into soft luxurious fabrics that are extremely long lasting. Bamboo fibers are harvested from the center of the bamboo stalk. Bamboo is unique since it has a long lasting antimicrobial property that can last through everyday use and repeated washings. Spun bamboo and hemp fibers are often blended with cotton or polyester.

Your investment in quality bed linens can be preserved by properly caring for your XL full sheets. Always follow the manufacturers instructions found on the fabric care label. The fabric care label will provide instructions on how to properly wash and dry your XL full sheets. Cold water washing will help maintain the color and shape of your sheets provided you use the right detergent. Never use chlorine bleach if the fabric care label recommends against it. Machine dry your sheets according to the care instructions.