Costco Connection - September 2006

The Costco

l inen c loset

Bed, bath and more at Costco for less

BuyingSmart
Consumer reporter
Pat Volchok gives
a behind-the-scenes
look at Costco
products and services.
Send your questions to:
buyingsmart@
costco.com

BUYING BED OR BATH LINEN is not an easy task—choices are many and information can be hazy. Believe me, one misguided purchase can single-handedly transform your happy home into a domicile of complaining grumps.

Weary of floundering around in linen land, I met with those I trust: Valerie Van Valkenburg, Costco’s home textile buyer, and Amber Dodge, who does the same job for costco.com. Here’s what I found.

Sheets

Many retailers mislead consumers into believing thread count is the end-all when determining sheet quality. It is not. Fiber, finish and yarn size are also crucial considerations.

Cotton, with its luxurious feel, exceptional yarn strength and durability, is best. Premium sheet cottons include Egyptian, Pima (the American version of Egyptian) and Supima (a trademark for some Pimas).

The finishing treatment should include fuzz singeing to eliminate pilling and mercerizing to strengthen and improve fabric luster. As for the yarn, the finer, the better.

Thread count should register at least 250 with one-ply (strand) yarn. Some manufacturers switch to less expensive and thicker two-ply yarns and then double the thread-count numbers. Don’t be fooled— such a count is inaccurate and misleading. Val says she

Costco warehouses are now stocked with single-ply, singed and mercerized, 100 percent Pima cotton Kirkland Signature™ 500-thread-count sets (in various sizes, with flat and fitted sheets and two pillowcases). Royal Sateen’s 450-thread-count Egyptian cotton sets arrive at Costco in late October.

The Kirkland Signature sheets, which our family enjoys immensely, are available in many new luscious pastels as well as dreamy chocolate. These silky smooth sheets are manufactured with an easy-care finish to minimize wrinkles and are oversized to fit deeper mattresses. Look for queen, king and a limited distribution of Cal king sizes.

Costco.com is stocked with a variety of sheets and bedding accessories. Consider the Kirkland Signature lineup: matching duvets, Italian-made linens, adorable crib and juvenile patterned bedding or bed skirts and Euro shams.