Cloth diapers, shirts, bathrobes, tents, luxury bedding, tablecloths, chef’s coats, stuffed animals, and towels are just a few of the products that are produced from cotton. Any advertisement for anything made with egyptian cotton is likely to be full of claims of luxuriousness, quality, and softness. But just what is Egyptian cotton, and why is it so often used in luxury bedding?

Egyptian cotton, of course, originates from Egypt. The extremely rich soil and unusually humid climate around the Nile River Valley create excellent conditions for growing long cotton fibers, which are also known as staples. Egyptian cotton is considered an ELS, which means extra-long staple, cotton. Egyptian cotton staples will range anywhere from one and a half inches to just over two inches. This long length, which is around twice the length of other, inferior cotton fibers, allows Egyptian cotton to be spun into extremely fine yarns. Not only strong and durable, these yarns are also extremely soft, making them a necessity in luxury bedding.

Egyptian cotton also has the ability to absorb unusually large amounts of liquid. This means that your luxury bedding could be used in lieu of paper towels, which would save you lots of money in the long run. I kid. The ability to absorb large amounts of liquids allows it to soak in the dies that make luxury bedding extremely vibrantly colored. That color also lasts longer than most other, inferior cotton products. Although not used for paper towels, egyptian cotton is sometimes used in bathrobes and bath towels, as humans appreciate its softness far more than your kitchen counter would.

I’m sure you’re wondering, why can’t so-called egyptian cotton be made elsewhere? Well, in a way it can. Although true egyptian cotton comes from Egypt alone, this is mostly a trademarked name. The logo of a white cotton plant inside a dark triangle, which symbolizes an egyptian pyramid, tells you that the product is true, 100% egyptian cotton. Since it’s one of Egypts best markets, they’re very eager to hold onto their cotton’s fine reputations.

There is also an American version of Egyptian cotton. This is known as Pima cotton, from the Pima Indian Reservation. The producers of egyptian cotton debate constantly with those who make Pima cotton over which cotton is actually superior.