Regular Cotton and Long-staple Cotton: What’s the Difference?

Cotton is classified as long-staple cotton when the fibers are from 1 1/8” to 2 ½” long. Some types of long-staple cotton are Pima, Egyptian and Sea Island cotton. Pima cotton is grown in the Southwestern United States, Egyptian cotton is grown in the Nile River Valley. Sea Island cotton is grown in the Sea Islands, which are off the coast of Georgia, the Carolinas, and in the Caribbean.

Long-staple cotton is known for being softer than ordinary cotton because of those longer fibers. It is prized for use in sheets and comforter sets because it is so soft and supple.