Once you've gotten your oak dressers and oak beds and you have your bedroom furnished just the way you've dreamed of it's time to consider picking out the linens. Of course, all sheets are not created equal. There’s no need to take out a second mortgage for 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets at $500 a pop. Do the math—that’s $1.25 per thread. Follow this guide and you won’t be sent to the cleaners at the next white sale. So let’s hit the sheets with this quick glossary of terms.

Thread Count: Also known as the “TC,” this is the number of threads per square inch of fabric. When you hold the sheet up to the light, if the fabric is transparent and you can see the actual weave, then you’ve got a low thread count on your hands. Sheets with a higher TC will be softer and more lustrous, as well as more durable and less prone to shrinkage.

Combed Cotton: This refers to a cleaning process intended to eliminate impurities and short, less desirable fibers.

Muslim: Muslim is considered to be at the low end of the cotton spectrum. It’s not a bad idea to steer clear of muslin fabrics as they result in one rough and tough sheet. Muslin is generally used in children’s character theme bedding. Not surprisingly, muslin TC counts range from 128-140.

Percale: This is a smooth, flat, closely woven and combed fabric that comes in 100% cotton or 50/50 cotton/poly blends. TCs range here from 180-200, so this fabric is finer than muslin.

Pima, or Supima: This is a high-quality cotton with a long fiber staple similar to that of Egyptian cotton. The differences between the two are primarily geographical. Whereas Pima is grown in the U.S. Southwest, Egyptian cotton grows along the Nile River. Supima is simply made from extra-long staple Pima. Both Pima and Supima are super soft and thus very desirable in bedding. TCs here range from 200-300.

Egyptian Cotton: This fabric is considered the cotton queen of the Nile. This cotton is grown alongside the river, and its extra-long fiber stable creates a fabric that is superiorly durable and lustrous, with a silky hand feel to it. This fabric’s TC ranges from 200 all the way up to 400.

Relax—a $1500 designer sheet made out of Pima cotton with a TC of 300 is no different than a non-designer 300-TC Pima sheet for $150. Once you know what to look for, go ahead and buy that private label.

A simple way to save big money is to buy American. Imported white goods get hit with import duties and other fees, which can quadruple their price. Finally, stretch your money by making sure your sheets last longer. Experts recommend rotating your sheets once a week. This will keep those sheets looking and feeling great for a good ten to fifteen years.