The Linen Doctor

In the tradition of my grandfather, the entire team at our San Francisco store takes pride in providing exceptional service. Sometimes you wonder if anyone notices, and then you get a letter like this — and it makes it all worth while.

October 22, 2007

Dear Mark,

It’s about time I sent you a letter expressing my profound gratitude to you for creating and running such a wonderful store. I’ve been a customer since 1978 (back when you were on Stockton right off the square.) Scheuer Linens is a gem of high quality goods; gorgeous merchandizing; and a beautiful, warm, aesthetic space – and the best service I have received anywhere. Your warm, gracious staff – most have been with you for years and years,  have always taken care of me which such care and knowledge (of your products) and down-to-earthiness, but without ever being obsequious (have you ever stayed at a Ritz-Carlton? Extremely attentive service but with a bit of a robotic vibe – which your staff thankfully doesn’t have!) Louis has especially been of great help to me over the years. I look forward to coming in and seeing him and buying from him. He has been such a great help to me, especially when I have bought a bed or expensive sheet sets – when the purchase has been an important one for me. (I’ve bought two beds from you.)

I so appreciate that you have persevered in running this very special store of yours for all these years. Things spin in and out too fast in this old world these days, and I’m grateful Scheurer hasn’t. Your store is a sort of touchstone for me. Thank you.

Very sincerely,

K. Carlson

If you are visiting our beautiful city of San Francisco, please stop in and say “hi”. We’d love to meet you and share our love of linens in person. We’re located near Union Square, 340 Sutter Street.

“What is the real difference between high thread count sheets?”

This is one of the most common questions we are asked in our luxury linen store. We do a lot of research and testing and actually use sheets with different thread counts before we make a decision to buy any.

There are four basic steps that affect the quality of a sheet. The finest feeling sheets start by using the best cotton with the longest staple, usually about three inches long. A staple is what you pull from a ball of cotton. Shorter staple cottons can result in yarns that break and fabrics that pill.

The cotton is then spun into continuous yarn. High quality spinning ensures a durable yarn that will not produce sheets that pill or feel rough with normal use. The yarns are woven into sheeting, usually percale (crisp) or sateen (shiny and silky) and are then finally finished.

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“Dear Linen Doctor, we received two sets of beautiful fine linen sheets as a wedding gift. How should I store them to keep them like new?”

Always clean your linens before storing them. Store items in a cool, dry, and preferably dark place after wrapping them in muslin or an old cotton pillow case. For wool items, consider using a cedar chest or moth balls. However, cottons and linens should not be stored in cedar, which will yellow them. 

I recommend Linen Wash to our customers to safely remove difficult stains from any of your fine linens.

Thread Counts – It’s all About Marketing

Thread count has become an important selling point for all kinds of sheets and comforter covers. For years, 200 count was considered the standard for luxury in bedding, but that number has now soared to over 1000 threads per square inch.

Prices are all over the board and even discount stores offer sets of high thread count sheets at really attractive prices. Once upon a time, the best sheets were made in Italy or Switzerland, but now they are made all over the world.

Further, thread count was made by counting the threads in the warp (vertical) direction and in the weft (horizontal threads, remember “weft to right”) direction in one square inch of fabric. These threads were almost always one ply. Now manufacturers will twist two threads in a way that allows them to double the sheet’s thread count.

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Achoo!!

You love your down pillow and comforter, but now you find that you are allergic to down. What to do? You are probably going to switch to a synthetic pillow or comforter, yet you will still want the luxurious feel of that down pillow you’re used to.

MicroMax is the latest fiber technology that delivers an experience as close to natural down as possible. Products filled with MicroMax down alternative offer distinctive tactile and performance characteristics second only to down:

• * Exceptional lofting for a full and fluffy appearance and feel.
• * Slow release compression and recovery for more comfort and support.
• * Improved washability for longer product life.
• * Hypoallergenic with anti-microbial protection – ideal for supersensitive sleepers.
• * Easy care – machine wash and dry.

It took United Feather & Down nearly three years of working with European fiber technicians and engineers to produce MicroMax.

Pillows and comforters filled with MicroMax come in different fill weights and densities, so always test such products to make sure they are the right firmness or warmth for you.

The good news is that MicroMax products usually cost a lot less than comparable down products.