Cotton is arguably one of the most useful plants in the world. Cotton is used to produce clothing, pillows, furniture, sheets, curtains and just about anything that can be made from fabric. Cotton threads and yarns are the basis for sewing and needlework and a label that says 100% cotton means quality to many people.

Cotton was believed to be used by ancient people in South America as early as 4000 to 3000 BC. It was also used in India in around 2500 BC, according to the History of Cotton website. Use of cotton began to spread worldwide and new ways of picking out the seeds and weaving the cotton into fabric were discovered. Cotton remained a luxury item in Europe for quite some time and then it became the base for the economy of the southern United States.

Egyptian cotton is known as a luxury cotton. Many cottons derived from the G. barbadense species are loosely referred to as "Egyptian" cotton in the U.S. Cotton was first introduced to Egypt at the end of the 19th century when seeds from the G. barbadense from Peru were sown in the Nile Valley. The Royal British School for Genetics later improved the strains with targeted selection and cross-fertilization, according to Swicofil AG Textile Services. So it can be said that true "Egyptian cotton" comes only from Egypt, where it is hand-picked and selected for its very long fibers. According to Egyptian Cotton Sheets, it is these extra-long fibers that give Egyptian cotton its softness and durability. Unlike other types of cotton, Egyptian cotton is said to actually get softer with use and washing.

"Algodon" is the Spanish word for cotton. The G. barbadense species of cotton originated in Peru and was cultivated as early as 4200 BC. Algodon pais ("country cotton") is a variety of native cotton growing in northern Peru that comes in various natural shades, from white, tan, maroon, mauve to chocolate brown, according to the website perunaturetex. It produces cotton with long, thick fibers that are ideal for soft-spun yarns. It is the only cotton that produces a range of natural colors, which will not fade with washing or from exposure to sunlight. As the home of G. barbadense, Peru's main cotton exports are what is known as Pima cotton and Tanguis cotton.

Cotton has been used for centuries to make soft fabrics. Denim, terrycloth, chambray, seersucker and twill are all fabrics made from cotton. Yarn used for needlework and knitting is also cotton. Cotton is sometimes blended with other fabrics like polyester to make different kinds of fabrics. Besides fabric and yarn, cotton also plays a role in making tents, coffee filters and even paper. Absolute Astronomy also says that cottonseed, what is left from the processed cotton, is used for cottonseed oil and cottonseed meal that can be fed to livestock.

According to Egyptian Cotton Sheets, the type of cotton purchased for sheets may not be as important as other details, such as the thread count and the fit of the sheets. The sheet count is a number that tells you how many threads are in a square inch of fabric. When buying sheets, look for a thread count of at least 200 or higher. A sheet with a 200 thread count will not be as soft as one with a 600 thread count. Of course, the higher the count, the more expensive the product.