:: January 2002 
Feature
Collegiate Fibres
If you have family members or friends who are in the middle of their senior year in high school, you know what the January/February time frame means to these students. Most colleges and universities have deadlines during these months for submitting applications for admission to their campuses next fall.
This is an ideal time to think about the various forms of fibre your high school senior will need as a college freshman at summer's end. Twin-size sheets are one necessity, and this is the best time all year to be on the lookout for flannel sheets sales. By August, regular weight cotton and cotton/polyester sheets will be on sale.
Which sheets are best? You are looking for comfort and washability. Check the number of threads per inch (the more, the softer the weave), and look for fabrics that are 100% cotton or blends that are equally or predominantly cotton (e.g. 50/50 % or 60/40 % cotton/polyester). White or other neutral shades will not carry the risk of bleeding their dyes when thrown into the dorm washing machine with other clothes.
Bath towels are another fibre staple for the college student. As with sheets, the greater the cotton content, the greater the softness. Towels with non-cotton fibres are often lower in absorbency than 100% cotton towels. Color is a consideration not only for color-fastness, but also for cheerfulness. Towels (we hope!) will be used daily, often as part of the showering ritual that begins the day. For this reason, towels should not only feel good and absorb water; they should also be pleasing to look at for the person who is using them. One way to try to guarantee a clean set of towels in reserve is to buy one light colored set and one dark colored set.
Is a set of towels necessary? This varies among individuals, but having the set of the bath towel, hand towel, and wash cloth gives the student maximum flexibility. It may be that the hand towel becomes a pot holder, and the wash cloth may get placed under a potted plant; but it is better to have these fibre options than to try to use bath towels for everything!
Mattress covers do not need to be especially high on the sides because many college mattresses are not as thick as today's fuller standard mattresses. Inquire ahead of time, or buy a couple of them after you see for yourself. Blankets and bedspreads depend primarily on the climate of the individual campus. These fibre items can usually forego washing for months at a time. Some students prefer to wait and coordinate bedspreads with their roommates (CyberFibres acknowledges that this preference seems more pronounced among female students). If you sleep on a pillow, buy a very good one that is the exact firmness you prefer. This is one fibre furnishing that you do not want to select carelessly because it can make or break a good night's sleep.
Additional fibre items can add to the coziness of a dorm room. Accent pillows are functional and attractive. Check the size of the room before buying too many at once