Armed with her new knowledge, Clara filtered her search. She looked for 100% long-staple cotton, a percale weave, and a thread count of 300.

She added the sheet set to her virtual cart, entered her shipping information, and clicked the purchase button.

She closed her eyes, realizing that those few minutes of research and the simple act of buying the right cotton sheets had just transformed her nights. For the first time in weeks, Clara drifted off into a deep, uninterrupted sleep.

She clicked on a guide explaining the different types of cotton. She learned about Egyptian cotton, with its extra-long staples that promised incredible softness and durability. Then there was Pima cotton, a high-quality American alternative, and standard upland cotton for everyday use. Next came the weave. Did she want percale or sateen?

Then she looked at the thread count. She used to think higher was always better, but the guide debunked that myth. Anything between 200 and 400 was perfect for percale. Anything higher often meant the manufacturer was using multi-ply yarns to artificially inflate the number, resulting in a heavier, less breathable sheet.

The afternoon sun spilled across the hardwood floor of Clara’s bedroom, illuminating the one thing she had been trying to ignore for weeks: her bed. More specifically, the thin, scratchy synthetic sheets that seemed to trap heat like a greenhouse and felt like rough paper against her skin.

A few highly-rated sets popped up. She read through the customer reviews, looking for keywords like "crisp," "cool," and "washes well." She finally found a set in a soothing, soft sage green that matched her bedroom decor perfectly.