Percale bed sheets are perfect for hot sleepers thanks to their crisp texture and breathable construction that drapes gently over the body, as opposed to clinging to it.
Percale sheets use a one-over-one-under weave that gives them their classic crisp, smooth feel. Most percale sheets have a thread count of at least 200, so the weave is fairly tight. However, percale is still highly breathable. In fact, it is often considered the best type of sheet for people who tend to sleep hot.
Percale sheets tend to be cool and crisp, and of the dozens of sets we've tried, L.L.Bean's 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set are our favorite. They're soft and breathable, yet more durable than others we've tested.
Percale sheets have a tight, flat cotton weave with a crisp feel that resembles a dress shirt when ironed. Not that you must iron it. Feel free to leave it au natural for a relaxed, lived-in look. Plus, this option breathes well for those who get warm at night.
Percale sheets are best suited to people who prefer crisp, lightweight bedding. They also offer above-average breathability. Sateen sheets are ideal for sleepers who enjoy soft, drapey bedding.
Hotel bed sheets are washed regularly at high temperatures, crammed into high-speed dryers and heavy steam pressed to remove ugly creases. The trick is to press the sheets while they're still slightly damp. This makes them extra crisp, fresh, and ready quickly for the next guest.
Hotel buyers in the know most often choose percale sheets over sateen or other weaves. Hotels want white. White sheets are bright, clean-looking, and give a feeling of newness, even though they may have been laundered multiple times. Hotels don't want patterns, colors, or designs that may fade or stain easily.
Brand new sheets, and in particular percale cotton sheets often initially feel scratchy or stiff. And that's sure to come between you and a good night's sleep.
Hotels opt for a percale weave over sateen as percale epitomizes the cool, crisp feeling typical of a luxury hotel suite. A percale weave is also naturally longer lasting as by definition, it's a tighter weave (one under, one over - in comparison, sateen is typically three over, one under).
Although percale sheets are popular for their lightweight and cool texture, they also have a few drawbacks, like being wrinkle-Although percale cotton sheets are popular for their lightweight and cool texture, they also have a few drawbacks, like being wrinkle-prone and not being ideal for cold sleepers.
Less threads means less cotton, and less cotton often means better quality for the same money. The resulting sheet is usually finer, crisper and cooler to sleep in (like ours) hence 'cool and crisp'. Cool and crisp sheets aren't soft/thick/hot like the high thread count sateen sheets found in retail stores.
If you like sheets that feel a bit starched and crisp against your skin, percale may be just right. Long-staple cotton is used to produce high-quality percale sheets, and a thread count range above 200 is a good rule of thumb to use when shopping for this fabric.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference – the crisp, cool hand of percale or the silky luxury of sateen. Either way, you can't go wrong with high-quality, 100% cotton bedding made from proven pure pima cotton.
The difference between the two terms is that one refers to the actual material, that is, cotton. Percale is the style or design of weaving that makes the material strong. Percale is not only used as a term for Egyptian cotton. There are other types of cotton that are woven in the same way.
Break the Percale
When you first receive your brand new percale bed sheets, you might be surprised to find they are crisp but not as soft as you imagined them to be. That's the magic of percale - they will get softer and softer, the longer you have them and the more you wash them.
Percale sheets tend to get softer the more they are washed, although sheets made from low-quality materials may eventually pill. Most sateen sheets have a smooth, silky hand feel and an elegant drape. Crisp, cool, and reliable, percale sheets are generally not as soft as sateen. However, they're usually very durable.
The goal with percale bedding care is to wash your sheets as little as possible. Frequent washing breaks down cotton fibers. How often to wash percale sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers depends on your use. As a rule, run the laundry every seven to 10 days.
Although top sheets prevent your comforter from getting dirty, the widespread use of duvet covers has made them somewhat obsolete. Either way you choose to go, make sure your bedding is soft, comfortable, customized to your liking — and regularly washed.
The downside to percale sheets is that they can feel rough or scratchy compared to sateen sheets and tend to wrinkle more because of their crisp, durable nature.
Your new sheets may feel stiff and rough because of the manufacturing process. New sheets are often treated with chemicals to make the sheets look and feel crisp and new, which is one reason we highly recommend washing your sheets before use. Luckily, new sheets soften up with regular washing.
The Wrinkles — Sateen woven fabric is generally more resistant to wrinkles, while percale woven fabric is more prone to wrinkles. The Washing — Typically, both sateen and percale woven fabrics are machine washable and dryable.
Our Signature sheets are the perfect combination of comfort and elegance, with an easy care blend that eliminates the fuss. You will enjoy our 300-thread-count sheets as they caress your skin, easing you into a peaceful slumber so you can wake up feeling rejuvenated and ready for your busy day.
The bedsheets used on hotel beds accentuate the feelings of comfort and relaxation, so you feel completely at ease. They are not only soft, but also smell fantastic, thanks to special detergents, fabric softeners, cleaners, and other deodorizing agents that enhance the overall relaxation experience.