Like all 100% cotton fabrics, percale can shrink if it's not properly dried. In this case, the best course of action is to take your bedding out of the dryer when it's just ever so slightly damp (as opposed to bone dry) and immediately put it on your bed, smoothing out the creases as you go.
Just make sure the final rinse is with cold water. If you can opt for an extra rinse cycle, do it! This will make sure all excess soap is removed, which can make even the best sheets feel scratchy. Tumble dry on low or permanent press settings, or hang dry.
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.
Avoiding too much shrinkage
You should select a low heat setting on your machine so the material won't shrink. You can also reduce the amount of time that you run the dryer. Taking these steps can help to make sure that your bedsheets don't come out of the dryer smaller than when they went in.
The first time you wash your bedding, it might shrink ever so slightly, but that shouldn't affect the size or fit. After that, the material is unlikely to shrink. And even though it has a tight weave, cotton percale can stretch back out to its original size — just like cotton clothing.
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).
Due to its tighter weave and lower thread count, percale sheets tend to be very lightweight and breathable. Cotton percale is also absorbent and will wick moisture away from the skin. Percale sheets and pillowcases feel crisp at first but soften over time, striking a fine balance between smooth and scratchy.
Consider a poly-cotton blend. Polyester shrinks less than cotton but is usually less comfortable. Choosing a good poly-cotton blend can be a good way to avoid shrinking while still providing comfort to your guests.
Additionally, you should always use a low heat setting to avoid overheating the fibers, which can make them stiff, fade the colors and cause your sheets to shrink. Like all 100% cotton fabrics, percale can shrink if it's not properly dried.
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.
Most hotels opt for percale sheets with a 500 thread count, knowing they will be more durable and comfortable than those with other weaves.
You're used to a softer, synthetic-material sheet, then 100% cotton sheets may feel rough in comparison (especially percale) You're using more detergent and/or fabric softener than the manufacturer's instructions recommend. You're overstuffing the washer, and the detergent isn't able to fully rinse out.
If you are a hot sleeper or live in a place with longer summer months, cool, breathable, percale sheets will be perfect for you. However, if you live in a cold place you may prefer cotton sheets with a sateen weave, which is not as breathable as percale, or materials such as fleece and flannel.
The best percale sheets also tend to be durable and easy to care for. However, since they're prone to wrinkling in the wash, many sleepers choose to iron percale to enhance its crispness.
The First Wash of your Luxury Percale and Sateen Bedding
Be sure to fully unfold items, set the machine to include a cold pre-soak, and use minimal liquid detergent. Either line dry or tumble dry on low heat. Remember that natural cotton fibers will wrinkle, and ironing may be required, depending upon your preferences.
Oprah loves the Cozy Earth bamboo sheet set for its soft comfort and breathable, moisture-wicking fabric.
Percale: A smooth, flat, closely woven and combed fabric that comes in 100 percent cotton or 50/50 cotton/poly blends. Finer than muslin, expect thread counts here to range from 180 to 200. Pima or Supima: A high-quality cotton whose long fiber staple is somewhat similar to that of Egyptian cotton.
Fabrics that shrink easily include cotton, wool, silk, linen, and hemp. Fabrics made from natural fibers are more prone to shrinkage than clothes made from synthetic fibers, such as nylon and polyester. However, spandex will shrink in the dryer.
How many dryer sheets you'll need depends on the size of the load. Toss in two Bounce® dryer sheets for your average loads to iron less, fight more static, repel more lint & pet hair, and add more softness & freshness. For small & medium loads toss in one Bounce® dryer sheet, and for extra-large loads toss in three!
- untangle your sheets before placing in the machine. - don't overload the machine or the dryer. When they get squashed, they get wrinkly! One sheet at a time would be best, but then you'd be doing laundry forever.
Percale sheets made from long-staple Egyptian-cotton are famously lightweight sheets. This naturally cool and breathable cotton is the best bed sheet material for night sweats. Also worth noting, the soft-to-the-touch material will have you sleeping better in general as well.
Cotton percales are more breathable and cooler-feeling than other sheets, and they're built to last. These tightly woven sheets tend to resist pilling, so they can withstand years of washing without compromising any of you bedtime comfort.
If you're a hot sleeper, percale is going to be a better choice than sateen because of its natural cooling properties. For those who sleep cool and comfortably, sateen is the ultra-soft fabric your bed needs.