Not only our percale sheets are long-lasting while maintaining their shape and fit- they actually get better over time. Each wash makes percale sheets softer. The longer you have them, the softer they become. To put numbers into this, percale sheets last three times longer than other sheets.
Percale sheets usually start out soft and get even softer with repeated washings. They have a smooth matte finish that some compare to an ironed button-down shirt. The best percale sheets also tend to be durable and easy to care for.
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.
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.
Because of the tight weave, percale sheets feel impossibly smooth to the touch. Percale fabric sheets have a minimum thread count of 180 and are usually made with extra-long-staple or long-staple cotton, which feels softer than short-staple cotton.
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.
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.
Here's a natural hack for learning how to make new bed sheets softer. Throw them into your washing machine, add one cup of baking soda, and run a full cycle using warm or hot water. During the rinse, add ½ cup of vinegar and switch to cold water. When your wash is complete, dry your sheets fully in your dryer.
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).
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.
Just like your favorite crisp white shirt, percale sheets are a bedroom must-have, especially during the hot summer months. Our high-end cotton percale linens are light and invigorating yet incredibly soft. Percale fabric is lighter in weight and more breathable making it perfect for summertime or warmer climates.
Percale is a cotton fabric with a basic weave that feels light and airy. It's best for hot sleepers who want more breathability or those who prefer a crisp feel. Sateen is a cotton fabric with a satin-like weave that feels smooth and silky.
It's best for percale sheets to have a thread count within the range of 200 to 400. While there's no upper limit, percale sheets must have a minimum thread count of 180 thread. Usually, the higher the thread count, the smoother and more luxurious the feel of the bedsheet.
Sateen, on the other hand, offers a singular softness on both sides. Sateen is made with a looser weave than percale, created by spinning threads in an airy, four-over-one-under pattern. The result is a buttery soft fabric that feels incredible in all seasons and climates.
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.
The wrong detergent choice can also wear down percale cotton. Fabric softener might make your bedding feel cozy up front, but over time, it can put extra strain on the fibers. The same goes for bleach, which makes whites brighter, but weakens the cotton fibers in the long run.
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.
Gopinath said a 250 to 300 thread count was optimal (there's wiggle room, though, as Maher said 200 was also good). Gopinath told us a 400 to 500 thread count for percale could reflect a denser sheet made of fine, good-quality yarns. Over 500 was “not necessary or likely,” she said.
Bamboo Sheet Weaves
Since the threads are evenly dispersed, it's easy for air to pass through the fabric, making them a good choice for hot sleepers. Percale sheets usually have a matte finish, and while they're generally easy to care for, they do tend to wrinkle fairly easily.
Baking Soda or Vinegar
Put your sheets in the washing machine with one cup of baking soda and run a full cycle using warm water. During the rinse cycle, switch to cold water and add half a cup of white vinegar to the machine. Don't use laundry detergent during this wash.
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.
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.
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.
If you use a sheet set every day of the year, you'll need to replace it after about two years. However, luxury cotton sheets, like percale and sateen, can offer another year or so of use. And with linen, you'll get three to five years — sometimes more.
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.