Seasonality: Cotton Percale Sheets are often favored in warmer climates or for summer bedding due to their breathability and crispness. Cotton Sheets can be versatile, but some weaves, like
Percale is usually the best weave for cooling sheets
The two most popular weaves for cotton sheets are percale and sateen. Percale is lightweight, crisp and durable. Sateen is soft, smooth and has a lustrous sheen on the surface. it creates a crisper sheet that allows easier ventilation than sateen does.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Percale Sheets If you're looking for a cotton weave that breathes easy for a cooler sleep experience, it's hard to beat a good quality percale. The one-over, one-under construction makes for a lightweight cloth, perfect for those warm and humid summer nights.
The Verdict: Choosing Between Percale and Cotton Sheets
The choice between Percale and Cotton Sheets boils down to personal preference. If you're seeking that luxurious, crisp hotel bed feel, and reside in a warmer climate, then Cotton Percale Sheets might be your champion. Their coolness and crispness are unrivaled.
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.
Percale sheets have a tight, flat cotton weave with a crisp feel that resembles a dress shirt when ironed.
Most hotels opt for percale sheets with a 500 thread count, knowing they will be more durable and comfortable than those with other weaves.
Several of the sleep experts I spoke to suggested linen sheets. According to Dr. Joshua Tal, a psychologist who specializes in sleep disorders, they are very breathable and “pick up cool air.” Oks says that since linen is made of a looser weave than, say, a cotton sheet with a high thread count, it traps less heat.
What type of sheets sleep the coolest? In general, sheets made from linen, bamboo, and Tencel offer the coolest, most breathable feel. Cotton sheets that feature a percale weave are also known for being exceptionally lightweight and airy, perfect for hot sleepers.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
The minimum thread count for percale is 180, but the optimal range for this material is 200 to 300. The ideal thread count for sateen sheets is 300 to 600. The looser weave requires more threads to hold the fabric together. The average percale sheet set costs between $70 and $150.
Cotton percale: Cotton is generally quite breathable. 'But a percale finish will make cotton bed sheets cold to the touch.' explains Yusuf Ozkanli, founder of luxury bedding brand Beddable, 'meaning they're ideal for hot sleepers and warm temperatures.'
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.