Certified organic sheets, whether percale or
These chemical free sheets are breathable, durable, and exceptionally soft to the touch. They're also the best choice to keep your body temperature regulated. Whether you opt for our percale cotton or our French flax linen, both of these sheets are some of the healthiest available on the market today.
Types of Percale
As mentioned, percale is usually 100% cotton. However, other natural materials like silk and bamboo can be woven into the fabric. Lots of people prefer 100% cotton, but blended fabrics are sometimes a little warmer and resistant to wrinkles.
Luxury hotels will also consider the weave of the cotton that is used for their bed linen. Hotels will almost always insist on single-ply woven sheets and long or extra-long staple cotton, and more often than not, a percale weave over sateen.
Percale is a type of cotton weave known for its crisp texture, extreme durability, and cool breathability – all of which make it a good choice for sleepers with sensitive skin. If you're planning on going down the percale route, we'd suggest looking for bedding with a thread count between 200-400 for peak comfort.
Percale sheets, a specific type of cotton weave, offer a crisp, cool feel and enhanced durability. They are typically more affordable and less prone to wrinkling. However, percale sheets may not be as soft as other options, and some people may find them to be too cool for their liking.
For sheets for sensitive skin, aim for a thread count of 200–400. This range ensures a smooth texture while maintaining breathability. Low Thread Count (<200): Can feel rough and may irritate sensitive skin. High Thread Count (>400): May trap heat, making it less suitable for sensitive or inflamed skin.
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.
A firm high-quality mattress
A thick, firm mattress is the foundation of a great hotel bed. Without a firm platform, your body sinks in deep where it is heaviest (hips, shoulders), your spine curves into a hammock position and places stress on your spinal soft tissue.
Percale sheets are known for their crispness and can wrinkle more easily than sateen sheets. However, a higher thread count percale sheet can help reduce wrinkling. Sateen sheets are less likely to wrinkle due to their weave, but they can still wrinkle if not cared for properly.
Percale sheets can feel scratchy if they are made from lower-quality cotton fibers or have a low thread count. However, high-quality percale sheets made from long-staple cotton fibers should not feel scratchy. It is important to check the quality of the cotton and the thread count before purchasing percale sheets.
The differences between percale and Egyptian cotton sheets lie in the material itself. Similar to percale sheets, Egyptian cotton bed sheets feature a very high thread count. However, Egyptian cotton is only made with the cotton that grows only in the Nile region of Egypt.
Well, it's because percale sheets are made from cotton and are very durable. Because they're so strong, manufacturers can press their fibers tightly together with fewer threads in each weave.
Wool, linen, silk, and cotton are the four most recommended textiles for sleep. Wool is an excellent insulator and can wick away moisture, but it can also be rough on the skin and costly. Linen is a breathable material ideal for warm climates.
Many bed sheets and blankets contain harmful ingredients like formaldehyde, AZO dyes, Alidicarb, and Parathion. These chemicals may be tolerable for the crops, but not for the body. Formaldehyde is typically in sheets labeled wrinkle-free and has been linked to several illnesses including cancer.
If you're prone to overheating and sweating during the night, you may prefer Tencel for its exceptional temperature regulation. However, if you like a crisper feel, percale cotton sheets tend to be nearly as breathable and moisture-wicking while having a bit more structure.
Combining springs, foam, and a jacquard woven ticking polycotton cover, the Marriott Bed for British Hotels is a hybrid with an adaptable feel that should feel comfortable for a range of sleep styles.
Twenty Percent of Bed Bug Spotters Were Sleeping in a 5-Star Hotel. In the past year, 14 percent of U.S. travelers say they have come across bed bugs.
This is thanks to the patented quilt design and plush top, which Hilton claims can improve circulation and limit tossing and turning. The unique interior coil construction provides head to toe support, keeping your spine aligned throughout the night for fewer aches and pains in the morning.
This classic sheet is also airy and breathable, making it a great option for hot sleepers or those who live in warmer climates. 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.
That's because percale sheets have a tight one-over, one-under weave, making them cooler and more lightweight than sateen options, which have a looser (and more dense) three-over-one weave.
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.
The type of weave and quality of the cotton or other materials used makes a much bigger difference than the thread count number. That said, be suspicious of anything with a thread count higher than 600. It's most likely been inflated in an effort to charge more for lower quality sheeting.
Actually, this is pretty common. 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.