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.
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.
You may think because percale sheets have a tighter weave that they are also warmer. However, due to the less thick yard used, Percale sheets will give you a cooler sleep experience. Percale sheets are better for those who sleep hot or live in warmer climates and will give you a crisp, cool sleep year round.
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 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 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.
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.
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: 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.
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.
Because of their cool-crispness and breathability, percale sheets are usually better suited to the warmer months when sleepers are trying to stay fresh and stave off those night sweats.
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.
Most people should wash their sheets once per week. If you don't sleep on your mattress every day, you may be able to stretch this to once every two weeks or so. Some people should wash their sheets even more often than once a week.
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.
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.
The higher the thread count, the finer and more luxurious the fabric will feel. Cotton percale sheets found in hotels usually have a thread count between 250 and 600, while cotton sateen sheets will usually have a thread count between 300 and 600.
Percale is fabric made with a plain, or basket weave which is one thread over, one thread under, a method in use for hundreds of years. This weave gives the fabric its' strength and durability, matte appearance and a crisp feel. To be called percale, the fabric must have a thread count of 180 per square inch or higher.
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.
Egyptian percale cotton sheets
Percale refers to fabric that is more closely woven in the sheets-making process. Because the process is a bit more detailed, the result is a soft, but strong and solid fabric. When you weave Egyptian cotton this way, you get even more luxurious bedding – Egyptian cotton percale sheets.
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.
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.