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.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference – the crisp, cool hand of percale or the silky luxury of sateen. Either way, you can't go wrong with high-quality, 100% cotton bedding made from proven pure pima cotton.
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).
Some consumers are very particular about the way that their sheets feel, and many people consider Pima cotton to be the softest and most durable type of cotton to lay between their covers. This type of cotton is also commonly used in towels due to its high absorbency and resistance to pilling.
Sateen and percale sheets are both popular, but for very different reasons. Customers often like sateen sheets for their silky texture, excellent draping, resistance to wrinkles, and stylish sheen. However, many prefer percale sheets for their crispness, breathability, and durability.
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.
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 will do well with purchasing either of these fabrics for your sheets, but if you are looking for higher-quality sheet material, you may want to select Egyptian cotton. You will pay more for Egyptian cotton, but you will have a softer and more comfortable sheet to sleep on.
Make sure to wash using cool water as it will prevent fading and shrinking. Washing in hot water can cause the fabric to shrink up to 1" around so avoid hot water and the tumble dryer unless you want your tee to fit a bit smaller.
Pima cotton fabric comes out softer and more durable than if it were made from a shorter staple cotton. Manufacturers say that Pima cotton has a 50% longer life expectancy than other cotton products.
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.
The goal with percale bedding care is to wash your sheets as little as possible. Frequent washing breaks down cotton fibers. How often to wash percale sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers depends on your use. As a rule, run the laundry every seven to 10 days.
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.
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.
As the sheet sets are all made with cotton, the largest price differentiator is the thread count, with higher thread-count-sheets falling at a higher price-point. The increased time and cost of manufacturing higher thread-count sheets accounts for this price difference.
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.
Choose a cold or warm water cycle, depending on label instructions, and use a gentle detergent, pretreating stains (as necessary – but please skip the bleach! Also you'll want to avoid both dryer sheets and fabric softeners.
Pima cotton is a higher-end, ultra-soft material that has longer fiber than standard varieties. Most consumers prize Pima for its reputation for producing smooth fabric that is rich in texture, extremely durable, wrinkle-resistant, pill-resistant, and soft to the touch.
You can machine wash Pima Cotton following the guidance on the care label. Always separate coloured and whites to avoid colour transfer in the wash. It's important to remember that a cool cycle without and fabric softener is better, as it helps to prevent fading or shrinking.
Pima cotton fibers are breathable and lightweight which makes them suitable for hotter climates and hot sleepers. Additionally, they are also hypoallergenic and these sheets feel gentle on the skin, making Pima cotton fibers excellent bed sheet materials for sensitive skin.
Pima Cotton
Pima is considered the finest cotton on earth. As an extra-long staple (ESL) cotton, its long fibers make it extra soft and extra strong. The result? Luxuriously smooth fabric that is resistant to fraying, tearing, pilling, wrinkling, and fading.
Pima cotton will only grow in mild, warm, and dry climates, so US farming is isolated to California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Only about 3% of the cotton grown in the United States is Pima cotton, making it rare and far more expensive than standard cotton.
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.
In addition to getting a little wrinkly, these sheets get a little crinkly too. Percale sheets are so crisp, they can make a bit of a crinkling sound when you roll around in bed or press into the fabric.
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.