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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 is the best material for bed sheets. Top of the line is 100 percent Egyptian cotton. Second best is 100 percent pima cotton, also known by the trademarked name Supima. If a label says simply, "100 percent cotton," assume it's American upland cotton, a rougher, less expensive variety.
You're used to a softer, synthetic-material sheet, then 100% cotton sheets may feel rough in comparison (especially percale) You're using more detergent and/or fabric softener than the manufacturer's instructions recommend. You're overstuffing the washer, and the detergent isn't able to fully rinse out.
Percale isn't for everybody. We do hear from readers who just find these sheets to be too scratchy on their skin. In many cases, those readers prefer the satiny, smooth feel of cotton sateen sheets instead.
Cotton percale bed sheets tend to have a crisp, matte appearance. Because of their durable construction, percale sheets are fairly resistant to pilling and are usually easy to care for. However, they may be more likely to wrinkle.
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. You can pass them down to your children, knowing that these hand-me-downs are even better than new.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
Just make sure the final rinse is with cold water. If you can opt for an extra rinse cycle, do it! This will make sure all excess soap is removed, which can make even the best sheets feel scratchy. Tumble dry on low or permanent press settings, or hang dry.
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.
Don't choose high thread counts.
However, thread count greatly affects heat and higher thread counts create hotter sheets. In fact, 1000TC sheets are the hottest cotton sheets you can buy. Conversely, lower thread counts (250TC-350TC 10cm2) create cooler sheets but must be made from good cotton so they last.
Interestingly, hotels prioritise quality over thread count and also need a reasonable price. That's why hotels generally use low thread count sheets (250TC). Fewer threads require less cotton, less cotton means lower costs, and this allows hotels to get quality for a reasonable price.
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.
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.
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.