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.
The Feel — Percale fabric has a cool, crisp handfeel, and sateen fabric feels silky and smooth. The Weight — Percale is lighter and more breathable than sateen; sateen weaves produce a thicker sheet that lies heavier on the body. The Warmth — Percale bedding tends to sleep cooler than sateen bedding.
If you love a light, crisp sheet with good breathability and aren't bothered by wrinkles, go with percale. If you prefer a soft, smooth sheet with a little more wrinkle resistance and thickness, go with sateen.
Temperature Control
Sateen sheets tend to sleep warmer due to their heavier weave, although temperature regulation also depends on thread count and the type of material. The percale weave is highly breathable, making it a good choice for hot sleepers.
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.
Percale: As mentioned above, a percale weave usually makes for a lightweight, airy, and cooling set of sheets. Most commonly seen in cotton bedding, the percale weave style is a pretty safe bet for hot sleepers. Sateen: Sateen, on the other hand, is almost like the counterpart to percale.
Percale sheets tend to be cool and crisp, and of the dozens of sets we've tried, L.L.Bean's 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set are our favorite. They're soft and breathable, yet more durable than others we've tested.
Most individuals choose to use sateen sheets year-round, but especially hot sleepers may find them too warm. Since they regulate temperatures well, percale sheets are good for all seasons. They're breathable enough to satisfy hot sleepers, but they can also help keep you warm on a cold night.
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.
Sateen sheets tend to trap more heat than some weaves. While many sleepers find them comfortable for all-season use, people who usually sleep hot may prefer a more breathable option.
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.
Percale sheets are primarily composed of cotton, featuring a signature tight weave that resembles your favorite crisp white button-up. Sateen sheets are made with 100% cotton fiber, a high thread count, and lustrous feel. Think of slipping into your favorite silk robe.
Due to its tighter weave and lower thread count, percale sheets tend to be very lightweight and breathable. Cotton percale is also absorbent and will wick moisture away from the skin. Percale sheets and pillowcases feel crisp at first but soften over time, striking a fine balance between smooth and scratchy.
For people who get hot during sleep, choosing sheets made of bamboo, cotton, or linen — breathable fabrics that wick away moisture from the body and help maintain a comfortable temperature — can help.
Among the most popular selections you can make, Egyptian cotton sheets utilize long cotton fibers to produce a luxurious bedding fabric. Percale describes the weave of the fabric and can actually be used in Egyptian cotton sheets to create a durable material that will last through several washings.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Coolest Temperature
Crisp, percale cotton sheets are the best sheets for hot sleepers. They're a common choice for hotels and guesthouses, thanks to their fresh feel and cooling properties. And you, too, can enjoy a hotel quality of sleep with these cool, white percale cotton sheet sets.
Quality cotton with a high thread count is what makes hotel sheets so crisp. Plus, the percale weave is the most popular weave for hotels which makes the sheets extra cool and extra crisp.
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.
Natural fabrics, especially cotton, are a safe choice for people with moderate sweating. Some synthetic fabrics are better for people with heavy sweating. Bamboo sheets are also a good choice, despite the hype.