Percale VS Sateen: What Is The Difference?

Everyone wants soft, sophisticated sheets to slip into at the end of your day. But before that can happen, you have to choose a fabric that will give you optimal luxury. But even once you’ve decided on your fabric being cozy and breathable 100% cotton, one last question still remains: percale or sateen?

Percale and sateen refer to different weaves of cotton fibers, which can have a significant impact in terms of the comfort of your sheets. When considering percale vs. sateen, it’s important to understand what each offers and which (or maybe both) may best for you.

What is Percale?

Percale is the type of weave used to make various types of bed linens, such as duvet covers, sheets, pillowcases, and more. Typically used with 100% organic cotton, percale creates a luxurious and high-quality final bedding product finish.

Characteristics of Percale Sheets

Percale threads horizontal strands over vertical strands which results in a pattern that adds a crisp and breezy feeling to your sheets, while maximizing the already excellent breathability of the 100% cotton fabric. Comparing percale vs. sateen, percale sheets tend to be more lightweight and airier, almost like a button-down linen shirt. As an additional advantage, they usually become softer with each wash. Some sheets tend to wear out a little bit every time you launder them, however, the high-quality composition and care applied to percale cotton sheets ensure they will just get better and ultimately softer with time.

Maintaining Percale Sheets

Equally important as picking out your sheets, it’s vital to take proper care of them to extend their pristine qualities. Wherever your decision in terms of percale vs. sateen, choosing high-quality and durable 100% cotton bed sheets guarantee you’re starting off on the right foot to a more comfortable and enjoyable bed experience. Here are some quick tips to maintaining its magical softness:

Before washing, always read the product care label of your percale sheets;

Make sure to follow any special instructions;

Take note of the highest temperature you are meant to use for washing and drying.

Percale sheets are very easy to take care of, and are known for their durability to last the test of time. The amount of time, however, is dependent on laundering and caring for them correctly ⎯ this is true for any sheets, regardless of percale vs. sateen.

Generally, percale sheets can be machine washed on cold and dried on a low and gentle cycle. Line drying is also an excellent option as well. As these sheets tend to wrinkle, you may iron them or leave them as is if you like the au natural look!

Are Percale Sheets Right For You?

If you’re someone who likes that crisp and lightweight feel when it comes to your bedding, you may opt for percale sheets. They are also durable and easy-to-care for, among many other advantages that make them a popular choice for hotels, and also a great choice for you.

When deciding on percale vs. sateen, percale sheets may be your perfect pick if any of the following applies to you:

You like a relaxed, yet refined look for your bedding;

You tend to sweat as you sleep;

You live in a warmer climate;

You prefer sheets that maintain their durability wash after wash.

Ultimately, the choice of percale vs. sateen comes down to your personal preference, but either selection that you make will guarantee you high-quality bedding material that will last a lifetime.

 

What is Sateen?

We pair percale vs. sateen together, but sateen often gets confused for another fabric-related term. While sateen may sound a lot like satin, the latter is its own fabric while sateen, like percale, refers to a specific weave of fabric. In most cases, sateen is used to weave 100% organic cotton fabrics to make soft and cozy bedding.

Characteristics of Sateen Sheets

In comparing percale vs. sateen, sateen sheets feature a loose weave and a thicker thread size. This results in an exquisitely soft feel with a smoothness you can compare to butter or honey. Sateen also lends a silky feel to your bedding, and has more of a substantial weight than percale sheets. If you’re considering the look of percale vs. sateen, sheets woven with sateen have an excellent drape to them. Along with their smoothness and silkiness, they have a subtly shiny appearance that adds to the image and feeling of luxury in your home.

Maintaining Sateen Sheets

Regardless if you choose percale vs. sateen, taking care of your high-quality bedding helps it last longer and allows you to enjoy the softness of whatever sheet you decide on. As always, check the care label on your specific sheet product. While we can tell you what laundering factors are typically ideal for sateen, make sure to follow your sheets’ special care instructions if there are any.

Sateen cotton sheets can typically be washed in the machine with cold water. You can dry the sheets on a gentle cycle, preferably tumble dried on low heat. These instructions hold true, in general, on both sides of the percale vs. sateen discussion. Fortunately, sateen sheets are wrinkle-resistant, so you can take them right from the dryer to the bed without any ironing. They’ll maintain that oh-so-soft, smooth and silky look that’ll make you even more excited to curl up into bed.

Who Are Sateen Sheets Right For?

If you’re trying to decide on percale vs. sateen sheets, how do you know which is right for you? Sateen sheets have endless advantages when it comes to warmth, softness, and a silky look and feel. But those advantages have to match up with you and what type of sleeper you are.

If you’re weighing your choices and not sure between percale vs. sateen sheets, the latter will be of interest to you if you:

Are a cold sleeper who needs extra warmth throughout the night;

Live in a particularly cold climate or have a drafty home;

Enjoy a buttery-soft and silky-smooth texture;

Prefer a slightly shiny aesthetic on your bedding.

Ultimately, the type of fabric, thread count, and look you choose for your bedding is all about what you like. Choose bed sheets that will feel inviting to you, and will look stunning as a complement to your bedroom and your home. When it comes to percale vs. sateen, we’ll leave you with a final summation to make your final decision:

Choose percale if you like light, crisp sheets that are breathable with a relaxed look.

Opt for sateen if you like soft, smooth sheets with a shiny look and thick feel.