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Everything You Need to Know About Cotton Percale

You may have heard of cotton percale sheets, but how much do you really know about them? We gathered everything you need to know about the perennially popular weave so you don’t have to do the research.

May 23, 2019

Sure, we’ve all heard of cotton percale sheets, but how much do we really know about this popular style of bedding?

Fret not my confused friends; Brooklinen is here to help. We broke down everything you need to know about these celebrated sheets before you shop for bedding so you know exactly what you’re buying into. Read ahead for a no-nonsense guide to all things cotton percale.

So what exactly is percale?

Percale itself is simply a type of weave used to make sheets, towels, and other types of bedding. It follows a one-yarn-over and one-yarn-under grid pattern and results in a matte finish with a cool, crisp feel.

What makes cotton percale bedding so unique?

Thanks to its breathability, cotton is the fiber of choice for most percale bedding. Lightweight and airy, cotton percale sheets are crisp and cool to the touch - making them perfect for hot sleepers. In addition, characterized by its matte finish, cotton percale bedding doesn’t have any sheen or luster (unlike sateen). Cotton percale is also easy to care for you just throw your sheets in the washer on a normal cycle for a deep clean that leaves them softer with every wash.

What are the benefits of sleeping on cotton percale sheets?

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. And, as the cotton fibers relax and break in over time, good percale sheets should just feel better and better.

Who should buy cotton percale?

The truth is, whenever you dream about sleeping on five-star hotel-quality sheets, you’re essentially thinking about cotton percale. Available in a range of thread counts, cotton percale sheets are both soft and cool to the touch, making them ideal for both warm and cool sleepers, alike. They’re also great for staying cool at night in warmer climates.

Are there any downsides?

The only con to cotton percale is that its dense cotton threads makes it more prone to wrinkles, especially if your thread count is 400 or more. In addition, if you like a smoother, silkier sheet, then sateen might be a better fit.

Make no mistake about it: Cotton percale sheets endure for a reason. Composed of tightly woven threads, these light and airy sheets are crisp and cool to sleep on, easy to wash, and built-to-last.


Written by Caroline Biggs

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