Percale cotton sheets: The definitive guide to percale sheets & bedding

Percale is one of the two main weaves used to make luxury cotton bedding, alongside sateen. Percale sheets have a smooth, matte finish and crisp hotel-style feel. 

So if you love bedding that feels cool, crisp, fresh and breathable, percale cotton could be the perfect choice.

But what exactly is percale cotton? Is it good for hot sleepers? What thread count should you choose? And how does percale compare with sateen?

Our percale guide explains everything you need to know about percale cotton sheets and bedding, from how the fabric is woven to how it feels, how long it lasts and what to look for when choosing the best quality percale.

1. What is percale?
2. What is percale cotton?
3. What does percale feel like?
4. Is percale soft?
5. What are the benefits of percale bed sheets?
6. Is percale good for hot sleepers?
7. Is percale good for summer?
8. What thread count should I choose for percale sheets?
9. Egyptian cotton percale: what makes it different?
10. Accreditations to insist on
11. Percale vs sateen: what's the difference?
12. Should I choose percale or sateen?
13. Does percale wrinkle?
14. Does percale get softer over time?
15. Does percale pill?
16. What should I look for when buying percale bedding?
17. Who is percale bedding best for?
18. Percale cotton sheet FAQs

 

What is percale?

Percale is a type of fabric weave, rather than a type of cotton.

A percale weave uses a simple one thread over, one thread under construction. The threads cross each other evenly in a traditional criss-cross pattern, creating a fabric that feels smooth, crisp and lightweight.

This balanced weave gives percale bedding:

• A smooth, flat surface
• A crisp feel
• A matte rather than shiny finish
• Excellent breathability
• A light, fresh feel against the skin

Percale bed sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases have a cool and crisp feel.

The main alternative to percale for luxury cotton bedding is sateen, which uses a different weave to create a smoother, silkier and slightly more lustrous finish.

 

What is percale cotton?

Percale cotton simply means cotton fabric woven using a percale weave.

The word percale describes how the yarns are woven together, while cotton describes the fibre used to make those yarns.

Not all percale cotton is the same quality. The quality of percale bedding depends heavily on the cotton fibres used, as well as the quality of the yarn, weaving and finishing.

We recommend choosing bedding made from long-staple cotton, such as high-quality Egyptian cotton. Longer cotton fibres can be spun into finer, smoother and stronger yarns with fewer exposed fibre ends.

This helps create percale bedding that is:

• Smoother
• More durable
• Less prone to pilling
• Softer with continued washing and use

At Scooms, we use 100% genuine Egyptian cotton for our percale bedding.

What does percale feel like?

Percale cotton has a distinctive cool, crisp and fresh feel.

Percale is also generally cooler to the touch than sateen, making it particularly appealing if you:

• Prefer fresh, crisp bedding
• Tend to get warm in bed
• Want lightweight and breathable sheets
• Prefer a matte rather than silky finish
• Like the feel of classic hotel-style bedding

High-quality percale should feel crisp without feeling rough or stiff.

 

Is percale soft?

Yes, good-quality percale cotton is soft, but it has a different type of softness from sateen.

Percale feels smooth and crisp, while sateen feels silky and more fluid.

High-quality cotton percale typically becomes softer and more relaxed with repeated washing while retaining its characteristic fresh feel.

The quality of the cotton is particularly important. Percale made from long-staple cotton, such as Egyptian cotton, can produce finer and smoother yarns than lower-quality short-staple cotton. We insist on using 100% certified Egyptian long staple cotton for our percale and sateen bedding.

 

What are the benefits of percale bed sheets?

Cool and breathable

At the microscopic level percale has more spaces between the woven threads allowing air to circulate easily through the fabric. This makes cotton percale a good choice if you prefer cool, breathable bedding, particularly during warmer weather.

Ideal for hot sleepers

If you regularly feel too warm at night, percale is often a good choice. It is lightweight, breathable and can feel cooler than other bedding.

Your duvet, pillows, mattress, room temperature and sleepwear will also affect how warm you feel, but choosing breathable natural materials throughout your bedding can help create a more comfortable sleeping environment.

Crisp and fresh

Percale has the classic freshly washed sheet feel many people associate with luxury hotels. It feels smooth, clean and crisp rather than silky.

Durable

The balanced one-over, one-under weave creates a strong fabric. When made from high-quality long-staple cotton and cared for correctly, percale bedding can be extremely durable and last for many years.

Naturally breathable cotton

Cotton is a naturally breathable fibre that can absorb moisture, helping create a comfortable sleeping environment throughout the year.

Gets softer with washing

Good quality percale bedding tends to become softer and more relaxed with use and washing without losing its distinctive crisp character.

Matte, understated appearance

Unlike sateen, which can have a subtle sheen, percale normally has a clean, matte finish. Though when comparing the percale and sateen side by side the difference is not very noticeable.

 

Is percale good for hot sleepers?

Yes. Percale cotton is one of the best types of cotton bedding to consider if you are a hot sleeper.

The open structure of the percale weave creates lightweight and breathable bedding that allows air to circulate more readily than denser or silkier fabrics.

For the coolest sleeping environment, look for:

• 100% natural cotton
• A high-quality percale weave
• Long-staple cotton such as Egyptian cotton
• A 400 thread count rather than an extremely high one
• Natural fillings in your duvet and pillows

 

Is percale good for summer?

Yes. Percale is an excellent choice for summer bedding because it feels light, cool and breathable.

Its crisp texture does not cling closely to the body in the same way as some softer, heavier fabrics.

However, you do not need to reserve percale for summer. High quality cotton percale is suitable for year-round use, particularly if you naturally prefer cooler feeling bed linen.

 

What thread count should I choose for percale sheets?

We think that 400 thread count is ideal for percale sheets, providing an excellent balance of softness, crispness, breathability and durability. Any lower and the sheets will feel thin. Higher and percale will be heavier and less breathable, which works against the cool, lightweight characteristics that make percale.

Thread count tells you approximately how many threads are woven into one square inch of fabric. However, a higher thread count does not automatically mean better-quality bedding.

The quality of the cotton fibre, yarn and weave is just as important – and often more important – than the thread count itself.

 

Egyptian cotton percale: what makes it different?

Egyptian cotton percale combines two separate qualities: Egyptian cotton describes the cotton fibre. Percale describes the weave.

High-quality Egyptian cotton is prized for its long fibres, which can be spun into fine, strong and smooth yarns.

However, products described as “Egyptian cotton” can vary considerably.

Look for evidence that the cotton is genuine rather than relying on the words Egyptian cotton alone.

Our Scooms percale bedding is made using 100% genuine Egyptian cotton.

 

Accreditations to insist on

Certifications and accreditations can help you understand more about the materials used to make your bedding.

OEKO-TEX®. Look for bedding certified to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, which means the textile has been tested against limits for a wide range of harmful substances.

Genuine Egyptian cotton. When buying Egyptian cotton bedding, look for recognised verification of the authenticity of the cotton.

This helps distinguish genuine Egyptian cotton from products where the description may simply be used as a marketing term.

At Scooms, we believe you should always know exactly what you are sleeping in.

Percale vs sateen: what's the difference?

Percale and sateen are the two most common weaves used for high-quality cotton bedding. Neither is better. The best choice depends mainly on how you like your bedding to feel. We use both at home and love the feel of each. It might also be worth taking a look at linen bedding and silk bedding.

Percale

Percale uses a simple one-over, one-under weave. It typically feels crisp and cool, is lightweight and breathable. It usually has a matte finish.

Sateen

Sateen uses a satin-style weave in which threads pass over several threads before going under another. It typically feels silky and smooth and can be slightly warmer than sateen.

Both percale and sateen are breathable.

 

Should I choose percale or sateen?

Choose percale if you prefer:

• Cool, crisp bedding
• A fresh hotel-sheet feel
• Lightweight and breathable sheets
• A matte finish
• Bedding for warmer sleepers

Choose sateen if you prefer:

• Silky, smooth bedding
• A softer and more fluid feel
• Slightly warmer-feeling sheets
• A subtle sheen
• Bedding that drapes closely around you

 

Does percale wrinkle?

Yes. Percale cotton can wrinkle more easily than sateen. This is partly due to its crisp plain weave and the natural characteristics of cotton.

For many people, a few natural creases are part of the relaxed look and feel of genuine cotton bedding.

To reduce wrinkles:

• Remove bedding promptly from the washing machine
• Shake it out before drying
• Avoid overloading your washing machine or tumble dryer
• Line dry where possible
• If tumble drying, remove bedding while it is still slightly damp
• Put bedding straight onto the bed or fold it promptly

You can iron percale bedding if you prefer a completely smooth, hotel style finish. We only iron our pillowcases.

 

Does percale get softer over time?

Yes. High quality cotton percale generally becomes softer with washing and use.

Fresh percale sheets may initially feel quite crisp. Over time, the cotton fibres relax, creating a softer and more comfortable feel while maintaining the breathable character of the weave.

Avoid using fabric softener unless recommended by the care instructions.

Fabric softeners coat fibres and can affect the natural feel and absorbency of cotton.

 

Does percale pill?

Pilling occurs when loose or broken fibres become tangled together on the surface of a fabric.

High quality percale made from long-staple cotton should be less prone to pilling than lower quality cotton made using shorter fibres.

Choosing high quality, long-staple cotton and following the correct washing instructions can help reduce pilling and extend the life of your bedding.

 

What should I look for when buying percale bedding?

Not all percale bedding is equal. When comparing percale sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases, look for the following.

1. 100% natural cotton

Check the fibre composition rather than assuming all percale is made from the same material. We recommend choosing 100% cotton rather than cotton-polyester blends if you want the natural breathability and feel of cotton.

2. Long-staple cotton

Longer cotton fibres can create smoother, stronger yarns. High-quality Egyptian cotton is particularly well suited to premium percale bedding.

3. A sensible thread count

Do not automatically choose the highest number. A well made percale with an appropriate thread count can feel far better and be more breathable than bedding marketed using an excessively high thread count.

4. Independent textile certifications

Look for trusted certifications that provide reassurance about how the fabric has been tested and produced.

5. Genuine Egyptian cotton accreditation

When buying Egyptian cotton bedding, look for evidence that the cotton is authentic.

6. Good construction and finishing

Small details matter. Well-finished seams, strong stitching and carefully made closures can all contribute to how your bedding looks, feels and lasts.

 

Who is percale bedding best for?

Percale bedding could be right for you if you:

• Get hot during the night
• Prefer cool sheets
• Love crisp hotel-style bedding
• Want breathable natural cotton
• Prefer a matte rather than silky finish
• Want bedding that feels fresh and lightweight

Percale may be less suited to you if you prefer bedding that feels very silky, fluid and slightly warmer. In that case, you may prefer sateen bedding. Or take a look at linen and silk bedding.

 

How to care for your percale bedding

Always check the care label on your percale bed sheet. Most cotton sheets should be machine washed at 30° or 40° once a week using non-bio detergent. Then either line dried or tumble dried, at low heat if stated on the care label.

 

Percale cotton sheets FAQs:

Do percale sheets wrinkle easily? Percale sheets are more prone to wrinkle than sateen sheets due to the plain weave. Our tip: remove your sheets from your tumble dryer as soon as the cycle is finished and put them on your bed straight away to reduce wrinkles. How long do percale sheets last? With proper care, high-quality percale sheets will last for many years.  Percale vs. sateen sheets Percale sheets are made with a plain weave giving the fabric a matte finish and a crisp and flat feel. Sateen sheets are crafted with a more complex satin weave resulting in a slightly lustrous appearance and a silkier, more drapey feel.  Percale or sateen sheets, which is best? Percale sheets and sateen sheets are both high quality cotton fabric weaves. Neither weave is better than the other, it depends which one you like more.