Have you ever bought the dream percale sheet？

Do you enjoy crisp, lightweight bedding that sleeps cool and doesn’t drape or cling to the body too closely? If so, you’ll probably enjoy the feel of percale sheets. Percale is a type of weave that produces material with a crisp hand-feel and an airy structure. It is also known as “plain weave.” In addition to sheets, percale is used to construct men’s dress shirts. Percale sheets are normally produced from cotton, but this weave can also be used for other fabrics such as polyester and rayon from bamboo.

What Are Percale Sheets?

Some consumers mistake “cotton percale” for a specific variety of cotton. In fact, the term percale refers to a type of weave used to make bedding, garments, and other products. Percale is also known as plain weave. Most percale sheets are made from cotton, but this weave can also be used with polyester, rayon from bamboo, microfiber and other synthetic fabrics.

Each woven fabric consists of vertical threads known as warps and horizontal threads known as wefts. For percale, the wefts pass – or “float” – over the warps in a one-by-one pattern, forming a grid shape that leaves the material with a crisp hand-feel that will gradually soften over time. Percale’s tight structure requires fewer threads than other weaves, so its thread counts are generally lower and the fabric is relatively lightweight. This sets percale apart from other weaving techniques such as sateen and twill.

The minimum thread count for percale is 180, but most percale sets fall in the 200 to 300 thread count range. In the guide below, we’ll discuss how percale is made, key differences between percale and sateen, and what to look for when shopping for a new percale sheet set.

How to Choose Percale Sheets

Buying new sheets might seem like a straightforward purchase, but there are a few factors to consider before deciding which set is right for you. These include feel, thread count, pocket depth of the fitted sheet, and ease of care. In the next section, we’ll explain what each factor entails and how to evaluate different sheet sets based on these criteria.

What to Consider When Buying Percale Sheets

From misleadingly high thread counts to claims of sheets that “never wear out,” dubious assertions and exaggerations can be common in the bedding industry. Rather than relying on brand marketers to guide your purchasing decision, we recommend evaluating each set using the following criteria. This will help you distinguish high-quality sheet sets from their lower-quality competitors.

Weave
All percale sheets are woven with the weft threads floating over the warp threads in a tight, one-by-one pattern. Unless this technique is used, then the sheets should not be considered percale. Keep in mind that some brands prefer the more traditional “plain weave” label, which is synonymous with percale.

Feel
You’ll notice a crisp texture with new percale sheets. This can be attributed to how tightly the threads are woven together. Don’t worry if they feel too rough at first – the sheets and pillowcases will soften with subsequent washes. Percale is also relatively lightweight since fewer threads are required during the weaving process.

Fit
Before you begin sheet shopping, take a moment to measure how thick your mattress is. Every fitted sheet is designed for mattresses up to a certain height, as indicated by its “pocket depth” measurement. Most fitted sheets have a pocket depth of at least 14 inches, making them compatible with most mattresses sold today, but we recommend checking anyway. The deepest pocket percale sheets will be compatible with mattresses measuring at least 18 inches thick.

Thread Count
Technically, the fabric must have a thread count of 180 to be considered percale. When judging a fabric by quality a thread count of 200 to 300 is a good benchmark for percale sheets and pillowcases. Thread count is not necessarily an indicator of quality, especially if the number seems unusually high.

Design, Color, and Pattern
This factor is purely aesthetic, but still important to many consumers. Percale sheets are available in a wide range of designs, including neutral and earth tones, bright shades, and multi-colored patterns. Depending on the brand, you may need to pay more for certain colors and patterns, such as “limited edition” styles.

Breathability
Percale is typically quite breathable. This can be attributed to its weaving technique, which requires fewer threads and creates a fabric that allows air to pass through more easily. Many sleepers prefer percale bedding for summer months and hotter climates. Cotton percale is especially well suited to warm weather thanks to its moisture-wicking properties.

Durability
Cotton percale tends to be more durable than percale produced from other fibers. However, the material will still break down over time. Pilling, or the appearance of small bumps of cotton on the fabric’s surface, is a common sign of wear. As your sheet set nears the end of its lifespan, you may also notice rips and tears developing, and the fitted sheet’s elasticated corners may lose some of their stretch.

Ease of Care
Most percale sheets and pillowcases can be washed and dried in any household machine. However, you should not wash them too frequently because laundering breaks down the fabric and causes wear and tear. To preserve the material and extend your set’s lifespan, consider line-drying your percale sheets and pillowcases instead of drying them in a machine.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Percale Sheets?

While many sleepers love percale sheets for their crisp hand-feel and consistent breathability, the material is also susceptible to heavy wrinkling and may be too lightweight for cold weather. The table below summarizes some of percale’s most notable pros and cons.