Percale Vs. Sateen: What is the difference?
5 min readOne of the essential parts of your bed that makes your bed complete is the bedsheet. Bed sheets can be made out of any fabric and still fulfill their purpose. But to get an entire comfortable bed, we must select a bed sheet that caters to our need for comfort and still being economical.
Though various bed sheets would fit our category, we are here to discuss the significant difference between Percale and Sateen sheets.
What are Percale Sheets?
Simply put, the word percale refers to an interlaced weave usually made from cotton, silk, or polyester fibers to produce bedding items. In the past, bed linens were made using the percale method. Today, the woven bedding method is still favored, though many people are switching back to the percale woven sheets because they feel that the woven bed linens are softer and have a more excellent feel and look. One of the most crucial aspects that sets apart percale sheets from other sheets is that percale sheets have a thread count of at least 180. Either way, they are pretty affordable, so if you are looking for low-cost bed linens, this is one good option.
So why do percale sheets get softer in every wash?
The answer lies in the very foundation of the sheet. Most percale sheets are typically made from 100% pure cotton fibers, although occasionally, they may be mixed with synthetic fibers like rayon or silk. When these fibers are incorporated into the cotton, it causes the thread to become slightly twisted, which causes the fiber to get softer in every wash. As the line gets twisted, more fiber is left in the water, and the thread becomes softer in each wash. It’s kind of like having hair that doesn’t get tangled every time you brush it.
Here are Some of the Pros and Cons of Percale Sheets.
Pros of Using Percale Sheets
- The first two are that the sheets get softer every time you wash them. This is a great benefit, especially if you have incredibly delicate skin since your sheets won’t cause any damage if you wash them carefully.
- This is another reason why this is an excellent option if you have sensitive skin.
- Another pro is that the sheets are incredibly comfortable to sleep on. They are very smooth, so you will not feel any irritation at all even after hours of wearing them.
- Percale sheets are straightforward to maintain and care for.
Cons of Percale Sheets
- One con is that the sheets tend to get very warm when you wear them, especially during the summer. This can be an issue if you have bare legs because the heat can be pretty uncomfortable, especially if you end up wearing a pair of socks to keep your feet warm.
- Percale sheets are prone to wrinkle.
What are Sateen Sheets?
Sateen is a generic term for many different natural fibers, which means that the quality and durability of the sheets will vary greatly depending on the thread used in making the sheet.
The sheen and shine of silk are hard to match, and the natural drape of wool cannot compare. There is simply nothing else on the market that can quite come close to silk and the way that it feels. If you are looking for something that feels luxurious against your skin while still providing the kind of durability that you need, then woven sateen sheets are a great option.
Here are Some of the Pros and Cons of Sateen Sheets.
Pros of Sateen Sheets
- Sateen sheets have an ultra-luxury feel and a silky texture
- These sheets, as they are made of silk, are generally wrinkle-free
- Sateen sheets drape well compared to any other sheet
Cons of Using a Sateen Sheets
- Sateen sheets are prone to fade over time and lose their luxury look
- Tear is also prone to easy tear over more extended usage
- These sheets tend to retain heat while you sleep on them.
Here is a Comparison Between Sateen Vs. Percale Sheets
Category |
Percale Sheet |
Sateen Sheet |
Durability |
Percale sheet gets softer with each wash and thus tend to last longer |
Sateen sheets might fade with time, and their silky structure is moderately durable |
Feel and Comfort |
Percale sheets usually feel light, soft, crisp. |
Sateen has a silky smooth finish. |
Cost |
Percale sheet might cost more than$500and might start at $50 |
While sateen sheet might start at $50 and rarely exceed$500 |
Regulation of Temperature |
Percale is popular year-round. they are breathable and are also helpful during winters as they also tend to keep you warm on the winter nights |
Sateen sheets are known to retain heat and thus are very much valuable for winter. But its same quality makes it a deterrent in summers. |
Maintenance and Cleaning |
Since Percale sheets are prone to wrinkle, they can be machine washed and then ironed |
Sateen sheets are usually put through a delicate machine wash and can be dried using an air-dry cycle. |
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Which is Better, Sateen or Percale Sheets
The answer isn’t straightforward since both of them are excellent bedding materials. It depends on your preferences. Sateen bed sheets tend to be a little more soft and comfortable than the Percale sheets. They also cost a bit more, but they are worth the money if you are looking for a good-quality bed sheet made of natural fibers. The Sateen bed sheets also give you a nice heft to them, while the Percale sheets tend to be flat and give your body weight some resistance, making it harder to sleep on.
One of the best ways to keep your sheets clean and maintained is to wash them regularly. Washing your sheets and bedding preserves the sheet’s softness and helps you get rid of various microscopic germs and dust mites that invade your bed.
Conclusion
If you are looking for very comfortable and all-natural fiber bed sheets that give your body support, you should consider the Sateen sheets. They are the best choice for people looking for a sheet made of very soft natural fibers and are less likely to irritate their skin. However, if you prefer a more traditional style, then the Percale sheets may be what you are looking for since they come in very traditional techniques and are also made of natural fibers.
Author Bio:
Larry Alton is a blogger and passionate writer at Managerteams.com. She loves cooking and is fond of traveling.