Percale Bedding

What is the difference between cotton and percale sheets?

Percale bed sheets are woven from 100% cotton using a simple, one-over-one plain weave, the same fiber used across most fine bedding. What sets this weave apart from an ordinary cotton sheet is the structure itself, since the tight, matte crosshatch of a fine percale bed linen gives it that crisp, cool hand. For a smoother, more lustrous alternative made from the same fiber, our luxury sateen bedding uses a different weave entirely, one that reflects more light and drapes with a silkier feel.

What is the best percale bedding?

The best percale bedding starts with long-staple cotton, since longer fibers spin into finer, stronger yarns that hold up to a lifetime of washing. Look for a tight, even plain weave rather than a loose one, since this is what gives quality percale bed linen its signature crisp, papery hand and matte finish. The best percale bed sheets soften gradually with every wash without ever feeling thin or worn.

Are percale sheets good for hot sleepers?

They’re an excellent choice for hot sleepers, since the plain weave creates a light, breathable structure that lets air move freely through the fabric all night. The crisp, matte finish also sits cool against skin rather than clinging the way a heavier weave can. Pair a set with one of our lightweight quilts and bedspreads for warmer months, or a heavier layer for winter, so the sheets underneath stay just as breathable in every season.

What kind of sheets do five-star hotels use?

Five-star hotels overwhelmingly favor percale sheets for their guest rooms, prized for the same crisp, hotel-fresh feel after every wash. That signature finish comes from fine, tightly woven cotton yarns rather than any single spec on a label. Frette’s high-end sheet sets bring that same hotel standard home, so the sheets on your bed feel exactly like the ones guests remember from their stay.

What is the best thread count for percale sheets?

For over 165 years, Frette has treated the quality of the raw cotton fiber and the finishing process as more important than any single number on a label. Cotton percale sheets typically run in a lower range, generally around 200 to 400 thread count, since the plain weave itself uses a thicker, more substantial yarn than a sateen weave requires. A higher number here doesn’t necessarily mean better percale bedding, since packing more threads into a plain weave can leave the fabric feeling stiff rather than crisp. Frette applies this same standard for fiber over spec across its entire luxury bedding collection.

How do I care for luxury percale sheets and bedding?

Caring for cotton percale sheets is simple once you know a few fiber-specific habits, the same easy routine that carries over to our tailored poplin sheets as well.

• Wash in cold water with a mild liquid detergent to protect the fiber and any color
• Remove sheets from the dryer or line while still slightly damp, since this makes ironing far easier
• Iron on a warm-hot setting with steam for the crispest finish, and skip starch altogether
• Store folded flat, unbagged, in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight

Followed consistently, percale bed linen keeps its crisp hand and cool touch for years rather than turning limp.