What is Percale Cotton? A Complete Guide about this Fabric!

This is a tale of different confusions floating around percale cotton. Sometimes, it’s confused as a type of cotton fabric, while some of you wonder if it’s similar to sateen or jersey. If you’ve been there, your myths and confusion are about to be debunked. The questions that are burning in your mind will be answered.

Especially, you must have seen percale cotton in the product descriptions of summer bedding, home decor, and boutique hotels. But there isn’t any explanation of the term, why it’s used in the products, or how it’s different from other weaves.

So, this article is going to cover what is percale cotton, how it’s made, and its comparison with other weaves types and fabrics.

What is Percale Cotton Fabric?

When it comes to the term percale cotton or cotton percale fabric, it refers to the fabric which is cotton woven in percale which is a weave pattern that gives the fabric a crisp and matte look. Most of the percale sheets are made from regular cotton, long-staple cotton, even Egyptian cotton. The percale cotton always feels light on the skin, highly breathable which makes it ideal for those who are used to sleeping hot.

Ever happened that you’re in a hotel and you’re feeling extra cozy and comfortable on the bed, then you notice the bed sheet? It’s cool to the touch, matte look and makes a soft sound when moved. That must be percale cotton. Because of these properties, it’s highly used in summer sheets, bed sheets, and pillowcases.

Sometimes, you might notice percale cotton in the list of cotton types such as Egyptian cotton, Pima cotton, etc. But now you understand the answer to “what is percale cotton”, the weave method + fabric.

Understanding the Percale Weave

Having understood what is percale cotton fabric, let’s explore the true meaning of percale weave. In the 18th century, French terms such as “moris or mauris” were used for the cloth which was being imported from India. Percale has more than 180 threads in the weaving process, which makes it tighter than twill and sateen. The tightness gives it better structural integrity, fewer chances of tearing after washes, and the one-over-one-under thread makes the airflow more breathable as measured in CFM (cubic feet per minute).

Unlike sateen, percale has a smooth and flat surface without any shine. The best thing about percale is that it gets softer after every wash without losing its originality and structure. Mostly, combed or carded cotton yarns are used, which enhances the smoothness and strength of the fabric.

Comparison Tables of Percale vs Cotton, Sateen and Egyptian Cotton

In this section, we’re going to compare three of the most searched comparisons that are Percale vs Cotton, Percale vs Sateen (also known as Satin), and Percale vs Egyptian Cotton to help you gain more clarity regarding percale cotton.

Percale vs Cotton

Here’s why the confusion around what is percale cotton and how it relates to regular cotton is so common. Percale is a weaving pattern, and cotton is a fabric. But percale is also a fabric woven in percale, from which percale sheets are made. Let’s jump to the table, which wipes out all the confusion before our minds explode 😅.

Percale vs Sateen

If you’ve ever Googled what is percale cotton, chances are you’ve seen it mentioned alongside sateen. As Sleep Foundation explains, the choice between percale vs sateen sheets depends on the personal preference, the properties which can get excited one, might turn off the other. So, go through the comparison table to make your choice.

Percale vs Egyptian Cotton

Cotton is one of the most renowned natural fabrics worldwide. And there are multiple variations of the fabrics which behave and feel different, which ultimately confuse people who don’t have enough knowledge about them. The following table is going to compare the basic features of Egyptian cotton (a type of cotton) and percale.

How Percale Cotton Is Made?

To fully understand what is percale cotton, it’s highly crucial to look into the process of how it’s made. Let’s dive in once and for all. We’re ready, are you?

1. Selection of Cotton Fibers: To start the process, cotton is harvested and cleaned to remove impurities such as dust.

2. Spinning The Yarn: Using spinning machines, cleaned fibers are twisted into fine threads, aka yarns. Ring spinning is used by mills to add more softness and longevity.

3. Weaving: With a one-over-one-under weave pattern through power looms, yarn is woven. The warp (vertical) and weft (horizontal) threads are woven at 180 threads per square inch.

4. Fabric Finishing: This step involves the raw woven fabric called greige passing through multiple finishing steps such as bringing off stray fibers for a smooth surface, cleaning and whitening the fabric, pre-shrinking fabrics to minimize the shrinkage after washes, etc.

5. Dyeing & Quality Control: Vat dyeing, reactive dyeing, and pigment printing are used to dye the fabric. To enhance the quality, there are a few tests such as pilling resistance tests, colorfastness tests, touch-feel assessments by textile experts and more.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

What is Percale Cotton: Answered!

Your common percale cotton confusions are brushed off such as “what is percale cotton”, “what is percale cotton fabric”, “percale weave”, and more as you have read through the article. And if you are here without reading the article, go back to the top and read every single word to understand percale cotton (just kidding 😂). You don’t have to, here’re the key takeaways:

Percale is a weave, not a fabric with one-over-one-under weaving style. It can be manufactured using cotton or other cotton types.

The texture of cotton percale fabric is neither too silky and smooth, nor too rough. When you wash it after use, it gets softer every time, which is why it’s highly durable for long-term use.

Percale weave as compared to other weave patterns such as sateen, has a crisp texture and matte finishing.

Percale cotton sheets give the hotel sheets a vibe with the rustling sound when they’re moved.

By now, you not only know what is percale cotton fabric, but also how it’s made. Percale isn’t a complicated subject, just misunderstood. Let’s not confuse it with fabrics or other weave types.

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