Percale cotton has a distinct appearance and texture, owing to the weaving technique used to create this bedding. Its characteristics bestow a softness, durability, and quality that establish it as the textile of choice in grand hotels.
What Is Cotton Percale?
Often mistakenly considered a type of fabric, percale actually specifies the type of weave used to create this fabric. To create percale, threads are woven like a grid, with one thread crossing under and one thread crossing over. The threads are tightly woven together, resulting in a flawless finish for high-end bed linen. The term "percale" therefore simply defines a method of weaving threads.
Percale can be created using various fibres. For instance, you can find silk percale, linen percale, or percale made from a cotton and polyester blend. At Bonsoirs, our percale cotton bed linen is made from 100% long-staple cotton. This ensures our sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases are both soft and durable.
Why is cotton percale associated with luxury?
Cotton percale is synonymous with luxury, as it is used to make incredibly soft and highly durable bed linen. It also has an amazing advantage: the more it is washed, the softer it gets!
The weave used in the production of cotton percale is considerably tighter than other types of weaves found in standard bed linen collections. At Bonsoirs, our bed linen is made from long-staple cotton percale with a 120 threads/cm² weave, producing a strong, smooth, and durable fabric. Despite its tight weave, cotton percale allows air to circulate, making it more breathable throughout the night and softer to the touch.
Cotton percale offers a perfect balance between fabric weight, strength, and softness. Thanks to its breathability, cotton percale is often the preferred choice for spring and summer bedding, as its weave keeps you cool and comfortable throughout the night. If you have a good natural down duvet, cotton percale is equally comfortable in autumn and winter, keeping you warm during the coldest nights.
How to care for cotton percale?
Cotton percale requires very little maintenance. Its highly durable weave helps preserve the fabric's quality wash after wash. Please be sure to follow the care instructions provided on Bonsoirs bed linens. This will help prevent pilling – which is never pleasant – or unwanted shrinkage – if you've ever struggled with a fitted sheet that's too small, you'll understand what we mean! Setting the correct temperature and spin speed is crucial here.
Many sleepers wonder whether to wash cotton percale sheets in cold or hot water. At Bonsoirs, we recommend washing at 30 °C (it's also good for the planet!). Use a mild liquid detergent, halving the manufacturer's recommended amount: too much detergent prematurely ages cotton percale bedding (reducing the volume of detergent used is also beneficial for the environment!).
Our percale fabrics
Percale cotton: the weave
Percale cotton is characterized by a tight, regular weave, where the threads interlace in a highly structured way
This dense weave creates a smooth, almost crisp feel, reminiscent of luxury hotel bedding
The result is a durable fabric that retains its shape and neat appearance for a long time.
Cotton Percale: The Comfort
Percale cotton feels cool and fresh, ideal if you tend to overheat at night
The sheets remain taut on the mattress, without a mushy or loose effect, for a visually clean and crisp bed
Thanks to its breathability, it is particularly suitable for spring and summer nights or well-heated rooms.
Percale Cotton: Everyday Durability
The tight weave makes the fabric more resilient to pilling and premature wear
Wash after wash, percale maintains its smooth appearance and even becomes softer and more pleasant over time.
Size Guide: Which Percale Bed Linen Size to Choose?
Mattress 90x190 cm
Percale bed linen set: 140x200 cm for an approximate drape of 25 cm.
Fitted sheet: 90x190 cm, perfectly fitted to prevent creases.
Pillowcases: 65x65 cm (square) or 50x70 cm (rectangular).
Mattress 90x200 cm
Percale bed linen set: 140x200 cm with a tasteful overhang on the sides.
Fitted sheet: 90x200 cm, designed to fit the length of the mattress.
Pillowcases: 65x65 cm or 50x70 cm.
Mattress 140x190 cm
Percale bedding set: 200x200 cm for a discreet drape, or 240x220 cm for a more generous overhang.
Fitted sheet: 140x190 cm for a taut bed.
Flat sheet: 240x300 cm to fully envelop you.
Pillowcases: 65x65 cm or 50x70 cm.
Mattress 140x200 cm
Percale bed linen set: 240x220 cm, the standard size for a double bed with a beautiful drape.
Fitted sheet: 140x200 cm to limit creasing.
Flat sheet: 240x300 cm.
Pillowcases: 65x65 cm or 50x70 cm.
Mattress 160x200 cm (Queen size)
Percale bedding set: 240x220 cm for an approximate 30 cm drop, or 260x240 cm for a more generous drape.
Fitted sheet: 160x200 cm, snug fit.
Flat sheet: 270x310 cm for ample coverage.
Pillowcases: 65x65 cm or 50x70 cm.
Mattress 180x200 cm (King size)
Percale bedding set: 260x240 cm for a generous and comfortable drape.
Fitted sheet: 180x200 cm for a perfectly taut bed.
Flat sheet: 270x310 cm for complete enveloping comfort.
Pillowcases: 65x65 cm or 50x70 cm.
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