We are all familiar with cotton sheets, but what is cotton sateen, how is it made and is it better than percale sheets?
Find out below.
What Is Cotton Sateen?
Cotton sateen is a type of fabric that has a sateen weave. As the name suggests, it is made of cotton, while the sateen refers to the type of weave, i.e. the way cotton yarns are woven into the fabric. It should not be confused with satin, the smooth and shiny fabric you typically find in lingerie, clothing and bedding. Satin has a similar weave, but it is usually made from polyester.
Unlike the plain weave that is ‘one under, one over’, sateen sheets have a ‘three over one under’ pattern, or three or four threads are woven over one thread.
The weave exposes more of the yarn to the surface, giving the material a soft sheen and silky feel.
This method also gives the material a higher thread count, so it doesn’t wrinkle as easily as standard woven cotton. It makes it feel heavier and warmer as well. As such, it might not be suitable for hot sleepers, although it is a great option for chilly winter nights.
So is cotton sateen the same as 100% cotton?
Sateen sheets are usually made of 100% cotton, but not always. Actually, cotton is just one of the fabrics that can have a sateen weave.
Polyester, rayon, and bamboo can all be used for the creation of sateen sheets. In fact, most of the best bamboo sheets in Australia feature a sateen weave.
Is cotton sateen easy to care for?
Unlike silk and satin which require special care, sateen cotton sheets are easy to clean and dry. Simply put them in the wash, using a mild detergent and a gentle cycle.
Tumble dry the bedding on low heat to avoid damaging the material.
Related reading: Cotton vs bamboo: Which is better for you?
Cotton Percale vs Sateen
Percale and sateen are two of the most popular weaves (although twill is also commonly found in Australia).
What is cotton percale?
The percale weave is a fancier version of the plain weave— it may use more threads but in essence, it is a ‘one over one under’ weave, i.e. the threads cross over and under each other one at a time.
Like cotton sateen, percale sheets use long-staple cotton, which is of higher quality and more durable than short-staple cotton.
What are the differences between the percale and sateen?
Since they are woven in a different manner, there are a few differences between percale and sateen cotton sheets.
Look & feel
Percale bedding usually features a matte finish and crisp, lightweight feel. Sateen sheets, on the other hand, feel luxe and have a signature reflective sheen.
Durability & ease of use
Thanks to its tight weave, percale is incredibly durable. It also tends to get softer with every wash unlike cotton sateen that can pill with frequent use. Sateen sheets also require more care as well as they are less abrasion-resistant than percale.
On the plus side, sateen is wrinkle-free and does not require any ironing or post-wash care.
Comfort
Because of the looser weave, percale is more breathable so it is better suited for hot sleepers. As mentioned above, sateen sheets are warmer and a great choice for chilly sleepers.
If you are feeling the winter chills, think about adding a few more layers to your bed.
If you are feeling the winter chills, think about adding a few more layers to your bed.
Thread count
Percale sheets usually have a 180 to 200 thread count, whereas sateen weave has a TC of 250 to 300. Since the thread count is higher, cotton sateen sheets tend to feel heavier.
Cost
While percale cotton sheets range from $25 to $260, cotton sateen bedding is more expensive with prices moving between $70 and $500.
Percale vs Sateen: Which is better?
When it comes to the sateen vs percale tussle, it’s all up to personal preferences.
On the one hand, percale is airy, durable and super soft-great for all types of sleepers.
A sateen weave, on the other hand, is smooth and luxurious and perfect for those who want an elegant look and feel in the bedroom.
Wrapping Up
Knowing the difference between percale and sateen cotton sheets can help you make a better decision when sheet shopping as the type of weave affects the durability, thread count, cost, and, most importantly, the look and feel of the bed sheets.
Whichever option you go for, make sure you are buying sheets from a reputable manufacturer and that the size of the bedding matches your mattress—you don’t want to end up with sheets that bunch up at night.
FAQs:
1. What is the difference between cotton and cotton sateen?
The main cotton sateen vs cotton distiction is in the way the fibres are treated. With sateen, cotton fibres are treated with lye and acid during the manufacturing process (also known as mercerisation) which seals the fibres, adding to the shiny look of these sheets. In addition, it helps the fabric absorb the dye evenly which is why sateen sheets have brighter and more vibrant colours.
2. Is there a difference between Egyptian cotton and sateen?
Sateen sheets can be made from Egyptian cotton, so it is not uncommon to find a wide range of Egyptian cotton sateen sheets on the Australian market.
3. Is cotton sateen the same as satin?
No, cotton sateen is not the same as satin. Satin is a fabric made from silk or polyester, while cotton sateen is made only from cotton.
4. What is a cotton sateen weave?
Unlike the standard ‘one-over-one-under’ weave, a sateen weave follows a ‘three over one under’ pattern which gives the material a higher thread count and a subtle sheen, but also makes it heavier and hotter.
