The Linen Cupboard

WHAT IS PERCALE?

Percale
Egyptian Cotton
Polycotton
Flanelette

PERCALE

Percale refers to a closely woven plain weave fabric which is the type of fabric used in the manufacture of most sheets and other bed linens.

The term "Percale" does not refer to a blend of cotton and polyester. Percale can be a 50% Polyester / 50% Cotton, 100% Cotton, or a blend of other fabrics in any ratio. The word "Percale" refers to the way the fabric is woven together and has nothing to do with the materials used. A Percale weave is noticeably tighter when compared to the standard type of weave used for bed-sheets, Percale is one of the best sheeting available.

A thread count of 200 or higher is considered Percale.

EGYPTIAN COTTON

The term Egyptian Cotton is usually applied to the extra long staple Cotton produced in Egypt and favoured for the luxury and upmarket brands world-wide.

The quality of the Cotton depends on the length of the fibres, known as "staples". The longer the staples, the better the cotton.

Combing Cotton is regarded as the best process of getting out the shorter staples and leaving the longer ones. This cotton is then referred to as Combed Cotton. Better quality Egyptian Cottons like 200, 400 and 800 thread count generally use this process.

Cotton sheets are very popular in the summer months as they tend to stay cool.

POLYCOTTON

Polycotton is a sheeting manufactured with a blend of man – made polyester and natural cotton. Many polycotton sheets available are of a low thread count. You may find ones sold for a few pounds, but they are very rough to sleep on and gaps can appear in the fabric.

Our non - iron polycotton is 150 thread count, which is a good quality polycotton.