If you’ve never paid much attention to your bed linen, you might not be aware of what percale is. In fact, you might never have heard of that term at all. But the next time you’re shopping for sheets, keep your eyes open, and you’re bound to come across the word. Percale is a type of weave distinguished for its close knit style. Because percale is actually a type of weave, the content of the fabric doesn’t determine whether it’s “percale” or not.

In this way, percale sheets can be a blend of cotton and polyester, pure cotton, or any other combination of fabric elements. The thread count of these sheets is usually at least 200 or higher. Considered a higher quality weave, it is noticeably more compact and tight than standard bed sheeting. People also often note that percale washes easily and does not deteriorate with multiple washings over time.