Cotton satin is made from the longest cotton fibers. This particular weave is used to make bed linen such as sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases, etc.
What is cotton sateen?
Contrary to popular belief, satin is not a material, but a weaving technique, also called satin weave. It is obtained by interweaving the threads going from top to bottom with the transverse threads. This interweaving of threads gives rise to regularly spaced and distributed points. Very popular in the manufacture of bed linens, cotton satin , also known as “satinette”, is characterized by its plain and shiny appearance on the front and matte on the reverse. Woven on average in 120 threads/cm2, or even 200 threads/cm2, it offers superior quality to standard cotton canvas (57 threads/cm2) and percale (80 threads/cm2).
Why choose cotton satin?
There is no shortage of reasons to succumb to cotton satin bed linen. Appreciated for its high-end, smooth and luminous appearance, cotton satin is sufficient in itself to dress a bedroom with a touch of elegance and refinement. Soft and silky, cotton satin absolutely does not slip. Best of all, this luxurious fabric cares for the skin. Just like silk, it prevents sheet marks on the face and prevents hair from tangling and damage. In addition, it does not absorb liquids and limits the accumulation of bacteria on sheets and pillowcases. Finally, its resistance , its finishes and its absolute softness make it a very good investment.
What are the differences between cotton satin and cotton percale?
Although they are both made from very fine cotton threads, cotton sateen and cotton percale have significant differences. Here are a few :
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Weaving: cotton percale uses a traditional weave where each horizontal thread passes perpendicularly over a vertical thread. For cotton satin, each horizontal thread passes through three threads and then goes back underneath.
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Appearance: cotton sateen has a shiny, lustrous appearance, while cotton percale has a duller, more uniform appearance.
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Texture: cotton satin has a soft and silky texture. As for cotton percale, it is slightly crisp to the touch.
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Weight: Cotton sateen tends to be heavier and thicker than cotton percale due to its tighter weave and higher density.
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Breathability: cotton percale offers good breathability and an incomparable feeling of freshness. Therefore, it is suitable for people who tend to sweat at night or who live in hot climates. For its part, cotton satin is suitable for all seasons. In the same way as linen, it acts as insulation in winter and its breathable nature is very appreciated in summer.
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Maintenance: cotton percale is easier to maintain than cotton satin, because it can be washed at high temperatures without losing its quality. Cotton satin, on the other hand, requires more delicate care to maintain its softness and shine.
How to maintain cotton satin?
To care for a sheet, a duvet cover or a cotton sateen set , it is important to follow certain instructions. Before first use, it is strongly recommended to wash cold at 30 degrees without any product, in order to relax the fibers and fix the colors. You can also soak your cotton sateen bed linens in cold water for at least 10 hours before their first use.
For subsequent washes, choose a “delicates” or “wool” program to minimize friction and deformation of the fabric. When washing, choose gentle, detergent-free products to preserve the shine and softness of the satin. At the end of washing, do not let your satin linen sit in the washing machine for too long: this will prevent the formation of creases that are difficult to remove.
If possible, dry in the open air, flat and away from the sun. If you opt to tumble dry, select the lowest temperature so as not to damage the fibers.
Finally, be sure to use an appropriate ironing temperature according to the care label instructions. Temperatures that are too low may not be enough to remove wrinkles, while high temperatures may burn the fibers. To avoid damaging the shiny surface of the fabric, consider ironing your cotton sateen bed linen inside out.
By following these care tips, you can extend the life of your cotton sateen sheet, pillowcase or duvet cover and maintain its softness and shine for many nights.
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