Your ability to sleep well can be greatly impacted by the fabric you choose for your bed linens. Both calico and percale are well-liked options, but they each have special characteristics that suit various demands and tastes.
Percale is a favorite among people who like a smooth and breathable fabric because of its crisp and cool feel, which is frequently praised. Contrarily, calico provides a warm and inviting alternative that many people adore for its organic feel and soft, long-lasting texture.
What you value most in bedding will determine whether you choose calico or percale. Knowing the features of each material—whether it’s the cozy comfort of calico or the crisp feel of percale—will help you choose the material that will provide you the best night’s sleep.
What is calico?
Many people are familiar with calico, an excellent and useful cotton fabric that originated in the USSR. It is composed entirely of cotton. Calico has a plain structure, uniformly thick threads, and a dense weave.
Calico is well known for being natural and resistant to wear.
Sets of bed linens are very long-lasting. However, it is also comfortable to sleep on a bed because it allows the body to breathe and keeps warm in the summer and cold in the winter.
Pros and cons
Calico, like any fabric, has benefits and drawbacks.
Advantages:
- naturalness and environmental friendliness;
- long service life;
- excellent absorbent and "breathing" properties;
- affordable price.
Cons:
- Rough to the touch.
- Simple in appearance.
Bedding sets made of calico are far less stylish than those made of satin, poplin, and percale. They are fairly hard, but with time they become a little softer.
Calico is a more affordable option that provides warmth and a cozier texture, making it suitable for everyday use and colder climates, while percale offers a smoother and more luxurious feel, perfect for those seeking comfort and durability.
What is percale?
The perkal is a technical fabric at first. It was dubbed the "aviation diaper" in jest. Aircraft skins were manufactured using it. Cotton fabric was rendered incredibly smooth and durable by being impregnated with unique compounds and varnishes. Relatively recently, the material started to be utilized in home textiles.
Percale is a very delicate, thin, and long-lasting fabric.
Traditionally, long cotton fibers are used to make it. A regular weave is formed by thin threads. Sizing is applied to the completed fabric using a unique adhesive mixture. Consequently, a smooth and highly resilient fabric is achieved. The adhesive’s chemical makeup is safe.
Pros and cons
Many people are not familiar with percale fabric. The following are its benefits:
- high density – does not allow feathers and fluff to pass through, retains heat well;
- comfort for the body – softness and tenderness;
- attractive appearance;
- withstands a maximum number of washes – 1000.
Among the material’s drawbacks are:
- Not always natural composition. For bed linen, not only 100% cotton is used, but also a mixture of cotton and polyester.
- Average moisture absorption and air permeability (due to treatment with an adhesive composition). The indicators increase over time.
- Cost. Percale is more expensive than calico.
What is the difference?
Percale is frequently referred to as "better calico." They are similar in composition and weave. However, the textiles differ greatly from one another in reality:
- Calico is made from coarse cotton threads, percale is made from combed long-staple cotton twisted into thin threads.
- Due to the small thickness of the threads, percale fabric is very dense, but soft and thin.
- Percale is shiny and smooth, calico is rough, matte.
- Calico is always made from 100% cotton, percale is not always.
- Calico fabric is not impregnated with anything, unlike percale.
The image illustrates the following differences between percale and calico:
Comparison table
The distinctions between calico and percale are numerous. Studying their traits in detail is sufficient to comprehend this. We recommend using the summary table to make comparisons easier:
| Percale | Calico | |
| Type of weaving | Plain, dense, made of thin twisted fibers | Plain, made of thick untreated threads |
| Composition | 100% cotton, cotton with polyester, cotton and linen | 100% cotton |
| Breathability | + | ++ |
| Hygroscopicity | + | ++ |
| Durability | ++ | + |
| Softness | + | — |
| Density | 110-130 g/m2 | 80-142 g/m2 |
| Surface | smooth | rough |
| Shine | Weak | None |
| Care | Wash at 40-60 degrees, spin 800 rpm, iron in the "Cotton" mode | Wash at 40-60 degrees, spin 800 rpm, iron in the "Cotton" mode |
| Service life | 1000 washes | 500 washes |
| Price for a set of bed linen | 2300 rubles. | 1700 rubles. |
| Main advantage | Softness with high wear resistance | Practicality |
| Main disadvantage | Cost | Roughness |
What is better to choose?
In two key areas, calico surpasses percale: cost and density. However, percale serves longer, softer, and more elegantly. Both materials are in high demand and appropriate for various demographics:
- People with sensitive and delicate skin should choose percale.
- A set made of calico is more affordable and is suitable for people with a limited budget.
- Calico will be an excellent option for daily use by married couples.
- Percale bed linen is more suitable for young couples.
- For a gift, it is better to choose a beautiful set of percale.
Reviews for percale bed linen
Percale enjoys a great reputation. However, there are also unfavorable reviews.
Valentina:
"Our parents gave my fiance and I a set of percale bed linens. My wake-up on the first night was in a puddle. At night, the groom perspires a lot, and this fabric barely manages to absorb any of it. It got better after a few washes, but the issue persisted throughout. The remainder of the set is lovely and well-made; I enjoyed it."
Anna:
"I enjoyed how Percale was described. I made the decision to purchase bed linens directly from Letto. The fabric is thin, soft, and doesn’t prick despite being extremely dense. has not faded even after several washings. justifies the cost."
Alina:
"I’ve already purchased three sets of Tex-Design percale bed linens." The first one is the same as it was on the first day and is three years old. The material is silky and thin. It is more to my liking than calico.
Reviews for calico bed linen
For a very long time, calico sets have been the best-selling products. Customer reviews are overwhelmingly favorable.
Andrey
The majority of the house’s bed linens are composed of calico. I enjoy the Shuyskie Sitsy plant’s quality. I was given several sets, but the calico ones are the most cozy and long-lasting. They neither slide nor steam. What is necessary for restful sleep.
Darina
Calico is an overly basic fabric in my opinion. I adore satin and bed linens made of pure silk. I purchase bed linens made of calico for my grandma. New ideas are disliked by the elder generation.
Olga
"Bed linen made of calic is unbreakable. It lasts between three and five years. There are also some pleasing hues. For instance, from ArtPostel and Shuyskie Sitsy.
| Characteristic | Percale | Calico |
| Softness | Smoother and softer | Less smooth, more textured |
| Durability | Very durable | Durable, but slightly less than percale |
| Breathability | Highly breathable | Moderately breathable |
| Price | Usually more expensive | Generally more affordable |
| Maintenance | Requires careful washing | Easy to wash and care for |
Calico and percale are both excellent choices for bed linens, and they each have advantages of their own. Which one you choose will rely on what matters most to you in bedding.
Percale might be the best option for you if you like a crisp, smooth feel and a more sophisticated finish. It’s a long-lasting option that gets softer with every wash and is durable.
Conversely, calico provides a cozier, more rustic vibe. It is renowned for its natural, unbleached appearance and is somewhat more reasonably priced. It can bring some warmth and simplicity to your bedroom.
In the end, both materials can offer quality and comfort. The ideal option depends on your own tastes and the mood you want to set for your sleeping area.
