Properties and features of percale for bed linen

A soft bed with pleasant body linen is the key to a strong and comfortable sleep. Thin cotton fabric, which is called percale, is deservedly popular with consumers. In Russia, it is placed on par with such well-known materials as satin and silk.

Percale is a cotton fabric, which is made from untwisted combed fibers. At the manufacturing stage, each thread is treated with a special adhesive, making the fabric smooth, even, durable and glossy.

Many do not understand the relationship between glue and bedding.Consumers are invariably faced with the issue of environmental safety and softness of such matter. Their fears are completely in vain - glue used in the manufacture of percals is chemically neutral, it in no way affects the skin and does not cause irritation. Moreover, the presence of such a component is not felt when falling asleep. The fabric is delicate and airy, so you can safely buy sleeping sets made of this material.

Percale has extremely high performance parameters:

• high density and strength;
• smooth texture;
• tenderness and softness;
• hypoallergenic;
• environmental friendliness.

First of all, as already mentioned, in the manufacture of percale untwisted fiber is used. This allows you to put on the fabric of absolutely any drawings, so that the fabric, as a rule, differs in a variety of designs and colors. To the canvas turned out more dense and durable, the threads are subjected to thorough sizing.By the way, this at the same time gives them softness and smoothness, thanks to which the fabric causes extremely pleasant tactile sensations.

Modern industry produces two types of percals:

• household tight - the material that is used when sewing bed linen, bedticks, and other household textiles (tablecloths, blankets, etc.), having a density of at least 115 g / sq. m;
• technical canvas - used for the manufacture of tents, as well as parachutes and awnings.

The most famous type of technical material is the stern percale. It has a lower density than the domestic version, which varies from 70 to 105 g / sq. Because of such a low index, it cannot be used for the manufacture of napernik and mattress covers, since not only down and feather, but also synthetic pillow fillers, can easily slip through it.

Numerous reviews hostesses who preferred perkalyu when purchasing sets of bed linen, indicate its exceptional characteristics. First of all, it is almost unique strength, so that underwear can be used for several years.

Percale has a smooth texture, pleasant to the touch surface and tenderness, which provides a comfortable and full sleep, contributes to the rapid sleep. The surface of the canvas is very smooth, lint-free, characterized by high throughput. Consequently, the material is "breathable", that is, it lets in air without creating a "greenhouse effect". It is important that in winter time the fabric heats up quickly and retains heat for a long time, and in the summer, on the contrary, it maintains a pleasant coolness.

Percale is hygroscopic - it absorbs well and keeps sweat, tears and drool, so it can be recommended even for very young children. The material is 100% cotton and therefore does not cause allergies and does not accumulate static electricity.

The bed linen from perkalya is characterized by the increased wear resistance. Material maintains up to 1000 washings, keeping invariable color and texture. The drawings are not erased, do not become faded. Matte matter itself. That is why products made from it look great, regardless of color.

A special way of weaving threads prevents the formation of pellets, all sorts of puffs and folds. Thanks to this canvas retains tenderness and softness even with prolonged use. In addition, the adhesive solution, which holds the threads together, is characterized by exceptional bonding properties. As a result, the fabric shrinks by no more than 2%.

Unfortunately, the ideal fabric has not yet been created, and even the percale, with all its many merit, is no exception. The material has drawbacks. The most serious of them is the high price of finished products. The cost of bedding sets is much higher than products made from other types of cotton. For example, a 1,5-bedroom set can cost up to 20 thousand rubles, while this fabric can not be called unpretentious.

India is considered the birthplace of perkal, where for the first time a special technique of interlacing threads was mastered. However, the mass production of percals began only in the 17th century in France, where the canvas was used for the manufacture of ship sails. To do this, it was additionally coated with oil.

Percale long attributed to materials exclusively for technical purposes. It was used in industry and even in aviation (up to the middle of the last century, it was often used for the interior plating of aircraft). Today, this stage is far behind, people prefer to relax on such a canvas, and not to admire it in the sky.

That is why today the main sphere of use of percals has become the tailoring of bedding sets for the home, as well as for public spaces (elite hotels and recreation centers). Home textiles from the fabric under the unusual name percale in our day is very prestigious. Its presence indicates not only exceptional taste, but also a fairly high wealth of the owner.

In previous years, the palm for the production of percale belonged to France.Nowadays in Russia such underwear is represented by products of manufacturers from Portugal and Italy. Not so long ago, domestic enterprises, which started production of the following types of bed linen, also started producing percals:

• one and a half - often purchased for children from 3 years;
• standard double - consists of 2 pillowcases, sheets and duvet cover;
• Euro - similar to the previous version, but slightly different parameters of the length and width of the sheets;
• Family linen is a linen in which the sheet is slightly larger than that of the classic double set, and the duvet cover, on the contrary, is smaller.

Percale requires only careful care, so if you decide to purchase a set of this cloth, do not forget about the features of its operation and washing. First, it is strictly forbidden to use any bleach (both chlorine-containing and chlorine-free formulations) when cleaning percale. Secondly, the fabric can not be boiled. Thirdly, washing is allowed only at a temperature not exceeding 45 degrees. In addition, the material does not tolerate pre-soaking and washing with a tool designed to remove stains.

Before you start washing, you should give the linen to rest in a cool place. Only after that it is possible to lay it in the washing machine drum. Keep in mind that when wet, the cloth is very wrinkled, therefore, it is necessary to hang laundry for drying strictly in horizontal or vertical form, having carefully straightened it beforehand. Of the advantages it can be noted that the laundry is absolutely not afraid of the sun's rays, so it can be dried on the sunny side. The kit will not fade under UV light. When ironing, do not put the iron on the maximum. The highest allowable temperature is 140 degrees.

Reviews of bedding made of percale very positive. Most consumers indicate that sleeping on such clothes is very comfortable. Percale is pleasant to the body, it is gentle, light and airy, allows the skin to "breathe." Users note that percale warms very well on cold autumn and winter nights, but in the summer, contrary to manufacturers, it is still worth using other materials, as it is hot.

Products are ideal for protecting sofas and mattresses - the material does not allow dust to get inside, thereby helping to preserve the hygienic cleanliness of the bedroom set.The pillow in the percale pillowcase doesn’t prick as it is completely impenetrable for feathers. A very important advantage is that the material does not get wet from the sweaty head, so the laundry is especially well suited for young children, who, as you know, have nightly sweating significantly increased. Products do not crumple, even if people sleep very restlessly, and kits can be used for a long time.

Many users compare percale with poplin. Poplin is a canvas that is also very often used for sewing bed linen. It is a combination of cotton and silk, has a small scar. Visually, one canvas is significantly different from the other. Percale is smooth, poplin also has a more embossed texture. At the same time, both materials are wear-resistant, natural and pleasant to the body. That is why consumer reviews do not give an unambiguous answer to the question which of the two types of canvases should be preferred when choosing bed linen sets.

But when compared with satin, the choice is much easier. Despite the fact that satin has a glossy surface and pronounced brilliance, this material is extremely short-lived.It wears out quickly, wets out, the color and shine fade with frequent washes. That is why consumer reviews unanimously agree on the benefits of percale tissue - such kits are more practical and durable. Some housewives also compare percals and coarse. Both the canvas is 100% cotton, nevertheless the coarse calico is rougher and rough to the touch than the percale, moreover, it is much less durable. On the other hand, it also passes air well and at the same time is several times cheaper, therefore it is generally accessible, which cannot be said about the canvas considered in the article.

In conclusion, it is worth noting one valuable advice from owners of high-quality bed linen. Unfortunately, like all expensive materials, percals are often forged. An inexperienced buyer cannot visually distinguish one canvas from another, therefore, at the output, he receives short-lived matter for fabulously large money. In order not to be deceived, carefully inspect the fabric weaving before buying.If the threads in it are connected by means of a cruciform or circular weave, it means that you have a low-quality imitation. From her purchase is better to refuse.

For information on how to iron percale bedding, see the following video.