Percale Is Not a Fabric but a Weave: Six Home me Fabrics and How to Choose Yours

Bed linen touches your skin every night. That is why the question “what is it made of?” matters more than colour.

Home me offers six fabrics and a separate hypoallergenic collection. All are natural, and each behaves differently: linen keeps you cool at night, washed cotton does not need ironing at all, while silk can only withstand hand washing.

First, one clarification about terminology

Percale, sateen and jacquard are not fabrics. They are types of weave. The fabric itself is defined by its raw material: cotton, linen, silk or bamboo. That is why “cotton in a percale weave” is the full name, while simply “percale” is only half the answer.

Percale is a dense weave in which threads lie closely together. It creates a strong fabric that retains its shape through everyday use.

Basic percale-weave cotton

Thread count: 200 TC.

The finest threads are woven closely together, but there are fewer threads per area than in Premium percale. The finished fabric is therefore washed with small stones, and together these details create a velvety surface that feels delicate to the touch.

The fabric does not pill or lose colour after many washes. Sanforization prevents shrinkage. It is certified to OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. This is the fabric we use for our children’s collections.

Who it suits: those who like softness and quiet simplicity, without special effects. Basic percale collection.

Premium percale-weave cotton

Thread count: 300 TC.

It has the same percale structure, but more threads per area and a different finish: mercerization prevents colour loss and makes the surface silky, while sanforization protects against shrinkage.

The surface is silky, with barely noticeable velvety shifts in tone and that same crisp quality associated with hotel bedding. Years later, it remains just as it was on the first day.

Who it suits: those who want a feeling of luxury all year round. Premium percale collection.

Soft French linen

Thread count: 110 TC.

Linen breathes: it absorbs and releases moisture, maintains a comfortable body temperature and brings coolness. After sanding, it becomes soft and silky, while reactive dyeing makes it resistant to frequent washing.

The main thing about linen is that it becomes softer with every wash. That is how linen behaves.

Linen has hypoallergenic properties, making it suitable for people with sensitive skin. It is certified to OEKO-TEX 100.

Who it suits: warm weather and those who love lightness. Soft French linen collection.

Washed crinkled cotton

Thread count: 160 TC.

The yarn is dyed before it is woven into fabric, so the colour remains stable and the shades are unique. The finished item is then treated with hot water at high temperatures, and this is what gives it softness.

The surface is soft and slightly crinkled. This means items made from washed cotton do not need ironing at all. The fabric retains heat well and keeps its pleasant feel for years.

Who it suits: cold weather and those who do not want to spend time ironing. Washed crinkled cotton collection.

Delicate bamboo

Thread count: 230 TC.

Bamboo wraps you in coolness and silkiness. Its texture is so smooth that with your eyes closed, you may not recognize it immediately.

The material breathes: it allows 20% more air through than natural cotton, has hypoallergenic and bactericidal properties, and no chemicals are used to grow the plant. Its finishing processes are sanding and reactive dyeing. It is certified to OEKO-TEX 100.

One honest detail: bamboo shrinks by 4–5% after the first three washes. This is inherent to the material, and it is better to know about it in advance.

Who it suits: hot weather and those for whom tactile sensations come first. Delicate bamboo collection.

Elegant silk

Density: 16. Silk has its own scale and is not compared using TC.

Silk creates almost no friction against the skin. That is why we recommend silk pillowcases to those who care for their face and hair: the fabric helps slow the appearance of wrinkles. Because silk is hygroscopic, it helps prevent hair breakage and preserve shine, especially in wavy and curly hair, which loses moisture more quickly.

Silk consists of 97% organic proteins. Its fibre structure resembles human skin and contains amino acids. It is certified to OEKO-TEX 100.

Silk requires special care, and this is not a formality: we cover it in a separate guide.

Who it suits: those for whom bed linen is also part of self-care. Elegant silk pillowcase collection.

SENSITIVE hypoallergenic collection

Thread count: 300 TC.

We built this collection around research: sensitive skin requires long-staple cotton with a thread count of at least 200 TC. We explain why the threshold is 200 in our guide to fabric density.

Heat treatment allows the item to be washed regularly at high temperatures. This is essential for hygiene. The process also softens the fabric and pre-shrinks it during production, so the item reaches you already stabilized.

Who it suits: people with sensitive skin and allergies. SENSITIVE collection.

How the quality is verified

Through reports from independent laboratories. All documents are published on the Home me fabrics page.

• OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100, Product Class I. The highest certification class: it confirms safety even for babies and people with sensitive skin.
• Intertek: cotton tear strength according to ASTM D1424-21.
• SGS, linen: colour fastness to light and washing, dimensional change after washing, resistance to pilling and tear strength.
• SGS, Basic percale: breaking strength according to ASTM D5034-21.
• SGS, bamboo: shrinkage after washing according to AS 2001.5.4-2005 and resistance to pilling using the Martindale method according to ISO 12945-2:2000.
• SGS, washed cotton: effect on the skin. Irritation score of 0 throughout all control periods.

How to choose yours

Want something soft and quiet: Basic percale. Want something crisp and hotel-like: Premium percale. Feel hot at night: linen or bamboo. Feel cold and dislike ironing: washed cotton. Care about your facial skin and hair: silk. Sensitive skin or allergies: SENSITIVE.

It is difficult to choose a fabric through a screen: what matters most is how it feels. That is why we send samples. Hold them in your hands, then decide.