What is a percale or sateen?
When buying sheets, the most important factor is how it feels to you, and a fabric’s
weave is a strong indicator of feel. The differences between these two most popular
weaves create two camps of sleepers.
Those who prefer percale are drawn to the cool crispness that the tight percale weave
offers. It is at once smooth and soft, with a matte hand that is livable and unfussy.
For the technically curious, this is created by weaving one weft yarn over a warp yarn,
then under the next warp yarn, and continuing in the one-over one-under pattern.
Sateen lovers celebrate its lustrous sheen and silk-like handfeel. The ultra-smooth and
almost slippery feel is a sensory experience that goes hand-in-hand with its more formal
and luminous appearance. A sateen weave differs from percale in that the weft yarn may
pass over two or more warp yarns, before weaving under, thus creating the smooth sheen.
Discover our suite of percale and sateen collections here.
How do I care for my linens?
All of our linens are accompanied by a care guide booklet, and specific instructions can
be found on the care label sewn onto your SFERRA linens.
For all machine-washable fine linens, use only a mild liquid detergent free of added
bleach, optical brighteners, whiteners, or fabric softeners as these additives can
weaken the fibers.
For detailed care instructions, read our Care Guide.
Will my sheets shrink, and will they continue to fit my bed after
laundering?
All cotton will shrink to some extent, but we anticipate this by cutting our items to
allow for shrinkage. Many of our linens are woven on extra-wide looms, which allows us
to create wider sheets and deeper fitted sheets.
Why do some sheets lose their sheen after laundering?
Sateen sheets, after their first washing, will lose some of their shine and silkiness due
to the construction of sateen weaves. Ironing will smooth the fibers and restore the
sheen of the fabric.
Do I need to iron my cotton sheets?
People do prefer to have their sheets ironed for the most elegant appearance. However,
many people do not iron their sheets, preferring the comfort of cotton and its slightly
wrinkled natural state.
To help your sheets look as crisp as possible without ironing, be sure to not over-dry
them. Wash in warm water with a cool rinse, dry on a low setting, and remove from the
dryer promptly while they are still slightly damp. Hang or fold to smooth.
Minimal touch ups with an iron—on the cuff or return, for example—will give a crisper
appearance, especially to embroidered sheets (be sure to iron embroidery on the reverse
side).
How long will my bed sheets last?
With proper care, fine bed linens can last for many years. In order to assure the long
life of your bed linens, it is best to alternate the use of each set on a weekly basis.
Three sets of sheets for each bed is a good guideline to follow: one on the bed, one in
the wash, one in the closet.
Always follow the instructions on the care label and our Care Guide for detailed
care tips. Keep in mind that over-drying or washing or drying on a hot setting is the
single biggest factor in reducing the life of your sheets.
Do your fitted sheets accommodate deep mattresses?
Our bottom fitted sheets have 17” pockets to accommodate thick mattresses, even when
topped with mattress pads or other cushioning. For thinner mattresses, you can simply
tuck the excess fabric under your mattress, or contact Customer Service to place a
custom-size order.
I stayed at a hotel with SFERRA linens and would like to purchase. How may I
purchase for my home?
We create linens especially for our partner hotel properties. Our Grande Hotel percale
and Fiona sateen collections are available on our website and offer a similar sleep
experience to that of our fine hotel partners. If you have additional inquiries about
the linens you’ve experienced in a hotel property, please contact our Customer Service
team at 877-336-2003 or customerservice@sferra.com.
How do I identify the style name of my linens?
Often our customers look to reorder their beloved sheets many years after their first
purchase, and do not recall the collection name. We have added the style name to the
labels of our best-selling basics, but if your linens are older than 2015, the label
does not have any identifying numbers or codes (RN17415 is our Registered Number, found
on all SFERRA products, and does not indicate a style).
Please contact us at customerservice@sferra.com with any descriptive features, and our
Customer Service team will do their best to identify the item and/or recommend a
comparable product from our current line.
Can I request a swatch before ordering?
For most of our fabrics we are able to supply a small swatch upon request. Please contact
us at customerservice@sferra.com with your request and address, and we will do our best
to accommodate you.
What is Giza 45?
The “45” in Giza 45 is the grade of cotton based upon the length and diameter of the
fiber. The longer the fiber and the smaller the diameter, the finer the yarn can be spun
from it.
This fineness of cotton fibers is measured in micronaires. The lower the micronaire
value, the finer the fibers. While there are several varieties of Giza Egyptian Cotton,
Giza 45 cotton fibers have the lowest micronaire value (2.95 micronaire), whereas
extra-long staple and long-staple cotton fibers have micronaire values that can be 50%
greater.
Despite its fineness, Giza 45 is by no means delicate. These fibers are extremely strong
with a very high breaking resistance (measured at an average of 44.3 g/tex), and the
highest uniformity (index of 88.5) to create fabric that is smoother and with a
naturally high thread count. This makes the woven fabric more resistant to wear and
helps maintain a silky, luxurious texture with each wash. Read our Giza 45
Feature to learn more.
What is down?
Unlike feathers, down is the light, fluffy clusters found on the underside of a goose,
duck, or any waterfowl. These clusters are soft, fine strands that stem from a central
point, but have no quill. Down clusters interlock and trap air, acting as an insulator
to keep you warm. Down also has the magnificent ability to “breathe”, allowing air to
flow around the down and through the fabric.
We are committed to the responsible sourcing of down so that our customers may rest
assured that our products have been held to strict standards regarding the welfare of
animals. All of our down products are certified by The Responsible Down Standard® (RDS).
Read our Down
Feature to learn more.