Cotton sateen: the complete guide to your bed linen
A luxurious material with a shiny, delicate appearance, cotton sateen is a delicious fabric to curl up in. Often associated with winter, it offers exceptional comfort, whatever the time of year. Why not take a closer look at the qualities of cotton sateen and how to care for it effectively? We're sure that all this information will encourage you to choose this luxury fabric for your bedroom.
WHAT IS COTTON SATEEN?
MATERIAL OR WEAVING METHOD?
Commonly referred to as a "material", cotton sateen actually refers to a particular weaving technique. It is obtained by weaving fine cotton threads with a ratio of 1 warp thread to 3 (or 4) weft threads, so that the majority of the warp threads are on the surface of the fabric. This tight weave produces a fabric with a smooth, shiny surface, characteristic of cotton sateen. This process also makes the sheets incomparably soft and hard-wearing, perfectly withstanding rubbing and repeated washes.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COTTON SATEEN AND SILK
Often confused, cotton sateen and silk differ in origin and properties. One is made from cotton yarns, while the other is made from fibres produced by silkworms. In its cotton version, sateen does not slip and is easy to machine wash because it is less fragile than silk.
COTTON SATEEN OR COTTON PERCALE?
Also compared to cotton percale, another popular choice for high-end bed linen, cotton sateen offers a different texture and sleep experience.
While percale is appreciated for its fresh feel and matte look, cotton sateen is appealing for its silkier feel and luminosity. Slightly heavier because of its tight weave, it insulates the body more from the outside air, offering an immediate feeling of comfort at bedtime. Pleasant in winter, the fabric is no less beneficial the rest of the year, thanks in particular to its good breathability.
ALEXANDRE TURPAULT COTTON SATEEN, A LUXURY ETHICAL FABRIC
Top of the range, cotton sateen is a must for those who want their bed to have quality linen. At Alexandre Turpault, we not only ensure that our sheets are made from natural, strong fibres, we are also committed to 100% organic cotton production. This approach has been rewarded with GOTS certification, which now applies to all the brand's latest creations.
QUALITY FIBRES AND A DURABLE WEAVE
When it comes to bed linen, the number of threads per cm² is often cited as an indicator of the quality of the sheets. The higher the thread count, the tighter the weave and the softer, more breathable and durable the sheets. With this in mind, in order to guarantee the quality of our products, we have worked to manufacture bed linen in 120 thread/cm² cotton sateen.
However, it is important not to rely solely on this criterion. The quality of the yarn used, the type of weave and the finish play an essential role in the composition of your linen. We are extremely vigilant about these issues, and they are also an integral part of our thinking. Our duvet covers, pillowcases, flat sheets and other cotton sateen fitted sheets are thus crafted from high-quality raw materials, selected for their length and finesse.
ORGANIC COTTON BED LINEN
Alexandre Turpault is a responsible brand that cares about the planet we live on. With this in mind, we are developing sustainable product ranges that preserve our planet's resources. For many years now, our bath linen has been made exclusively from organic cotton and is GOTS certified. From now on, the same applies to our cotton sateen bed linen.
Organically grown, without GMOs, fertilisers or pesticides, our cotton is the first link in a complex production chain that meets the strict specifications of the Global Organic Textile Standard.
TOP-OF-THE-RANGE MATERIAL FOR A COMFORTABLE NIGHT'S SLEEP
Luxurious cotton sateen promises a comfortable night's sleep in the softness of exceptional linen. Its velvety feel and delicate texture make it pleasant to lie on, for a restful night's sleep.
CARING FOR COTTON SATEEN BED LINEN
Made from pure cotton, our bed linen is easy to care for. Our best advice is still to follow the cleaning instructions on the labels of our products, but let's look at a few essential tips.
- Remember to wash your cotton sateen sheets once before use, this will remove any impurities or dust accumulated during manufacture or packaging.
- Our bed linen can be washed at 60°C. However, except in the case of heavy soiling, machines operating at lower temperatures (30 or 40°C) are sufficient.
- Remember to wash all your bed linen items from the set at the same time so that they all look the same over time and with washes.
- Dry as much as possible in the open air, indoors or outdoors, to preserve the suppleness of the fibres. You can still tumble dry, but choose a low temperature programme.
- For best results, iron your sheets while they are still damp to avoid unsightly creases.
By following these simple care tips, you'll prolong the life of your cotton sateen linen while preserving its beauty and softness.
From our flagship product Teophile to the brand's latest creations, take advantage of your visit to our site to discover our range of plain and printed bed linen in organic cotton sateen.