Benefits of Sateen Sheets and Bedding
Silky soft with a subtle sheen and elegant drape, sateen bedding offers benefits beyond enhancing the look of any bed. The material, made from cotton or other natural fibers, is used for everything from the shells of down comforters and pillows to buttery soft sheets you can’t wait to slip between. Learn what sateen is, its many benefits, and how to care for this favorite fabric in our helpful guide.
What Is Sateen?
Sateen is a type of woven fabric made with a one-yarn-under, three- or four-yarns-over pattern that creates its distinctive characteristics: a smooth, silky hand and slight sheen. This unique weave makes for a sturdier, warmer fabric than percale, with a luxurious weight.
What Are Sateen Sheets Made Of?
The best sateen sheets are woven from cotton or other natural fibers. Look for high-quality sateen made with conventional cotton, eco-friendly organic cotton, or extra-long staple Egyptian cotton. Or, choose sateen sheets and bedding in TENCEL™ Lyocell or rayon made from bamboo. When selecting the best sateen sheets to suit your personal sleeping preferences, consider the additional benefits of each bedding material:
| Material | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Cotton Sateen | Breathable and durable |
| Organic Cotton Sateen | Environmentally friendly and sustainably sourced |
| Egyptian Cotton Sateen | Resists pilling and fading |
| TENCEL ™ Lyocell Sateen | Moisture wicking and temperature regulating |
| Rayon Made From Bamboo | Naturally hypoallergenic and ultra-durable |
What Is the Best Thread Count for Sateen Sheets?
The highest quality sateen fabrics have a thread count between 300 and 600. Higher thread counts indicate warmer sheets, not necessarily higher quality: Material matters more than thread count when it comes to the quality of any sateen fabric.
Benefits of Sateen Sheets
A suitable option for any-season comfort and elegance, sateen features a tight weave structure that makes it excellent for keeping fill contained in pillows, duvet inserts, blankets, and comforters. Consider other benefits of cotton sateen bedding and sheets:
- Style: One of the main reasons to love sateen is how it looks. A unique weave structure imparts a lustrous sheen and elegant drape to the fabric, for an effortlessly refined aesthetic.
- Soft: Sateen sheets feel irresistibly buttery-soft. This sumptuous hand is a result of the unique sateen weave, which creates a super-smooth surface.
- Comfort: Sateen is comfortable year-round for cold sleepers and an ideal option in winter weather for those who tend to sleep hot. Because of its breathable weave and the breathable fibers with which it's made, sateen shouldn’t make you sweat.
- Wrinkle Resistant: Sateen naturally wrinkles less than other materials. Ripples fall right out of its smooth, silky surface, so you can enjoy pristine sheets straight from the dryer. For an even more low-maintenance option, consider our wrinkle-resistant sateen bedding.
How to Wash and Care for Sateen Sheets
Always follow the bedding care instructions included with your product, but in general, you can wash cotton sateen sheets and bedding in cold water on a gentle cycle. To preserve sateen’s sheen, tumble dry sheets and bedding on a no-heat setting.
Even though sateen is wrinkle-resistant, some ripples may appear, especially if it sits in the dryer for too long. Use a low-temperature iron to rid sateen bedding of wrinkles; high temperatures can damage the fibers and dull sateen’s shine.
Do Cotton Sateen Sheets Pill?
Cotton sateen sheets can pill, but proper care can minimize the amount that occurs. Choose durable, high-quality sateen sheets or bedding made with long staple fibers, and follow these tips:
- Wash sateen bedding alone or with other sateen products.
- Use gentle detergents and low temperatures to avoid damaging the fibers.
- Add wool dryer balls to prevent the fabric from rubbing against itself during the cycle.
From its tight weave to its silky smooth hand and lustrous sheen, sateen offers ample benefits whether it’s used for sheets, shells, comforters, or quilts. Layer sateen bedding with other breathable, high-quality pieces to create a space perfectly suited for your sleeping preferences. For more bedding tips and ideas, explore our other Guides.