Thread count is often misunderstood and does not, by itself, indicate quality. What matters far more is the quality of the cotton fibre, the weave, and the finishing processes.

That said, thread count does influence the weight and feel of fabric. Our Heavyweight Percale has a relatively low thread count of approximately 190 threads per square inch (235 per 10 square centimetres). Instead of chasing higher numbers, we use a thicker yarn, which gives the fabric its signature crispness and substance reminiscent of vintage percale sheets.

The fabric weighs approximately 155 g/m², contributing to its breathable yet satisfyingly structured feel.

You can read more about thread count here https://www.thegoodsheet.com.au/blog/thread-count-lie/

Percale refers to the way the fabric is woven, not the fibre itself. It uses a simple one-over, one-under (plain) weave, which creates a fabric known for its durability, breathability, and crisp, cool feel.

Percale sheets are typically light, airy, and particularly well suited to warm sleepers or those who prefer a fresh, smooth finish rather than a silky or glossy one.

Our Heavyweight range is also percale, but woven using a thicker yarn. This gives the fabric more substance and structure while preserving the breathability and clean, crisp character that percale is loved for.

Find out more about our Heavyweight Percale fabric and what makes it different from most other percales.

Fabric weight and thickness are always relative to the type of weave. Percale, by nature, is considered a lightweight and breathable fabric.

Our Heavyweight Percale is inspired by the sturdier percale sheets many people remember from the 1980s and 1990s - crisp, cool, and reassuringly substantial, rather than thin or delicate.

At approximately 155 g/m², our fabric is heavy for percale. By comparison, most modern percale sheets typically weigh around 100–110 g/m², which is why many feel noticeably lighter.

Are there heavier sheets available? Certainly - but they are usually not percale and often not made from the same type of cotton construction. Some older-style sheets, for example, used coarser muslin weaves, which produce a thicker and heavier fabric but tend to feel warmer and less smooth.

Percale remains popular because it offers a unique balance of breathability, crispness, and a smooth, fresh feel.

If you are specifically seeking very thick or weighty sheets, a muslin weave or high thread count sateen may be more suitable. Keep in mind that these fabrics generally sleep warmer than percale.

Our Heavyweight fitted sheets are designed to accommodate modern mattress heights.

• Queen Deep, King Deep and Super King fitted sheets have a depth of 50 cm, making them suitable for deep and extra-deep mattresses.
  
• Selected Heavyweight Percale colours are also available in a 40 cm depth for lower-profile mattresses.
  
• Single, King Single, and Double fitted sheets have a depth of 40 cm.
  

If you’re unsure which depth is right for your mattress, we recommend measuring from the base to the highest point, including any toppers. We recommend your fitted sheet to be at least 8cm deeper than the height of your mattress (and topper).

Our Heavyweight Percale is made from fabric certified to recognised international standards for safety and responsible production.

The fabric is certified under GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), which sets strict requirements for organic fibre content and environmentally responsible processing, and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, which tests for harmful substances.

These certifications apply to the fabric itself and provide assurance that the materials meet established global benchmarks for textile safety and production standards.

We are committed to sourcing our products responsibly and working with suppliers who uphold strong social and environmental standards.

Our Heavyweight Percale is made in India from fabric that is certified to recognised global standards, including GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and OEKO-TEX®. These certifications ensure the fabric meets strict requirements for both environmental responsibility and safety.

The factory we partner with operates using approximately 70% renewable energy and recycles 99% of the water used during production, reflecting a strong focus on reducing environmental impact.

We make every effort to represent colours as accurately as possible. However, variations between screens and lighting conditions can affect how colours appear in person.

Colour perception is strongly influenced by lighting and surrounding tones. Natural daylight, warm indoor lighting, and screen displays can all produce different visual impressions.

Percale’s breathable nature makes it comfortable year-round. It feels cool in warmer conditions while remaining comfortable when layered in cooler months.

“Heavyweight” is used in the context of percale. Compared to most modern percale fabrics, which are typically very light, our sheets are woven to have a more substantial, structured feel while preserving percale’s characteristic crispness and breathability.

They are not thick or heavy in the traditional sense of dense fabrics. Percale remains a breathable, lightweight weave by nature.

For a more detailed explanation of our fabric and construction, please visit Our Fabric Guide.

Our sheets have the signature feel of classic percale - crisp, smooth, and cool to the touch. Rather than a silky or glossy finish, percale offers a fresh, clean hand-feel that many people associate with traditional hotel bedding.

Percale is naturally crisp rather than silky. This is a defining characteristic of the weave. Silky textures are typically associated with sateen weaves or synthetic blends, which behave very differently from traditional percale. Over time and with washing, percale fabric relaxes and becomes softer while retaining its light, breathable structure, like a favourite cotton shirt.

Percale is widely appreciated by warm sleepers due to its breathable weave and cool, airy feel. The structure of the fabric allows for excellent airflow compared to denser or sateen weaves.

All cotton fabrics experience a small amount of natural shrinkage. Our sheets are intentionally sized to account for this, ensuring they achieve their intended fit after initial laundering.

High-quality cotton percale is naturally resistant to pilling. Under normal use and proper care, pilling is uncommon. Factors such as friction, overloading machines, or harsh detergents can influence fabric behaviour.

Our fabric is certified under OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, meaning it has been tested for harmful substances. The cotton is also certified under GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), which sets strict requirements for processing and chemical use.

Many customers with sensitive skin prefer natural, untreated cotton fabrics for their comfort and breathability.

With proper care, colours remain stable. As with all dyed textiles, gradual softening or subtle tonal variations may occur over many washes.

Factors such as prolonged exposure to high heat, direct sunlight, or harsh chemicals can influence colour longevity. In particular, strong sunlight may contribute to fading over time.

Certain skincare ingredients - including products containing benzoyl peroxide or similar active compounds - can also cause discolouration if they come into contact with dyed fabrics, as they may react with the dye.

The lifespan of cotton sheets varies and is heavily influenced by how they are used and cared for. Well-constructed cotton percale sheets are valued for their durability and can maintain their performance for many years under normal conditions.

Durability is naturally affected by household-specific factors, particularly:

• Washing frequency and machine conditions (cycle intensity, load size, spin speed)
  
• Heat exposure (hot washes, dryers, heated drying)
  
• General wear and friction (movement, mattress surfaces, pets, etc.)
  

Over time, individual components may show signs of wear before the fabric itself. For example, elastic elements in fitted sheets typically experience more mechanical stress and may lose recovery earlier than the sheet body.

If you need to make a change, please contact us as soon as possible at hello@thegoodsheet.com.au and we’ll do our best to help.

Because orders are processed quickly, changes are not always possible. Once an order has been fulfilled or dispatched, we’re unable to modify it.

Orders are dispatched within one business day. Orders placed on weekends or public holidays are processed the next business day.

Delivery timeframes vary by location:

• Major metropolitan areas (eastern seaboard): typically 4-5 business days
  
• WA, NT, QLD, SA, and regional areas: please allow up to an additional 7 business days
  

For faster delivery, Express Shipping is available at checkout for $15.

We believe in offering exceptional quality at a fair, consistent price rather than inflating prices for frequent discounts.

From time to time, we do offer exclusive promotions for our subscribers. If you’d like to be notified, you’re welcome to join our list - we keep our emails thoughtful and infrequent.

If your order includes a pre-order item, your entire order will be held and shipped together once the pre-order item arrives in stock.

If you would prefer to receive in-stock items sooner, we recommend placing separate orders - one for available items and another for pre-order items.

Please note that estimated arrival and shipping dates are provided as guides and can occasionally change due to factors outside our control. Should any significant delays occur, we will keep you informed and ensure your order is dispatched as soon as possible.

We accept most major credit cards and PayPal.

For our Australian customers, we also offer Afterpay and Zip Pay for added flexibility at checkout.

Shipping rates vary by location and order value.

Australia

• Orders $100 and over: Free standard shipping
  
• Orders under $100: $10 standard shipping
  
• Express Shipping: $15
  

New Zealand

• Orders AUD $250 and over: Free standard international shipping
  
• Orders under AUD $250: $15 standard international shipping
  

Canada

• Flat rate AUD $50 via standard international shipping
  
  Please note that we do not cover any additional taxes or duties that may apply. For further information, we recommend contacting your local customs office.
  

USA

Shipping is currently suspended until further notice. We are working towards resuming US shipments around June/July 2026.

Yes. We ship with signature on delivery to help ensure parcels are received securely.

If you prefer your parcel to be left unattended, you may select the Authority To Leave option at checkout. Please note that unattended delivery is provided at the recipient’s risk.

Yes, we are happy to deliver to PO Boxes.

Yes - we currently offer international shipping to New Zealand and Canada.

For detailed shipping rates, please see the shipping information above.

Please note that international orders may be subject to import duties, taxes, or other customs charges. These are determined by your local authorities and remain the responsibility of the recipient.

USA

Shipping to the United States is currently suspended while we assess recent regulatory changes. We are working towards resuming US deliveries around June/July 2026.

We do not ship to other countries at this time.

Yes. You will receive a confirmation email upon order placement and once your order has been dispatched, you will receive tracking details so you can monitor delivery progress.

Please contact us as soon as possible and we’ll do our best to update your details.

Because orders are processed quickly, changes are not always possible. Once an order has been fulfilled or dispatched, we’re unable to modify the delivery address.

Please ensure your shipping information is entered correctly at checkout, as we cannot accept responsibility for orders delivered to an incorrectly provided address.

Delivery timeframes are estimates and may occasionally vary. If your parcel appears significantly delayed, please contact us and we’ll gladly assist.

We accept returns on full-priced items within 30 days of delivery, provided the items are unused, unwashed, and in their original condition.

Items purchased on sale or clearance are not eligible for change-of-mind returns.

This policy does not affect your rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), which apply to items that are faulty, not as described, or do not perform as expected.

For full details, please visit our Returns page.

We do not offer direct exchanges.

If you would like a different item, we recommend placing a new order for the desired product and returning the original item in accordance with our returns policy.

Returns are accepted on full-priced items within 30 days of delivery, provided they are unused, unwashed, and in original condition.

If you believe your item is faulty, please contact us as soon as possible at hello@thegoodsheet.com.au so we can assist.

We stand behind the quality of our products and will work with you to resolve any genuine faults in accordance with Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

For full details, please refer to our Returns Policy.

To help extend the life of your bedding, we recommend washing in cool to warm water using a good-quality, gentle liquid detergent.

Line drying is preferred where possible. Avoid fabric softeners and chlorine bleach, as these can affect the feel and longevity of the fabric.

For detailed care instructions, please visit our Care Guide.

Yes, we recommend washing your sheets before their first use.

This ensures your bedding is fresh and ready for your bed, while also helping to remove any residual finishing agents from the fabric. A first wash allows the fibres to relax, resulting in a softer, more comfortable feel.

Our sheets are intentionally oversized to allow for natural shrinkage, so they may fit slightly larger before being washed.

Only if you’d like them perfectly smooth - ironing is entirely optional.

Because we use 100% cotton and avoid synthetic blends or wrinkle-resistant treatments, some natural creasing is normal. Many customers appreciate this as part of the crisp, relaxed character of percale, and wrinkles typically soften with regular washing and use.

For those who prefer a more tailored finish, occasional ironing can help align and smooth the fibres - one of the reasons hotel sheets often feel so beautifully crisp.

Yes - if line drying isn’t practical, sheets may be tumble dried on a low heat setting.

To help minimise creasing, we recommend removing them while still slightly damp and allowing them to finish drying naturally. Always ensure your bedding is completely dry before storing.

For best fabric care, avoid prolonged high heat and do not store bedding in plastic containers.

Please feel free to get in touch - we’re always happy to help.