12/08/2024
We love getting lovely messages from our customers, and this one, from Phillip S. absolutely made our day. So glad you found what you were after with our sheets Phillip!
The sheet report
Those of you who have been following our saga with fitted sheets, we have found a solution. The problem that we had was that no matter the quality of the cotton fitted sheet set we purchased and no matter how carefully we washed them the fitted sheet always shrunk. This made the job of changing the sheets a real challenge; in getting the fitted sheet on we always ran the risk of dislocating a shoulder.
We came to the firm conclusion that when the sheets were manufactured to cut costs and save on materials the manufacturers, every one of them cut the sheets 10mm too short and 10mm too narrow they did not allow for shrinkage. ALL COTTON SHEETS DO SHRINK!
The light bulb moment came for us during our travels and adventures, we discovered that every motel we stayed at always used flat sheets top and bottom, we discovered this because we have become known at the places, we stay at as that odd couple who always make their own bed in the mornings before going out exploring.
After a discussion about mattresses with the owner of one of the motels we regularly stay at the conversation turned to the sheets, we asked why they don’t use fitted sheets he told us that he considered then uneconomical and an OH&S risk! The staff would struggle trying to fit them to a bed and sheets would tear and shoulders would be put out all because the sheet had shrunk, and that with flat sheets the problem was resolved because they could be easily tucked in, and shrinkage did not matter.
So back at home after measuring the bed from all angles twice we determined that just buying a Queen-sized flat sheet would not cut it because ALL the flat sheets made to fit beds are all cut not to tuck in at the top and with shrinkage they also did not stay tucked in at the sides, this would make for an uncomfortable night’s sleep.
So, we started paying attention to the sizes of the flat sheets and the quality, we found that all Queen- sized and King-sized sheets were all the same length so we wouldn’t be able to tuck the top in although the extra width on the King-sized would allow us to stay safely tucked in at night, but the sheet was too short. So back to the tape measure!
After extensive research we found that Super-King-sized sheet would give us the length to tuck the sheet in comfortably at the top and bottom and plenty of sheet to tuck in at the sides, so a conference was held and the consensus was that we needed a Super-King-size for the bottom sheet and a King-sized for the top, easy we thought we would just go down to the shop and get what we wanted, but we couldn’t all the shops sold was sheet sets all with the dreaded fitted sheet! What to do?
We started researching commercial hospitality suppliers, they had what we needed but the problem was we had to buy a minimum of ten of each sheet! So, we thought about forming a sheet syndicate that way we could get what we wanted and so could other likeminded disenfranchised fitted sheet haters. But sadly, that didn’t come about.
Then we found a Tasmanian company ‘The Good Sheet Company’ they had exactly what we wanted the only issue was that our only choice was white cotton percale sheets, so we thought about it and held a few more family conferences and took minutes just to make sure we were completely sure about what we were going into. An order was placed, and we waited excitedly for the big day to come when our sheets were delivered. We were not let down.
The big day came, and we excitedly took delivery of two sets of Super-King-sized, two sets of King-sized sheets and two sets of pillowcases, we washed one set and after they had dried, we made up the bed the sheets were a dream to fit no pulling or tugging or dislocated shoulder, and these sheets did not shrink. The bed looked a treat with the sheets neatly tucked in with the standard ‘hospital tuck' in each corner, we stood back and admired our workmanship.
Finaly it came time to go to bed and what can I say it was an experience to remember and savor, the sheets were crisp and nicely tucked in and we were held firm and comfortable all night (it was just like sleeping in your lovers arms) both of us slept extremely well and did not over heat the cotton sheets worked and did their job well, especially on our new mattress that our friends at the motel had recommended to us. The fitted sheets have now been consigned to the rag bag we will never go back, going to bed is now an experience to look forward to.
A bit about care:
Along our journey we discovered some things about the care of cotton sheets, only washing them at 30 Deg C, this is the optimum temperature to remove body fats and oils that are absorbed by the sheet and to minimize shrinkage. Don’t use fabric softener, fabric softener will coat the cotton fibers and compress the fiber, and the sheet will not then absorb the body fats and oils from your skin, and you will sleep hotter and be more uncomfortable. If you like your sheets to smell of Lavender and Roses find another way!
This journey has been educational, and we are looking forward to many nights of blissful restful sleep.
I can highly recommend The Good Sheet Company, their sheets are magnificent!
