Fitted or Loose Bedsheet?
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
Singapore
November 28, 2008 8:29am CST
I remember when I was young my mum taught me how to tidy up my bed with loose bedsheets. But nowadays fitted bedsheets are available everywhere. They are cheap and convenient. I don't really have to make my bed when I get up every morning. They stay straight and taut most of the time. So I just need to run my hands through once and I'm done making the bed.
I only have one problem with fitted bedsheets. I hate to fold them up after I wash them. The elastic band gets in the way. I want to make sure that when I fold it, there is the littlest amount of crease as possible. But sometimes it's just not possible.
What about you? Do you still use loose bedsheets and make your beds everyday? Or do you use the fitted kind? Why? Thank you for your response!
6 people like this
32 responses
@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
28 Nov 08
I know how to make a bed using loose sheets. I am probably one of only about a dozen men in the whole world who knows how to do this. :)
I do like the fitted sheets however I do find they do not stay proper at the corners so I have to add a piece of elastic with clips on it to the corners to help it stay. These are specially made short elastic fabric with clips that go on the corners. It is especially bad on my electric bed that goes up and down and as it moves the sheets move a little each time.
If anyone knows how to fold the fitted sheets properly let me know.
1 person likes this
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
Hi mariposaman
I'm proud of you, man! I remember there was once I went to a small motel, but the room was not quite ready yet. The porter still brought us to the room. There he took out the freshly laundered loose bedsheet and made the bed in less than 5 minutes flat. I was truly amazed at his technics!
I see what you mean with the clips and elastic. I have seen those. I don't much problems having my fitted sheet in place even when we toss and turn. They are real tight, probably shrank after washing. Seems to fit better after shrinking.
I'm getting others to share their techniques of folding the fitted sheets too. If they can put it up on YouTube, I'm sure many people would view it. LOL!
@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
1 Dec 08
I might add that when I use the top flat sheet on the bed I put it "upside down" because the sheet is frequently printed only on one side. If you put the printing side down you can see the printed side when you lift the covers and when you turn down the top of the sheet at the pillow end of the bed, the printed side shows. It is hard to explain in words but looks better.
I think sometimes my problem with fitted sheets is they do not put in enough elastic to hold tight and I understand elastic material does not age well after being subjected to high heat in the dryer. I have no option of outside line drying so I have no choice but the electric dryer.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
28 Nov 08
Every sheet set I've ever bought had a loose and a fitted together. You're right, the fitted don't fold well at all. I have to sew something under the corner of each fitted one because they tend to spring up, so I sew elastic underneath to pull it tight. First, I put the fitted sheet on the bed. Then I sew the elastic and pull it around and sew to the other side of the corner. Otherwise they pop up when we sleep. Seems like the fitted sheets are never fitted to our bed.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
1 Dec 08
Hope this helps you to see what elastics underneath the corners to help them stay down look like when I sew them in. You can also buy ones with clips and that is where I got the picture, elastics with clasps and how they work picture.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
12 Feb 09
Thank you very much for best response. I appreciate it. It's really neat to hear about how things are similiar and different in other places. I enjoy those topics a great deal. Like when we have yard sales and some places have "boot" ones meaning they sell out of car trunks at drive-in movie theaters (someone told me from somewhere). That idea could save our few remaining drive-ins here and so on. Thanks and take care.
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
Hi writersedge
Hmm... I'm beginning to wonder how fitted sheets look in different countries. They might all look different afterall. What is it that you sew under the corner of the fitted sheet? Is your bed too big for the fitted sheets? Mine does not pop up when we sleep. I'm wondering how come yours does. There are some brands which fit better though, while others seem to shrink after a wash. Some fit better after they shrank. LOL!
1 person likes this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
28 Nov 08
I have what is called a 3/4 bed. It just bigger than a twin and smaller than a double bed. I can't find any fitted sheets to fit so I sewed a seam down one side. That still make it hard to keep tucked in. I finally bought some belting to put under the mattress. I have 4 strips and I pin the sheets to that and now they stay nice and taught. I did finally learn how to fold the fitted sheet so it will lay nice and flat in the cupboard. I use the back of my sofa. Tuck the fitted ends from the top into the corners of the bottom. The lay it over the sofa and fold the Side part way in along the tuck or corner of the sheet do the same with th top then just fold to the size you want. I hope I made this clear It's hard with out a diagram to show.
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
HI Deebomb
I think you have what we call the super single bed. We have fitted sheets that fit this bed here. Must be difficult for you to keep your sheets taut when you don't have the right sized bedsheets for your bed.
Anyway, I can't really visualize how you fold the fitted mattress. You think you can film yourself folding it and put it up on YouTube or something? I'm sure many would benefit from this move.
1 person likes this
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
Hi calais
With the fitted sheets, I seldom make my bed. LOL!
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
1 Dec 08
I know what you mean about folding the fitted sheets.
It is really quite cumbersome isn't it?
Well, what I devised was a way to reduce the creases. Take the four corners of the sheet, the ones where the corners fit to the corners of the bed.
And then fold from there. The part that will encounter the most creases will then be the side that is at the bottom, where the rubber bands are.
That way, when you fold using the four corners, you will ensure that the side facing up will encounter the lease number of creases.
And the sheet will fold nicely into a nice, squarish piece as well.
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
1 Dec 08
I think I know how it is done. I watched a video on YouTube to find out how and it was a clever idea. In this video, you need to fold in the corners together and it becomes a square shape like you mentioned. Thanks for your description!
1 person likes this
@shiloh_222 (5479)
• Philippines
29 Nov 08
hi there...definitely fitted bedsheet and of course, my blankie. i can't sleep without and my three pillows. i dont usually make my bed.. hehehhe... happy mylotting.
@shiloh_222 (5479)
• Philippines
30 Nov 08
hahhahaha... yeah... i definitely agree with that... though sometimes, i would throw a bed cover without making it up... LOL... especially if i have friends coming over. LOL
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
Hi shiloh,
I don't make my bed either with my fitted sheets, I don't see the need. LOL!
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18181)
• Orangeville, Ontario
28 Nov 08
I use the fitted bedsheets and it has taken me some years to figure out how to fold them but I am managing now. My issue is trying to get those dang sheets to stay fitted to the bed. I should probably dole out some good money for some better quality sheets but the ones I'm using now are flannel and secondhand. I can't find some that are in a pattern that I want. My regular summer sheets are solid burgundy and I would like some that are burgundy but with a pattern on them but all I can find are solid patterned sheets.
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
Hi Pat,
Come on then, share some tips with me please! I'm going crazy from folding fitted sheets. I can't hold them up, too large. I can't put them on the floor either, just doesn't work. Help me!
Funny! I have been getting a lot of complaints about the fitted sheets on staying on the bed. I don't have that problem. Mine fit well and it has got nothing to do with better quality ones. It depends on how they are sewn, I guess. I see that you have a very specific color and pattern you would like. Sometimes it is difficult to get the ones we want. I just get whatever's cheap...
@patgalca (18181)
• Orangeville, Ontario
30 Nov 08
I had a feeling you were going to ask me that. I don't know how I started to not having a problem folding the fitted sheets. I think I was folding them by starting folding them in half bottom to top, and now I start by folding them in half length-wise. That's the only thing I can think of. I know there was an episode of Dr. Phil where he tried to do what his wife does at home and that was a big problem for him so his wife showed, on the show, how to fold fitted sheets. But that was a couple of years ago.
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
Hi sunnflr
Can you show me how your bed looks like? Do you have a pic? I have been hearing about how people have two sheets, one fitted at the bottom and one loose on top. I seem to just need one sheet. Am I the only one who's doing it all wrong?
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
Same here. I have no more time for loose sheets anymore. I could get other things done during the time needed to make my bed with loose sheets. For instance, I could write a nice response to my discussions here at mylot. LOL! Thank you for your response!
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
28 Nov 08
I prefer fitted sheets and I fold them willy-nilly as, once on the bed, I spray a little Downy Wrinkle Release on the sheet, spread out the wrinkles and there I go!! LOL
I also learned how to use loose sheets as they did not have fitted sheets when I was young. I do not remember when they started to be manufactured, but they are great.
I do not make my bed every day. I use a top sheet and a comforter and only make my bed if company is coming as I have all of these decorative pillows I like to put on but I cannot be bothered doing that every day.
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
Hi nanajanet
That's a great tip. Now where can I get hold of this Downy Wrinkle Release? I never knew that there is such a product. I know how to make beds with loose sheets but I still prefer the fitted ones, don't even need to make my bed ever. LOL! I love those decorative pillows. I'm just not creative enough to decorate my bed with them.
1 person likes this
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
30 Nov 08
They sell it in the laundry section of the supermarket but you can do it with fabric softener and water in a bottle, too.
@sweetie1026 (1718)
• Philippines
1 Dec 08
Actually, i don't mind whatever the bed sheet is. I have the fitted kind and the loose ones. It is my girls who have the problem of making their beds everyday. Whatever bed sheet i give them to use, they would surely say something about it. My youngest is the more problematic one. Like you, she doesn't like the fitted one because she is finding it hard to fold it, so after washing i do the folding for her.
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
28 Nov 08
Hi there SydneyHazelton
All my sheets are fitted. When I was a kid we always had loose sheets and as I moved during the night they would sometimes come out from under the mattress. I share your frustration in folding fitted sheets but I have worked out a way of doing it without having bits of the sheet sticking out and looking messy. It doesn't always work though and I have to start again then it really does get frustratiing!
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
Hi Humbug,
Can you share some tips on how to fold fitted sheets without getting it all messy? The only way I can do this is to fold it immediately as soon as I take it down from the clothesline. Since the sheets are still crisp, they will fold more easily. But liek you said, there are times when it does not work and I'd just bundle them as best as I could and tell myself that the sheets will straighten out when we put them on the bed. LOL!
1 person likes this
@jakill (835)
•
29 Nov 08
Our bottom sheets are fitted ones now. I seem to be getting more particular in my old age and I always iron them now before I fold them. It's rather annoying when I get them out and find them all creased again because they won't fold nicely.
In winter we use a duvet without a top sheet, but we find that's too hot in warm weather and I put on a top sheet and a blanket. I cover this with a bedspread so it looks nice in the daytime. As it gets warmer we dispense with one or more of these layers for sleeping.
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
Ironing it. I'm trying to cut down the ironing bit. My MIL used to iron them all out. I tried it, but it does not make folding any easier. They are still creased when folded, so why bother? Thanks for responding!
@sennawork (88)
• United States
29 Nov 08
I haaaate folding sheets after washing them. You spend hours trying to fold them, and the elastic part wiggles all over the place and just leaves you with an annoying heap!
I personally just ball them up and shove them in the linen closet, my mother on the other hand is perfect at gently and perfectly folding them at putting them away.
Another annoying thing about those fitted ones, is that sometimes the elastic part snaps off of the mattress and you have to lift the whole mattress to tuck it back in!!
Hope Everything works out for you :D
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
LOL! I'm still waiting for someone to tell the best way to fold the darn fitted sheets. I don't have much patience with them as well. But I do try to fold them as best I can and shove them in the cupboard where I don't see them until the next time I need to use them. LOL!
@thebeaddoodler (4262)
• Lubbock, Texas
29 Nov 08
I like the fitted bottom sheet and the flat top one. The fitted bottom sheet is a pain to fold especially since they started putting elastic all the way around the edge, but I'll take a sheet that's easy and convenient to put on the bed even if I can't get it folded nice and flat and even.
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
Me too, I'd rather have the convenient of not having make my bed on a daily basis than ease of folding, which is just once in a while. LOL! I hope I make sense to you. I'm talking in circles.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
29 Nov 08
Hey sydney! I use fitted bedsheets of course! They are so much
more pleasant to use! They don't move around and you don't
have to worry about all that tucking in over and over. But,
you still have to keep tucking in the top sheet! That still
keeps coming out all the time! Don't you use the top sheet
too? I still love the fitted sheets for the bottom sheet. It
really makes making the bed much easier and faster and neater.
It really is such a time saver! And when my boyfriend and I
make the bed up together it is done in no time at all!
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
HI Opal
I don't use the top sheet. Many people I know here don't do so too. I guess the weather is too hot to have the top sheet or am I getting it wrong about its use? I have been wondering whether I'm the only strange one who doesn't use the top sheet.
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
HI rocketj
For me, I just use one sheet, the fitted one. No top sheet for me. Am I strange?
1 person likes this
@wahmivy (776)
• Philippines
29 Nov 08
I got a whole slew of fitted sheets as a wedding present. They are a pain to fold (I just despair over all the bunching and the non-pointy corners like the OC that I am, lol). They are easier to make the bed with, but I still use pins to tuck the edges under the mattress nice and tight.
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
Hi wahmivy
Many people seem to find their own ways to make sure their bedsheets are nice and tight. Some use clips with elastic, some sew them, you use pins. Whatever it is, I hate having to fold them. I can't seem to get it right. Sometimes I just give up and let them be bunchy and all. I tell myself that they will straighten out when I put the on the bed. Then I tuck them out of sight, so that I won't have to deal with them for a while.
@rebecca7783 (123)
• India
29 Nov 08
yes true... even i was taught how to fit the bedsheet and i am glad that now i can arrange my bed well and the bed sheet stays in its place. not only that, it depends on how well you tuck the bedsheet on the edges of the bed and if its loose it looks very unorganized and untidy and the bed looks messy. surely no one will like that.. right??
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
Even though they may look good after you made them, but it comes off easily as soon as you get on your bed. Thta's why I still prefer the fitted ones. Thank you for your response!
@KoiFish (68)
• United States
29 Nov 08
I use fitted - it's so much easier but I agree, the way that you have to fold them is awful, I can never get them to fold up nicely. Usually I just end up getting frustrated and pushing them into the closet behind some well-folded blankets or sheets. Oh well, that's the price we pay for convenience, huh?
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
30 Nov 08
HI Koifish
I'm sure there must be a simple way to fold these fitted sheets. I get frustrated too. Sometimes I wish that I have long stretchy arms like the cartoon Fantastic Four. But I don't. I just fold them in the best way I can, even if it sticks out of place. I would then shove it out of sight too, until the next time I need to use them. LOL!
