Written by Nectarsleep editorial team
Last Updated on Jan 12, 2023
Waking up on your mattress instead of your bed sheet? Annoying, we know! An average person spends almost 8 hours snuggled up in their bed every day. Your sheets play a major role in how comfortable you feel at night. In this blog, we will understand one of the most common and debated topics when it comes to bed sheets i.e. Flat sheet vs fitted sheet: what’s the difference and what’s better?
Let’s find out the difference between fitted and flat sheets, how they are used and which sheet can make you feel like you’re sleeping on cloud nine.
A fitted sheet, also known as a bottom sheet, is easily identifiable by its four elastic corners. Fitted sheets protect your mattress and provide an extra layer of comfort. Fitted sheets even out the surface of your mattress making it easier for you to lay your flat sheet and to make sure the flat sheet stays put. (We will get to what flat sheets are.)
Fitted sheets have several advantages and some of them are:
If you’re wondering how to use a fitted sheet, continue reading!
Putting a fitted sheet on your bed is a fairly simple task as it has elastic on its four corners.
Here’s a step by step process to put a fitted sheet on a bed:
A flat sheet, also known as a top sheet, lays flat on top of the mattress. It is tucked directly under your mattress and does not have elastic-like fitted sheets do. But you’re probably wondering what is a flat sheet used for. Sometimes, a flat sheet may be laid over a fitted sheet for extra protection and a wrinkle-free look. Sometimes, it may be used as a duvet or blanket replacement.
Flat sheets are not used much in Europe. Although, the purpose of a flat sheet really depends on your preference. Europeans usually find a simple duvet and fitted sheet combo to be more comfortable. On the other hand, Americans prefer comforters that do not have an extra layer of protection that a duvet has. Hence a flat sheet is used for hygiene purposes.
Many older Americans suggest that a fitted sheet is a bedding essential; the younger generation finds them to be unimportant or unnecessary.
Here’s why top sheets or flat sheets are beneficial:
One major drawback of a top sheet is that it can get messy when you’re sleeping. Alternatively, you can use a popular method amongst hotel staff called “triple sheeting”, wherein you lay your duvet between two flat sheets, and the fitted sheet acts as a base.
Have you wondered how to use a flat sheet on a bed? Well, it is a pretty simple task with very easy to follow steps.
Here’s how you can put a flat sheet on a bed:
If someone has asked if you can use a flat sheet as a fitted sheet, then tell them you can! Using a flat sheet instead of a fitted sheet is easy.
Here’s how you can avoid your flat sheet becoming a mess at night and ruining your sleep by turning it into a snug and well-fitted bottom sheet:
Here’s how to get snug and crisp corners that will ensure your sheet stays in place all night:
Fitted sheet vs flat sheet: What’s better? Well, only you can answer this question!
This debate boils down to one conclusion - personal choice! As with shoes and clothing, bedding is a personal possession that comes down to your individual preference. What’s comfortable for you might be uncomfortable for another. So choosing between using a flat sheet and using a fitted sheet is really up to you!
Some sleepers cannot sleep without a flat sheet, and some may just be okay with a duvet or a comfy blanket. And as we have covered before, a fitted sheet may not be necessary at all if you’ve mastered the art of tucking a flat sheet to be like a fitted sheet.
Fitted sheets do offer slip resistance, whereas flat sheets can slip easily. If you’d like to skip flat sheets completely, you should get a duvet cover to keep your duvet clean.
If you’re wondering what would be better for you, flat or fitted sheet, don’t worry because the following tips will help you out!
The flat sheet vs fitted sheet debate can go on forever, but there is only one right answer, and only you can figure out the right answer for yourself. Everyone’s sleep preferences are different, and you should figure out what works best for you.
Caring for your flatbed sheet or fitted bed sheet should be taken seriously. You spend almost 8 hours lying on these sheets every day, so you’ve got to make sure they’re clean and hygienic. Bacteria, sweat and skin cells can build on your sheets pretty easily, so it’s important to maintain a regular cleaning schedule.
An article by Headline states that sleeping on dirty bed sheets can cause skin problems like contact dermatitis or eczema. Additionally, 24 million Americans suffer from different kinds of allergies. Sleeping on dirty sheets can only make this condition worse by amplifying symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and congestion.
Here are a few tips for caring for your bed sheets:
Take good care of your bed sheets, and they’ll repay you by giving you a worry-free good night’s sleep that keeps you healthy and happy.
The debate on flat vs fitted sheets will go on forever. Only you can decide what works better for you. And now that you know the difference between fitted and flat sheets and how you can experiment with the two, you should be able to find your most comfortable sleeping arrangement in no time!
{"faq":[{"_id":"94dcbb4","title":"How to fold a flat sheet?\n","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003EYou can start folding a flat sheet by keeping the back of the sheet facing towards you. Next, you need to fold it half from the center and repeat this step 3-4 times until you get a rectangle shape.\u00a0\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},{"_id":"823b0d1","title":"Why don\u2019t hotels use fitted sheets? ","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003EThe wear and tear of fitted sheets are more as compared to other sheets. For this reason, hotels avoid using them. Besides, they want to make the guest comfortable, and the best way to do that would be to go for fluffier options like duvets and flat sheets. Plus, laundering these sheets is super easy.\u00a0\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},{"_id":"319df42","title":"How to keep sheets on your bed? 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You can follow the below-mentioned steps if you have any difficulty.\u00a0\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ETuck your sheets from all corners\u00a0\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003EUse rug corners\u00a0\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ETry stretchy bands to keep the sheets together\u00a0\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ETry sheet suspenders\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E"},{"_id":"46df0be","title":"What goes first flat or fitted sheets? ","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003EFitted. These are the first layer of sheets on the bed. If you have a mattress protector, it will go on top of that. Once you\u2019ve built the foundation, you can top it with duvets, blankets and comforters. 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