Fitted Sheet Vs Flat Sheet: How They Compare & Why You Need Both
Nothing beats slipping in between crisp, clean, cosy bed sheets.
After all…
“Sleep is the golden chain that binds health and our bodies together.” - Thomas Decker
But beyond the bedsheet feel is a raging debate over whether to use fitted sheets or flat sheets or both.
Let’s find out which is best and why!
What Are Fitted Sheets?
Fitted sheets are what you directly lie on top of. Often, the only thing used beneath them is a mattress protector. They are also known as bottom sheets.
Fitted sheets have specially-designed elasticated corners that you pull over a mattress to ensure a snug and secure fit.
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Why Do You Use a Fitted Sheet?
Now, a fitted sheet is your go-to option when you want to:
- Cover and protect your mattress against normal wear and tear
- Create a flat, smooth sleeping surface; fitted sheets fit snugly on your mattress
- Easily remove your sheet come cleaning time (it has easy cleaning instructions too)
Learn how to take care of your hotel sheets.
How to Keep Fitted Sheets Tight?
Problem sleepers have a lot to deal with to get a good night’s sleep. But they are not alone. You may be familiar with those annoying sheets that creep off your mattress after you sleep on them.
How frustrating!
The following tips will help you keep your fitted sheets tight on your mattress all night long. Go ahead and find your favourite hack from the list.
- Reinforce worn-out elastic by sewing in a new elastic
- Get the right fitted sheet size. It should accommodate the length, width, and depth of your mattress
- Secure the fitted sheet corners with safety pins. To prevent tears and reduce bends, orient the safety pins perpendicular to the force. If your sheets are thin, double them up with some scrap cloth or pin them through the hem
- Use double-sided clips on all four corners of your fitted sheet; string the clips together on a strap
- Sew large buttons to each of the corners of the fitted sheet. Then, fasten them to elastic straps (you can cross from underneath the mattress)
- Cure a wrongly sized fitted sheet by adding a stripe of sheeting material (you may need a sewing machine for this hack)
How to Fold Fitted Sheets
Neatly folded fitted sheets help you:
- Save a lot of space in your linen closet
- Store wrinkle-free fitted sheets for use next time
- Have an organised closet; finding extra sheets becomes easier
- Feel accomplished once you nail the art of folding fitted sheets
So, if you have been dreading folding fitted sheets, we have easy steps that you can follow next.
Folding Fitted Sheets Step 1:
- Hold your fitted sheet lengthwise and locate all four corners
Folding Fitted Sheets Step 2:
- Flip your sheet inside-out
- Place each hand inside the corners, directly at the seams
(Your hands should now be inside each of the sheet’s top two corners and the opening of the sheet should now face your body.)
Folding Fitted Sheets Step 3:
- Bring your right hand to your left hand
- Flip the right corner of the sheet over the left
- Adjust until the two are aligned
(Both corners should now be in your left hand.)
Folding Fitted Sheets Step 4:
- Run your hand along the front-facing edge of the sheet.
- Pick up the third corner and tuck corners one and two inside
(The third corner should be facing inside-out.)
Folding Fitted Sheets Step 5:
- Find the last corner and place your hand inside at the seams
- Repeat Step 3 by bringing your right hand to your left
- Grab the corner by the seam and flip
Folding Fitted Sheets Step 6:
- Adjust and straighten the fitted sheet such that all corners are tucked into one another
(The elasticized edges should form an “L-shape”.)
Folding Fitted Sheets Step 7:
- Lay your fitted sheet on a flat surface.
- Square off the edges and fold into halves, or thirds, depending on the desired size
Sounds easy and fun, right?
Don’t stop there. Watch this video to learn other ways to fold your fitted sheets.
How to Buy Fitted Sheets Only
You may want to buy fitted sheets only or along with flat sheets (we’ll talk about them next).
Australian Linen Supply gives you the option to purchase either or both.
First, take a look at these images of the fitted sheets. If you are ready to buy, feel free to place your order now.
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By the way, our customers are always a happy lot. And we’d love you to be the next happy customer. Here’s what Robyn and Leo had to say regarding their experience with Australian Linen Supply products and services:
"I only have good comments to make 😊 I initially requested a quote via your website. The response was provided very timely. I then wanted to alter the number of items, this was no problem what so ever and a further timely quote was emailed to me. Upon me confirming my wish to proceed – everything was actioned very quickly. Turn around time was great. Service was great. What can I say??? Keep up the great work!" - Robyn
"It was great! Thank you! Very good quality products and very fast delivery service. 5 stars!!! We'll order more in the future for sure! Thanks again! All the best" - Leo
What Are Flat Sheets?
Flat sheets are also known as top sheets. They go over you (or the bed occupant) and underneath a quilt (doona), comforter, or
Unlike fitted sheets which have elastic sewn corners and pockets, flat sheets are rectangular or square-shaped with straight edges. For them to stay in place, you need to tuck them in your mattress (preferably using hospital corners).
What Are Flat Sheets Used For?
You already saw how fitted sheets can benefit you. Are flat sheets any good? Take a look at their uses next:
Flat sheets:
- Go between you and the blanket in winter to keep you warmer
- Can act as your bottom sheet if you prefer them over fitted sheets
- Act as a barrier for the skin against common irritants or skin ailments
- Feel just right on warm summer nights when it is too hot for a blanket
- Help keep your doona/quilt cleaner; you won’t have to wash your quilt cover as often
Learn 6 Guaranteed Hacks to Warm a Motel Room Cheaply
Did you know that popular hotels use flat sheets for “triple sheeting”? This is when you sandwich your duvet between two flat sheets and use a fitted sheet as the base.
Here’s a video showing how to do triple sheeting right.
Which Side Goes Up on a Flat Sheet?
If you are using two flat sheets, drape the first sheet evenly over the bed and tuck in the bottom corners, the right side facing up. Or, save yourself the trouble and use a fitted sheet (as we’ve discussed above).
Next, place the other flat sheet on top with the wrong side facing up. That way, when you fold it back over the blanket, the right side, which is often the decorative or printed side, will show.
How to Fold Flat Sheets
Firstly, you need:
- Clean flat sheet in need of folding
You can get soft crisp flat sheets from Australian Linen Supply now.
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- Clean flat surface (optional)
Next, watch this video to learn how to fold your flat sheets in minutes.
In Summary: What’s the Difference Between a Flat Sheet and a Fitted Sheet?
When Do You Use a Flat Sheet or Fitted Sheet?
| Placement | Goes over the bed occupant and underneath a duvet, comforter, or blanket | Goes directly over the mattress and under the person lying on it |
| Spreading | Uses the mitred corners (hospital corners) technique to keep the sheet from slipping off the mattress | Is a flat, rectangular, oversized piece of cloth that you tuck under the mattress May also be fitted with an elastic or hem pockets that hug the mattress on all four corners |
| Protection | Protects the bed covers (duvet, quilt, and other blankets) from body sweat, oils and other dirt; it’s easier to clean | Protects the mattress and ensures better sanitation because it is much easier to clean |
| Fitting | You need to measure the length and width of your mattress to get the right size | You need to measure the length, width and thickness of your mattress for the sheet to fit like a glove |
| Usability | You can use it instead of a blanket on warmer nights | You can’t use it alone; you need other bedding beside the bottom sheet |
| Ease of use | It may get messy during sleep (when you don’t tuck it in well) | Snugly fits your mattress (as long as you get the size right) |
As you’ve already seen, flat sheets and fitted sheets are both a great addition to your bedding closet.
To pick one over the other will be purely a matter of personal preference.
However, we suggest that you go for both: a fitted sheet at the bottom to fit over your mattress, and a flat sheet on top to protect your blankets from dirt and keep you warmer.
What do you think?
And finally…
Australian Linen Supply stocks flat sheets and fitted sheets. You can buy them in pairs or alone, and all are in excellent quality at pocket-friendly prices.
Shop fitted sheets, flat sheets, and more linen options now. You’ll love them for sure.
