Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with bedding

Best cure for a cold bed?

JoannaC — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:46:42 -0800

Best cure for a cold bed? I hate getting into a cold bed. Usually body heat warms it up after 15 minutes or so, but getting into it just is depressing and miserable. I have tried extra blankets, I have tried sealing the windows, I am just not sure what else to do. I used to think it was because I lived in a basement, but now I have moved and about a week ago, when we had our first snow, I started feeling the cold bed again. I even tried putting a space heater in, but the problem is not the temperature of the room, it's the temperature of the bed! So, flannel sheets? Electric blankets? What's the best next step here? Frugal options preferred. I just want to climb into a warm bed at night...

What's female ejaculate doing to my duvet?

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:34:07 -0800

My girlfriend is a prolific (ahem) 'gusher', and I'd appreciate any laundry/bedding tips. Presumably NSFW. So, I have a newish girlfriend (me being male, btw) who produces a lot of liquid when she orgasms; volume enough to soak through a thick duvet cover and get the mattress soggy.

This is new to me, and sex-wise doesn't bother me in the slightest - what is of concern is quite what effect this is going to have on my mattress, sheets, duvet cover, etc. I've read up what Google has to offer, which is long on analysis of what exactly the stuff is, and short on if this is going to make my (duck feather, difficult to launder) duvet cover start to smell funny after a while, and if my (coloured cotton) sheets are going to get unsubtly bleached patches in the middle, not to mention if my (sprung) mattress is going to get be-whiffed.

She's previously not had orgasms during sex, only when masturbating, which she's done in baths, on towels, or wipe-clean environments, so doesn't really have any relevant advice to offer (except that apparently towels do begin to smell if she doesn't wash them.)

I really don't want to start putting down towels before sex, getting special plastic sheets, or make her feel uncomfortable about her body. (I also have no desire for her to hold back, btw.)

So what I'm after is advice or experience from anyone about likely effects on bedding etc, how to manage or mitigate such things, plus if there are any commercial products to subtly aid absorption, protect mattresses, etc.

(The liquid is definitely different to urine; fairly clear, and no acrid smell that I can detect, and, err, I've never tasted urine, but I don't think it tastes like that.)

(Oblig. throw-away email addy for any correspondence; ask_mefi_091209@yahoo.co.uk)

Please tell me about the coziest, softest, and most comfortable things in your home.

lalex — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:55:58 -0800

Please tell me about the coziest, softest, and most comfortable things in your home. After a recent luxury hotel stay, I'd like to make my apartment more comfortable...the kind of place with a sofa that's easy to curl up and nap on, an appealing reading nook, a bed that's ridiculously inviting after a long day.

To that end, please recommend your favorite comfortable home items. I'm looking for great throw pillows, blankets, bedding, really anything that makes you look forward to coming home.

Need hypoallergenic bedding advice

wenestvedt — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:29:49 -0800

Does anyone have good (or bad) experience with hypoallergenic bedding? One of the kids is allergic to dust, and since he spends almost half each day in bed, it seems like a good place to start fixing his environment. So we'd like to find some hypoallergenic bedding: a pillow case and mattress wrap seem to be the way to go.

Does anyone have any good or bad experiences with specific brands or non-specific types (I read something about buckwheat?)? Have you tried it and found it useful, or a waste? Does it make a lot of noise?

He has hardwood floors in his room, we dust weekly, and we're open to other suggestions (e.g., air filters), too. Thanks for any advice: he sounds like Young Darth Vader. :7(

Getting a duvet into a duvet cover without losing one's mind

Kat Allison — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:37:29 -0800

Duvet/comforter users! I know there are plenty of you out there, and I would like to join your happy (and warm) ranks, but I have one question: is there ANY way to get a duvet/comforter INTO a duvet/comforter cover that does not result in (a) an asymmetrical lumpy bunchy MESS, and (b) GIBBERING INSANITY?? I have spent the last twenty minutes or so crawling around inside my new duvet cover, blindly groping for corners of my new duvet and attempting to shove them into corners of the cover, crawling out again and shaking the whole thing, viewing the lumpy bunchy mess, crawling back in and resuming the blind groping, etc. etc.

There has GOT to be an easier, more efficient way to do this, or else everyone in duvet-loving Europe has VASTLY more patience and/or coordination than I do. Help??

Non-traditional quilts?

JoanArkham — Thu, 07 May 2009 10:12:38 -0800

Help me find a non-traditional quilt! (All my overly-fussy requirements inside...) I'm looking for a queen-sized light quilt or coverlet for summer. I like bold patterns and off-beat designs. Something like this but heavier than a "tapestry". Now for the fussy stuff:

- Must be machine washable. (So most homemade or craft quilts are out.)
- Nothing "Americana" or "country" or overly floral.
- No duvet covers.
- Any colors are fine, but should go with purples/blues/greens.
- Around $100.

Any ideas are appreciated!

How to petition boyfriend about bedding?

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:26:39 -0800

I could use some help figuring out how to phrase a request that my boyfriend give his bedding a spin in the laundry. We're pretty newly minted, and I understand the need for tact here, but I am blanking on the best way to say this. I'm not a crazy hygiene freak. While I'm definitely neater than he is (he has expressed concern about the disorganized state of his room as it affects me), I am not bothered by the clutter in his room on the floor, the desk, and other available surfaces. It doesn't even approach as bad as I've seen from older brothers and former roommates.

But, the last time I slept over the bedding was a bit rank, beyond what may have been partly due to activities recently conducted in and around it. I think there's a basic expectation of not being overwhelmed with unwashed blanket/sheet smell while trying to fall asleep, and I don't think I'm out of line in wanting to make that request. I just don't know how to say it exactly, and I'd like some help. I'm concerned here because -- given that we haven't been together long -- this would be the first time I would be asking him to alter any kind of behavior of his, completely under my own motives. And, obviously, this is kind of a touchy subject. I'm not overburdened with social graces to begin with -- my usual communication lists heavily towards forthright, frequently tinged with wry facetiousness.

I like him a lot, and want to make it clear that I don't think he's a gross and disgusting individual for this. Lighthearted, not-a-big-deal is I think the way to go, but I'm just... drawing a blank, possibly due to overthinking. Help me get the beans off this plate.

Where to find an inexpensive set of bed sheets and pillows in Brisbane?

Dasein — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:22:31 -0800

Where can I find an inexpensive set of bed sheets and pillows in Brisbane? I'm only in Brisbane for 5 months, and I'll be traveling in Australia afterward so I won't be able to take the pillows, at least, with me. As a result, I don't want to spend much money. Where's the best place to go for cheap bedding in Brisbane?

Feathers everywhere, and poking me to boot!

dancestoblue — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:04:24 -0800

So I had a regular sized (full) feather bed, I'm real tall, I thought to take the feathers out of the bed and put them into a king sized duvet and -- Viola! A king sized feather comforter! A good plan. So I bought the duvet, dumped the feathers in, and the thing is warm. But now, feathers large and small are poking through, and poking ME, there's feathers everywhere, I look like a chicken coop landed on me. So. It was a good plan. I intended to sew the thing closed and sew every six inches, as is done with a quilt, to keep the feathers/down from bunching up too badly. But the thing is poking the hell out of me, it's like sleeping with a porcupine (I imagine) or a prickly woman (experience). Is the fabric usually used for these things different, somehow tighter woven? The duvet *seems* as tight as the material that held the feathers/down before. Does this whole thing just need to go to the dumpster? How do 'they' make these things so the feathers won't come through? How do I do so? I'd love to have this thing to sleep under but so far it's just a mess...

Extra Long Full sized Mattress, Help!

notpeter — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:38:43 -0800

I'm too tall to comfortably sleep on a Full size mattress, so I'm in the market for an Extra Long Full (Full XL), but my search hasn't gone so well. After sleeping on Full size beds for years which were too short, I long for the comfort of the XL twin I had in my college dorm room. I've considered getting a queen, but I've heard horror stories about getting Queen box springs up stairs on move-in day. (I live in NYC). I'm looking for something on the firmer side as I'm a big guy and my back seems to feel best with lots of support and sleep almost exclusively on my side. I don't want a Memory Foam/Temperpedic mattress, I've slept in them and would prefer a thermarest + sleeping bag on the floor. I'm not totally against pillowtops, but would prefer to add toppers seperately and be able to flip my mattress. I don't have a strong preference between a platform bed vs. a box spring.

Basically I'm considering upgrading my mattress from a Full (54in x 75in) to a Full XL (54x80) and want a mattress that'll keep for the next 3-5 years. The problem I'm having is an inability to actually lie down on any of my potential beds before purchase. Mattress manufacturers intentionally produce an obscene number of different "models" so that you can't actually comparison shop to see whether extra money is worth it, but how am I to know if I'd be happier spending more? Also, are 'hotel grade' mattresses actually any different?

Has anyone actually owned a Full XL bed? Do you wish you'd just sprung for a Queen? Here's what I'm considering, but I hate to buy blindly.

Serta Hotel Royal Suite Firm (Sam's Club $572)
Sealy Posture Premier Giovanni Firm ($480 Mattress.com)
Sealy Posturepedic Preferred Park Meadows Firm ($800 Mattress.com)
King Koil Perfect Contour Oakwood Firm ($800 Mattress.com)

Is a mattress cover really necessary?

k8lin — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:00:22 -0800

Do I really need a mattress cover? We finally purchased a new pillowtop mattress (it is 14 inches tall, if that somehow matters, and it has memory foam in the pillowtop but is otherwise a firm mattress) and it's being delivered next week. The woman who sold us the mattress told us that we absolutely had to get a mattress cover, which she said is basically just a sheet that protects the mattress. I've looked around and I am concerned that this will just add another layer of wrinkle-prone fabric to my bed.

I hate wrinkled sheets. I make the bed properly and wash my sheets often, but my old mattress is ancient (we're talking 1970s) and I could never find properly-sized sheets for it, which may have been part of the problem. I don't have allergies and am not really concerned about getting any stains on the mattress itself, as it seems extremely unlikely since I've never had that problem before.

So: do you use a mattress cover? Why? Is it a necessary part of bedding that I have just been ignorant of until this point? If you do use one, do you have problems with wrinkles, or is that just unfounded paranoia?

If you do have a mattress cover and you particularly swear by it, tell me details -- what fabric is it made of? How often do you launder it? How has it changed your life for the better, or worse?

Where can I find sheets that will impress my friends?

lizzicide — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:30:24 -0800

I'm looking for some totally awesome, impressive bedding, featuring either Nintendo or Sanrio characters, or at least interesting designs. Difficulty: Must be King size. I've checked the local Target and Bed Bath and Beyond with no success, so I'm turning to the internet.

First choice: I want a Super Mario Bros bed. Or just a Mario bed in general. Hell, I'll settle for Toad or Yoshi - If it's Nintendo, bring it on! But I can't seem to find anything, save for a few quilts on Etsy that I didn't really care for.

Second choice: Chococat, Hello Kitty, Deery Lou, Sanrio cuteness in spades. Haven't been able to find anything in King size.

Third choice: Roxy, except Roxy doesn't make anything in King size, period. Bold designs, bright colors - Hot pink and lime green are my friends. I'm not going for subtle here.

If you can think of anything I haven't, clue me in. Sheets are more important than duvets/blankets here, but any leads would be fantastic.

Comfort(er) cotton or wool?

Sagres — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:42:00 -0800

Buying a new comforter: cotton or wool? After years with a synthetic comforter from Ikea we are planning to upgrade. Down is not a viable option and it never falls below 45 degrees where we live so we are leaning toward cotton; organic preferably. A friend suggested wool as an option. Any feedback with regard to brand, comfort, wool vs. cotton and maintenance (washing) would be appreciated.

Bonus for suggesting where to purchase online.

Seeking Sheets Sold Separately

hyperfascinated — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 12:30:28 -0800

Where can I buy high quality bedsheets by the sheet, not in sets? I only need the fitted sheet, but I can't find any sheets that are sold separately. I'd like cotton or modal sheets in 350tc or better. Have you seen these anywhere?

It's for a queen-size bed. I'm in Portland, OR, but buying something online is fine.

Where are the best flannel sheets?

otherwordlyglow — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:36:21 -0800

Help me attain flannel sheet nirvana. Mr OWG adores flannel sheets. I'm not so fond of them but that's mainly because all the flannel sheets I've ever encountered seem to be cheap and get all pilled. I'm a bit of a sheet snob, preferring high thread count, all-cotton sateen. I'm willing to use flannel in the winter and to that end I'd love to find really really super nice luxurious flannel. Soft, pillowy , snuggly flannel. Does it even exist? Why are most flannel sheets so crappy? Recommendations for flannel sheets, online or not would be appreciated. Hopefully under $100 for a full-size set but I'm willing to go higher.

Sleeping yurp-style

Fupped Duck — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:19:10 -0800

Since practically forever, I've slept at home as they do in Yurp. A fitted sheet on the mattress and notjing more than a down comforter inside of a duvet, either cotton or flannel. I replace my comforter every 2 years on avg, not because the feathers have lost their fluff, but instead because the white fabric shell of the comforter turns yellowish. Its a mystery to me why they all eventually yellow. Its not drool, I don't wet the bed and its quite unsightly. I theorize its a buildup of oils from my skin, or perhaps oils in the feathers/down. I've tried washing comforters in the past and eventually gave up on that. The comforter's loft never quite comes back the same and its still kinda yellow. Can this yellowing be prevented or delayed? Does this plus the fact that all comforters seem only to come in off-white shell colors indicate some sort of planned obsolescence?

Help me settle down for a long winter's nap with nice sheets.

fedward — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:34:26 -0800

Recommend durable all-cotton or linen bed sheets. No flannel or sateen. I bought a new bed a couple years ago, and the extra-tall mattress (14", which is low compared to the 18" ones you can buy now) necessitated the purchase of some extra-deep pocket sheets. Being a practical guy, I opted for some Lauren T-250 sheets, as higher thread count sheets tend to wear out quickly and I wanted something nice but longer lasting. One of the fitted sheets has suffered what I consider to be a premature demise, and my mom likes to buy practical gifts, so I'd like to direct her to some new sheets for Christmas. Criteria:

Must be all-natural. Cotton is the most likely candidate here. I'm guessing linen is going to be outside mom's gift budget, but I could also decide to pop for those myself if somebody knows a source for linen sheets like Grandma Used To Have.

I sleep hot, so I hate sateen and its ilk. This probably also rules out the Modal sheets that have been recommended here before. "Sexy," as discussed here, isn't all that important either. I think this means I just want "percale", but I don't even know what "percale" means.

Must wear like iron and stand up to being washed in hot water. For that matter, must survive the drier reasonably well, as I generally don't have access to a clothesline. This probably rules out the zillion-count sheets that are all the rage. I thought 250-count would be a good number, but Ralph let me down.

"Wrinkle-free" is not a selling point, since it's my understanding that those treatments shorten the lifespan of cotton fibers, and my goal here is to get something that lasts, not that wears out quickly.

Extra credit for extra wide flat sheets, as there are sheet sharing issues. Details omitted to protect the guilty.

Color's not much of a sticking point, if any. Solids are fine, whites, creams, naturals, etc, are also fine. Probably no black, though. I never had the black sheets phase, and I'm sure my girlfriend would prefer that I never do.

Is the solution to this just Lands End or The Company Store, or is there something at mom's neighborhood Dillard's that fits the bill?

How to comfortably combine two twin beds?

ManicExpressive — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 09:28:41 -0800

How can I connect two twin beds so that they become a comfortable king-size bed? I'm looking for something that pads the somewhat stiff area at the inner edge of each mattress and either fills the gap or includes a strap to hold the two mattresses tightly together.

Two examples of what I'm looking for are the Create-a-King and the SNS International Mattress Mate. Reviews on Amazon of the Create-a-King say the device is cheaply constructed and that the center padding is inadequate, and I can't find any source in the US for the Mattress Mate.

Thanks for your help in giving us a good night's sleep!

Allergies and down filling

AMP583 — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 14:13:13 -0800

Any recommendations on allergy proofing a down comforter? I have a down comforter that i really love and enjoy but my girlfriend is completely allergic to it. She's allergic to down - im not sure if theres a broader explanation like if shes allergic to dander or whatever. I can replace the comforter and pillows but that would be expensive.
I found some allergen duvet covers on amazon but im not sure if they would work. Anyone have any suggestions or ideas?

Recommended on-line retailer for bedding?

vac2003 — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 23:41:51 -0800

Which is the best online retailer to buy bedding (sheets, etc) that ships internationally? I recently discovered the joys of buying men's clothing from Lands End. The range of styles, colors, and sizes is fantastic and even with the cost of shipping, the prices beats local retailers here in New Zealand. I'd like to do the same for bedding. What on-line retailer would you recommend?

Who will ship me their goods?

dflemingdotorg — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 11:49:43 -0800

Where can I buy medium to inexpensive, trendy furniture and housewares for my new apartment that will ship to Canada? I have spent an inordinate amount of time searching around for fixin's for my new apartment (returning to school, about $1500 to spend, willing to do some work building custom pieces and finding someone to sew fabrics), however I've been stuck on finding places that will ship to me in Eastern Canada. We don't have an Ikea near, there's a Pier 1 about 150 miles away but I'd rather it come to me. What are my options?

I have a bachelor apartment which will have a shared bedroom/living space/dining room (essentially, I'm using a hanging mesh divider in the room to seperate the bedroom from the living area and would LOVE a japanese style dining room table that would double as a cool coffee table). I'm also looking for a low and long dresser for clothing, a sleek entertainment center for a 20" TV and shelves and decorative type things to make it look good.

Modern duvet covers?

mendel — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 08:12:08 -0800

Where can I find reasonably-priced modern duvet covers along the lines of this one? Nyxie (now Mrs. mendel!) and I want to start sleeping British-style -- with a fitted sheet on the mattress and a duvet but no top sheet. But this means we want more than one duvet cover, so we're shopping for another.

Right now we have a great but discontinued Ikea one that is in the same sort of style as Amenity's "Twig", with a stylized brown-and-white "tree" on a similar background. We really prefer this sort of design to a repeating pattern, but $400 for a duvet cover is more than we want to spend.

The bedroom is oak and aluminum with white walls and a lot of right angles so we're pretty much wide open to colors and need some color and curviness in the duvet.

Can anyone recommend reasonably-priced sources of modern duvet covers, or specific covers you think we'd love? I know I've seen stuff on mightygoods and Funfurde and MoCoLoCo but I can't seem to find them now.

Can static electricity start a fire in my bed?

justonegirl — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 11:49:49 -0800

Can static electricity within one's bedding be harmful? This may sound so stupid but my level of scientific knowledge is pitiful.

My husband and I recently bought all new bedding, including high-quality cotton sheets, a down comforter with a soft flannel cover, and a Serasoft blanket. The first night, when moving around in the dark, I noticed an alarming amount of static electricity in the blanket, visible as bright white "pops." It's been that way every night, in spite of rubbing a dryer sheet on the blanket, and I just feel a little paranoid. Google searching revealed a lot of links on static electricity related fires at fuel pumps, and one man who scorched some things with static in his clothing, but nothing bed-specific.

We're not going to catch on fire are we?

Should I buy a cheap "feather fill" comforter online?

zenigmatic — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 10:17:22 -0800

Should I buy a cheap "feather fill" comforter online? So far I've only ever had lovely Cuddle Down comforters at home, but now am striking out on my own, and don't have the budget for lofty bedding right away. Will I even notice the difference in fill type, or thread count? I will always have a duvet cover over it... or is this a save-for-it item worth the wait? Here's what I'm considering: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AY31NO/ref=br_lf_k_12/104-9635915-1387100?n=284507&s=kitchen&v=glance

Need to buy an indoor hammock... help!

dobbs — Sat, 17 Dec 2005 07:49:42 -0800

Who makes a kickass indoor hammock? Who sells a kickass indoor hammock (online or, preferably, in Toronto)? What makes an indoor hammock kickass? What should I look for and what should I avoid? Thanks!