Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with sheets

DOG PERIOD BLOOD IN BED. CAN I JUST SLEEP IN IT?

defmute — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:15:08 -0800

my dog bled on my blanket (i think mine's called a com-fort-or). can i still sleep in my bed? my dog's been on her period for a while and we always kick it pretty good in bed and i thought her period was over but i guess not and i've actually been sleeping in bed with a few half dollar siezed dogperiodblood spots on the pillows, com-four-door, sheets and mattress. am i okay? do i need to disinfect my sleeping arrangements?

Keeping my laundry hair-free?

meerkatty — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:02:38 -0800

Do you have tricks or tips for keeping hair off your clean laundry? I have long hair that sheds a lot. And I'm currently being treated with chemotherapy which is making me shed even more. When I pull my clean clothes or sheets out of the dryer rogue strands of my long hair cover everything. Is there a way to prevent this?

I use a Bounce dryer sheet in my dryer, clean the lint filter religiously and just had my dryer serviced. Using a lint brush afterward is pointless because the hair is long and difficult for the brush to pick up and using a lint brush on things like king size sheets is a nightmare. Thanks!

bed etiquette?

speef — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:11:46 -0800

Do you sleep with tucked-in sheets? Specifically, do you tuck the top sheet into the bottom end of the mattress? And why?

My friends and I are having a very heated discussion about the proper sheet-etiquette. Two of us think that sleeping with tucked-in sheets is a nightmarish abomination, while the other two think that sleeping with untucked sheets is barbaric and unnatural. We want statistically significant results to prove who is correct in their practice.

Also, as a follow up, if you do sleep with an untucked top sheet, when/if you make the bed do you tuck it and then untuck when you sleep?

Manic Mattresses, Crazy Canopies, and Loony Linens

hellogoodbye — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:13:38 -0800

I'm buying my first bed and first mattress, and I need help understanding mattress height, as well as where/how to find canopy linens. My primary bed for the last 20 years is a twin daybed (which I just realized is the same as Olive’s bed in Little Miss Sunshine). The mattress is that old as well, but I guess I haven’t been too picky about mattresses, because I hadn’t really thought about getting a new one until I thought about getting a new bed.

I already ordered this bed in queen size, but I don't know how to go about putting fabric/curtains/linens/drapery/whatever-you-want-to-call-it on the bed when I set it up. Inspired by HBO's John Adams, I bought the canopy bed specifically so I could create a cozy space for myself (a room within a room). I'd like something very slightly transparent so that I'm not blocking all light, but so that someone peeking couldn't see much of what I'm doing. Also, I'd like the fabric to work like a shower curtain instead of a window curtain; opening the bed up to the outside should be easy, and I don't want to disassemble the canopy part to change/wash the fabric. There are some decent looking shower curtain hooks out there, but how do I purchase fabric with the right top hem/holes to work with those? ..and what dimensions should the fabric be? What else should I consider?

I read this, which has helped me start looking for mattresses, but I wonder how mattress height works with/without a pillowtop when buying sheets. I want a traditional coil mattress and box spring, no foam, latex or what-have-you. I don’t know if I want a pillowtop or not, but it seems that while the height of mattresses varies, the height of fitted sheets doesn’t. I’m not interested in getting into a wrestling match with these items when the time comes.

Another request coming out of my desire for the least hassle possible, I’d be grateful if anyone has any more tips for choosing a mattress. In my ideal world, I’d name a price under $1,000 (and preferably under $800) and someone would name a mattress set that I should buy. I have no idea what I want in terms of comfort, except that I run way hot, so I don’t want anything to make that worse.

I don’t really want to go to mattress stores and take trial naps, but I suppose I will. On that note, are there reputable mattress stores in the Northern VA area?
Thanks for reading my partially informed, sort of picky, bed specifications.

NCAA sheets and comforter?

lemonade — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:01:49 -0800

I'd like to buy a set of sheets and a comforter (queen size) with a University of Michigan design--but I can't find much that isn't made out of jersey, which would never stand up to the wear and tear of the dog. Any ideas where to find these (pref. online)? I actually did find one set of sheets here, but no comforter anywhere that isn't jersey.

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.

Bedroom tips needed!

mikewas — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 05:57:00 -0800

Last night I slept in my own bed after several days in the road and realized that the hotel beds were much more comfortable and rejuvenating than my own. How can I replicate the hotel-bed experience at home? My mattress and/or box spring is about due to be replaced, so I'm more than willing to do that. Also looking for tips on the frame and bedding (sheets, blankets, duvet, duvet covers, and pillows... especially duvet and pillows). What should I look for, including specific brands? How often should I expect to replace the various components?

Tips from hotel professionals are especially appreciated.

Help me use two big sheets of rubber.

crazy finger — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:18:32 -0800

What can I make with 2 7'x5' sheets of rubber? My Coleman air mattress failed and I had to cut-out and send-in the valve panel and the logo panel. This leaves me with 2 7'x5' sheets of rubber.

I know I should just toss these in the dump, but my dad is a WWII survivor and I am my father's son (pack rat). Plus I believe in reduce, REUSE, recycle...

What can I do with these? At the least, can some sort of charity use these?

Help me find the Cantor that sells 600 thread count bed sheets in front of a synagogue near Macy's.

AnyGuelmann — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:20:45 -0800

(NYC filter) Help me find the Cantor that sells 600 thread count bed sheets in front of a synagogue near Macy's. Two weeks ago after I left Macy's I came upon an old guy selling 600 thread count egyptian cotton linnens off a table on the street, in front of an old building. Fourty bucks a king size set! I didn't buy them then but got his card, and turns out he's a Cantor and that place was a synagogue.

I obviously lost his card, and today I walked up and down the whole area looking for him, but couldn't find a synagogue to save my soul. As I remember it, it should not be more than 2 blocks from Macy's. Have you ever seen this guy? Where is this synagogue? Is a bargain-sheet-selling Cantor too bizare to be real? Did I halucinate?

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.

How do you make new bed sheets soft?

asuh — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:33:43 -0800

I received a gift of a 500 thread count sheet set. I've always been under the impression that the higher the thread count, the softer and more durable the sheets are. These sheets, however, are not soft. They are noisy, wrinkle easily, and don't feel very pleasant. Since I don't have the receipt to return them, what can I do to make them feel better? I've already washed them twice and used fabric softener sheets in the drier but with no success.

Finding some 11 year old sheets?

ooklala — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:51:40 -0800

I have some bedsheets from around 1996 (Noah's Ark Printed from Designer's Guild) that I am deeply attached to. Can I get them copied or restored (without loosing the worn in softness)? So for the past 11 years I have used the same Noah's Ark children sheets from Designer's Guild. I want to know if anybody has these or knows where to buy them. If not does anybody know where I can get them copied in NYC? (price is no object) These sheets are quite important to me (as dumb as it sounds) and it is my dream to continue sleeping in them(without wearing them down more) , and die in them (when I am old).

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?

Where can I find great kids stuff in adult sizes?

arnicae — Sat, 05 May 2007 23:31:53 -0800

Where can I find awesome kids prints (dinosaurs, Powerpuff Girls) on items such as undies or sheets for adults? I really like fun, colorful prints, and often wear kids garments (this works since I'm a petite female). I have dinosaur sheets and some awesome Cookie Monster underwear. Problem is, while I know this stuff exists, it is often nearly impossible to find, requiring extensive online searches or simple serendipity.

Are there any good places to find queen-sized kids sheets, or adult sized underwear with fun prints on it? Comic book heros like SpiderMan, the Powerpuff Girls, the Smurfs, or the characters from Sesame Street or Teletubbies would be great. I've been searching for She-Ra (Princess of Power, for those who didn't live through the 80's) sheets forever!

Thank you!

Where to find awesome linens at awesome prices?

Mikey-San — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 09:52:19 -0800

Just got a new queen bed, and my linens are too small. (Double/full fit.) I need to get some nice, comfy stuff, but really don't want to spend $150+. Do you guys know of (legit) out-of-the-way sites on the Webinet that sell nice sheets for awesome prices?

Cascading Tears of Stylish Despair

DenOfSizer — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 08:48:53 -0800

Internet Explorer 7 broke my website's CSS! I volunteer for a not for profit doing webdesign, www.stagesoflearning.org, and can't figure out the hack to position the middle div tag properly in IE 7 without messing up all the other browsers. The css is here. Anyone? If I didn't have a newborn baby and full-time job I could figure this out, but I'm superswamped!

Thanks, Hivemind.

Elusive blankets and shifting sheets

MasD — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 10:59:09 -0800

Bed Linen Trouble: Help me find a Velboa fabric blanket for regular sized beds and keep my fitted sheet on my mattress. After feeling my 6mo old niece's baby blanket I'd like to purchase a Velboa fabric blanket that would fit regular sized beds, however, Google's results are mainly for infant/toddler blankets. Bed, Bath & Beyond also doesn't carry anything similar in stock. Am I out of luck?

In addition, any fitted sheets I buy have a problem where the middle sections of the sheets pull up and create a lot of slack on the sleeping surface, which I find uncomfortable. The curved parts of the sheets that are at the corner of the mattress stay on fine. It also happens with cheaper jersey sheets as well as more expensive high thread count sheets. How do I prevent this?

Dryer sheet conundrum

gregoryc — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 10:04:10 -0800

How can I prevent/elminate static cling without dryer sheets? My in-laws don't use dryer sheets. I can't stand static cling. I cannot leave this house. We have most normal household items (sans dryer sheets!).

How can I get my white sheets white again?

autojack — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 23:10:09 -0800

How can I get my white sheets, er, white again? I've never owned white sheets until now; I have two different sets, both fairly pricey. One are Egyptian cotton, from Bed Bath and Beyond, and the other are regular cotton, made by Area. Both sets have yellowed very slightly since I bought them ten months ago, mainly on the pillow cases. Normally I wash the sheets by themselves, and just use regular Tide liquid detergent on them. Tonight I tried washing the Bed and Bath ones with Tide and a little bit of Clorox bleach, but it didn't seem to make any difference at all.

I'm a guy. I work better with things that plug in than with things that are woven. Can anyone suggest what I should do to re-whiten these sheets?

Sexy comfortable sheets?

trystero — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 06:21:55 -0800

Comfortable sexy sheets: I want to buy a set of amazingly comfortable sheets, to keep my girlfriend in bed just a little bit longer. I don't mind spending a bit of money of these sheets. The catch is, I want to buy these sheets online, so going to the store and feeling the material first isn't a good option. Suggestions? Thanks!

No sheets, Sherlock.

internet!Hannah — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 17:13:48 -0800

Where can I find extra long twin size flat sheets? I'm going to be in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University in a few weeks. However, this has caused me problems because on my packing list it specifies "WHITE FLAT SHEETS (twin size, extra long)".

I can not find these anywhere. Walmart and Target don't carry them, and neither does Bed, Bath, and Beyond. In fact, when I asked the sheet section employee at BB&B where to find them, he was under the impression they don't exist at all. He said that the only difference between a set of twin sheets and a set of extra long twin sheets is that the fitted sheets are longer.

Unfortunately, this doesn't help me, since we aren't allowed to use fitted sheets on our beds (we make our beds military style, with a flat sheet for the bottom sheet). The person I got a hold of at A&M said that I could find the sheets at www.laurenslinens.com or www.domesticbin.com, but I couldn't find them anywhere on those sites. Googling has likewise proved unfruitful.

Do these seemingly mythical extra long twin flat sheets exist? Where can I find them? I'm in the Dallas, TX area, if you know of some locally, but I'm also completely willing to order off the internet, so long as the delivery is fairly quick.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

Buttons Shmuttons: Bed Sheet Question

plaidrabbit — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 18:35:31 -0800

Why would a king sheet have buttons on the top and bottom parts of the mattress? My wife and I just took possetion of our first king sized bed - it was second-hand from a person we trust, but the person left us all the bed linens (good) without letting us know how to put on the sheets (didn't realize at the time, but bad now).

I feel liks such a moron looking at these sheet sets and not knowing how to put them on - we found two sets of what look like really high quality sheets that have no elastic around the edges, and two sets of about 7 buttons at the top and bottom of the sheet - as if a person would run a rod through it or stuff it with something. After the buttons, though, there's nothing but stitching.

So, my question is either 1) How does a person make a king sized bed - and if that's not supposed to differ from the normal way, 2) What the hell might these things that look like sheets (and I can definately say are *not* curtains) be?

I'll post pics if asked to. Thanks in advance!

Ch-ch-ch-changes...

Sinner — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 22:44:15 -0800

How often do you you change your sheets? (I'm specifically interested in single apartment-dwellers - if you're married, please feel free to contribute, but make a note of your marital status ... or ideally, note the difference between you as part of a married couple and as a single person). Thanks!

I slit the sheet, the sheet I slit, and on the slitted sheet I sit.

striker — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 12:24:16 -0800

Help me sexy-fi the bed. We're looking for new bedding to make a more sexy, luxurious sleeping experience. What do we want? What thread count, material (silk? egyptian cotton?), pieces? Where should we get this stuff? It should not only feel great, but look the part as well. We're doing the all white and comfy thing now, but want to improve the atmosphere.