Sleeping patterns contribute significantly to your overall well-being, which is why you need to pay close attention to your bedding comfort. Aside from essential items like covers, pillows, and blankets, professionals suggest high-quality top sheets, too.
So what is the flat sheet used for, and why does it hold such a critical role in the bedroom? This article will explain what does a flat sheet do in vivid detail. Keep scrolling!
What Is A Flat Sheet In A Sheet Set?
Before discussing what are flat bed sheets for, we must understand their concepts in the first place.
Flat sheets (also called "top sheets") have no elastic material on the edges. They serve as the extra layers between the comforter / duvet cover and your body.
People often put it at the top of their fitted sheets during bed-making. It would help if you used hospital corners to keep the sheets firm in their spots - without slipping or getting tangled.
It's feasible to purchase these items individually; however, in most cases, they often come included in a bedding set (which also feature shams, pillow cases, and bottom sheets).
One interesting fact: top sheets thrive best among old sleepers. Younger ones, on the other hand, often forgo them altogether. European customers also avoid them for unknown reasons.
Whether to use them or not has still been a heated debate in certain areas. To assist you in your final decisions, we are delighted to present some of their notable benefits in the next section.
What Is The Flat Sheet Used For?
So what is a flat sheet used for? For all the comfort they bring about, top linens seem to be sadly underrated. This short list of their potential benefits might help change people's mind:
- Using them in warmer months can deliver more breathability to your bed - especially cooling and soft materials. Sleepers in hot regions can even abandon their blankets in favor of these top sheets during hot nights!
- They make your comforter easier to wash. After all, these linens are positioned between the top blankets and your body, which keeps dust and other particles from invading. Your bed will stay hygienic longer than expected!
- Your sensitive skin will receive the best protection with high-quality top sheets, shielding you against synthetic materials often found in most comforters. You can enjoy your peaceful sleep with barely any effort!
- Decoration purposes are also an important highlight here, particularly for lines with exquisite designs and trims. You can either put them folded or upside down - so that these beautiful illustrations will show up in full force to the eyes of your guests or acquaintances.
Things to Consider When Buying Flat Sheets
Now that we know the answer to the inquiry, “What is the purpose of a flat sheet?”, it is time to get down to the actual shopping.
The market offers lots of different sheets, which means choosing the best one for your bed might call for certain considerations. Take a quick look at some of these factors to keep in mind pre-purchase.
- Fabrics
Though thousands of options are available, cotton remains the most common (and the safest) choice. On the other hand:
- Sleepers wishing for cooling materials might want to try silk, Tencel, or bamboo. Organic cotton bed sheets are the go-to choice.
- Those aiming for cozy bedding should think about jerseys or flannel.
- Tight-budget sleepers would suit polyester or microfiber best.
- Price
As previously mentioned, tight-budget people can purchase microfiber or polyester.
However, if you feel generous with your spent pennies, we believe luxury sheets from premium bed linen, silk, Supima, or Egyptian cotton will be perfect for you. And several middle-ground alternatives are bamboo fibers, Tencel, and Upland cotton.
Assess your financial limits carefully to land on the right option!
- Weave and Thread Counts
Weave refers to how the fabrics are knit or woven. Different weaves yield different textures, affecting how the sheets are wrinkle-resistant. Some choices we strongly recommend are sateen, percale, and combed cotton.
On another note, threat counts are the thread number per square inch for your fabric. The higher thread counts they have, the softer your sheets will feel.
Of course, high threat counts might equate to higher charges, but overall, sheets of 200-300 thread counts are quite affordable. Remember that some fabrics naturally cover lower or higher counts than average, so do your research to decide what options you need the most.
- Your Preferences
Regarding sleep comfort, nobody can understand your needs better than yourself! Answering these critical questions will speed up your decision-making process:
- Are you a hot or cold sleeper?
- Is your skin sensitive? How much?
- Do you want organic or machine-washable bedding?
Once these inquiries receive a satisfying answer, you will be surprised to realize that your shopping scope has been narrowed down to a great extent!
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How to Use Flat Sheets to Make Your Bed
The short guide below will tell you how to use a flat sheet with a comforter/mattress/duvets. Trace along carefully!
Step 1. Place the bed skirts between your mattress and box spring to disguise the frame. Center them on the springs to make the skirt's edges lay straight. There are many lengths for bed skirts, so feel free to choose the one you want; just ensure they at least touch the floors lightly.
Also, it would be best to pick a skirt that blends well with the sheets' colors (or at least matches your bedroom's color scheme). For a more feminine and classic look, we suggest gathered or ruffled bed skirts. On the other hand, tailored ones will give off a more modern and sleek feel.
Step 2. Use mattress pads to cover your mattress if necessary. These pads are often waterproof, protecting your bed from unwanted stains or spills. Pull these pads across the bed's four corners.
Keep in mind that the pads are designed based on the bedding size; for instance, Queen size beds call for queen-size pads.
Certain options on the market also offer extra cushioning. If that's what you want, search for products with labels like "extra plush", "memory foam", or "pillow-top".
The great news is that the mattress pads do not require much maintenance. Once they get dirty, simply remove them and throw these layers into a washing machine.
Step 3. Here comes the most important part! Stretch your top sheets over the mattress's corners.
Pull the cloth taut so that it's kept flush against your mattress. Ensure all the edges are well-tucked underneath, which can help prevent undone ness or accidental riding up. For tall mattresses (those with pillow tops, for instance), a deep top sheet might cover them better.
If there are no top sheets in your package, using fit (or bottom) linens is alright. Perform the same steps as instructed.
PAA on What Are Flat Sheets Used For
1. Do You Sleep Under A Flat Sheet?
Yes. It is actually a pretty common practice.
2. Why Use A Flat Sheet Instead of A Fitted?
The reason is simple: top sheets can also be used as a fitted sheet, but the vice versa is not possible. Check this Youtube clip on how to use a flat sheet as a fitted sheet.
3. What Is A Fitted Bed Sheet? How Do Flat Sheets and Fitted Sheets Differ?
What is a fitted sheet? And what is a fitted sheet used for?
Overall, it is a layer used for mattress bottoms. Hence, instead of being tucked and folded underneath the mattresses like its flat counterparts, these sheets and fitted sheets are hem pocketed.
Conclusion
So what is the flat sheet used for? Our insightful article has discussed everything you need to know. Keep in mind our tips and buying guides, and do not forget to scour trustworthy websites like Organic Textiles for the best flat bed sheet available!
For more clarifications regarding: what are flat sheets for?, feel free to write to us.