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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Using flat sheets on the bed, who's right DH or me?

239 replies

gotitwrongagain · 09/01/2017 23:29

Please help settle a discussion between DH and me!

There's obviously little more satisfying than getting into a freshly laundered bed, especially if the sheets have been ironed.
To do this regularly I don't want to have to wash and iron the duvet cover every time I wash the rest of the linen ( I've 3dc and plenty other housework to do!) If I use a flat sheet then the duvet cover keeps fresher for longer.

As an aside, I actually prefer to have the flat sheet anyway as I feel it covers me better and no cold air can get down the bed!

So AIBU to use a flat sheet when making the bed?

(Snuggles down into cosy bed!)

OP posts:
1horatio · 10/01/2017 06:22

Flat sheets...

Sure, why not?

However, ironing any sheets just seems like too much work.
Mattress protector, fixed linens, duvet (covered) + pillow (covered. In my case a neckpillow). No ironing required ;)

imo one of the most satisfying things is going and being in bed (and sleeping). I don't care about ironing ;)

EllieMentry · 10/01/2017 06:27

Have to have a flat sheet. Doesn't feel right otherwise.

Fitted sheet underneath, then flat sheet, electric blanket and duvet on top (Raynaud's and always freezing!).

We always wash the duvet cover at the same time as the sheets.

QuodPeriitPeriit · 10/01/2017 06:33

Ooh thanks Mrs TP I'm definitely showing that to DH when he gets in!

I don't like using top sheets, but people saying they had no idea they were a thing - seriously?? Where have you been all your lives??

spidey66 · 10/01/2017 06:37

My Mum used to do this-when we wereall left home anyway, she didn't do it when we were kids. I found the hassle of making them up each day cancelled out any benefit they may bring in washing the quilt cover less.

KP86 · 10/01/2017 06:41

Always use a flat sheet and it confuses the hell out of the cleaners. Half the time they try to make the bed with the sheet on top of the doona.

Like OP, it means we don't have to wash the cover anywhere near as often and it keeps me warmer.

In summer it's easy to just sleep with a sheet instead of a heavier doona or blanket.

It take an extra 1 minute when making the bed so I don't agree with the life's too short comments! But I never, ever iron my bedding (or anything else). Life is a bit short for that ;)

cariboo · 10/01/2017 06:47

I just started using a flat sheet with my duvet because ironing a duvet cover is a lot more work than ironing a flat sheet. I rarely have to change the duvet cover. YANBU.

strawberrypenguin · 10/01/2017 07:02

No idea people did this! YABU I love wrapping the duvet around me as does DH which is why we have our own single duvets on the bed. Plus who has time to iron bedsheets!

Ragwort · 10/01/2017 07:06

After years of arguing over sheets/duvets/bedroom temperatures/curtains I find it much simpler to have separate bedrooms - we both sleep better Grin.

KindergartenKop · 10/01/2017 07:08

Yanbu. We had an argument over this. The compromise was using the flat sheet only in the winter.

butterfliesandzebras · 10/01/2017 07:15

So gross. Your sweaty feet right up against your duvet.

I move about and kick at night enough that even if my feet start under a sheet they end up touching the duvet by morning (this happens everytime I sleep at my mum's house - and knowing she thinks the duvet cover is still 'clean' because there was a sheet and won't wash it grosses me out... I often 'forget' her way of doing things and sneak the duvet cover into the wash)

Most people, even without using a top sheet, aren't gonna be assed to wash their duvet cover every time they wash their sheets, so it ends up just being foul.

As I don't have a top sheet I don't have 'sheets' to wash, I have 'sheet' singular. Would be really bizarre to wash a sheet on its own Confused, it wouldn't be a full load in the machine! I always wash all my bedding together (sheet, pillowcases, duvet cover) as it's one wash. The only people I know who regard duvet covers as a separate item for washing are those who use a top sheet.

I can totally understand having a sheet and duvet for greater temperature choice - this would be my preference, but sleeping with my husband (we are both rollers!) we found if we use both by half way through the night one of the duvet or sheet was pushed on the floor and useless.

But as far as 'keeping' your expensive duvet cover less faded, all my duvet covers match the pillows (which you surely are washing as often as the sheets due to the direct contact) so wouldn't you end up with more faded pillows than duvets?? I think it just makes sense to me to wash them at the same time and keep the wear even!

HungryHorace · 10/01/2017 07:17

I'm in the no top sheet camp as I hate being constricted by the tucked-in sheet. If there is one (my mum uses one, and hotels are buggers for it) I untuck it before getting in so that I can tuck the duvet all around me, preventing breezy bedding gaps!

We change all of our bedding weekly, on all of the beds. It's no real bother and putting a duvet cover on / taking it off really isn't that challenging!

LightastheBreeze · 10/01/2017 07:22

We always have a flat sheet and in the summer sometimes throw off the duvet and just use the sheet. I wash the duvet cover less often than the sheets and pillowcases and always make sure I buy extra pillowcases that go with the duvet cover because of fading of pillowcases.

I never iron anything though

JassyRadlett · 10/01/2017 07:28

Yanbu, OP. So much nicer, and less faff than changing all the duvets once a week. Life is too short and busy. Agree on the feeling of a crisp new sheet, too.

People who get tangled up in the sheet clearly don't know how to make beds properly!

MistressMaisie · 10/01/2017 07:31

I have a top sheet, duvet with no cover and bedspread on top Grin

That results in least washing as bedspread and duvet go to launderette maybe one or twice a year. So I only wash the top sheet (and bottom and pillow cases and then mattress cover every second time).

BusterGonad · 10/01/2017 07:54

I can't stand a top sheet, my mum does this and when I stay over I get so tangled up in it, I would never imagine I moved so much in bed but the next day my legs barely have any circulation left! It's a big no from me just because of this!

BusterGonad · 10/01/2017 07:56

Jassy I get tangled because I like to stick a foot out of the bed, so I therefore untuck one side, so yes it's my fault but that's how I like to sleep!

AllTheLight · 10/01/2017 07:57

I'm with your DH. A flat sheet would really annoy me. I never iron bedding though!

BusterGonad · 10/01/2017 08:12

I don't iron anything! Gulp, but you wouldn't really know as I hang stuff to dry in a strategic manner!

KoalaDownUnder · 10/01/2017 09:13

all my duvet covers match the pillows (which you surely are washing as often as the sheets due to the direct contact) so wouldn't you end up with more faded pillows than duvets??

No. The pillows I sleep on are the plain white ones that come with the sheet set.

If the duvet cover comes with pillow cases, they go on the second pillows (which sit on top of the white pillows when the bed is made). Smile

brasty · 10/01/2017 09:30

I would hate this. You may as well have blankets. The point of duvets is the freedom to move easily.

YoHoHoandabottleofTequila · 10/01/2017 09:33

Iron bedding? Oh you are funny!

Sgtmajormummy · 10/01/2017 09:39

Flat sheets yes!
DH and I have very different sleeping temperatures and a duvet is "all or nothing". So we have a flat sheet for me to use as low coverage and DH to wrap around his neck. Yes, there can be a draught if you have a cool bedroom.
Agree with sticking your foot out as a heat disperser, too.

Don't you enjoy looking at bedlinen online? All the ranges show top sheet+duvet cover. Probably to make you spend more! It's also a good idea if you have a quick turnover of guests (one good duvet cover and multiple cheap top sheets).

This is my guilty browsing site: www.justlinen.co.uk Sad but true...

DailyFail1 · 10/01/2017 09:42

I hate anything that gets between me and the duvet.

OneWithTheForce · 10/01/2017 09:43

My flat sheets are pure white 1000 thread-count Egyptian cotton so they can be washed every week and stay white and soft.

Where did you get them and how much were they? I've my heart set on some 1000 tc sheets.

Follyfoot · 10/01/2017 09:43

No flat sheet here, cant bear them tangling up around me, and one foot has to stick out of the bottom anyway. Surely the idea of duvets is that they 'loft' around you and use the tiny air layer between you and the duvet as insulation to keep you warm. They can't do that if there is a top sheet kind of flattening you out. I remember going to Scandinavia in the 70s and they had continental quilts. What a revelation for the generation of flannelette and brushed nylon! They definitely didnt have top sheets.

I dont understand anyone who thinks it's dirty not to have a top sheet. Duvet covers and bottom sheets are washed weekly here.