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

[gotitwrongagain]

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!)

Oh god. This reminds me of my crazy mother. Flat sheets with duvets indeed!

My DGA was even worse. She used to have valance sheets as bottom sheets meaning there was nothing to tuck the flat sheet into (no gap between mattress and divan) so you used to have to have to carefully fold the excess back up along each edge before laying a duvet on top of the lot. Complete faff.

You have to choose between the OLD way (bottom sheet, flat sheet, blanket and bedspread) or the new, CONTINENTAL way (fitted sheet and duvet only). This is not pick 'n' mix people!

Thing is, the flat sheet provides options.

It's always there. Like a steadfast friend. But as your warmth requirements change during the night, you can throw off the duvet, or swap it for a thinner blanket. And you'll still have a comfy covering layer because you've got the flat sheet.

See?

Pfft. Keep a flat sheet nearby for rolling around erotically in heatwaves purposes. Other than that, who CBA?

rolling around erotically in heatwaves purposes

I can assure you there is nothing erotic about me thrashing around on a stinking summer's night in Australia.

Does nobody use a bedspread anymore? I use a large cotton quilted type. Mainly because I think it looks neater than a duvet, and extra layer of warmth. It, like the OP's duvet cover, isn't washed as much as the rest of the bedding as the duvet is between. If that makes sense

The flat sheet we had when we had piles of itchy wool blankets as children, and presumably for ease of washing, like OP.

How often do people without a flat sheet wash the actual duvet (doona here)?

I thought the flat sheet meant the actual doona didn't need washing as much, not the cover.

I just hate changing my duvet cover. Thus I started using a flat sheet at some point when I was at uni. Makes my life a little better.

I would never have considered using a flat sheet until I moved to North America, where they sell "sheet sets" - a fitted sheet, a flat sheet & two pillowcases. Duvet covers are sold separately. It's almost impossible to find a fitted sheet on its own. So now I use the flat sheet under the duvet. Sigh.

Why would an extra sheet make any difference WiltingTulip? I'veonly ever washed the actual duvet when someone has had accident on it (ie the kids have thrown up or the cat has peed on it). Otherwise the duvet cover protects it. Unless your doona is more of a quilt perhaps (ie doesn't have a removable cover)?

I moved to North America, where they sell "sheet sets" - a fitted sheet, a flat sheet & two pillowcase

Same way they're sold here (Aus). Not in the UK??

"7 sets for a week. 10 minutes max to change. Lovely hotel bed every day. I like to do this. Teenagers sheets their business but they can have fresh whenever they want ."

You change your bedding every day . Why? How wasteful.

"I moved to North America, where they sell "sheet sets" - a fitted sheet, a flat sheet & two pillowcase.
Same way they're sold here (Aus). Not in the UK??"

No, never. Most people have a bottom, usually fitted, sheet then a duvet. I don't know anyone who uses a flat sheet under a duvet. I wash all bedding weekly. MIL used to put a flat sheet between the duvet and the bed on her spare bed, but we used to get tangled up in it so she stopped doing it.

A duvet made with feathers will flow around your body and sculpt itself to your contors - thus keeping you ultimately warm.

By inserting a sheet between your body and the duvet you are preventing the duvet from actually working to it's optimum capacity.

A bit like having a massage without being touched, nothing wrong with it but your not actually feeling the effects

If you buy a set here in the UK, it's usually a duvet cover and two pillow cases (or one pillow case for a single bed size.)

Sheets are usually bought separately - flat sheet or fitted sheet. Pillow cases are often sold in a pack of two.

A duvet made with feathers will flow around your body and sculpt itself to your contors - thus keeping you ultimately warm.
Yes, my goosedown duvet does this and a sheet would get in the way.

But the synthetic duvets can be more solid, and not "fit" so well, perhaps this is what some posters are talking about when they say there are drafts and a flat sheet helps.

I think alcochocs has hit the nail on the head. Depends on the synthetic vs feather or microfibre duvet.
I can't stand the duvets that don't mould themselves around you but I am allergic to many of the feathers, so my personal preference is the microfibre ones. Really toasty.

How often do people without a flat sheet wash the actual duvet (doona here)?

The duvet cover is changed once a week, along with all bedding, the actual feather duvet (protected by the duvet cover) is taken to the dry cleaners once a year when I switch to Summer feather duvet. Bedspread is washed every few weeks.

Flat and fitted sheets are sold separately, that I've ever seen. To the poster who asked.

Team top flat sheet here!
Top and bottom sheets washed every week, duvet cover every fortnight

What are you all doing to get 'tangled up' in sheets ?

I've used a top sheet with both Goose down and currently a silk duvet and the sheet doesn't make any difference to how the duvet works...I think it enhances the cosiness...

How often do people without a flat sheet wash the actual duvet (doona here)?

about once or twice a year. more often for dc...
the duvet cover gets washed regularly with pillowcase & sheet.
and duvet and pillows are aired every day.

I've used a top sheet with both Goose down and currently a silk duvet and the sheet doesn't make any difference to how the duvet works...I think it enhances the cosiness..

Yep - more layers = more warmth.

I don't iron anything. Full stop. Hate ironing and when DH wants his shirts ironed, he does it himself. I'd rather clean pub's toilets after a company Christmas party.
And no flat sheets. I love my fitted sheet and a proper duvet. I'm a wrapper so you'd often find me rolled into a duvet like a sausage roll in the morning.

Having a massive sneezing fit at the mere mention of feathers in a quilt (allergic), anyone else?

Every fortnight to wash a duvet cover

Fortnightly here too for the duvet cover.

I've never washed a duvet! Didn't know you could!!

Yes Puppy, even thinking about feather duvets and feather pillows makes my nose twitch and itch!