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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Flat sheets

112 replies

Northernlassie27 · 07/04/2021 06:03

AIBU to suggest nobody uses flat sheets anymore? In the days of blankets and candlewick bedspreads they were needed as a top layer. But nowadays? Fitted base sheet and duvet cover seems to be what every shop markets as 'normal''. Are flat sheets something to invest in now for posterity before they vanish forever?

OP posts:
MangoBiscuit · 07/04/2021 06:05

Flat sheet instead of a duvet in the summer. Easier than just using the empty duvet cover, because I can pull up the duvet over the top if it suddenly turns chilly in the night. Oh, and they're much easier for making dens in the living room! Grin

Hydrate · 07/04/2021 06:14

We use them.

Original poster
Northernlassie27 · 07/04/2021 06:23

@Hydrate...as base sheets or to go over you, like some hotels do (& tuck them in v tightly)?

OP posts:
Original poster
Northernlassie27 · 07/04/2021 06:27

@MangoBiscuit - do you live somewhere warm? I have a half winter half summer duvet and move from one side of the bed to the other it it's warmer. No duvet however is unimaginable...no weight/warmth all night

OP posts:
redcandlelight · 07/04/2021 06:30

I have one flat sheet that I bought when dc played 'a roman' in a school play.
it's cut up a bit now as it was used a sewing material for school for dc and I made a couple of masks with it.

CecilyP · 07/04/2021 06:31

I use one under the duvet. Much less effort than changing the duvet cover every week.

Badoukas · 07/04/2021 06:43

We have them. Better fit over deep mattress plus memory foam topper. Fitted sheet pings off. Had to buy online though, getting harder to buy flat sheets in shops.

aretherereally4Hs · 07/04/2021 06:46

@MangoBiscuit like you we use a flat sheet in the summer instead of a duvet. Not every night but I'm in the east of England and it can get really hot sometimes. I hate having nothing on me so this works well

steff13 · 07/04/2021 06:47

I am pro flat sheet.

LeaveMyDamnJam · 07/04/2021 06:49

I always use a flat sheet between DH and me and the duvet in a cover. It make the bed look much nicer when made and means I have a cover over me when I kick the duvet off in the night.

Sprongles · 07/04/2021 06:50

We use flat sheets. I also have a base one and one under the duvet - so I do not have to change the duvet cover every week. I use a fitted sheet on my child's bed just because I cannot get around the bed easily but much much prefer flat sheets

ZNation · 07/04/2021 06:54

I much prefer flat sheets as the fitted ones if shrunk in the dryer make it impossible to fit over the ends of the mattress.
I can't understand why flat sheets are more expensive than fitted though?
Surely they should be cheaper as they have no elastic in the corners?

UseOfWeapons · 07/04/2021 06:56

Use them and love them. I don’t use fitted sheets at all. They are becoming more difficult to get, but have bought some excellent king size, 100% cotton flat sheets from Amazon. High thread count, and seams flat and straight even after many washes!

HopeHappy · 07/04/2021 07:06

Same as others here, yes. Hot house in the south of England and summer means our bedroom is regularly almost 30 degrees so I use a sheet instead of a duvet in summer but have a 2.5tog duvet folded at the bottom of the bed if it turns chilly.

Mind you, I get too hot in bed anyway. The Max duvet we've had on this winter is 4.5tog!

EdgeOfACoin · 07/04/2021 07:13

I use a flat sheet in addition to the duvet.

Hate a bed with a duvet and no extra sheet. Also useful for hot summer nights when you just need a light cover.

JemimaTiggywinkle · 07/04/2021 07:13

My parents have them and refuse to change to fitted even though they come loose and go wrinkly so you have to rearrange them every night.

My grandma uses them in the traditional manner - under a duvet or blanket.

I think there may be an age split on this one..

ArtemisiaGentle · 07/04/2021 07:17

Recently donated all my flat sheets to the painting and decorating box. They didn't stay on my bed despite my best efforts. I was at nursing college in my youth and was taught hospital corners. But my mattress continually rejected the idea. Fitted sheets all the way now.

WhatTheFlap · 07/04/2021 07:28

I don’t like flat sheets - my DM tucks them in so tight whenever I stay with her I feel so hemmed in and have to spend ages kicking around to get it all loose 😂

starfishmummy · 07/04/2021 07:31

Flat sheet user here. Hate fitted sheets that atop fitting after a few washes. Also disabled DS has a weird sized specialist bed and fitted sheets are not made in anything near the size

steff13 · 07/04/2021 07:31

Fitted sheets go on the mattress. You lay on top of the fitted sheet and the flat sheet lays on top of you. And a sheet set contains a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and pillow cases. Fitted and flat sheets are not interchangeable, and you buy them separately. I feel like I'm through the looking glass here! Or maybe we do things differently in the US.

PurBal · 07/04/2021 07:32

I prefer flat sheets but DH doesn't. Flat sheets in summer instead of a duvet or for impromptu sofa crashers.

Doilooklikeatourist · 07/04/2021 07:37

Flat sheets used here , just to sleep on , and a duvet on top of us
Live in a cold draughty house and occasionally just use a sheet on top with no duvet in the summer

MangoBiscuit · 07/04/2021 07:53

@Northernlassie27 I'm in the UK on the south coast, so not that warm (certainly not at the moment!) but middle of the summer it can be uncomfortable at night. I also have different togs of duvet, but if it's 30 degrees in my room, I don't want any duvet, but also hate sleeping uncovered, like @aretherereally4Hs

EssexGurl · 07/04/2021 08:10

Fitted sheet on mattress, flat sheet under duvet. Without the flat sheet either me or DH steal the duvet meaning one of us ends up cold. In summer, kick off duvet and just have flat sheet on if needed. Very useful for us.

Mxflamingnoravera · 07/04/2021 08:26

I use flat sheets over the mattress topper, I have no fitted sheets anymore. Wonderful, huge Egyptian cotton soft sheets on a super king bed. All bought from a laundry that supply Bath's most exclusive hotel. Hotels still use flat sheets because fitted cannot be ironed flat or stored easily