How to Choose the Perfect Fitted Bed Sheet for Your Mattress Size
Choosing a perfect fitted bed sheet for your mattress can be a challenging task. Although it might appear it is very easy to choose a right fit for a mattress but in reality it could be very painstaking especially if you are a first time buyer.
What is a Fitted Sheet?
A fitted sheet is designed with elastic edges to securely cover your mattress, ensuring a snug fit. Unlike flat sheets, which simply lie over the mattress, fitted sheets are meant to stay in place without slipping off during sleep, providing a smooth surface for comfort and protecting your mattress from wear and tear.
Whether you are looking for comfort, durability or a right fit, basic knowledge of both the mattress and the bed sheet fitting is very important.
From finding the mattress-size to choosing a right fabric to knowing the right thread-count, every detail will matter for making an informed decision.
Following guide will walk you through few cardinal points you need to keep in mind before choosing the perfect fitted bed sheet for your mattress.
Importance of Perfectly Fitted Bed Sheets
Why proper fit matters for fitted sheets?
It is very obvious a properly fitted sheet increases the comfort level and also keeps your bed tidy. Poorly fitted sheets can cause discomfort as they may bunch up together, slip off or wrinkle while sleeping.
These nuisances not only interrupt your sleep at night but can also contribute to faster wear and tear of both the mattress and the bed sheet.
A properly fitted sheet ensures that the fabric stays in the right place, creating a flat and smooth sleeping surface. Moreover a well-fitted sheet prevents the sheet from rolling-up around the mattress corners and also keeps your bed neat and clean.
This is why you need a well-fitted bed sheets.
Know Different Mattress Sizes
Once you know its importance, next is learning different sizes mattresses come in.
Common sizes come in Twin, Twin XL, Full or Double, Queen and King. You will choose a right size depending upon your requirement, comfort and budget.
For example in India queen size mattress measures 72 inches X 85 inches while the king measures 76 inches X 80 inches.
Once you know the right size of your mattress you can buy bed sheets accordingly. Knowing a right size ensures sheets are perfectly fitted neither too tight nor too loose guarantying optimal comfort.
How to Measure Your Mattress with Accuracy
In order to get a perfect fit you have to measure your mattress size precisely. Keep in mind following points while measuring a mattress.
- Start by measuring mattress’s length, width and height.
- Use a measuring tape to get precise measurements
- Play close attention to the height as this is where most of you go wrong because some mattresses have toppers or pillow tops that add to extra height requiring deep-pocket sheets.
- Add depth of mattress pads or protectors while measuring height
Once you have precise measurements you can rightly choose a fitted sheet with a perfect match to your measurements.
Tips to Remember Before Buying Fitted Sheets
Height of a Mattress: Standard vs. Deep Pocket Fitted Sheets
The height (or depth) of your mattress is a key factor in choosing the right fitted sheet. You have to understand the difference between Standard and Deep Pocket Fitted sheets.
Standard fitted sheets typically fit mattresses up to 12 inches deep, while deep-pocketed sheets are designed for mattresses 13 to 17 inches deep. For mattresses with a depth of 18 inches or more, extra-deep pocket sheets are recommended.
If you are going with a mattress with added layers like toppers or pads then Extra-Deep is the right choice for you.
Choosing the Right Fabric Type: Cotton vs. Microfiber
Type of a Fabric affects both the fitting and the feel. A right choice of fabric finely balances comfort with durability, ensuring your fitted sheet feels pleasant at same time fits properly.
In India cotton is a popular choice for its softness and breathability while Microfiber is more affordable and wrinkle resistant.
Linen provides a natural and textured look but can feel loose due to its tendency to get stretched.
Moreover some fabric shrink more than others after washing, therefore consider pre-shrunk option if available.
Thread Count and its Function in Comfort and Fit
Thread count means number of threads woven into per square inch of fabric, a higher count signifies softness and durability of the sheet. A lower thread count means sheet may wear out faster and feel rough to sleep.
However this is not always the case. Higher count can sometimes make sheets heavier and less breathable. A thread count between 300 and 500 is often considered ideal for softness and durability.
You have to find fitted sheets with a right balance of thread count that ensures both comfort and a proper fit.
Elastic Quality for Ensuring a Perfect and Secure Fit
Quality of the elastic band used in fitted sheets is essential for a secure fit around the mattress. High quality elastic allows the sheet to grip the mattress tightly staying firm in place.
Quality fitted-sheet features elastic all the way around the circumference of the sheet providing a tight grip, while others only have elastic in the corner.
While purchasing a fitted bed sheet always check the description to see the type of elastic used. Attention to details ensures the sheet doesn’t slip off the mattress easily.
- Explore our best collection of fitted bedsheets available in various colors and sizes
- Explore our Comforter with fitted bedsheet Set
Customized Fitted Sheets
If your mattress is extra large or out of shape like round, extra thick or is a RV bed then standard fitted sheets may not fit well. In such cases you have no option but to go with custom-fitted sheets even though they may come at a higher price.
There are manufacturers in India who offer customized sheets based on specific dimensions and size ensuring a precise fit.
To avoid discomfort and inconvenience of poorly fitted sheets go with a customized sheets to ensure comfort and durability.
Care and Maintenance Tips
To ensure your fitted bed sheet last longer and retain their fit, you have to take care of them. Following are some simple tips to apply
- Follow washing instructions given on the fitted sheet as different fabrics require different routine.
- Use mild detergents while washing and avoid high-heat drying so the fabric doesn’t shrink and elastic doesn’t weaken.
- Store sheets properly by folding them and not crumpling them into a drawer.
- To minimize wear and tear have two or more sheets so you can rotate them regularly.
Finally Buying the Perfect Fitted Bed Sheets
Finally before buying keep following things in mind.
- Measure size and height of your mattress accurately.
- Quality of fabric is very important.
- Check the product details carefully, read instructions and try to learn about material being used and elastic quality.
- For specific requirements like Deep-Pocketed mattress or hypoallergenic, look out for customized sheets.
- Do some research before buying.
Choosing a right fitted bed sheet is more than just finding the correct size. You have to consider various other factors like mattress height, fabric type, quality of materials used to make elastic, thread count etc. These factors ensure you get a better sleeping experience.
With proper research and inquiry you can buy a perfect fit for your mattress that always stays in place and elevates the comfort level. You also have to take proper care of the fitted sheets for a longer lasting.
After reading the article you will be able to choose a perfect fitted bed sheet that meets all your requirements.
