Numerous times over the years I have read tips or listened to discussions about the challenges of making a king size bed. The comments begin something like this; “I am so tired of running from side to side trying to get the top sheet even, only to pull it too far to the other side and have to go back and do it again.”
From that point on the suggestions go as follows:
* mark the middle of the sheet with a safety pin
* baste a few stitches of a different color thread in the center
* line up the edge of the top sheet with the bottom edge of the mattress
Now, for Deb’s simple make your king size bed tip - fold the top edge of the sheet in half, place the fold in the middle of the bed . . . walk around the bed and gently unfold the sheet without moving the point you placed in the center. Voila! Bed making without running around! It is also easier to put the pillowcase on by scrunching it and easing it over one end and sliding it down.
Okay, let’s get some simple housekeeping tips going . . . what do you do to make those tedious jobs easier?
1. I consider making up a king size bed exercise. It did bother me at first, but heck lets get some exercise to start off the day. Its good for the body and mind.
by Joyce — 6/26/08 at 8:22 pm #
2. I simply tie a small knot in the top sheet at both corners at the foot of the bed rather than tucking the sheet underneath the mattress each week when I change the bed linens. The small knots hold the sheet perfectly in place with extra deep mattresses and makes making the bed a breeze. If you prefer not to tie knots you can use safety pins (preferably the baby diaper kind so they do not unhook easily). Just gather the end of the sheet together and pin. Pull the knotted or pinned sheet portion over the mattress corner and you are done.
by Michele — 6/26/08 at 11:00 pm #
3. to put pillow in the pillow case, first fold the case half inside out. Then put the pillow in the case,and pull the case the rest of the way up the pillow,
by Ann — 6/27/08 at 1:41 am #
4. My frustration in the fitted sheet of my king size bed. Is there a way to tell which way it goes on? The length and the width are usually only 2″ difference it seems and I hate always putting it on one way and end up having to take it off and turn it a quarter way to see which way it fits best. If you get it wrong which is easy enough to do then the sheets are more apt to come off the corners at night. Would love an easy answer that maybe I have missed along the way.
by nicecara — 6/27/08 at 7:55 pm #
5. Mark one end of your sheet with a Sharpie Marker so you will know which end is the correct one that goes on the top of the bed.
Mary
by Mary. — 6/29/08 at 8:30 pm #
6. Wow! I go out of town for a couple of days and you shower me with your comments. What a lovely treat to have greet me upon my arrival at home.
I love all of your suggestions. Joyce, I do try to remember that any housecleaning is excercise and an opportunity to burn a few extra calories. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks to Ann and Nicecara, I am going to try both of your suggestions. What a great idea to put knots in the corners. I have also tried a variety of ways to put on a pillow case. I am looking forward to trying this one. Great help girls, thanks!
Mary, my only suggestion would be to check to see if the hem is more defined on the top edge. That is the marker I always use. The top edge of my top sheet has a two ince hem as opposed to the sides and bottom where it is less than an inch. I hope that helps. Any other suggerstions for Mary, girls?
Thanks again for your comments. Deb
by Deb — 6/30/08 at 5:24 pm #
7. Mary,
Thanks for your suggestion of marking the top edge with a sharpie marker. That’s a good idea. I might consider marking the bottom edge instead, because it would always end up tucked under and would never show. Thanks for the idea . . . .your ideas help to get us thinking.
Deb
by Deb — 6/30/08 at 5:45 pm #
8. We have a cal king bed and I hate duvets. I have to climb into the duvet to pull the comforter in it. And it never looks even. Any suggestions?
I’ve found numerous duvets that I love, but never in Cal. King. Does it really matter if it King sized?
by louise — 7/5/08 at 11:40 pm #
9. Hi Louise,
I am not a fan of duvets myself. I believe a Cal. King is a more perfect square than a regular King, but I may be wrong on that. I have tried pinning the corners of the comforter in place, buying those clips that are supposed to help, and simply adjusting it everyday. I was only dealing with a Full size bed! So, I am a comforter set and quilt kind of girl myself.
I wish I could be more help, maybe we will get some comments from others who have better ideas.
I am all about ease, and I have yet to find a duvet that is easy. What do the rest of you think?
Deb
by Deb — 7/7/08 at 7:36 pm #
10. We have a few sets of sheets for each bed in our house…King, Queen, Twins…some different sizes in same colors. Not only do I mark the bottom of the fitted and top sheets…the mark I make is a K, Q, or T!
Also…a tip from my 90-year-old Mother. Those pesky “cleaning instruction” tags on bedding…fold them at the seam of tag and pin the tag to the back of the piece of bedding. Simple, huh?
Other than Velcro…does anyone have an idea on how to keep mattress pads, or sheets, on a “slippery” new mattress? Thanks…Jude
by Jude — 7/8/08 at 6:47 pm #
11. Great suggestions, Jude.
I am always thankful for any tips that make the care of my home easier. Great idea from your mom. I am always inclined to cut those tags off, and then I am at a loss when it is time to freshen them.
I have not tried this, but I do know what you mean about sliding sheets and mattress pads. My thought is wondering whether or not the thin rubber pads they sell to keep area rugs in place might work. I don’t know if you would be able to feel that or not. I am hoping some others have ideas for us.
Thanks for writing.
Deb
by Deb — 7/10/08 at 11:18 am #
12. I have just located your blog and am excited!! We have just purchased a sleigh bed (king). I am at a loss as to how to get the comforter to hang right. I would prefer to not go the quilt route as it is the master suite and would like a little more luxurious look. Any advise?
by Peggie — 9/30/08 at 11:19 am #
13. Hi Peggie,
I am so glad that you found us. We love it here!
I love sleigh beds, they are beautiful. Although the comforter would not show at the end of the bed this way, I believe that I would tuck it between the mattress and the footboard. It may be a tight fit, but that is probably about your only option with this style of bed. If the corners point out, you could tuck them under the sides to give a pleated look. That may not be the only solution, so I am hoping that some of our other readers will enter into this discussion and tell us what they have done.
Welcome! We look forward to hearing from you again. Deb
by Deb — 10/2/08 at 6:24 pm #
14. My mother is not as strong as she used to be and is finding it hard to tuck her sheets under her mattress. Have you come across any assistive devices that she could use to help her tuck her sheets in?
by Heather — 11/29/08 at 1:58 am #
15. Hi Heather,
No I have not seen anything that fits that description. I just got off the phone with my daughter who works in medical sales to assisted living facilities. She didn’t know of anything either, however, as we were talking we wondered if a firm plastic cutting board might give her enough leverage to help. I will keep thinking and do some asking around as well. Thanks for a great question!!
by Deb — 12/1/08 at 12:56 pm #
16. What do you think of mattresse toppers, even if you have a pillow top mattrese? Do they wear out your pillow top faster?
by Beverly — 1/9/09 at 11:29 am #
17. Hi Beverly,
We have had a memory foam topper over our pillow top mattress for several years. I actually believe that it has helped wear and tear on our mattress because the topper gets most of the stress. It is also much easier to replace than a whole mattress. I would recommend going ahead and adding a topper to your bed. The only thing I have noticed is that it makes my matress deeper, and therefore not all quilts and comforters come large enough. I have even thought about using a bedspread with a dust ruffle instead to make sure my sheets don’t show along the edges. Let me know how it goes. Thanks for your comment.
by Deb — 1/12/09 at 1:00 pm #
18. I recently purchased a new bed frame with an iron headboard and foot board and it has only a high mattress. What is an easy way to make sure the top sheet does not show? I have trouble tucking the sheet under the mattress due to the footboard. It does not look tidy. Would it be better if I purchased a thinner box spring so that the bed does not become too high to get into? This may be a way to use my bed skirt. Any suggestions for my dilemma?
by Joye — 5/13/09 at 2:14 pm #
19. I share your struggle. I am constantly looking for oversized bedding. I will share a few things that have helped. You didn’t mention the size of your bed. If it is a queen or smaller, you can purchase the next larger size of coverlet and that will help to conceal the edges. Another tip to to buy beautiful sheets and blankets, fold down your top layers and make the bedding part of the decor. I have a king bed, and I am looking for a bedspread to layer with my quilts to make sure the mattress is convered all the way around. As far as the footboard goes, just tuck as well as you can, and make sure that your top layer is smooth. Finally when buying sheets make sure the bottom sheet is intended for extra thick mattresses.
I love the look of high beds, so unless you are really having trouble getting in and out of bed - I wouldn’t change a thing. Let us know how it goes, and as always if you get a sec to send us a pic - we would love it!!
by Deb — 5/14/09 at 10:54 am #
20. The bed skirt is longer on my king size bed. IT is on the carpet. I have tried very hard to tuck it in between the boxspring and the bed but it keeps on slipping. Do you have any ideas how to keep it from slipping and look sloppy.
by Sav — 10/29/09 at 10:53 am #
21. Sav, I feel your frustration! I have had that problem myself. A couple of things to try . . . If your box spring is in two pieces, stuff the excess down between the two. I just did that with my new bed skirt and it seems to be working well. My box springs are like to twin bed bases; so, I just pushed it between the two all the way down the middle. Another thing to try is an item called Stay Tidy Bed Skirt Pins. You can order them on-line through several different companies. I just Googled the name. I hope you are able to make one of those work.
by Deb — 10/30/09 at 4:44 pm #