October 10, 2018
Everyday Tips : Stop Using a Top Sheet
Sometimes a quick and simple tip that can make the mundane a little easier or make your life a little better makes a BIG difference. This is a new series here on the blog where I’ll be sharing simple tips, finds, and suggestions to make life a little easier. I’ll be sharing these tips regularly on the blog and on Instagram– make sure you’re following along! See all the Everyday Tips here.
This tip is one I’ve been doing as long as my husband and I have been married. Why? Because his mom made beds this way and he couldn’t do a top sheet. I found this method odd and wondered if it was really clean but through the years I’ve adopted it as my own and absolutely love it. My mother-in-law made beds this way because of an auto-immune disease (her hands and energy level couldn’t do the extra step) but I make beds this way because it’s so much easier without the top sheet and it’s easy for the kids to make their own beds too.
Why does this work? Consistent sheet washing is what makes this work. I wash sheets and towels on Saturdays and find that all week long the beds are easy to make and they’re even quicker to change the sheets. So simple and easy. I don’t change the duvet cover every week but I do change it bi-weekly or every third week as needed.
A trick for getting that duvet cover on quickly + easily (like 2-3 minutes easy):
- Turn the duvet cover inside out.
- Place it on top of the comforter.
- Tie any ties in place (if you have them).
- Grab the top left corner and pull it over the comforter and repeat with the left side.
- Pull the cover over the comforter and shake it out a bit and arrange it on the bed.
Here are a couple more bed-making and laundry tips you might enjoy:
3 ways to freshen up your bedroom and my favorite organic sheets? Check out this post.
Ditch the Dryer Sheets – Dryer Balls to the Rescue
4 Ways to Naturally Soften and Freshen Your Laundry
Sandra Says
Hello!
I understand that with the top sheet gone it’s easier for little kids to make their beds, but isn’t it more work in the end? I have the hardest and longest time, getting that duvet cover onto my king sized bed duvet. It’s so much work I only wash it monthly (or even bimonthly 😅) because we use a top sheet. I feel that my kids and husband would LOVE not to use that top sheet, but it I had to put it on every weekend (times 4) I’d pull my hair out. Is there maybe a better way of getting the duvet covers onto the duvets? 🤷♀️
Love your weekly lists! I follow them religiously and it’s helped me out more than you can know. I’m an adult ADHD-er with 3 kids. You’ve really helped me organize my home and get an easy cleaning routine in control. Thank you 😊❤️
b r Says
Post authorHI Sandra! Thank you for your kind words 🙂 I’ve finally figured out how to get a duvet cover on a king size bed easily. I’ll do a post on it soon but the main idea is to turn the cover inside out and put it on that way. It probably needs a video to demonstrate it – ha! If you want to give the idea a try, change 2 beds a week to start – I think you’ll be surprised how quick and easy it really can be!
Kimberly Says
I’d love to see a video demonstrating this as well! I like the concept!
randie Says
Search youtube for how to put on a duvet cover and you will find plenty of videos. Makes it a cinch.
Kristal Says
I totally agree. Getting the duvet or quilt into the washer and dryer each week is more work than just having to pull up a top sheet when making up the bed. Although, I will say, my husband and boys do not like using a top sheet, for whatever reason, but it does make for cumbersome work when cleaning. I also agree that I do like the hints and tips provided in this forum.
Rae Says
If you do the duvet cover how is this easier. To me that is more work.
b r Says
Post authorInstead of pulling up a sheet, blanket, and cover you just pull up the duvet cover. Add this up over the course of a month and it saves time 🙂
Ellen Says
I agree! I stopped using top sheets on my bed and on my daughter’s bed a while ago. I starting noticing our top sheets were wadded up at the end of our beds every day. This became a pain point for me. I have a king duvet and my daughter has a full coverette. It is so easy and fast to make our beds each morning without the top sheet! Great advice.
Leslie Says
I change bedding to go with the seasons. In summer we do just a top sheet. Spring and Fall I take away top sheet and just do a blanket. In winter we do thick quilts. Sleeping with just a top sheet in summer means we can keep the AC temp higher and still sleep comfortably.
Jeannette Says
We get too warm during the night for a duvet. We like having the top sheet for when we get too warm. I pull the sheet and blanket up together – done. No thanks I’ll keep my top sheet. The top also looks pretty turned down over the blanket. Thanks for all your other good tips
Jen Says
Is there a trick with the strings in the corners of duvets? All our comforters just fall to the bottom/side of the duvets–maddening. I’m sure the strings are there for a reason. I tried tying but they come untied and then there are puckered corners. What am I doing wrong?
b r Says
Post authorTry tying the tie down a little further!
K Says
My kids prefer this, too, so they get to wash their own bedding. I sleep warmer than my hubby, so I need the top sheet because our duvet covered down comforter is too hot. I also need the top sheet because I have tendinitis, so I can’t hold on to the duvet process – it’s too heavy and bulky, espescially inside out to tie the corners.
I’m glad this helps some, but it takes much more time x6 beds to do weekly. We wash our duvet monthly because the top sheet protects the duvet cover.
Nattie McKnight Says
I think this is a great idea and one that I will be implementing in our house. We live in Texas and the only time I pull out the duvet is pretty much in December. Other times, I use a light blanket that looks similar to a quilt I purchased from Wal-mart years ago or an actual quilt set.
Laura June Lauber Says
Are we using JUST the duvet cover or do we have to put the blanket or quilt IN the duvet? I agree it sounds more difficult.
b r Says
Post authorPut a comforter inside a duvet cover OR use a quilt 🙂
Laura Lauber Says
Thank you!!
Griselda Says
My son refuses to use a top sheet because he gets all tangled up. At first I insisted he use one but then decided to let him have this battle. Then I read somewhere that it’s common in Europe to not use one. Still, I couldn’t let go of it. Now you mention it and I’m suddenly excited at the notion of getting rid of it. I hate tugging on it to make it even at the top. Plus, I can ditch buying it saving money too. I don’t think I’d do this with a regular comforter but the duvet is much lighter to wash. Gonna give this a try. Thanks for the idea.
Lisa Says
I love your blog and I follow your cleaning calendar. However, I have to respectfully disagree with the no top sheet thing. But it’s totally a personal preference. I get way too HOT without the top sheet. I knowchats odd. (Change of life anyone?😰) However two of my sons prefer no top sheet cause they say it gets all twisted up on their body’s while they sleep. Lol!
Stacey Says
I don’t use the top sheet anymore and it’s a lot easier to make the bed
Mary Alice Kenley Says
We did this when our kids were little. Their covers were the top sheet from the set, backed with a coordinating flannel sheet that I sewed on. Instead of a sham, they just used the matching pillowcase. So, making the bed was as simple as pulling up the cover and placing the pillow on top. Worked like a charm. I think I’ll try this on my bed. Thanks!
Michelle Says
Nah I totally disagree on this one. The bed doesn’t feel complete without the top sheet.
Diana Lopes Says
I never would have thought of that! What a great idea!
Diana Guild Says
We have always just used a duvet cover! My children never liked the top sheet, so I just started washing their comforters with their fitted sheet and pillow cases. It’s definitely easier to make each day and I like the feeling of just our duvet over us. For those of you that think irs too hot, there are different types of duvets you can buy. I use a warmer one in the winter. If I get hot, I just poke one of my legs out. 🤣
Bailey Says
I’ve heard of this before but don’t really understand it… wouldn’t one rather pull up a top sheet every morning than wash a duvet every week?? Seems like the purpose of a top sheet is to keep the duvet cover clean.
Kerri Says
How do you manage to wash and dry your sheets every week? Or even every other week? With the flat sheet, mattress protectors, pillow cases, etc, it take a full day of constant attention to get it all done (we are a family of 6 and with my HE washer, it is an hour per load just with wash. Any tips? Do you just not wash the mattress protectors? In my opinion, if you are pulling everything off already, you might as well wash everything.
Cheril Says
Also kids bath every night so sheets aren’t as dirty as growing up and bathing once a week or just washing feet before bed.