# Cotton Bed Linens (How hard could this be?) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 24, 2004, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295 "2004-08-24T16:45:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2004, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/1 "2004-08-24T16:45:07Z")
I am making all my orders now so all the stuff I need to buy in the US will be waiting for me when I get back. Exciting stuff. I have been all over the internet looking for cotton bed sheets. Plain white ones. None to be had, nowhere. ‘Wait!’ you say. ‘Have you tried (fill-in-the-blank)?’ you ask. Yes I have. The problem is I sleep in a single bed. (I rarely entertain in bed over here.) Nobody seems to make cotton sheets for a single bed. I hope someone out there can prove me wrong. I am off to (my single bed) and hope to see some useful links when I get back to the 'puter. Thank you all. ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2004, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/2 "2004-08-24T17:03:46Z")
Paul, I found [these](http://www.lnt.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1358374&cp=1331605.1385346&page=2&pageBucket=0&parentPage=family) at Linens & Things. Hope it helps. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2004, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/3 "2004-08-24T17:06:11Z")
Well I had a post and it disappeared. Have you tried The Company Store? In the Kids section there are twin sheets but I didn’t see any plain white; but they’ve got plain blue - that might be sufficiently non-kid-like for you. [http://www.thecompanystore.com/parent.asp?product=EL95x&dept\_id=1525](http://www.thecompanystore.com/parent.asp?product=EL95x&dept%5Fid=1525) ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2004, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/4 "2004-08-24T17:09:14Z")
Here’s all-cotton, white, twin, also from The Company Store. [http://www.thecompanystore.com/parent.asp?product=el72x\_5&dept\_id=1110](http://www.thecompanystore.com/parent.asp?product=el72x%5F5&dept%5Fid=1110) ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2004, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/5 "2004-08-24T17:12:23Z")
There are some at Land’s End, too: [http://www.landsend.com/cgi-bin/ppl.cgi?styleNum=85131A59::&CM\_CARRY=1&mode=GRAPHIC&refer=@2Fcd@2Ffp@2Fprod@2F0@2C1467@2C1@5F2@5F678@5F43478@5F76870@5F55317@5F5@3Aview@3D@2D1@2C00@2Ehtml&sid=0965056953793124130&CM\_MERCH=SRCH\_43478](http://www.landsend.com/cgi-bin/ppl.cgi?styleNum=85131A59::&CM_CARRY=1&mode=GRAPHIC&refer=@2Fcd@2Ffp@2Fprod@2F0@2C1467@2C1@5F2@5F678@5F43478@5F76870@5F55317@5F5@3Aview@3D@2D1@2C00@2Ehtml&sid=0965056953793124130&CM_MERCH=SRCH_43478) ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2004, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/6 "2004-08-24T17:13:47Z")
**cher3** beat me to it; Lands’ End has great cotton sheets and a bunch in twin size. ---
**Author:** ![Graycat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Graycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Graycat)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2004, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/7 "2004-08-24T17:18:17Z")
[LandsEnd](http://www.landsend.com) has supima cotton, combed cotton, and cotton flannel. White supima is on back-order, but it’s available. They also have extra-long twin sheets for dorm beds. ---
**Author:** ![Gravity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gravity/32/14322_2.png) [@Gravity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gravity)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2004, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/8 "2004-08-24T19:42:21Z")
[Brylane Home](http://www.brylanehome.com/brylanehome/product/Ensemble.asp?productgroup_id=4427&search_token=1) has white cotton sheets. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2004, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/9 "2004-08-24T23:40:23Z")
Martha Stewart’s five-star bedding, sold at K-Mart, is all cotton and comes in twin size. I am not sure I want to recommend it, because I had a fitted sheet fall apart after only 18 months of use. ---
**Author:** ![quiltguy154](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ad7895/32.png) [@quiltguy154](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy154)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2004, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/10 "2004-08-24T23:55:19Z")
Check out the Vermont Country Store. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/11 "2004-08-25T01:26:03Z")
So no singles? If I bought twin, I suppose I could cut them down. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/12 "2004-08-25T01:59:10Z")
> [@Paul in Saudi](#): > > So no singles? If I bought twin, I suppose I could cut them down. Hang on. What do you consider to be a “single”? Twin is the smallest size of sheets. My kids’ twin bed mattresses measure 38" X 72" (they call them “twin” because you can fit two of them to a room). What size would a “single” be that you’d need to cut down twin size sheets? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/13 "2004-08-25T02:00:19Z")
Single = twin. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/14 "2004-08-25T02:07:38Z")
Well, the confusion over “twin” and “single” certainly would explain why **Paul in Saudi** was having problems finding sheets. I remember being confused over “full” and “double” beds. Turns out they are the same size. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/15 "2004-08-25T05:18:10Z")
It’s never bothered me if the sheets are bigger than the bed. Mine now is a queen, but I use king-sized sheets on it. (I’m planning on buying a king soon, and I hate to invest in sheets I won’t be using.) Slightly off subject, but I strongly recommend you buy 400 thread-count or higher. It really is worth the extra money, in my opinion. The sheets I use now are 600 thread-count. (Now, whenever I chance to sleep on a bed with 180 or 200 thread-count, I wonder how I ever managed to get comfortable on that sandpaper.) Higher thread-count sheets also tend to be more durable, saving you money in the long run. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/16 "2004-08-25T11:53:19Z")
Oh! Twin = Single! That makes everything clear! (Gotta love SDMB!) ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/17 "2004-08-25T15:13:56Z")
Righto. The size in between “twin” (which is 39 inches wide) and “queen” is called “full” in the States, usually. The Martha Stewart bedding comes in that size too, though I must tell you: many brands market a “full/queen” size. All it means is that you will have extra tuckage in your sheets–a plus, if you ask me. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/18 "2004-08-25T15:18:31Z")
> [@Paul in Saudi](#): > > Oh! Twin = Single! In order to fight ignorance, I suggest taking a tape measure to bed with you tonight. Please post the results in the morning. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/19 "2004-08-25T15:32:45Z")
You know I hate to admit it, but at my swingin’ bachelor pad, I have no measuring tape. Since Wednesday is my Friday (and Friday is my Sunday), I will not be in the office until Saturday, when I can recover a measure from the office. If I remember, I will post then. In any case, my Ikea bed is a funny European size. I bet you North Americans have a different size. I have ordered some flat sheets and they will work fine. (I hope.) ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295/20 "2004-08-25T15:37:17Z")
> [@Graycat](#): > > They also have extra-long twin sheets for dorm beds. I suggest you check the length of your twin/single, **Paul**. In addition to the standard twin, there is also an extra-long twin. A standard twin is by far the more common, as far as I have seen, but the extra-longs are out there. The good news is that [Bed Bath and Beyond](http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/searchSKU.asp?order_num=-1&SSTR=sheet+twin+long&) carries all cotten, 400-count, extra long twin sheets. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-bed-linens-how-hard-could-this-be/261295.md?page=2)