So, thanks for following the click-bait subject line. Here’s the deal:
My wife and I have a disagreement about the proper way to put linens on the bed. We’ve been together for more than thirty years. When I put the sheets on, I do it my way. When she does it, well, she does it wrong. So, how do y’all do it?
Our bed starts with the mattress. Then there’s a fitted mattress pad. This is covered with a fitted bottom sheet followed by a flat top sheet. There is then a light blanket and the whole thing is topped with a comforter or quilt which varies depending on the season.
The controversy involves the top sheet. This sheet has a finished (or printed, if it has a pattern) side and an unfinished side. One of us places the finished side down. The top hem of the sheet goes all the way to the headboard. The light blanket stops several inches from the headboard. The top sheet is then folded over the blanket, leaving the finished side matching the exposed part of the fitted sheet.
The other person places the top sheet with the finished side up. The hems of both the blanket and the top sheet go all the way to the headboard with no folding over the top.
So, who is right? Personally, I think this issue is as important as whether the toilet paper goes over the top or under the roll. Sleepless nights are at stake here!
I spent a couple of years as a motel maid, so am very locked into the “fold top of top sheet over the edge of the blanket” style, which IMO is more comfortable, since I have a tendency to burrow in until the covers are up to my chin. Fortunately, my husband doesn’t really care which approach we use, so far as he’s ever said.
This is what my mother taught me. She made a big deal out of making beds, as she was trained as a nurse in the 1950s, when nurses were supposed to be top-notch bedmakers.
But I am flexible. I don’t care too much which of the OP’s methods are used.
I put the printed side down and fold over blanket. However, if your partner’s method really bothers you, why not just volunteer to be the official sheet caretaker? Problem solved.
Years ago I was speaking of the question with an acquaintance who said, “really? If I could get my husband to replace the roll at all, I wouldn’t care which way he did it.”
Either way of positioning the sheet would be correct, as long as it was being done by someone not me.
That this is a disagreement that either you care about blows me away.
For my wife and I (married 27 years) It’s easy to see if one cares more about something than the other, and we comply.
For instance, we got a big new TV. We mounted it on the wall. It was a little higher than my wife would like it. Was fine for me.
So with my neighbors help (it’s heavy 65"s) we managed to move it down. Two inches. It’s all that could be done with wall stud and outlet placement. But I did it.
That wasn’t even a disagreement. It was something she wanted, I really didn’t care. It was extra work of course, but whatever.
Really, she is not demanding, or that sensitive about things. But after all these years I know what is important to her. She knows what’s important to me. IMHO, that’s the way it’s supposed to work.
My read of the OP is that nobody really cares too much about it. It sounds like one of those silly “battles” married couples bring up for giggles (or post on message boards).
My wife and my version of this is what kind of birthday cake is best, an “argument” that neither will give on. (BTW, it’s chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream icing.)
I agree. No folding because the bottom of the sheet is tucked in far enough not to come out in the middle of the night. I’m tall, so this is an issue.
My wife agrees with this, so it’s never been an issue.
Buy solid color sheets.
Some better made brands are finish hemmed both ways.
Martha Stewart says the tags on the sheets at the bottom are always on the same side. Place on bed like that.
Usually the right hand side. Don’t diss the tag.
Wow. I didn’t realize I pitched this as some sort of serious argument my wife and I have. Our rule has been that the person putting the sheets on the bed puts them on the way he/she likes. Usually, that’s me. However, a couple of days ago, my wife and I put the sheets on together and there was momentary conflict when she said “The sheet is on backwards.” and I said, “No it’s not.” Strangely, she gave in without much of a fight.
The best answer above, of course, is “The wife is always right.”
If it wasn’t obvious yet, I’m the one with the finished side down and folded at the top. That’s the way my mommy taught me to do it. Of course, my wife’s mommy (the sociopath) taught her differently. Evidence in my favor: years ago, we had a waterbed and we used waterbed sheets. Waterbed sheets are sewn together at the foot with the fitted sheet and the top sheet being one piece. These sheets were invariably sewn together “my way”.
