How to Fold Bed Sheets

If you ever attempted to fold sheets yourself, then you know what a hassle you face. When you fold the sheets the wrong way, you end up with a lumpy mess that will not fit into a drawer for storage. Even if the sheets fit in the storage space, the fabric takes up too much space and limits your available storage for bedding and other items. Folding bed sheets in the right way makes the fabric form a compact shape. This compact shape maximizes your storage space and makes the sheets roughly the same size as a pillowcase.

The first thing you must do is separate the fitted sheets from the flat sheets. Fitted sheets have elastic borders that keep the sheets firmly attached to the bed. Flat sheets are much easier to fold because the sheets are flat and have no rounded corners or elastic edges. Lay the sheet flat on the floor or a table and fold the top down to the bottom. Fold the sheet again, by pulling the left edge of the sheet over to the right side. Keep folding the sheet from the top to the bottom and side to side until the sheet is as small as you need.

Fitted sheets take a little more work to fold because of that elastic band. The elastic keeps the sheets from folding completely flat. The trick to folding this type of sheet is to tuck the elastic edges over, which lets you fold the sheet into a more compact shape. Start by setting the sheet on a table or floor and letting it sit as flat as possible. Turn the piece around so that the elastic edges face up towards you. Fold the sheet over and line up the elastic edges.

Flip the elastic edges under the fabric so that the top of the sheet hides the elastic edges. Work your way around the sheet, making sure that each elastic border remains tucked inside the sheet. Rub your hands over the fabric, smoothing down the seams and making the sheet as flat as you can. Fold the sheet over and smooth again. You want to keep folding the sheet and smoothing out the fabric, making it smaller every time. Once the sheet reaches the size needed for your space, smooth the top again and put away. You can do this with any type or size of fitted sheet.

Sleep Well,

Rose

Bed Linens Etc.

Creative Uses for Bed Sheets Beyond the Bed

Before you toss your worn or stained sheets in the trash, stop and think about using those sheets in new ways. There are so many different ways that you can reuse your favorite sheets and make use of the fun designs or colors on the fabric. One fun way to use the sheets is by turning those sheets into window treatments. Measure the length of your window and cut the sheets into panels the same length as the windows. Fold the top two inches over and stitch the fabric together. Slide a curtain rod through this pocket and use the sheets as curtains. 

Vintage sheets have great colors and patterns. Turn those vintage sheets into artwork for your home. Purchase a large poster frame or another type of frame. Measure the size of the frame and cut a piece from the sheet slightly larger than the frame. Make sure that the piece you cut doesn’t have any damage or stains. Cut a piece of cardboard to the same size as the frame. Spray the cardboard with spray adhesive and wrap the fabric around it. Affix the sheet to the back of the cardboard with more adhesive and slide inside the frame.

Another creative ways to reuse old sheets is by using the fabric as new upholstery. This idea only works if you have multiple sheets in good condition because one sheet is not large enough to recover a chair, let alone a couch. You can also cut the sheets into panels or pieces and stitch those pieces together to make aprons, tote bags, rugs or skirts. If you have a few sheets with stains, then consider making a rag rug. You cut the sheets into thin strips and weave the pieces together, which hides any of the damage.

You can even reuse old sheets with a large number of stains and sheets that have rips or tears. Drape the sheets over plants during the winter to keep frost and moisture from killing the plants. The sheets are also great when you move because you can wrap the fabric around furniture and keep other furniture from banging against it and scratching the surface. The next time you eat outside, use the old sheets as a picnic blanket or as a tablecloth for your picnic table. You can also lay the sheets down as bedding for your pets, or stitch two sheets together and stuff to make a quick dog or cat bed.

Other articles of interest:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/six-new-ways-to-use-old-bed-sh-120637

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000924.tip.html

http://www.squidoo.com/reuseoldsheets

Sleep Well,

Rose

Bed Linens Etc.

How is Bamboo Thread Made?

Bamboo is a renewable source found in Asian countries and other countries and cities around the world. Even when you cut down bamboo, the plant keeps growing. Since in replenishes itself over time, using bamboo is a simple yet ancient way to go green. Bamboo has a thick and hard outside with a softer material on the inside. Manufacturers use bamboo for flooring, furniture and as fabric. You can now find bamboo sheets in a variety of colors and textures. The manufacturers make these sheets from threaded yarn made with broken down cellulose fiber of bamboo. Depending on how the manufacturer makes the thread, it can be thick like yarn or thinner for fabric and sheets.

From this to Bamboo Sheets

Making bamboo thread involves a distillation process. The manufacturer removes the leaves and woody stalks of the bamboo plants and pushes those pieces through a grinder. The grinder breaks the pieces into smaller and thinner pieces. After pouring the mixture into another machine, the manufacturer adds a special combination of chemicals and water. The mixture sits in the liquid for hours or days. This mixture breaks down the fibers from the bamboo plant into a cellulose mixture called pulp.  The next step in the process involves creating the individual threads. 

To make the threads, the manufacturer sends the pulp through a machine that filters the pulp. The filers remove any toxins or natural contaminants, as well as any residue left behind by the chemicals. Once the filters remove the toxins, the pulp soaks in bleach. The bleach removes any colors left behind by the manufacturing process, and leaves the bamboo pure white. If desired, color is then added to the bamboo pulp with liquid dyes. Once the bamboo reaches the color required, it goes through a different machine that forms the bamboo into long threads called yarn. Depending on the final use for the threads, the manufacturer might bind the threads together to form thicker pieces. 

The finished bamboo threads are suitable for a number of different uses, including clothing and bedsheets. Bamboo threads are stronger than other types of thread, which makes the material a great choice for sheets.  The manufacturing process makes the bamboo as soft as well-worn cotton that is satisfyingly cool on warm summer nights. The finished sheets come in dozens of different colors and are long-lasting. A simple set of bamboo sheets can last for years, if not longer. Bamboo fabric is also biodegradable, so when your sheets reach then end of their life, they can be composted and returned to the earth.The soft texture and the variety of colors make bamboo sheets a great choice for any home.

Check out our selection of Bamboo sheets, available in all the bed sizes we support, at BedLinensEtc.com.

Sleep Well,

Rose

What Does Thread Count Mean?

In the 1990s, a trend started among companies manufacturing bed sheets and linens. The trend involved indicating thread count on the bedsheet sets. Initially with Egyptian sheets, but now the thread count can be found mentioned on sheets produced in a variety of countries and from many different manufacturers. The idea is that the higher thread count found on a sheet, the more comfortable the fabric feels against your skin. Some people think this is a marketing trick or tactic to get people to buy expensive sheets, but thread count is a term used by scientists. Even the government now regulates how a company determines the thread count for its products. 

Thread count refers to the amount of threads found in one square inch of the sheet. Warp refers to the threads running lengthwise across the sheets, while the threads across the width are the weft. The manufacturers must count the threads running lengthwise and widthwise to determine the total amount. If a manufacturer claims that a sheet has a thread count of 600, then it must have 300 threads running lengthwise and 300 threads running widthwise. The best sheets are those with a count of 200 or higher. 

When picking sheets, you should consider how the thread count relates to the feel of the sheets. A thread count of 150 has a texture like muslin. Muslin is a rougher material and this thread count is common in cheaper sheets. A count of 180 is much softer, and feels similar to soft cotton. The higher thread counts have an even softer feeling. A count of 1,000 or more can feel so comfortable that you do not want to get out of bed in the morning. Today, you can find a higher count is Egyptian cotton sheets, but also sheets produced in other areas from other forms of cotton.

 Some claim that thread count has no meaning once a sheet has a count over 200. These naysayers believe that a 200 thread count sheet feels the same as one with 1,200 thread counts, but this is not true. The more threads found in each square inch, the more comfortable and soft the sheets are. The count found in the sheets can vary from 100-150 to 1,800 or higher. The highest thread count sheets are often the most expensive, but can feel like you are sleeping inside of soft and cushioning cloud.

At Bed Linens Etc. we have sheets with thread counts up to 1000!

Sleep Well,

Rose

The History of Cotton Sheets

The next time you slip into a set of freshly washed sheets, you should stop and think about the history of those sheets. Historians are uncertain as to when humans first began using sheets, though many believe that the use dates back at least 1,000 years. Prior to that, people typically slept on small mats or beds stuffed with horsehair or hay. The bed featured two pieces of fabric stitched together and stuffed with another material. The fabric was typically rough and humans began using sheets because this new fabric covering made the bed slightly more comfortable. 

The Egyptians were the first to use woven fabrics. The culture broke flax plants into smaller pieces and created woven linen from those pieces. The Egyptians used large looms and wove the fabric into large sheets. Two sheets stitched together were large enough for covering a bed mat. Europeans traveled to Egypt and noted the design. Those settlers and explorers returned home with the same design and individuals began manufacturing sheets. Since the process of making the sheets was so intensive and took so much time, only the rich and wealthy used the fabric.

Settlers to the New World of America continued making linen designs, including towels, pillowcases and sheets. Eli Whitney’s invention of the cotton gin led to cotton sheets. Prior to the cotton gin, it was difficult to grow cotton and send cotton to other areas. Following his invention, Americans began producing cotton in large numbers and weaving that cotton into sheets. The process started around 1930 and within 30 years, most companies used cotton for bed sheets. Along the East Coast, manufacturing plants began popping up with each plant producing different products, including sheets. The manufacturing process lowered the costs, which gave more people access to the sheets.

The Industrial Age changed the process yet again. The plants produced sheets so quickly and cheaply that it became more cost effective to buy cotton sheets instead of weaving and creating sheets by hand. Each generation made changes to the process, which led to the sheets now used today. Some designs now incorporate nylon or Lycra, which make the sheets slightly stretchy. The invention of elastic led to elastic added to the sheets and led to the development of fitted sheets. Thanks to new technology, the sheets now last longer and come in more colors than once thought possible.

Sleep Well,

Rose

Bed Linens Etc.

Changing your Sheets Promotes Healthy Living

Experts recommend that you change your sheets at least once a week. The problem is that many people go longer without changing their sheets. Some surveys even discovered that the majority of people washed their sheets once a month or twice a month. Leaving the dirty sheets on your bed is a hazard because the filth lets bugs gather on the sheets. Those with allergies should wash their sheets at least once a month, if not more often. Dirty sheets are a haven for dust mites and other types of bugs. 

Dust mites are tiny bugs invisible to the naked eye. These bugs leave in sheets, pillowcases and comforters. Within a year of regular use, half the weight of your pillow or more is dead and living dust mites. The bugs crawl inside your pillows and die. Other bugs shed their skin inside the pillows, making them feel heavier. Dust mites also shed and die inside the other bedding, including the sheets and pillowcases. People with allergies and some breathing conditions are especially troubled by dust mites. These people can have an allergic reaction to the dust mites and break out in hives or have trouble breathing.

One of the largest problems facing homeowners and renters today is bed bugs. Bed bugs are tiny reddish brown bugs that live inside upholstery and feed off human blood. You can pick up bed bugs from a hotel room or even when visiting a friend’s house. The bugs climb inside your clothing or suitcases and only emerge when you reach your home. Cleaning your sheets regularly helps kill bed bugs living inside the sheets. Regular cleaning also removes dust mites and any other bugs trapped inside the bedding.

If you wait a few weeks to change your sheets, you might notice that the fabric has an unappealing and off putting smell. The smell comes from your body sweating during the night, as well as the oils escaping from your body. You release a large amount of oil every night and that oil becomes trapped on and in the fabric. As the oil and sweat builds up on the fabric, it gives the sheets a dingy color and an odd smell. The only way to get rid of the smell and restore the original look of the sheets is with regular washing. Cleaning gives your sheets the light scent that you want when you go to bed. 

Sleep Well,

Rose

Bed Linens Etc.

Creative Ways to Make Your Bed

Have you ever found yourself paging through a magazine and wishing that your bedroom could look as great as it does on the page? The way you make your bed says a lot about you. If you just grab the pillows and randomly toss them on the bed, then your bed will likely look sloppy or messy. If you take the time to carefully arrange each and every piece, then the bed looks more pulled together and comfortable. When your bed looks great, you naturally want to climb inside and relax before falling asleep at night. 

The traditional method of making the bed is now eclipsed by more creative ways to make the bed. The classic method involves placing a fitted sheet against the mattress and topping that with a flat sheet. You top that with a comforter and pillows. Changing out the pillows is a simple way to completely change the look of the bed. Pull the top of the comforter and the sheet back several inches. Line the headboard or back of the bed with a series of pillows that match the colors or design of your sheets and comforter.

Another creative way of making the bed involves mixing and matching different colors and patterns. A great way to accomplish this is by mixing plaids and florals or plaids and polka dots. Use floral or polka dotted sheets and mix those with a comforter in plaid that uses some of the same colors. The trick to making the look work in your own home is by sticking to the same colors. If your sheets have a cream colored background, then choose a comforter with a light cream in the plaid pattern. Add pillows of different types to the back of the bed, bringing in a few new colors and patterns.

If you want to bring a new color into the bed, then choose a blanket and drape that across the middle of the bed or the bottom of the bed. This lets you bring in a bright splash of color that works with your existing bedding without taking over the room. You can even use a reversible comforter as your accent piece. A reversible comforter features two different designs: one on each side. When you want to completely change the look of your bedroom, you simply turn the comforter over and your bed suddenly looks brand new.

Other articles of interest:

http://wondertime.go.com/life-at-home/article/how-to-make-bed.html

http://todayscreativeblog.net/how-to-make-the-perfect-bed/

http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/how-to-make-a-bed

Sleep Well,

Rose

Bed Linens Etc.

How to Measure for Bed Skirt or Dust Ruffle Drop Length

A bed skirt, sometimes referred to as a dust ruffle, is a fast and easy way to dress up your existing bedding. You can find bed skirts that match different types of bedding, but you can also find basic designs that complement the bedding you already own, which reduces the need for brand new bedding. You remove the mattress from your bed and cover the box spring with the bed skirt before laying your mattress back on top. The bed skirt is a small piece of fabric that covers the bottom of the bed and hides the box spring. The bed skirt completely hides the space under your bed, giving you room for hidden storage. 

The bed skirt must be the same length and width as you bed. A twin size bed measures 39 inches wide and 75 inches long, while a full size bed measures 54 inches by 75 inches. The measurements for a queen size bed are 60 inches by 80 inches and for a king size bed, those measurements are 76 inches by 80 inches. You should still measure the length and width of your bed, as the measurements might vary slightly. Even an extra inch can change the way the bed skirt hangs on the bed. 

The drop of a bed skirt refers to the width of the bed skirt. The best way to determine the drop needed is with a measuring tape. Pull the mattress away from your bed and lean it against a wall. Place the measuring tape flat on the floor and lift it up until it reaches the top of the box spring. Check the measurement and you have the size needed for your bed skirt. The drop should completely cover the empty space under the box spring and the box spring itself. 

Depending on the look you want in your bedroom, you might opt for a slightly smaller drop. If you reduce the height by one inch, the bed skirt will stop slightly above the floor. Most bed skirts have a drop of 16 inches or slightly less. If you find that the drop needed for your bed is higher than this amount, you might need to special order your bed skirt. You can also make your own skirt by purchasing four pieces of fabric: two the same width as the bed and two the same length. Stitch the pieces onto an old sheet and use as a bed skirt. 

Sleep Well,

Rose

Bed Linens Etc.

Bed Sheets for All Seasons

When the seasons change, your first instinct might not be to change your sheets, but you should stop and think about it. Sheets come in so many different types, and each type works best for a set season. Since some materials retain heat and others make you feel cooler, changing your sheets is a simple way to keep your body at the perfect temperature all year long. From silk and satin to flannel and tee shirt materials, each type is specially designed to make you feel completely comfortable, regardless of the temperatures outside.

Winter brings cold temperatures, snow, and ice to your area. When the temperature drops, the best feeling in the world is to curl in bed under your comforter. If you use the wrong type of sheets, you risk feeling even colder. Silk sheets and satin sheets feel nice and cool on your skin, but also retain the cold air surrounding your bed. Flannel sheets are a much better option because flannel retains heat. Slipping under a flannel sheet during winter is like slipping into your favorite pair of pajamas. The flannel acts as insulation because it traps your body heat under your comforter or blanket, making you feel toasty and warm.

During the summer months, opt for bamboo sheets. Bamboo sheets feel smooth against your skin and keep your body from feeling too warm. The sheets are significantly softer than other materials, including cotton. Some users even claim that the sheets feel just as soft as silk or cashmere, but are less expensive. Bamboo sheets stay cool to the touch, even when the air temperature is high. If you use the sheets with air conditioning, you might even notice that the sheets retain the coolness of the surrounding air for hours after exposure.

Do not forget to change your sheets during the fall and spring. In the spring months, you want sheets that stay warm during the early days, but stay cool when spring begins turning into summer. Tee shirt sheets are a great choice for spring. Manufacturers make the sheets from the same material as tee shirts. The sheets keep you warm on cold spring days, but help you stay cool once the temperatures rise. During the fall months, opt for fleece sheets. The fleece material works with your body temperature. The sheets keep you warm or cold, depending on the temperature in the room.

Sleep Well,

Rose

Bed Linens Etc.