Is there any hope for fitted sheets when the elastic goes bad, or are they destined for Good Will?
Fitted Sheets -- When Elastic Goes Bad
- Thread starter peterh770
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kevin313
Well-known member
They make great covers for things
Other than replacing the elastic, you can try these sheet straps/holders that essentially keep the corners of the fitted sheet tight.
They're not expensive and most places that sell bedding carry them. I put a link to the different ones offered on Amazon.
Other than replacing the elastic, you can try these sheet straps/holders that essentially keep the corners of the fitted sheet tight.
They're not expensive and most places that sell bedding carry them. I put a link to the different ones offered on Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Kinky! I think I like that. I will check them out. Thanks!!!
kevin313
Well-known member
Show those sheets who is in charge!!
Nursing Fundamentals
Use only flat sheets with mitired corners and avoid the whole problem! *LOL*
Those sheet gripper straps work well enough. You can find them at Bed,Bath and Beyond amoung other places.
Personally though if one has to go through all that palaver, attaching the straps and what not, would rather find other uses for the sheet. Though this applies to the "older" fitted sheets in my linen cupboard. These tend to have lots of wear left even after the elastic has gone. Many modern fitted sheets have elastic that goes within a year or less of service.
Use only flat sheets with mitired corners and avoid the whole problem! *LOL*
Those sheet gripper straps work well enough. You can find them at Bed,Bath and Beyond amoung other places.
Personally though if one has to go through all that palaver, attaching the straps and what not, would rather find other uses for the sheet. Though this applies to the "older" fitted sheets in my linen cupboard. These tend to have lots of wear left even after the elastic has gone. Many modern fitted sheets have elastic that goes within a year or less of service.
I've had pretty good luck it seems, I've never had the elastic fail that fast. Unless it's around the entire perimeter of the sheet-edge, replacing elastic isn't too much work. Get out one of those Featherweights and get to work, Peter!
Stop boil washing those sheets, the elastic can't take those high temperatures! ;-)
"...I've never had the elastic fail that fast."
These sheets are probably 14 years old. It is just a thin elastic around the head and foot of the sheet. I read once that if sheets only have elastic around the head and foot, they are BOL. If they are only on the side, they are MOL. And if they are all the way around, they are TOL.
@Luigi -- I don't boil wash sheets. They get 140 or 120.
These sheets are probably 14 years old. It is just a thin elastic around the head and foot of the sheet. I read once that if sheets only have elastic around the head and foot, they are BOL. If they are only on the side, they are MOL. And if they are all the way around, they are TOL.
@Luigi -- I don't boil wash sheets. They get 140 or 120.
Cannot Abibe Fitted Sheets With Elastic Right Way Along
Pain to iron and or fold properly. Oh, and don't get me started about trying to feed them through the ironer (mangle).
As for only certain quality levels of fitted sheets having elastic all way around; have several from high end linen dealers (mainly from sales, but some from fleaPay), that only have elastic top and bottom sides. All are high quality percale and that is the main reason one purchased them in the first place. That and hadn't yet discovered the joys of sleeping on pure linen or linen/cotton blend sheets. *LOL*
On days when one is in a hurry with housekeeping chores, will take out a sheet set that has fitted bottoms. There are times when despite one's love for mitered corners, just want to get bed making over and done with.
Pain to iron and or fold properly. Oh, and don't get me started about trying to feed them through the ironer (mangle).
As for only certain quality levels of fitted sheets having elastic all way around; have several from high end linen dealers (mainly from sales, but some from fleaPay), that only have elastic top and bottom sides. All are high quality percale and that is the main reason one purchased them in the first place. That and hadn't yet discovered the joys of sleeping on pure linen or linen/cotton blend sheets. *LOL*
On days when one is in a hurry with housekeeping chores, will take out a sheet set that has fitted bottoms. There are times when despite one's love for mitered corners, just want to get bed making over and done with.
Pure linen - linen cotton blend - sheets?? That sounds awesome. I guess I don't shop at those stores either
I'm with you L, I prefer only the fitted sheets with elastic around the top and corners, more and it makes them difficult to fold and store properly.
Fourteen years old, Peter? Treat yourself to a new set of sheets for x-mas!
I'm with you L, I prefer only the fitted sheets with elastic around the top and corners, more and it makes them difficult to fold and store properly.
Fourteen years old, Peter? Treat yourself to a new set of sheets for x-mas!
Oh, I have plenty of sheet sets. That's why I think these are destined for Good Will. In fact, taking them to GW is a higher priority than taking out a featherweight and messing with them.
I'm very surprised that you all need a lesson in fitted sheet folding...
I'm very surprised that you all need a lesson in fitted sheet folding...
Folding -
I was folding sheets (from the clothesline) when my younger sister was here once and she asked what possible reason I could have for folding them. Just put them back on the bed she says! I gave her a detailed lesson on folding fitted sheets which I'm absolutely sure she wiped from her memory within minutes...
I like using old sheets for painting drop-cloths and dust-covers for appliances that are "resting". We've even used them for raking leaves for easy pick-up, etc. You can also ruffle them into smart curtains for your home in a thrifty Bush-Recession spirit... Keep that Featherweight out!
I was folding sheets (from the clothesline) when my younger sister was here once and she asked what possible reason I could have for folding them. Just put them back on the bed she says! I gave her a detailed lesson on folding fitted sheets which I'm absolutely sure she wiped from her memory within minutes...
I like using old sheets for painting drop-cloths and dust-covers for appliances that are "resting". We've even used them for raking leaves for easy pick-up, etc. You can also ruffle them into smart curtains for your home in a thrifty Bush-Recession spirit... Keep that Featherweight out!
Unless Made From Fine Fabric
Repairing linens rarely answers for the time and effort involved.
Used to drag out the vintage Elna (Supermatic), or Pfaff sewing machine and spend an afternoon at work when my darning basket got too full, working on linens. However even with a Singer's Flatwork Darning attachment, found results just "eh".
Darned and or otherwise machine repaired sheets always feel rough where the work was done. Handwork is softer, I don't have that kind of free time to spend mucking about darning/mending by hand. *LOL*
One problem one sees in repairing elastic on fitted sheets is opening up the all that hem/casing, inserting new elastic, then closing it all up again. If not done correctly the sheet will not fit properly afterwards.
Back in my nursing related says, before hospitals stocked fitted sheets, we would take the corners of sheets and tie them together under the mattress. Often this was the only solution for constant moving about patient. There simply wasn't another way to keep that bottom sheet tucked for at least a day.
Repairing linens rarely answers for the time and effort involved.
Used to drag out the vintage Elna (Supermatic), or Pfaff sewing machine and spend an afternoon at work when my darning basket got too full, working on linens. However even with a Singer's Flatwork Darning attachment, found results just "eh".
Darned and or otherwise machine repaired sheets always feel rough where the work was done. Handwork is softer, I don't have that kind of free time to spend mucking about darning/mending by hand. *LOL*
One problem one sees in repairing elastic on fitted sheets is opening up the all that hem/casing, inserting new elastic, then closing it all up again. If not done correctly the sheet will not fit properly afterwards.
Back in my nursing related says, before hospitals stocked fitted sheets, we would take the corners of sheets and tie them together under the mattress. Often this was the only solution for constant moving about patient. There simply wasn't another way to keep that bottom sheet tucked for at least a day.
