Before you start: Make sure bed linens are the proper size for mattress and pillows. Sheets and pillowcases should be as wrinkle-free as possible. This should not be a problem if linens are folded immediately after being taken out of the dryer. Determine whether mattress should be flipped. This should be done about every six months.
Making the bed
Straighten mattress pad.
Put on the bottom sheet. A fitted sheet should easily slip over the mattress and pad. If using a flat sheet for the bottom sheet, make a hospital corner to keep bottom sheet fitted to the mattress.
Center top sheet on bed about 1 foot from headboard, with wide hem at the top. With a patterned sheet, lay sheet wrong-side-up so pattern will show when the sheet’s top hem is pulled over the blanket.
Place blanket on top of sheet about 1 foot from headboard.
Tuck in sheet and blanket together around bed.
Turn top of sheet over blanket near headboard. Place bedspread, comforter or duvet on bed. Put pillows in pillowcases and at head of bed.
Hospital corners: To make a neat hospital corner, pick up edges of sheet and blanket about 15 inches from the foot of the bed. Lift so they make a diagonal fold and place on mattress. Take the hanging part of sheet and blanket and tuck underneath mattress. Drop fold, pull smooth and tuck under mattress.
Tips: When making a bed close to a wall, if possible, pull footboard away from wall. This should allow enough room for straightening sheets and tucking in corners.
Store seasonal bedding, such as heavier blankets or bedspreads, on hangers in a closet.
Store flat and fitted sheets and pillowcases together in a set to make it easier to find when changing bedding.
Pillows and pillow covers can and should be washed. Pillow covers should be washed frequently to remove soil before it migrates to pillows ticking and filling.
Sources: Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association, Electronic Industries Association, “All-New Hints from Heloise” (Perigee Books, $13)
