Ah, the top sheet. Once a staple of the bed-making process, the debate over the top sheet has become increasingly contentious in recent years. Do you or don't you? Should you or shouldn't you? Let's examine the reasons for and against using top sheets, and you can decide for yourself.
Given that top sheets are seemingly a dying trend, our younger readers, in particular, may not be familiar with what they are. Despite this, there are still people who use them, and many more wondering if they should adopt the classic top sheet.
So why's there such a heated debate over whether to use one?
What is a top sheet?
Top sheets are simply an extra sheet between your duvet and mattress. You'll slide underneath this when getting into bed, forming a barrier between you and your duvet. Whilst they're no longer as popular in UK homes, something we share in common with most of Europe, they're still often found in many UK hotels.
On the other hand, our American friends are more familiar with top sheets, also commonly referred to as flat sheets. A survey found that 61.4% of Americans still use a flat sheet, although their use is declining, with 37.5% of Gen Z not using a top sheet.
But what exactly are the benefits or downsides of using a top sheet?
What are the benefits of a top sheet?
They can improve hygiene
Investing in a top sheet means you can have a more hygienic sleep compared to sleeping without one. We lose almost 5 billion skill cells every 24 hours, which means a significant number of them are likely to be caught in our bedding. Having a top sheet means there's a layer between you and your duvet, which means you don't need to wash either your duvet or cover for a little longer.
They're great for temperature regulation
Duvets can often be annoying, particularly if you're sharing a bed with someone who operates on a different temperature. We're sure there are plenty of people out there who know the pain of overheating as they sleep next to someone who's perpetually cold, which means you have a higher tog duvet. With a top sheet, though, you can let your other half have all the duvet they want and enjoy the single sheet.
This also makes them perfect for hot weather, which is why you'll often find that hotels in hot countries, such as Spain or Greece, provide only a sheet. Alternatively, in winter, they can also help trap some heat, keeping you toasty warm against the cold months.
What are the downsides of a top sheet?
They can be annoying to move under
Anyone who has been under a top sheet will know that it can be incredibly annoying to move around under. Because they're thin, they're more likely to get tangled around your body, making them feel slightly claustrophobic. In turn, this makes them extra annoying when making your bed, as you'll likely have to pull it straight again!
They can be time-consuming to maintain
Top sheets can reduce the amount of cleaning required for your duvet and cover, but they also require more frequent cleaning. So, in reality, they don't actually reduce any cleaning time. If anything, you're probably adding extra effort, as you need to take off your duvet, strip the top sheet, and add it back on. It also makes it more costly when it comes to your washing machine.
They're an extra step when changing your bedding
Truth be told, top sheets can be quite an inconvenience in our hectic, modern lives. Sure, they may keep our duvets clean and add warmth during the colder months, but top sheets add even more time to making our bed. Even worse, they tend to end up scrunched up at the bottom of our beds come sunrise - that's one extra sheet to wash that isn't even helping to keep our duvet clean!
Do top sheets affect the benefits of a memory foam mattress?
Regardless of your loyalty to the infamous bed linen, there's no right or wrong answer regarding mattresses. Memory foam mattresses retain more body heat than other mattresses, so an extra top sheet could prove too hot to handle! Or maybe it's your duvet that is potentially sacrificed.
Never underestimate the importance of a good mattress, no matter which camp you're in. If you and your partner can't agree on the great top sheet debate, or if you're looking for a more comfortable snooze, why not try one of our king-size memory foam mattresses? With enough space to sleep soundly with your top sheet whilst your partner dozes off without one, it could finally be the answer you've been looking for!
