The bed sheet trick for the lazy and annoyed
20/9/2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Stefanie Lechthaler
Fitted sheets are annoying. 180 by 200 centimeters of fabric that drives me crazy before I go to sleep. Until now, because there is a trick.
10 p.m. I throw myself onto the bed and would love to go to sleep now. Instead, I'm holding a corner of the fitted sheet in each hand.
Doesn't fit.
I turn the sheet 90 degrees. Still doesn't fit! Inexplicably, it doesn't fit on the third try either. I lie there like a starfish and admit defeat. Stretched out on one side and over-tightened on the other, the fitted sheet celebrates its triumph – again.
Notes on the care label
Some manufacturers have recognized the problem and provided their fitted sheets with a useful hint. The care label indicates which side fits which edge of the bed.
Creativity is required without a label
Why not everywhere? It would be nice if all fitted sheet manufacturers were committed to an uncomplicated life. Whatever. I'm taking my fate into my own hands and sewing on the markings myself. All I need for this is a sewing machine and washable cotton tape.
Before I get started, I have to make the bed properly once so that I know which corners go where. This is much easier for me in daylight, but my trick is supposed to help me primarily in the dark. I mark the corners at the head end with a binder clip.
These are the corners that I then provide with a fabric tape. Then I know from now on: fabric tape equals headboard.
I cut two five-centimeter-long pieces from the cotton tape. I fold these in the middle and run the iron over them. This prevents the tapes from popping open at the fold.
I turn the fitted sheet inside out and attach the fabric tapes to the seam of the corner with a pin and a binder clip.
By the way, the trick is also suitable for the duvet cover. For this, I sewed the white tape to two corners of the duvet and two corners on the inside of the cover. This way, I know at a glance which corners belong together.
Admittedly, it is a bit of an effort. For me, it is definitely one that is worth it. And it saves me the annoying corner-searching game when I throw myself onto the bed with the sheet again.
Header image: Stefanie Lechthaler
Painting the walls just before handing over the flat? Making your own kimchi? Soldering a broken raclette oven? There's nothing you can't do yourself. Well, perhaps sometimes, but I'll definitely give it a try.
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