Here’s how to stop a flat sheet sliding off your mattress. Flat sheets, also called top sheets, do not have elasticated fitted corners. They have to be folded and tucked in underneath a mattress. The problem is, that they don’t stay in place. They often pop out and slide off. It can be a real nuisance. Let’s take a look at how to stop a top sheet sliding off your mattress.
1: Fold & Tuck
7: Are You Using the Correct Size Sheet?
1: Fold & Tuck
First up, have you folded and tucked your flat sheet around the corners properly? Each of the four corners needs to be folded around and beneath the mattress to hold it in place. Hospital corners work best.
Fold the sheet in straight lines parallel to either straight edge of the mattress and then tuck the sheet underneath the mattress. Without folding and tucking the top sheet, you have no hope of it staying in place.
2: Sheet Grippers
Next up is sheet grippers. Even if you fold and tightly tuck the sheet, it can keep slipping off the mattress. It’s very frustrating. Our favorite way of holding it in place is to use a device called a sheet gripper.
A sheet gripper is a short cord of expandable material with a teethed grip on either side. They work by clipping to the flat sheet at either side of a corner and holding the sheet firmly in place. They are very effective at stopping a sheet from slipping off a mattress
3: Sheet Suspenders
Similar to sheet grippers, sheet suspenders look similar but are much longer. Instead of wrapping around a mattress corner, they run the full length of the mattress, beneath the mattress.
All you have to do is clip one end of the suspender to the sheet beneath the mattress and stretch the suspender all the way over to the other side and clip to the sheet on that side. The clips have sharp ‘teeth’ that click into place and prevent the sheet from moving.
You can use two suspenders to hold a flat sheet in place. But, if you really want to make sure it doesn’t slip off you can use four. This involves running two from top to bottom and two more from one side to the other. This way you can be sure the top sheet stays in place.
4: Bed Bands
Bed bands are another great option. They operate a little like sheet grippers and sheet suspenders except they don’t go underneath the mattress. Instead, they wrap around the vertical edge of the mattress, all the way around, and hold the sheet in place.
They are basically a big elasticated loop that fits over your sheet and loops all the way along the side of your mattress. Wrapping around all four mattress sides until it clips back in place where it started. Bed bands are another effective tool for stopping sheets from sliding off your mattress.
5: Non-Slip Mat
Have you considered using a non-slip under-sheet mat? They’re great at stopping a sheet from slipping off a mattress. And you don’t have to adjust it every time you change your top sheet. All you have to do is place the sheet mat between the mattress and your top sheet.
You don’t have to replace it every time you change sheet. They’re easy to use and effective. They work a bit like a non-slip mat for a rug. They create a surface layer that prevents slippage and holds everything in place. Definitely worth a try.
6: Velcro Strips
Have you tried using velcro strips? Are you a DIY enthusiast? If you don’t fancy using sheet grippers, sheet suspenders, or bed bands – you can crack open your DIY kit and reach for some velcro strips. It’s time to get creative.
Velcro strips are a viable alternative. All you have to do is cut out a strip or two for each of the four corners. Attach one side to the sheet corner and the other to the underside of the mattress corner.
Then, when you place your top sheet on the mattress and fold it in beneath the mattress corners – press the velcro strips together. Make sure they are securely fastened. And, this should hold the sheet to the mattress and prevent it from slipping off.
7: Are You Using the Correct Size Sheet?
Are you using the correct size flat sheet for the bed? There are different size flat sheets for every size of mattress. For example, if you’re using a king-size mattress, you should be using a king-sized flat sheet. If your mattress is queen-size, you should be using a queen-size sheet.
One of the most common reasons for a top sheet sliding off is because the wrong size sheet is being used for a mattress. Especially if it is too small. Some people mistakenly use a queen-size sheet on a king mattress.
This means the sheet is not large enough to tuck and fold around the corners of the king. There just isn’t enough material to reach around and securely fold in underneath the mattress corners. If your bed sheet keeps sliding off your mattress, check to see if you’re using the correct size sheet. It could be a very easy fix.
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Senior Editor
Josh is senior editor at Mattress Comfort Guide. He is an industry expert with over 30 years of experience in the bed and mattress industry. Josh is a native of Albuquerque and is a graduate of the University of New Mexico. He holds an M.S. in Project Management and a B.S. in Earth & Planetary Sciences.
He has worked in both the retail and manufacturing industries where he has held consultancy roles on mattress design and technologies. Josh has a particular interest in how different mattress types complement body size and sleeping position, and deliver optimal lumbar support. Josh is a keen sports fan and when he’s away from the office he likes to play basketball and catch the New Mexico Lobos games with his two sons at the Pit.