The close-up photographs in this guide are original fitted-sheet details from our 2022 archive.
Fit a sheet on a deep or heavy mattress one corner at a time, finishing both corners at one end before moving to the other. Lift the mattress edge only as far as you need to, and ask someone to help if the mattress is heavy.
Before you start
Put the topper and protector on first, square to the mattress, because the sheet has to cover all of them. If the bed sits against a wall, pull it out a little if you can, so you can reach both sides.
Check which way the sheet runs. On a rectangular mattress, the sheet's longer sides go along the mattress's longer sides. On a mattress that is close to square, measure both sides of the sheet before you begin.
Start at the head
If your bed has a headboard, the corners beside it can be the hardest to reach, so do them first while the sheet is still loose. Pull each pocket down and under the edge of the mattress, not just over the corner, so the elastic sits underneath.
Then the foot
Move to the foot and fit the third corner. Before the last one, smooth the sheet across the mattress top towards that corner so any slack ends up where you need it. Lift the mattress corner slightly and draw the pocket under.
With two people
With one person on each side, neither of you has to reach across the bed. Each person fits the corners on their side, head first, then foot. Lift only as much as you comfortably can.
If the last corner will not reach
Stop rather than forcing it. Check that the sheet is the right way round, and that the other pockets sit under the mattress edges. Then spread the slack across the top towards the tight corner and try again.
If it still will not fit, measure the mattress width, length and depth with every layer on, and compare all three with the sheet's stated size, not depth alone. A sheet's pocket measurement describes the fabric itself, which is not always the same as the mattress depth it is meant to fit. Check which one the listing gives. Our guide to deep pocket linen fitted sheets explains how to measure and compare.
Taking it off
Work in reverse, starting with the corner that went on last. Lifting the mattress edge slightly is usually easier than pulling the sheet off from the top.
If you need a different size
If your measurements do not match the sheet you have, compare them with our linen fitted sheets. If you are unsure which size fits, send us your mattress measurements and we will help confirm the fit before you order.
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