How to make a bed neatly, step by step

To make a bed neatly, work from the mattress up: mattress protector, fitted sheet, flat sheet with hospital corners at the foot, then a blanket or duvet, folded back at the top. Fluff the pillows and set them against the headboard. Pull every layer tight and smooth as you go.

In a rowhome bedroom, where the bed takes up a lot of the floor, a made bed makes the room look put together.

What goes on a bed, in order?

1. Mattress protector. It keeps sweat and spills out of the mattress, and it goes in the wash with the sheets.
2. Fitted sheet. Seams down, corners pulled all the way under.
3. Flat sheet. Wide hem at the top, pattern side down so it shows when you fold it back.
4. Blanket or quilt, if you use one.
5. Duvet or comforter.
6. Pillows: sleeping pillows first, then any shams or throw pillows.

How do you make a bed, step by step?

1. Strip and air it. If you're changing the sheets, leave the bed bare for a few minutes with a window open.
2. Fitted sheet. Hook one top corner, then the diagonal bottom corner, then the other two. Smooth out every wrinkle from the middle to the edges.
3. Flat sheet. Line the top edge up with the head of the mattress, with even overhang on both sides.
4. Tuck the foot. Push the bottom of the sheet under the mattress.
5. Hospital corners. See the FAQ below for the fold. Do the foot corners and leave the sides loose or tucked, as you like.
6. Blanket. Lay it a hand's width below the top of the flat sheet. Fold the sheet back over it.
7. Duvet. Shake it out so the fill sits even, line it up, and smooth it from the center out.
8. Pillows. Fluff, then stand them against the headboard.

How do you make a bed in a small room?

In a narrow rowhome bedroom or a trinity's top floor, you may only have one side of the bed to stand on.

• Make it in sections. Do the full open side first, then kneel on the bed to finish the wall side.
• Pick a duvet over a top sheet plus blanket. One layer is quicker to straighten against a wall.
• Keep pillows to two per person. Throw pillows have to land somewhere at night.
• Use under-bed bins for spare sheets, so the set you need is in the room.

How often should you change and wash bedding?

Sheets and pillowcases every week or two. Mattress protectors every month or two. Duvets and comforters a few times a year, by the care label. Our guides to washing pillows and getting stains out of bedding cover the wash.

Want a cleaning booked?

Making the bed is yours. Book House Cleaning online and put your priorities in your booking notes. Our bedroom cleaning hacks cover the quick wins in between.

FAQ

How do you do hospital corners? Tuck the foot of the flat sheet under the mattress. At each corner, lift the hanging side into a triangle and lay it on top of the bed, tuck the part still hanging down, then drop the triangle and tuck it in for a clean folded edge.

How do you put on a duvet cover? Turn the cover inside out, reach in and grab the two far corners, then use them to grab the two top corners of the duvet. Shake the cover down over it, right side out, and button or zip it closed.

How often should you change your sheets? Once a week is a common rule, or every two weeks at most. Change them sooner after an illness, a hot summer stretch, or if pets sleep on the bed.

Book a cleaning

Our service area: every Philadelphia neighborhood, plus the Pennsylvania suburbs within about 30 miles of Center City, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Book online at phillyscleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (215) 798-7576, 9 AM to 9 PM, every day.