So, you’ve gone and got yourself a Tempur mattress, but now you want some sheets that are cut from the same cloth.
If you’re finding your sheets itchy, you’re waking up drenched in sweat or they’re slipping off the bed in the middle of the night, then you might be using the wrong sheets for your Tempur.
Fitted or Flat?
There are two styles of sheets you can get: fitted or flat.
Flat sheets are more traditional. You drape them over the mattress as one big rectangle cloth and tuck the corners underneath to secure it to the bed.
It can make dressing the bed a bit more time-consuming, but they do give your bed a fresh and crisp look.
If you’re looking to cut corners (quite literally!) fitted sheets are designed with elasticated corners which make changing the bed much easier and quicker.
However, because of this design, it’s important that you get the correct size and depth for your particular mattress or you may find the corners pinging off during the night.
When it comes to the style of sheets, it is more of a lifestyle choice and shouldn’t affect how the mattress feels.
What type of sheet should I be using?
The type of material the sheet is made from can make a huge difference to how comfortable the bed feels. As memory foam mattresses like Tempur retain heat, synthetic sheets like polyester and silk which are known to trap heat are not ideal.
Lightweight sheets made from natural fibres are more breathable and help wick away moisture during the night.
Linen
Linen sheets are a great choice for memory foam mattresses, particularly high-density memory foam like Tempur.
Amazingly, Linen is a breathable and natural fibre which helps to wick away moisture during the night. Linen sheets feel fantastic, but they can be pricey, so you may want to consider some other natural alternatives.
Bamboo
Bamboo sheets are a great choice, particularly those with sensitive skin as bamboo is naturally hypoallergenic.
The Bamboo material is breathable, allowing the memory foam in your mattress to circulate and helping to keep you cool throughout the night.
Bamboo is also antibacterial so this would be a great choice for sweaty sleepers as it helps to prevent odour caused by sweat.
Cotton
Cotton sheets are really popular and if you are the type of person that likes to stick with what they know, then cotton might be a good option for you.
If you’re used to wearing cotton clothes, then you will be used to the feel of cotton on your skin.
Like linen and bamboo, cotton is natural so helps to wick away moisture and keep you cool unlike some synthetic fibres.
We would recommend using a low thread count with cotton sheets which will help to encourage circulation in the mattress. A good thread count for sheets on a memory foam mattress like Tempur would be between 200-300.
Tempur also sell their own range of jersey cotton sheets which are definitely worth considering!
Size and depth
You may be surprised, but when I worked at Bensons for Beds, many people came in to buy sheets without knowing what size mattress they had!
It’s important you have this information to hand as sheets are normally non-refundable once they have been opened due to hygiene reasons.
You can check the size of your Tempur mattress easily using a tape measure and this guide to help you.
UK Size Guide
- Single mattress: 90cm x 190cm
- Small-double mattress: 120cm x 190cm
- Double mattress: 135cm x 190cm
- King-size mattress: 150cm x 200cm
- Super-king size mattress: 180cm x 200cm
Tempur also do some special sizes with their mattresses, so if you’re not sure, it’s always best to check your invoice or with the retailer you bought the mattress from.
Tempur mattresses currently come in 3 depths: 21cm, 25cm and 30cm. Make sure you leave the mattress protector on (and topper if you use one) when you measure the depth of the mattress as your sheet will need to go over this too.
Summary
We would recommend a flat or fitted sheet depending on your lifestyle. If you want that hotel look then go for a flat sheet, but if you want something fuss-free, then a fitted sheet will do the job.
Sheets made from natural fibres with a low thread count will be best for a Tempur mattress as they are breathable and help to wick away moisture throughout the night.
Always check your size and depth before buying your sheets and consider the protector and topper when measuring.