My fitted sheet kept popping off my mattress until I fixed this one thing

If your fitted sheet keeps popping off the corners of your mattress, the issue isn’t your bed-making skills, but the sheet’s fit. Sheets with a too-short pocket depth or weak elastic are likely to slip off your mattress, leaving your bedding in a crumpled mess. I test bedding for the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab and these are my tips to keep sheets securely in place.

Why your fitted sheet keeps popping off

For the fitted sheet to grip your mattress, it typically uses stretchy elastic that goes around, then under the bed for a snug, secure fit. Issues arise when the depth of the fitted sheet doesn’t match the depth of your mattress.

How to make your fitted sheet stay in place

The depth of your fitted sheet needs to match the depth of your mattress (including the additional height of any mattress toppers or pads).

Here are the quick steps I take when buying sheets and then putting them on to ensure a snug fit:

1. Measure the height of your bed. I recommend measuring the height of your bed yourself, including any topper or mattress pads on top.
2. Confirm the sheets’ depth when shopping. When shopping for sheets, look for the sheets’ depth in the size guide to confirm they’ll fit.
3. Look for grippy features. I also recommend looking for sheets with wide, stretchy elastic for a more secure fit. Softer, slipperier fabrics like silk or Tencel lyocell may shift more easily if the sheet isn’t deep enough, making proper sizing even more important.
4. Ensure the edges line up properly. When putting the fitted sheet on your bed, make sure the corner seam is aligned with the corner of your mattress. If it’s off slightly, it could pull the other corners loose.
5. Consider a sheet holder. If your sheets are still popping off the corner of your bed, try using sheet holders like this one from ZlumberLock or an option with fasteners like this pick from Gorilla Grip.

Why hotels rarely have this problem

Most hotels choose to use flat sheets as fitted sheets instead of traditional fitted sheets with elastic. This allows the hotel to use one type of sheet that works for both the flat sheet and the fitted sheet. Because hotels do frequent laundry changes (more than you would do at home), using flat sheets instead of fitted sheets with elastic makes it simpler. Elastic also breaks down at high heat, so it won’t hold up as well to frequent washing.

You could do a similar swap in your own home by using flat sheets a size up from your bed size, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Housekeepers at hotels are skilled in perfect bed corners— it would take me way longer to get a similar result. Traditional fitted sheets with elastic are much quicker and easier to use. If you follow the above tips, you can help keep the fitted sheet secure and prevent the dreaded corner pop-ups.