Remember when you had to wait until after Christmas to buy your new sheets and blankets? January was traditionally the season for “white sales” or bedding. Now when we need to purchase a new set of sheets or perhaps a winter quilt or blankets we can find them, very affordably, just about any time of the year if you know where to look. Places like eBay, Yahoo shopping, UBid.com, nextag.com, Overstock.com, and even local garage sales will have bedding, both new and used, at prices the frugally minded shopper can appreciate.
Quilts can be home made or store bought
Look for articles on this site regarding making your own quilts. They are fun, easy to make, and can have definite nostalgic value if made using familiar materials such as babies blankets or grandma’s old house dresses. Look for them at online auction sites and you may find some great bargains that are homemade and of truly great quality.
Sheets and pillow cases wear out so must be replaced
Many replace their sheets and pillow cases at least once a year because they tend to wear thin after a few months of washing and use. Washing and drying is hard on most bedding but we do want to sleep on clean and sanitary sheets. The auction sites such as eBay offer some really good prices on bedding, both new and used. Don’t be afraid of buying your sheets and pillow cases, blankets, and quilts used. Just make sure you can send them back if you aren’t satisfied with their condition. Most sellers on the online auction sites have a reputation to uphold and will go out of their way to satisfy their customers. They may shop at a hundred garage sales where you may only hit one or two so the odds of them finding bargains (in most any category) are huge. When you buy new sheets you wash them before using, right? Well it would be the same when you purchase new. A thorough washing and then drying in a hot clothes dryer will insure they are clean!
Look for closeouts for designer sheets and towels
Those beautiful designer sheet sets can be found for half price or even less if you shop around in local stores and on the internet. They may also offer accessories that match those nice sheet sets on sale at the same time. Look for cup holders, tooth brush holders, rugs, and shower curtains that all go together and make your bathroom a show place! The bedroom can also be accessorized with matching curtains, throw rugs, duvet (pillow) covers, and bed skirts. Look around and you may even find some great sales on fine Egyptian cotton sheet sets with perhaps a 600 thread count or even more. The luxury material will not only look and feel great to sleep on, but last for many years!
Don’t forget to replace those pillows and mattress pads
Most experts recommend you replace your pillows at least twice a year due to the amount of contaminants (skin, dandruff, and dust mites) that get inside them. Even washing pillows cannot assure they are clean and when you find them on sale it’s well worth the investment in new. The same can be said for your mattress pad. Even if you change your sheets weekly that padding between them and your mattress constantly collects debris you don’t want to know about. Pillows can be found at bargain prices at sites like Amazon.com, eBay.com, Overstock.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com, HSN.com. Search the internet and you will find coupon codes for a lot of these retailers. HSN coupon codes are always available, and it’s worth it to use them to pay less. You can find them in local stores but the prices the offer at online sites will almost always be half price or less compared with retail and if you pay attention you can often get items shipped to you for free!
Know your bedding size requirements by measuring for accuracy
OK so you know you want to buy King Size sheets. But are they California king, standard king, or grand king? Measure them to get three different dimensions. You will want the length and the width and then also measure the thickness of your mattress, then look at the measurements represented on the various web sites to determine exactly what you have, and what you will need. Standard or full size mattresses are generally the same unless you have an XL version. Below are some standard measurements for the most common sizes of mattress in the U.S.
Single or Twin = 39” wide x 75” long
Single or Twin XL (extra long) = 39” wide x 80” long
Double or Full = 54” wide x 75” long
Double or Full XL = 54” wide x 80” long
Queen = 60” wide x 80” long
Expanded or Olympic Queen = 66” wide x 80” long
California Queen = 60” wide x 84” long
King = 76” wide x 80” long
California King = 72” wide x 84” long
Grand King = 80” wide x 98” long
(There is also a European size called Super King which is 72” wide x 78” long)
Sheets can be found to fit those extra thick mattresses popular today. Just be sure they are called “deep pockets”. They should measure at least 15” thick (or deep).
Buy a “Bed in a Bag” or single items only when on sale
One of the best bargains to be found may be those bundled or “bed in a bag” sets. They usually include top sheet, bottom fitted sheet, two pillow cases (twin size usually has only one), a matching comforter, and maybe pillow shams, and a skirt for the mattress. Buying a set like this will not only save money but assure they all match as far as color and pattern, if any. White sales aren’t what they used to be today because there is so much to choose from when it comes to our bedding. And so many ways to save money on items we spend one third of our lives sleeping or sitting on!