Stock up on bedsheets, blankets, bathtowels etc.

[adam2]

...blankets...
I do not think that these are as thick and heavy as in years gone by...

That's 'cause we're not fighting the Cold War any more

More seriously though, I have just looked at one of the government surplus blankets purchased in about 1980 and noted that they are larger, thicker and heavier than the current ones.
Some of the blankets purchased in 1980 are now worn out, but I have several still unused.

I would still recomend the ebay ones as being better value than a high street store.

[RenewableCandy]

That's quite scary isn't it? I mean, I disagree with (most of) what the Forces get up to these days, but they still deserve decent equipment ffs.

Unless HMG are flogging off the lighter ones because they're keeping the full-weight ones. It can get pretty damn cool up mountains in Pakistan and the like I suppose.

[RenewableCandy]

I've been finding a lot of nice bedsheets etc in charity shops recently.

[adam2]

I've been finding a lot of nice bedsheets etc in charity shops recently.

I have found the odd bargain thus, but IME, bedsheets for sale in charity shops tend to be either small or polyester, or both.

For bargain priced new linens it is worth looking at firms that supply hotels, most true hotel suppliers claim to be trade only but will supply the public subject to a minimum order which can be substantial.
Be aware that many vendors of cheap linens claim the goods to be "hotel quality"

For decent second hand linens, I have previously recommended an outlet in London, not certain if they still going though.
Bargains can also be found on fleabay.

[woodburner]

I bought some of the ebay surplus sheets. Very high quality. They will just need a lot of ironing after washing.

[emordnilap]

I bought some of the ebay surplus sheets. Very high quality. They will just need a lot of ironing after washing.

Ironing bedsheets! Some people have a lot of spare time.

If they're flannel sheets they don't need ironing but it sounds like they might be linen.

In which case, if I really wanted to iron them, I'd put them on the bed and iron them there.

[adam2]

Presuming that the sheets are the ones that I linked to a few posts back, then they are certainly 100% cotton, not linen.
I have not purchased any of them, but a friend did buy them for teenagers who complained that their existing bedding was too small and also made of "polyester or other manky fake stuff"

I would not bother to iron sheets except PERHAPS for visitors.

The need for ironing may be reduced by selecting the "low speed spin" option on the washing machine. This reduces creasing, though the laundry then takes longer to line dry.

[RenewableCandy]

Hanging them out on a line to dry helps.

Ironing is for weddings, funerals and job interviews. Last time I ironed owt it was fils' gi for his aikido grading.

[emordnilap]

Ironing is for weddings, funerals and job interviews.

As for funerals over here, even then, only if you're related to the deceased and sometimes not even then. Nobody gives a toss how you appear apparel-wise, respects and sympathy are what matters. Death is treated, errmm, differently in Ireland; much more relaxed and open.

[adam2]

If anyone is looking for double sheets in the full traditional length of about 108 inches and 100% cotton, it is worth a thorough search on fleabay.

The vast majority of the sheets for sale will be cheap modern rubbish only 90 inches long and containing polyester or other fake stuff.

However vintage but unused sheets, in all cotton and the full old fashioned length, do turn up and are worth buying for stock.

It is worth use of the advanced search feature. Suggested search terms are "vintage 100 cotton sheets" but excluding "poly polyester small single"

I would avoid used sheets unless remarkably cheap, not for hygiene concerns, they can after all be boiled, but because they might be nearly worn out and have little useful life left.

It is also worth a fleabay search for decent traditional wool blankets.
Simply searching for "wool blanket" will produce thousands of results, mostly cheap modern tat "throws" that are very small and not even wool.
A better search term is "Witney wool blanket" that tends to exclude all cheap modern tat and also excludes the multitude of small blankets for infants.
Most results will be for used blankets, buyer beware for both hygiene reasons and being worn out.
The odd unused blanket, still in the suppliers packaging, even if decades old, can be found.

[Little John]

Short sheets, blankets and, indeed, beds, have always been the bane of my life since about 16 years old. I am six feet five inches tall.

[adam2]

I agree, and I am only just over 6 foot tall.
As the population have on average got taller, sheets have got shorter.
Before the war, 108 inches was the normal length of a sheet.
After the war, about 100 inches.
And more recently 90 inches, or for "value" products 90 chinese inches or about 85 actual.

Part of the problem is that many parents purchase smaller than standard single sheets and blankets for children. This is fine for SMALL children but a cause of dissatisfaction when they grow.

[adam2]

Short sheets, blankets and, indeed, beds, have always been the bane of my life since about 16 years old. I am six feet five inches tall.

You might wish to consider making a bed base yourself.
Width to suit a single or double mattress, length about 12 inches longer.
Use a standard size mattress and fill in the gap at one end with a block of foam.(extra long mattresses are available but tend to be very expensive)

Extra long sheets are often rather expensive, but can be found cheaply, see links in earlier posts.
Extra long duvets exist but are expensive as are the covers to suit them.
Extra long blankets can be made by sewing together two small single ones, the stitching can be very crude in order that it may be undone to launder the two blankets. Two sewn together wont fit most washing machines.

[Little John]

Yep I need to make my own.

I currently do have a bed that fits me. I bought it five years back. It's called a "Queen size" if I remember correctly. Bigger than a "King size". It's significantly wider than a King size as well as a little bit longer. Though, to be honest, I could still do with about another couple of inches on the length. It was a cheap one, so I never expected it to last more than a decade.

I have been renovating my house for the last 4 years. Just about finished now. So, making a built in bed is on the cards sometime in the coming spring. I will make it so that is has cupboards all underneath so as to make maximum use of the space. The existing mattress is pretty good and I did pay good money for that when I got the bed. It is one of those weird, thick memory-foam ones. The fabric covering on it is pretty tatty now. But, I reckon I could re-cover it and it will be good for a long while yet.

[vtsnowedin]

When I was young 6' ft3"and single I used to sleep corner to corner on what was called a full sized bed. When I got married my bride did not like being confined to just one corner even though she was a wee bit of a thing at the time. So we took some of the cash gifts from our wedding and bought a king sized water bed that served pretty well for a decade or so. When it finally sprung a fatal leak we moved to a Queen sized which gives us each plenty of room with some to spare for the cat.