<p>I got a fake featherbed from Bed Bath and Beyond last year for around $40. It’s an extra long and it fits wonderfully. I would say it is significantly more comfortable than an egg crate. Plus it’s full of poly-fill or what not so you can throw it into the washer and dryer. At school I layer mine with a cheap foam topper and it is SO comfortable.</p>
<p>This is such a funny topic.</p>
<p>I sent my DD with 2 sets of sheets. She told everyone she would use one set first semester and the second set the second semester. Of course everyone was pretty grossed out about it and made her feel guilty, so she ended up washing her sheets about once a month after that!</p>
<p>As for the mattress pad, we found an extra plush one at JC Penney for about $25, it was more expensive than the ones we found elsewhere, but she loves it!</p>
<p>haha, my roommate never changed his sheets for the whole year(or even washed them)</p>
<p>I changed my sheets maybe twice last school year.</p>
<p>I haven’t read through all of these posts (just the first and last pages) but I’ve been doing quite a bit of poking around on CC at “what to pack” and “what not to pack” lists. Quite a few people said don’t bother with the second set of sheets, although you probably have a good sense of whether or not your individual kid would actually utilize them (I’m pretty sure my S would not). The foam mattress pads get lots of rave reviews, although one site said that the thicker ones are sometimes just too much. One of my kids slept on a memory mattress (not just pad) on a ski vacation and was too hot <em>all</em> the time. Several parents/kids recommended bringing a large sheet/fleece for sort of whatever use–company hanging out in the dorm room, picnics outside, . . . I’m planning on sending this old fleece sleeping bag we have that zips out flat. I’m hoping it’ll do temporarily in case there’s a bedding emergency.</p>
<p>I have two, one classic white with lace trim and one exuberantly bright paisley. I wash them every two to four weeks (two at the beginning of term, three or four near the end of term when I’m overwhelmed and exhausted). And I always iron.</p>
<p>Singermom, I’m the poster child for the fiberbed. We got one for our mattress, and I’m slowly working through the house adding them on other beds. I find it incredibly comfortable and not too hot - not as hot as the Memory Foam pillow I used to use. my husband likes a firmer mattress, but he has come to like the fiberbed, too, because it is soft, yet supportive.</p>
<p>Will the twin XL sheets fit comfortably over the featherbed or will they keep riding up?</p>
<p>dbwes: I think it depends on how thick the actual college bed mattress is. I suspect that most college mattresses are on the thinner side, so most sheets will probably work, but you won’t know until you try them.</p>
<p>cangel: What is a fiberbed? I also don’t like how hot you get with the memory foam and am looking for an alternative.</p>
<p>I’d sent D to college with one set of sheets last year. Never complained or asked for more…washed them on occasion, I didn’t want to know how often. Yesterday, we walked into one of the LNT’s that’s closing, and she begged for another set of sheets (that’s where she got all her bedding last year). Never would have occurred to me; go figure.</p>
<p>I’m going with l2 sets of light colored sheets because I tend to drool and I don’t want white stains all over my bed.</p>
<p>Twelve??? Is that a typo OKgirl???</p>
<p>^yeah that’s a huge mistake. I’m taking 2 pairs.</p>
<p>Why is there such a “no-light-colored-sheet” rule?</p>
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<p>Sweetheart, if you could learn to live with unironed sheets you might be less exhausted. If you grab them just out of the dryer, they aren’t a wrinkly heap. Clean and soft is just as nice as clean and crisp. Especially since after one night you can’t tell the difference anyway (MIL used to be an ironer, so I know). </p>
<p>Side note, back when I was a freshman, the dorm provided sheets. One per week, all flat. You did it like a cheap hotel… new sheet on top, next week that one went on the bottom and the new one on top. I wanted wild 70’s colored ones, so did my own laundry instead. The college service seemed very popular just before the Theta Chi toga party - then dropped off.</p>
<p>I guess the thought is that light colored sheets show more “drek”. I don’t know if that is the case, as dark solids show stains as well, along with any lint. In my experience, a small print is the way to go if you want to hid stains. Also you can bleach pure white sheets, something you cannot do with the colors. </p>
<p>I love the feel of ironed sheets too, sigh. Haven’t had any in ages. No time, but they do get a nice crisp feel that you cannot get any other way. And a fresh laundry smell that is not like any that I can replicate. But not worth the time and work for me. As for my kids, I would be happy if they washed the sheets a few times during the semester.</p>
<p>2 is good enough. trust me.</p>
<p>Well, my D hasn’t used a top sheet in five years. She kicks it off and just sleeps under the polyfill comforter. But I’ll send a top sheet anyway. Sure would like to know what a “fiber bed” is . . .</p>
<p>I don’t really mind ironing; I listen to NPR (the D.C. station, streamed through iTunes) and think about whatever is preoccupying me (life, the news, a particularly challenging paper, whatever). I think it’s relaxing.</p>
<p>I have strange habits, I guess.</p>
<p>mammall – A fiber bed is a synthetically-filled alternative feather bed.</p>
<p>We received sheets, towels, comforter, mattress pad and a flannel throw today. I am pleased with the quality. The Sealy mattress cover is soft and it appears that it will cover a mattress and a foam topper. The comforter is reversible. I got a queen size so it will cover the bed. She will take a Nikken comforter that she won’t give up to use as her cover. The comforter was $39.99 so is an inexpensive bedspread/comforter combo.</p>
<p>When each of our children went off as freshmen I made sure that I “made” the bed. Foam pad, decent mattress pad with nice stretchy sides for fit, envelope taped to the pad, sheets, blanket, and cheap, thin comforter that could be easily washed at home. In the “envelope” was a twenty dollar bill with a note saying something like, “Call me when you find this.”</p>