Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about college bedding by DormSmart shoppers, including twin XL. Please contact us if you require assistance prior to buying bedding for college.Typically, the width of the mattress remains the same for both sizes, 39". However, we have come across a few campus with 36" wide mattresses.Students can feel confident that their bedding for college will fit properly because DormSmart ALWAYS checks actual bedding dimensions before categorizing it as twin or twin XL, meaning labels or packaging do not matter rather size matters! Regardless of how a manufacturer has labeled their bedding, before it hits DormSmart's virtual shelves the dimensions must be checked and the bedding categorized accordingly.DormSmart reviews more that 2000 college housing websites annually and the one thing we have learned… there is no consistency between colleges when it comes to bed sizes. Some schools have standard twin beds, many schools have twin extra long beds (commonly referred to as Twin XL or TXL), and a few even have double beds in their dorm rooms.
The best approach for students and parents is to contact their school housing office prior to purchasing bedding for their dorm room.While twin XL is preferable (minimum length of 90"), twin comforters and duvets (86" and up) can work on an 80 inch extra long twin mattress but they will be short. Please note that your mattress topper, fitted sheet, mattress pad, and bed skirt must be manufactured to properly fit a twin extra long mattress. Here's how to make a twin XL bed with a standard twin comforter... pull the comforter toward the bottom of the bed to accommodate the 5 inch difference then turn down the top so the comforter does not appear short when the bed is made. You can then fill in the top with extra pillows.Your "fitted sheet" must be manufactured to fit a twin XL mattress. Beware of retailers who tell you that a deep pocket twin fitted sheet will PROPERLY fit your twin extra long mattress. Also, if you plan to use a jersey twin fitted sheet on your twin XL mattress, be advised that it may lose it shape or shrink after repeated washings and slide off your bed.
Some of the newer residence halls being constructed on campuses today are more like an apartment versus the standard dorm room so students are able to use larger beds. In addition, full size and queen size comforters, 90 inches or longer, can be used to accommodate the additional height of a raised twin XL bed in your dorm room. Lastly, if you are planning to move into your own apartment versus remaining in the residence hall beyond your freshman year, it may be a wiser investment to purchase a larger comforter or duvet set that can be used in both spaces. Your bed linens such as a your fitted sheet, mattress topper, and mattress pad must be manufactured to fit your mattress size (i.e. twin or twin XL) but you can definitely get away with a larger comforter or duvet and save money!Full comforters and duvets are 80” wide by 86 to 89” long, the same length as standard twin bedding. The additional width of a full comforter or duvet can be used to accommodate the height of your RAISED twin bed, providing more fabric on the sides.
It definitely increases your selection of twin bedding for college. Repeating patterns and solid colors work best.Most queen comforters and duvets are 86” wide by 90” or longer,the same length as twin XL bedding. The added width of a queen comforter or duvet can be used to accommodate the height of your RAISED twin XL bed, providing more fabric on the sides. It definitely increases your selection of twin XL bedding for college. Repeating patterns and solid colors work bestExtended Twin Bedding, Twin Extra Long Bedding, TXL Bedding, XLT Bedding, Twin Extended Bedding, Extra Long Twin BeddingWith so many American mills closing these days, it's difficult to offer a wide selection of bedding that is only American made. However, because DormSmart believes in supporting US based businesses, our bedding is either Made in the USA or Imported by a US Based Distributor who creates jobs for Americans. In a nutshell, if you are shopping for American made dorm bedding, you can find it on DormSmart's virtual shelves, even twin XL.
The bedding's origin is easily found on each product listing, just like the dimensions. ;)If for some reason you are unable to locate the information you require, please remember, we are human and contact us. While we strive for perfection, sometimes we fall short and need to make a correction.A poly cotton blend is exactly that... a blend of polyester and cotton. While a poly cotton blend fabric is durable and wrinkle resistant, it generally takes several washings to soften. A 100% cotton fabric is much softer but tends to wrinkle. It's really a matter of personal preference. , L.L.C., first published March 21, 2010 and last updated on July 29, 2015.One Third of Your Life Is Spent In Bed, So it Better Be Comfortable It’s shocking isn’t it when you put into perspective how much time you actually spend in bed, and it’s true: on average each person spends up to one third of their lives sleeping! (or trying to at least) Perhaps this is why some people are prepared to spend thousands of dollars on a mattress that has all the latest in comfort technology.
Perhaps that’s also why there are manufacturers on the market that bring affordable mattresses to the market that have just the same effect as those that cost so much. You may notice I have used the word “mattress” here instead of mattress topper or pad, and considering you’re reading my section on mattress toppers you might be a little confused. But the reason for this is that I happen to think the mattress pad I’m about to review for you can do a very good job at both, or at least the 4 inch will. The model I’m talking about is the Soft Sleeper 5.5 memory foam mattress topper (or pad depending on which way you prefer to term them). This mattress pad has been constructed (in the USA!) using the next generation in memory foam technology in the form of 5.5 visco elastic foam. The memory foam used is heat sensitive so it keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter. I happen to love this feature because heat is a common complaint I come across with both memory foam mattresses and toppers, and this is one of the first mattress pads I’ve come across that has incorporated heat sensitivity into their design.
What I like most about this mattress topper, and this is where I get to the fact you can use this as a mattress if you want to, is it contours to the shape of your body (unlike a lot of other brands out there that just create additional padding). This means you can use this mattress pad over the top of your existing mattress, or, if you want to it will serve you well on top of a futon, sofa bed, airbed and even a camper. Although I will point out that you should be careful with the sizing in this respect. I have used the 4 inch model as an example for the main review here, and considering it’s a 5.5 density you can expect a softer than average result when you lie on it. This is also worth noting if you suffer badly with back or neck pain. This one is available in: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King and Twin XL. Plus, Soft Sleeper are so confident you will love their mattress topper, they offer a 100 night sleep trial and if you decide you like it, you can expect a 10 year limited warranty.
Of course, this depth will benefit those of you who prefer a firmer feel underneath you when you sleep, so if you are a side sleeper and are considering this mattress topper (or any for that matter) for the first time, I would recommend you take a look at the 4 inch. That said this is still 5.5lb density so it will offer the same sort of support as the 4 inch. The 3 Inch is also available in the same sizes as the one above, however you only get a 30 night sleep trial as oppose to 100. The limited warranty is the same though. What surprised me when I first took a look at this size in the Soft Sleeper range is you get what they term as a “shredded” pillow in with the price. Not just that but it’s huge! The manufacturer certainly hasn’t “scrimped” on the foam they have used inside the included pillow. In fact, it may take a bit of getting used to in the beginning. There are a couple of points I would like to make that refer to all of the above depths. The first is that none of them come with a cover so be prepared to factor this into the cost if you want your new mattress topper to stay clean.