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Do you use the top sheet from your sheet set?

This has apparently become quite a controversial subject, with many Millennials seeing no reason to use the top sheet, while older generations are horrified at the idea and think it’s a good call to keep from washing a duvet or quilt all the time.

Sisters-in-law Debbie Morgan and Elaine Shortt have been co-owners of the home furnishings store Thornbloom in Halifax, Nova Scotia for 32 years.

Morgan has seen strong opinions in this bedding debate vary between both staff and customers.

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The tradition of not using it, Morgan explains, originates from Europe.

“It is very European not to use a top sheet, but they wash their duvet cover as often as they wash their sheets.”

She further explains that there is a school of thought that, if you are using a down duvet, it should be in a cotton duvet cover and there should be nothing (ie: a top sheet) between you and the duvet.

Morgan stresses what may not be obvious to everyone: that, for hygienic reasons, it is very important to wash a duvet cover often if you are not using a top sheet.

She says not using a top sheet has also become a generational thing.

Morgan offers one explanation for this generational difference.

“Our generation (Elaine and myself) slept under blankets and comforters, so there was always a top sheet,” she said. “As time went on, duvets became more popular, right around the time we opened Thornbloom in 1990.

“As parents, we made beds for our children with duvets, duvet covers, a top sheet (because that's what we knew) and a fitted sheet. The feel of the duvet cover for this generation was soft so they removed the top sheet and liked the feel of the duvet cover against their skin. For us, we would have had the scratchy feel of wool, etc.”

To use or not use a to sheet is a topic they discuss often in their store. Morgan offers some insight into the age groups that use and don’t use it.

“Ages 40 and up use top sheets,” she said. “Ages 18 to 25 do not. And the gap (ages 26 to 39), are half and half as to whether or not they use it.

“There has also been a trend recently with the younger demographic to prefer quilts over a duvet cover.”

In this particular instance, she stresses people should be using a top sheet.

All of the bed linen in their Thornbloom store is sold individually and although the younger generations are not seeing the need for the top sheet, Morgan says more often than not, customers do purchase the top sheet.

• “I always use the top sheet. My 20-year-old daughter never does.” — Ellen McQuaid, Charlottetown

• “I use a top sheet and wash sheets every weekend, comforter gets washed monthly. Lol. I'm a germaphobe.” — Chay Stright, Summerside

• “I would never make a bed without putting on the top sheet — have always done it. I like it and it saves on washing the quilt and duvet cover every time we change the sheets. Also, when it gets warmer, I often push back the summer duvet and use the top sheet as cover (need something for a better sleep).” — Heather MacLeod, Charlottetown

• “I use the flat sheet, my Millennial does not — this is the truth!” — Tracy Bergman, Sherwood

• “I definitely use it! Keeps the comforter cleaner longer.” Kristina Sweeting, Cornwall

• “As a hot sleeper, the top sheet is the only sheet I want to use. My wife loves blankets and pillows on the bed. I would be happy with a sheet on the floor and a cold rock for a pillow.” — Shawn Ferreira, moving to P.E.I. at the end of July.

• “If I use a top sheet I kick it to the bottom of the bed while I sleep … so 9/10, I don't use it.” — Stephanie Mueller, Winslow South

• “We are still top sheet users at our house. The comforters usually get kicked back in summer and the sheet is our cover!” Roberta Smith, Frenchfort

• “I use the top sheet because I'm an old fuddy-duddy who hails from the time before duvets were ever thought of. However, I found myself trying the explain the principles of a top sheet to my then 14-year-old granddaughter who was clearly baffled by the whole thing, nor do I believe she ever got her head around what a top sheet is!” — Margaret Lesley Gladstone, North Rustico

• “No top sheet. I no longer buy a sheet set as we just use the fitted one and a bamboo knit/thermal style blanket in place of the top sheet. It gets washed when the fitted sheet does, but it doesn't end up all balled up at my feet like a sheet. It is also much better for regulating temperature for hot flashes and cold winter nights.” — Lori Mistedwood, North Milton

• “Always — Mom always folded the top sheet down over any other bedding so she wasn’t washing everything all the time. With a wringer/washer, who could blame her? So, I always did the same. We rented a cottage one summer and they only supplied a bottom sheet with a duvet. I thought it strange.” — Betty Roach, Brudenell

• “I’m a Millennial and also agree with the no top sheet! It just gets bundled up at the foot of the bed.” Krista Cooke, Knutsford

• “We have done away with the flat sheet and use a mattress cover and fitted sheet with a cotton duvet cover on a feather duvet. Wash all but the duvet itself every week and the mattress cover bi-weekly. The duvet gets washed every couple of months.” — Karen Charette, Charlottetown

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