College dorm beds

[Anonymous]

I am so confused. I know that the bed is a twin xl. Beyond getting sheets, comforter and a pillow, what else am I supposed to get? I don’t understand what goes on top of the mattress and what it is intended for. Mattress topper? Mattress pad? Mattress cover? Foam? Gel? Waterproof? Please help me out and send me a link of what to get and tell me why.

[Anonymous]

College beds tend to have mattresses that are fully sealed in vinyl (or similar), which means large, rigid edge seams and a waterproof surface. Putting a sheet right over that just isn't super comfy. Get whatever will make your kid comfortable and that they themselves can maintain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am so confused. I know that the bed is a twin xl. Beyond getting sheets, comforter and a pillow, what else am I supposed to get? I don’t understand what goes on top of the mattress and what it is intended for. Mattress topper? Mattress pad? Mattress cover? Foam? Gel? Waterproof? Please help me out and send me a link of what to get and tell me why.

Can you see any pics online of the dorm rooms or ask in any forums for your specific college what the mattress situation is? Where my DS is going, the mattresses are like vinyl-covered pieces of cardboard - very thin and uncomfortable. I would not classify it as an actual mattress like most people have on their beds at home. So I got him a 4" mattress topper where the bottom 2" is an egg crate and the top 2" is like padded memory foam so that his bed is more comfortable. I also got a thin waterproof mattress cover. This is to put over the mattress topper/mattress combo and is to protect everything underneath from any exposure to... ahem... liquids or spills. Like when he wakes up in the middle of the night and realizes that he has "spilled Gatorade" all over his bed. He can just take the sheet and mattress cover off and wash it (or throw it away) and the mattress topper has been spared.

I just searched Amazon and picked a topper and cover with a median price - they have tons to choose from. It's overwhelming. I don't think you can go wrong.

[Anonymous]

A quick ask chat gpt can help you understand what a mattress cover and mattress topper are…although the words are quite self explanatory. What exactly are you asking?

[Anonymous]

You might have to be part of the “dorms on a dime” fb group to see this post, but if not (or if you want to join - I’ve found it to be a fantastic resource!) this is super helpful in seeing all the layers and in sorting out some of the options in toppers (foam! gel! copper infusions!)

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=24119099277685095&id=7548409455180672

[Anonymous]

We bought a $50 foam mattress topper off Amazon for DC, which has served him so well that he prefers it to his bed at home.

[Anonymous]

Mattress > foam/gel mattress topper (they range from 2-4 inches thick) > mattress pad (like a quilted fitted sheet > fitted sheet > flat sheet > blanket (optional)) > comforter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You might have to be part of the “dorms on a dime” fb group to see this post, but if not (or if you want to join - I’ve found it to be a fantastic resource!) this is super helpful in seeing all the layers and in sorting out some of the options in toppers (foam! gel! copper infusions!)

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=24119099277685095&id=7548409455180672

+1, and she posts all the best sales on the items!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so confused. I know that the bed is a twin xl. Beyond getting sheets, comforter and a pillow, what else am I supposed to get? I don’t understand what goes on top of the mattress and what it is intended for. Mattress topper? Mattress pad? Mattress cover? Foam? Gel? Waterproof? Please help me out and send me a link of what to get and tell me why.

Can you see any pics online of the dorm rooms or ask in any forums for your specific college what the mattress situation is? Where my DS is going, the mattresses are like vinyl-covered pieces of cardboard - very thin and uncomfortable. I would not classify it as an actual mattress like most people have on their beds at home. So I got him a 4" mattress topper where the bottom 2" is an egg crate and the top 2" is like padded memory foam so that his bed is more comfortable. I also got a thin waterproof mattress cover. This is to put over the mattress topper/mattress combo and is to protect everything underneath from any exposure to... ahem... liquids or spills. Like when he wakes up in the middle of the night and realizes that he has "spilled Gatorade" all over his bed. He can just take the sheet and mattress cover off and wash it (or throw it away) and the mattress topper has been spared.

I just searched Amazon and picked a topper and cover with a median price - they have tons to choose from. It's overwhelming. I don't think you can go wrong.

This is so weird. What is your son doing to his bed that necessitates so many sheets and mattress covers being thrown away? Seriously, most teen boy mishaps can be tossed in the washing machine by him, quickly and discretely. I have no idea what you are talking about here.

[Anonymous]

My son also uses a mattress topper— it is quite thick and provides a layer of “comfort” atop the thin, vinyl covered mattress. Then just the usual sheets.
Sorry, can’t recall which one we bought.

[Anonymous]

My friend made her son’s bed for him at move-in with topper, waterproof mattress pad, fitted sheet, waterproof mattress pad, fitted sheet. The extra set of pad and sheet already on the bed meant he took the top set off halfway through the semester and had a clean set underneath. Not ideal, but better than never changing the sheets at all, and she says she knows her son and he would never fully strip, wash, and remake a bed as a freshman.

He apparently had actually done exactly as she expected (removed the top set and left them in a heap in a hamper) when they picked him up for winter break so I guess it worked. Not sure if she repeated the process for spring, I haven’t asked.

[Anonymous]

standard issue mattress is thin (maybe 6 inches) vinyl, most people add a mattress topper (I buy the expensive Sleepyhead because there's no off gassing and it comes with a protective waterproof cover and if you get sleepyhead, not need for additional mattress pad), if you get the inexpensive blue foam topper, add a (waterproof mattress pad), then XL sheets and whatever blanket and/or comforter/quilt/duvet your kid likes. You don't need multiple sets of sheets but I did send pillows with protective cover and 2 cases already on the pillow. DS was diligent about regular laundry but pretty laxed about changing his sheets (he claims there were never enough washing machines to do more than one load at time). He did wash his pillow cases weekly.

[Anonymous]

Mine got a foam mattress topper, not sure the brand or anything, before sophomore year and said it made a huge difference

[Anonymous]

I agree with the poster who said it’s not a real mattress. Until I saw it in the dorm, I didn’t really understand. They are more like the super cheap, thin ikea mattresses and the outer part is essentially a slippery plastic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A quick ask chat gpt can help you understand what a mattress cover and mattress topper are…although the words are quite self explanatory. What exactly are you asking?

Everyone else understood and gave helpful answers. You just wanted to be an @$$.