You’ll Never Guess What These Clips Are For
November 29, 2025
Source: Reddit
Waking up in the middle of the night tangled in a slipped fitted sheet is nothing but frustrating. The most common problem with the elastic corners of a fitted sheet are that they do not stay in place as we move about during the night. Fortunately there is a very easy answer that is often overlooked or mistaken; bed sheet straps.
Solving a Common Problem
Bed sheet straps look like suspenders (the elastic band part) however instead of being designed to be worn by the user, they are simply two elastic bands with small metal clips attached to the ends. Some people have purchased these thinking they were either a type of fashionable accessory or a shirt stay. It is usually when you attempt to use one of these items as intended and find that the elastic portion is much shorter than your arm span that you discover its actual purpose.
The bed sheet straps attach under the bottom of the mattress. Each strap has two metal clips that connect to two different opposite corners of a fitted sheet. Once the straps are properly tightened, the elastic tension will pull both edges of the sheet back into position so that no matter how many times you toss and turn during the night, the sheet will remain tightly in place.
An Old Solution for a New Problem
Prior to the invention of deep pocket sheets and fitted designs that we use today, people would use sheet straps to ensure that their neatly made beds remained that way. These were commonly found in homes in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
Thicker Mattresses Create a New Problem
Although deeper pockets and better fitting sheets help to prevent a fitted sheet from sliding down the mattress, some thicker mattresses continue to make it difficult to keep the sheet in place. For this reason, bed sheet straps continue to serve the same purpose today.
How to Use Bed Sheet Straps
- Lift the mattress corner slightly.
- Attach the metal clips to the opposite sides of the corner of the fitted sheet.
- Adjust the strap to achieve firm tension.
- Repeat this process for the remaining three corners.
After completing this process, the sheet will remain tightly fitted throughout the night.
Multiple Applications
Bed sheet straps have other uses besides keeping bedding tight and in place. For example, people use them to hold tablecloths in place while hosting an outdoor event. People also use them to keep couch covers in place. As you can see, their versatile design lends itself to multiple useful applications.
Long Lasting, Affordable Solution
Bed sheet straps provide an affordable, long-lasting solution to a very common problem. They are easy to install and once installed they will continue to perform their function day after day.