1. 

   
   1
   Clear the bed. Whether you're making your bed after getting up in the morning or after washing your sheets, the first thing to do is to clear the bed. Be sure to take off pillows, stuffed animals, comforter, e.t.c.

   • Take the duvet/blanket off, the top sheet and any pillows and set them aside (preferably not on the floor).
   • You can leave the fitted sheet (the one with the elasticated corners) on the bed.
2. 

   
   2
   Put the fitted sheet on. If the fitted sheet is not already on the bed, you will need to put it on. Do this by tucking the elasticated ends of the sheet around the corners of the mattress.

   • Make sure the sheet is tucked tightly around the corners of the mattress - you may need to lift the mattress slightly to achieve this.
   • Make sure the fitted sheet sits smoothly on top of the mattress, without any creases or wrinkles.
3. 

   
   3
   Put the top sheet on. Next, take the top sheet and spread it over the bottom sheet. Remember that the side with the large hem should go at the top of the bed and the hem should be aligned with the head of the mattress.

   • If your sheets are patterned, the patterned side should face down (so you can see the pattern when the top of the sheet is folded back).
   • Make sure the top sheet is spread evenly over the mattress, with the same length of sheet hanging over both sides of the bed.
4. 

   
   4
   Make hospital corners. The term "hospital corner" refers to a specific method of folding the end of the top sheet tightly under the mattress. It is the trickiest step in making a bed, but is also the part which will make your bed look neatest.^[1]

   • To make a hospital corner, tuck the end of the top sheet between the mattress and box springs at the foot of the bed. Don't just stuff it in though, make sure it is smooth and wrinkle free.
   • On one side, grab a piece of the top sheet approximately 16 inches (40.6 cm) away from the foot of the bed. Lift it up and fold this section of sheet over the top of the mattress, so it forms a 45 degree angle from the corner of the mattress.
   • Holding the folded piece of sheet in place on top of the mattress, tuck in any sheet hanging below the mattress on that side of the bed. Do this as neatly as possible for best results.
   • Now, let the folded piece of sheet on top of the mattress drop down. If you prefer looser sheets, you can stop here. But if you prefer to tuck your sheets tightly, you can tuck the hanging edge of sheet smoothly between mattress and box springs, all the way along the side of the bed.^[2]
   • Repeat on the opposite side of the bed. For more detailed step-by-step instructions and pictures on how to make hospital corners, see this article.
5. 

   
   5
   Place the duvet or comforter on top. Once the top sheets is tucked in place, you can lay your blankets, duvet or comforter on top.

   • Make sure the duvet is spread evenly over the bed, with the same amount of overhang on each side of the bed.
   • The top edge of the duvet/comforter/blanket should be about 6 inches (15.2 cm) away from the edge of the top sheet at the head of the bed.
6. 

   
   6
   Fold the top sheet and duvet down. Take the edge of the top sheet at the head of the bed and neatly fold it back over the top edge of the duvet, blanket or comforter. Notice how you can see the pattern on the inside of the sheet now?

   • If you're using a blanket or thin comforter, you can fold the blanket and sheet back together, so the hem of the sheet is no longer visible. Duvets are usually a little too thick to fold.
   • If you like, you can tuck the edges of the folded blanket and sheet underneath the mattress for a very neat and tightly-made bed. This is how they do it in the military!^[3]
7. 

   
   7
   Fluff the pillows. Grab your pillows and give them a good fluffing before you place them of the bed. To fluff a pillow, grab it on either side and squeeze the sides together before releasing - kind of like playing an accordion!^[4]

   • Smooth out the pillow cases then lay each pillow flat at the head of the bed, to fill the space between the folded over duvet and the headboard.
   • If you have more than two pillows (on a queen bed) stack the extra two pillows directly on top of the bottom ones.
8. 

   
   8
   Add the finishing touches. Now your bed is almost complete!

   • To finish it off, take any decorative cushions or pillows you might have and place them in an upright position at the head of the bed, leaning against the sleeping pillows for support.
   • If you have an additional blanket, quilt or throw blanket that you like to keep on your bed for aesthetic purposes (or in case it gets cold!), fold it neatly in half and lay it evenly over the bottom half of the bed.

traditional

Preparing for Bed Making:

• Remove soiled bed linen from the bed.
• Look at the mattress pad / mattress protector to see if it is stained, torn or damaged. If it is not straighten it and make sure the mattress and box spring are even.
• Always adjust the mattress with your leg and not with your back to avoid any injuries.

• If the mattress pad is stained then remove it.

• Get a clean mattress pad and place it on the mattress:
• Lay the fresh pad on the bed.
• Unfold the pad right-side up and spread it evenly over the centre of the bed.
• Smooth out any wrinkles.
• Mattress pads / mattress protector comes in different size, be sure to use the correct size.
• Make sure you have the correct size sheets.
• Do not use a stained or torn sheet. Place them immediately in your solid linen bag.
• Take three fresh sheets and 04 pillow cover / slips as per the bed size.

Making the bed:

• Pull the bed a little away from the headboard.
• Spread the 1st bed sheet and tuck the bottom side of the bed except for the four corners.
• Take the loose end of the sheet, about a foot from the corner at the head of the bed and pull it straight out, foaming a flap. Pull up the flap so it is flat.
• Tuck in the free part of the corner.
• Pull the flap out toward you and down over the side of the bed. Tuck the flap in.
• Move to the corner at the foot of the bed on the same side of the bed and repeat the procedure.
• Spread the second sheet the wrong side up, from the edge of mattress.
• Put Quilt 6” lower than the 2nd sheet.
• Spread the third sheet over the quilt.
• Fold the second sheet above the quilt and the third sheet and make a fold approximately 6” to 8”.
• Tightly tuck the sheets under the mattress.
• Go towards the foot of the bed and tightly tuck the second sheet, quilt and third sheet together.
• Maitre the corners.
• Inset the pillows into the new pillowcase and tuck in the loose ends.
• Repeat this process for the other pillows.
• Place the pillow on the bed with the tucked edges facing the centre and the tucked flaps on the other side of the pillows.
• Position the bedspread on the bed with equal amounts hanging over both sides and the foot of the bed.
• Report to the supervisor if you notice stains or tears in the bedspread.
• Smooth the bedspread over the pillows to the head of the bed.
• Tuck the remaining of the bedspread under the front edge of the pillows.
• Smooth the surface of the bed.
• Check the bedspread for evenness on both sides.
• Push back bed towards the side of headboard in the exact position.
• All the four corners of the bed is mitered properly. Bed linen is stain free and properly pressed. Bed has to be firm.
• Distance of the pillow from Headboard to the fold of the bed is approximately 20”.

Training Summary questions:

Q1. What all to be looked for while removing the bed linen?

Q2. Why should the mattress be adjusted with the leg?

Q3. What to be done if you find a torn of soiled bed spread / bed cover?

Q4. What should be the distance of the pillow from headboard to the bed fold?

Q5. How to position the bed spread / bed cover on the bed?