<p>Does the pad go under the sheets or above the bed? If the pad goes on top of the bed and sheets, what's the point of getting the sheets?</p>
<p>Sheets do not replace a mattress pad. The mattress pad protects/covers the mattress. It goes over the mattress, under the sheets. In my household we wash the sheets much more frequently than the mattress pad.</p>
<p>All the ones I’ve seen go under the sheets; the pad is just there for a little extra comfort. If I were you I’d spring for the memory foam topper. They aren’t that expensive and make even crappy dorm beds feel good.</p>
<p>The mattress pad goes under the sheets and covers the mattress. There are mattress covers that helps protect from allergens and dust mites - these encase the mattress and have a zipper closure. That is what I got for my son as those mattresses in the college dorms could get pretty skanky being used form student to student. I also got the memory foam topper. He kept the mattress protector on all year and just changed/washed the sheets.</p>
<p>Yeah get some sheets haha</p>
<p>OP, have you ever made your bed before?</p>
<p>Or at least watched someone make your bed? Try sleeping on your mattress pad for a night or two - you won’t be very comfortable.</p>
<p>No I never used a mattress pad at home before but only bought one because someone suggested it</p>
<p>Yeah, you need sheets.</p>
<p>I mean, you don’t <em>need</em> sheets, but they’ll be nice to have. I hated the one night in college when I had to sleep without sheets but still had my mattress pad.</p>
<p>Oh alright. Thanks for the help! I’ll probably for to BB&B this weekend to get a memory foam. Is there a specific type I should look for?</p>
<p>[Bed</a> Bath & Beyond - Comfort Supreme Plus Five-Zone Foam Mattress Topper](<a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=112705&RN=690]Bed”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=112705&RN=690)</p>
<p>You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a memory foam mattress topper. You can get a cheaper egg crate foam mattress topper as pictured in the above link.</p>
<p>Put the foam pad on the mattress. Then, put the mattress pad over the foam pad. Then, put the sheets over the mattress pad. You can skip the foam pad–the advantage of having one is that makes the cheap dorm mattress feel a little softer.</p>
<p>No, not egg crate foam. Memory foam. There is a HUGE difference. Overstock.com usually has the best prices. I think that 3 inches is enough, since you can get the largest size they have for about $100 (all sizes cost the same) and then fold it over.</p>
<p>i agree with chuy. my girlfriend had egg crate foam, and it sucked. my memory foam was superior; we both agreed.</p>
<p>oh, and i’m just going to plug jersey knit sheets here. they’re the absolute best ever.</p>
<p>This thread made lulz.</p>
<p>I got this mattress pad from target and was just thinking of putting that over the bed and putting the sheets over the pad and bed with no foam.</p>
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<p>This.
I’m just waiting for someone to make a thread asking “Do I need to bring an oxygen tank to college?”</p>
<p>Well it was a really general question. Don’t be so rude or just don’t express your ideas at all?</p>
<p>You’re right. Commonsense is a luxury. I’m sorry you were deprived.</p>
<p>I’ve never used a mattress pad in my life before until arriving at college, so commonsense does not apply to knowledge one does not have.</p>