How to Make a Bed the Marine Way

The Marine Corps and luxury hotels share in common one thing they do well; make impeccable beds. While the military style of making beds is a part of teaching discipline that soldiers need, it also makes the bed look very neat and well-kept, which is something hotels strive for. The key to a smooth, marine-style bed is hospital corners, which create a precise smooth look to your sheets. With a little patience and practice, you too can create a bed that would pass Marine standards and impress friends and family.

Bottom sheet
Top sheet
Blanket
Pillow

Instructions

- 1
  Spread the bottom sheet across the bed so that it hangs evenly on all sides.
- 2
  Tuck the sheet in at the bottom of the bed between the mattress and box spring. Make sure the sheet lays smooth and is not bunched up underneath the mattress.
- 3
  Stand at the head of the bed and pull up the sheet so that it is very tight, and then tuck the sheet underneath the mattress just as you did with the bottom end. The head and foot end of the sheets should now both be tucked in with the sides still hanging off the bed.
- 4
  Return to the foot of bed and pick up a corner of the sheet on one side of the bed about 16 inches from the bed's end.
- 5
  Hold one finger down on the very edge of the corner and lift the sheet with the other hand.
- 6
  Tuck in the part of the sheet you are holding up that is closest to the end of the bed, ensuring it is smoothly tucked under.
- 7
  Place your index finger on the corner so that the sheet falls over your finger when you drop the part you are holding up. Pull the sheet down over your finger at a 45-degree angle.
- 8
  Remove you finger and tuck the sheet in tightly, all the way to the head of the bed, to complete the hospital corner. Smooth any wrinkles as you tuck under, and repeat at all four corners of the bed.
- 9
  Spread the top sheet over the bottom sheet so that the the top edge meets the top of the mattress.
- 10
  Spread a blanket on top, setting the top six inches from the top of the top sheet and tuck in together at the bottom of the bed.
- 11
  Fold the top of the sheet that is still visible over the blanket, then fold the blanket and the sheet together down about four inches. Then fold over another four inches.
- 12
  Smooth the wrinkles and tuck in the sheet and the blanket sides using hospital corners again. Add your pillow and you've created a military-style bed.

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