Are you the proud owner of a California king sized bed? Well then of course you know that standard king size sheets will not be sufficient to cover your oversized mattress. What you will need to shop for are California king sheets or a complete California king sheet set.  Yes, there is a difference!  King sized sheets are 5 inches shorter than the California King sized sheets.  Apart from the issue of size, buying the right sheets for your bed really boils down to 3 things:

1. Availability
2. Price
3. Quality

In my experience, complete California king sheet sets are generally easier to find than the individual pieces – fitted sheet, flat top sheet and matching king sized pillow cases.  I once ran all over town trying to find pieces that matched.  I never did find the top sheet in the color that matched what I had already purchased.  By the time I added up my receipts I found that I had spent $12 more than it would have cost me had I purchased a complete set.  And I still did not have the top sheet. Not to mention my time running all over town and gas for the car. What I learned was this, not only are complete sets easier to find and therefore much more convenient, they are also cheaper because of the cost savings from packaging.  Now I even save myself the time and order from a reputable source online where I know that I’ll find the perfect California king sheet every time. 

But there is another, and in my mind very important aspect to buying the right sheet sets for your California King bed--which is quality. 

Quality usually relates to fabric, thread count, finish and durability. There are many fabrics – from cotton to silk and everything in between, but one thing I have learned to look for (the hard way) is: are the sheets pre-shrunk if the material contains cotton or other fabric that will shrink. I cannot tell you how many times I have pulled my brand new sheets out of the dryer only to find that they have shrunk just enough not to fit my mattress anymore.  It is always a good idea to check into the recommended care before you make a purchase.  Once I purchased a sheet set that could only be dry cleaned, and one sheet I had purchased in dark green discolored the rest of my laundry because I ignored “wash separately or with like colors”. Don’t let that happen to you.