Do you strip the bed?
By Fleur
@Fleura (34927)
United Kingdom
October 30, 2016 3:56am CST
When you are a house-guest, do you strip the bed?
It never occurred to me to do this; I always just tidy the bed but wouldn’t remove any of the bedding unless asked, because you don’t really know what the host(ess) wants to do with it. But when an old friend came to stay, bringing his girlfriend, I was a bit taken aback to find they had stripped off all the sheets, pillow-cases and duvet cover and heaped them all up on the floor.
Apparently she was brought up that this was the helpful thing to do.
I wasn’t keen because I generally have several layers on the bed; a nice clean pillowcase on top of one or even two older (but clean) ones to protect the pillow itself, and similarly a blanket on the mattress, then an old sheet and then a clean newer one. If a guest has only stayed a night or two then I only change the top layer and I don’t necessarily want them to see the old patched pillowcases etc I have underneath!
What would you do, and how would you tactfully ask your guests not to strip the mattress bare?
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2016.
7 people like this
10 responses
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
30 Oct 16
It depends on the circumstances. Like you, I have the second pillowcase on each pillow....they only get changed when I have had guests stay for a week or more.....or after a couple of pillow case changes. I don't like to see the blankets and linens heaped on the floor unless I am immediately doing my laundry.
Unless asked, I wouldn't presume to strip the bed, but will leave the room with the bed, neat.
2 people like this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
30 Oct 16
I'm not often a guest, but when I have guests, I tell them not to bother making the bed or stripping it when they leave. I prefer to remove the bedding myself and wash various loads when I have the time. I usually have three beds and a variety of towels to wash when I have guests.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
30 Oct 16
strange thing to do - I usually make the bed rather than leaving a guest bed awray but actually removing the sheets is odd - even if stripped resting them folded on the bed would seem better than putting them on the floor
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
30 Oct 16
At a friends house, I would ask them before stripping the bed. When we do self-catering we always strip the beds at the end of our stay.
1 person likes this
@Poppylicious (11134)
• United Kingdom
30 Oct 16
I wouldn't strip the bed and I wouldn't expect guests to do it either. However, if she's been brought up to believe that's the respectful thing to do, then good for her! It shows she's thoughtful.
1 person likes this
@luisadannointed (11842)
• Philippines
30 Oct 16
I do not know, we have different personality, but since it is your house then I guess you have full authority to set the rules. God bless.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17239)
• China
30 Oct 16
I don't think this behaviour becomes a house-guest.At least It shows no respect for the host.What if they stay in a hotel?
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
30 Oct 16
It isn't up to guests to strip the bed, guests are company to my way of thinking. I always take care of that type of thing - clean sheets on before guests come and I strip the beds when they leave.
1 person likes this
