All about linen and bedding sets

[Lizzie]

Hello everyone,

A topic that we talk about fairly regularly here in the Community Center is around how to manage linens and bed sheets, especially when it comes to providing them, changing them and washing them. We also see hosts ask what colour linen others think are the most welcoming, but also the most managable when used regularly.

There are quite a lot of different solutions that hosts adopt, many of which are based on the type of accomodation you offer, but one of common concerns is around controlling costs. Perhaps you have a plan of how often you change the bedding and replace it, perhaps you have little tips like applying a mattress cover to help prevent ware, perhaps you choose to wash your linen at a certain temperature to make them last longer.

How can you offer an excellent service and keep in budget at the same time? 

Please share your tips on how to manage linens and bed sheets, and get inspired by the solutions suggested by other hosts. Please give a “thumbs up” on your favorite ideas shared by others!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Lizzie

[Fiona-and-Keith-and-Fami0]

I get my hotel sheets from Sam's Club. They're more expensive than any other sets I've seen at Sam's or Costco, but well worth it. The fabric itself feels thicker than most high-count sheets so they have lasted a very long time. One set of sheets we bought has lasted us at least 7 years but we rotate this set with a few other sets of sheets. They are cut generously so you will have plenty of sheet to tuck in. The elastic around the bottom is at least 1"/2.5 cm wide so it never loses its elasticity and is easy to grip when you're pulling it over the corners. The set also comes with 4 pillow slips. I just received a set for our own (king) bed because my husband kept wearing through the bottom sheets regardless how frequently I took them off the bed; the fabric just wore thinner and thinner on his side. I won't have to worry about that for a long time with Sam's hotel sheet sets. I have bought both the plain and the stripe-woven sets. I went with the woven stripe set for our bed because I have a hunch the weave will wear better over time because of the over-and-under switching of the threads during the weaving process. https://www.samsclub.com/p/members-mark-700-thread-count-egyptian-cotton-sheet-set/prod25761160?xid=...

[Chris1612]

Thanks so much for your information. What is the name of your linen supplier?

[Hella4]

Hello, how come there isn't a fee-option for supplying bed linnen? I charge my guests no cleaning fee but charge linnen and towel with a "washing-fee". In that way pendlers, that bring their own duve/quits etc. save the environment and money.
It would be great with a tick-off box sayng "bed-linnen and towels". 

Thank you.

[Stella207]

great point!

[Sarah977]

I do not iron sheets. They get washed, shaken out and hung on the line, then smoothed flat before folding. I've never had a guest complain that the sheets weren't ironed, in fact, most comment on how pretty and comfortable the bed is.

I use colorful sheets, some patterned. Mix and match. As a seamtress, I make a lot of my own pillowcases in awesome patterns and some sheets as well.

[Louise-And-Jef0]

I take the same approach, having abandoned ironing the bed linen after a few months as too much work and have had no complaints in our two years plus of operation. We also do not provide towels for the same reason. This is clearly stated on our site and repeated in the acceptance. Also, here again no complaints. We do make exceptions for guests arriving from overseas.  The French, however, may have different expectations than Americans. For example, for almost every time a guest has helped him/herself to our stock of toilet paper, others have contributed the rolls they brought with them !

[Kristine65]

I have a question, When I pull my sheets from the dryer, they have hair on them. It is so frustrating. I end up pulling it off, but it takes time. Are there sheets that will repell hair or something I can add to the dryer. This is just human hair. Thanks

[Melanie-And-David0]

We have a lint roller in our cleaning kit, so if we make the bed and find hair on the clean sheets, we have a tool handy!

[Sarah977]

If I were a guest, I would specifically mention to the host before my stay to please not use fabric softener or dryer sheets on the linen they provided for me. I find the chemical smell of those things disgusting.

[Lizzie]

It is fantastic to hear you make your own pillow cases @Sarah977, it would be great to see what they look like can you post a photo here? 

It is great you wash your sheets in chemical free products, how do you wash your sheets? Are there particular chemical free or more natural products you use? 

[Sarah977]

I didn't exactly say that I wash my sheets in chemical free products- I use regular biodegradable laundry soap. I just don't use fabric softener or dryer sheets (I don't even have a dryer, I have a clothesline) becuase I find the smell of those things just awful.

I'll try to post a photo of my bedding style and pillowcases when I have the time, which is at a premium now 🙂

[Lizzie]

Aw I got you, sorry about that @Sarah! It is surpricing how you get use to the smell of the washing product you use and if you don't like one type. 

I recently got a a washing machine that also has a drying function on it. I am using the drying option a little at the moment as the weather isn't always that predictable, but I am looking forward to sunnier weather, so I can hang the clothes and sheets on the line outside. I think it is nice to give sheets a bit of an airing at the same time! 

[Marzena4]

I have a few standards in my place to accommodate the length of stay and the season of the year.

1-2 night stays - quick-to-dry sets - 70x80cm pillow cases, 160x200 duvet case, fitted sheet. It perfectly washes at 30-40 degrees. No need to iron. Mostly coloured to match the interior or simply nice patterns.

For stays of 3 nights and above - cotton, bright colour linen same size as above. Cotton of that type has to be washed at 60 degrees, otherwise the white part becomes grey.

I also have some darker linen. Recently on a sale I bought a white hotel-type set to try it out. When I was a kid I mastered the craft of sewing and I own a sewing machine, which gives me a lot of flexibility with adjustments and even repairs.

And as for sales, I look for bargains and something unusual at times. Below my catch of the last weekend:

[Sarah977]

Love it. My bedding style is similar- colorful and interesting.

[Lizzie]

 Very jazzy bedding @Marzena4 🙂 Do you have similar themes running throughout your listings?

It is so interesting hearing about all the different washing temperatures and cycles everyone uses.  

Have you ever made your own bed spreads/pillows like @Sarah977?