Why do guests not use sheets?

[Stacey58]

I've noticed lately that, despite where a guest is from (US, EU, Asia, Latin America), about 75% of them don't sleep under the flat sheet -- they sleep only under the comforter. Our housekeeper who cleans the apartment is also a housekeeping supervisor at a local hotel and she hasn't any idea why people aren't using the sheet, either. We change the sheets for every guest and our housekeeper does a professional bed-making job so that it's not only clean but *looks* clean.

Our apartment is on the lower level of our house and has the potential to be chilly, so I would expect guests to complain about not being warm enough. So it isn't a problem, per se (other than the fact that there is more direct contact with the comforter), but just cuious if others have experienced this.

Happy hosting!

Stacey

[Emiel1]

@Stacey58,

This 'bed-making' issue has been discussed in several other postings in this community, you can search for them. Using flat sheets + comforter is in my area an "old" system, nowadays the comforter ("duvet")  is inside a duvet cover and the bottom flat sheet is a fitted sheet.So there is no mistake how to use it. Which is the case with the two sheets, so it needs explanation to people not used to it. 

Best regards,

Emiel

[Christina0]

I've done some traveling in Europe and Asia and 90% of the time there is no flat sheet on the bed, only a duvet with its clean cover. I actually grew up not using a flat sheet in Denmark. It's very common there. For a long time I used a flat sheet and a duvet/cover in my Airbnb cottage and a few visitors would not use the sheet. One time I decided to remove the sheet and the couple I hosted were furious that there was no flat sheet. Oy vey...I brought it back. I guess they had never traveled in Europe or Asia...

[Emiel1]

@Christina0

It is allways an interesting topic. Different cultures, different expectations. I also provide a fleece blanket (it's in the closet) for if there is a cold night. Some guests, all from the African continent, took the blanket and put in on the matras on top of the fitted sheet and slept on it...

I have a guest from Denmark next week, i do not expect problems with the bedding !

Best regards,

Emiel

[Stacey58]

Thanks, Christina -- I'm aware of the duvet-only in other parts of the world. I guess I'm just most suprised by Americans not using it. Thinking about putting it in my welcome note, i.e. "note to global travelers: an additional sheet is used with the comforter to provide more warmth." We'll see -- probably too much info! 🙂

[Rebecca0]

Having read in several places that many Americans do not wash the comforter cover between guests (ugh), I will always use the flat sheet in US if there is one.  I think the duvet-only system is becoming far more wide-spread these days, thank Ikea for that I guess.

[Sam397]

@Rebecca0, I believe the reasoning behind not washing the comforter or even a blanket after every stay is because its assumed people will sleep between the two sheets and their skin doesn't come in contact with the blanket or comforter therefor not needing to be washed as often. 

[Gordon0]

It makes me feel a little queasy that a host assumes a guest might not have had their derrière, dirty or otherwise, sat on the comforter.

If it has been in a room when guests have been in there, it needs washing. 

Thankfully, this whole comforter lark is dying out, thanks to duvets (and yes, Ikea).

 

[Emilia42]

The only thing I can think of is that sometimes when the sheet is super tight and crisp on the bed, I don't even realize I'm not under it. It just blends in with the fitted sheet. 

I don't like a single flat sheet and do not use them at home (only a duvet.) In my airbnb, I use two flat sheets to surround a down feather blanket. This way I can wash the flat sheets between every guest and don't have to bother with tying a comforter into a duvet. The bottom sheet is folded over the top so it looks like one makeshift comforter and the guest is only sliding under one blanket. I used to work at a high-end hotel and this was the method they used.  

[Sandra126]

@Emilia42, it has a name: ''Triple sheet'' for those of us who wants to look it up!

[Emilia42]

Thanks @Sandra126. I never knew that! 

[Sam397]

@Stacey58 you know I have had several people do that as well. I also put clean sheets on the beds before a guest checks in so it's not because they think they are dirty(you can tell when sheets have just been washed) The only thing I can think of is they look at it like most people do wearing used underwear. It doesn't matter if they just came out of the wash, you still don't want to wear somebody else's underwear.

I will make you a deal, the next time one of us has that happen we ask them why they do it then we let the other know their reason. LOL

[Ben551]

 @Stacey58  having done a lot of travelling around Europe, I can say I've encountered this quite often. 

In Europe you mostly get a duvet cover that is like a "sheet envelope" or giant pillow case that is more easily washed and dried than the decorative kind we use in the UK and NZ.  It is therefore considered a 'sheet', along with the fitted bottom sheet and therefore an extra flat sheet is viewed as redundant.  Often, if you pull it apart, you will find that the duvet itself has a protector around it before the sheet envelope goes on it, so there are two layers protecting the filling.

It's just different, and if done correctly is just as practical as having a two sheet + single duvet outer system.  But if folks don't realise you have a single cover on your duvet, they might not understand your system and sleep without using your extra flat sheet.

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

of course, it is extra work to put the duvet inside the duvet cover and then to pull it out. I need an hour to stripe and make 6 beds. It is much easier and quicker to put a flat sheet and duvet on it, and maybe also the third sheet on the top and that's probably the reason why hotels use this techinque.

But I prefer to put duvet inside the duvet cover because it is more hygienic. I can imagine someone sits with a bare but on the duvet, or put his suitcase on it ..... or having a wild s.e.x ....It is easier and cheaper to wash just a duvet cover then the entire duvet after each guest.

Duvet inside the cover is common in Europe and in our 2,5 y of hosting nobody complained

[Kath9]

@Stacey58, I found this a problem at first, particularly with my Asian guests. I have also heard from several European friends that they do not like the top sheet. As @Emiel has said, different cultures, different expectations. I like the top sheet because sometimes the duvet is too much in warmer weather and I prefer the option of just having the sheet.

Anyway, now when I make the bed, I always fold the top sheet over the duvet to make it obvious that they are supposed to sleep under the top sheet - seems to help a lot. I suppose you could always message them and ask them before they arrive whether they would like a top sheet or not?