I keep three sets of linens for every bed in our vacation rental. I have one set on the bed and an extra set in the closet in case there is a spill or accident in the night. The third set is in our storage unit just in case I have a tight turn and don't have time to get all of the laundry done.
The beds all have comforters with blankets or duvets with quilts, but just in case I also keep an extra blanket in each closet too. It should be plenty warm in the bed without the blanket, but there are some people who have poor circulation and like an extra blanket. Our beds are so comfortable and we get a lot of compliments from guests about them.
I've been having a problem with people opening up the extra linens and leaving them lying around. Sometimes they look like someone has used them and other times it looks like they unpacked it just to see what it was. (All of the linen bags are clear and labeled on the outside.) Regardless of whether it looks used or not I have to wash the extra linens just to be sure.
I'm sure it's complicated by the fact that we have a fun feature of the "kids" bedroom of forts under the eaves, which are supplied with a foam mattress, sleeping bag, and sleeping bag liner. Sometimes the blankets have been used in those instead of the sleeping bag. When that happens the kids never use sheets. I have never once had a guest use the sleeping bag liners with the sleeping bags despite the note on the bag that says to use it. My theory is that the parents are letting the kids fend for themselves and the kids are exploring the selection of bedding and improvising.
It usually happens in the rooms where the kids have been sleeping, but it happens in the other rooms too. Guests have pulled out comforters and left them on the living room floor. Sometimes they don't unpack the linens but take them out of the closet and leave them in another room. Why??? One time a guest used the blanket from the closet to create a bed on the floor for their infant, despite the fact we provide a portable crib with bedding. I'd much rather clean drool and poop off of crib sheets than a full size blanket.
Some version of thoughtlessly messing with the extra linens has happened with every single guest we've had. I'm not talking about the people who pulled out the extra blanket and clearly used it on the bed. That happens too, and it's normal behavior.
I tried putting the extra linens on the top shelves in the rooms where that is possible. It hasn't helped. I'm thinking about buying a chest to lock up the linens and provide a key within reach of adults. I'm also thinking about putting signs around with my first whacky host rule for people with kids that they not allow their children to unpack bed linens without supervision. I feel like a crazy person even saying that. Who really needs to be told this???
Does anyone have any other ideas? I want people to feel welcome. I don't want to have a bunch of weird rules or signs in every bedroom. I want them to have the extra linens in case they need them, but not to strew all over the house.
I love hosting. I really like my guests. How do I keep them from rifling through the extra linens?
Thanks!
Farm Diva