Houseguests - make or strip the bed when leaving?

[MrsPoliportsGoose]

Just that really. I have had houseguests to stay in the past who do one or the other.

Stripping the bed obviously makes my life easier, but I've been told by some that this is rude and suspicious (why?).

I'm a houseguest this week and am unsure what the etiquette is, and for various reasons don't feel comfortable asking the host!

So should I strip or make?

I make the bed and leave as I found it, never stripped a bed and wouldn't expect my guests to either

Make the bed.

Just had guests and the bed was left made.

I would make it. Also why are
you their house guest if you feel uncomfortable asking them what you should do lol

I would probably just make the bed or perhaps ask them what they would prefer.

I ask the host what they want me to do.

Is this really a question?

I don't know them at all!

I've been at an academic conference and some of the professors have opened up their homes for visitors for free. Very kind of them so wanted to make sure I wasn't offending anyone.

I asked around to see what other delegates were doing and have made the bed, tidied the room and left a nice gift.

I would just make it, I think stripping it may reveal a stained mattress or something else that could embarrass your host

It will only take your host a few minutes to strip the bed, she also may not be washing the bed clothes immediately so if you make the bed at least the room will look tidy until she does

I wouldn’t expect guests to strip the bed, most just make it

Strip! I detest stripping beds after people have slept in them, it feels.creepily intimate. I run an air bnb and love the guests who strip the bed there too. It's a job that has to be done, I'm so surprised by the people who prefer to do it themselves, in my ideal world guests would shove them in the washing machine for me too!

I usually fold the duvet back to air the bed, open the window and tidy round.
That way the room looks tidy and the bed is aired if the host prefers to strip the bed in her own time rather than a pile of bedding on the floor.

I usually leave the sheet on and fold the duvet up and leave at the end so they know it’s been used but not leaving the mattress bare!

I've found it can help to just be like "shall I strip the bed?" Cause I think it varies what people prefer. Seems the easiest thing to do and people don't generally mind when it's phrased as an offer.

At a family or friends house I would fold the duvet and sheets back neatly rather than remaking fully. At a holiday cottage I would strip the bed and leave dirty sheets and towels in piles.

I do in parents and siblings houses but nowhere else.

I'd feel ill if I stripped the bed and found a stained mattress or something. Ignorance is bliss.

Make

I wouldn't strip the bed if I stayed with friends/family, unless requested.

Always strip the bed in hotels!

I don't like guest stripping the bed, and some still do it even if you say not to. I much prefer to wash and change the sheets when I need to for the next guest so they clean and fresh sheets on for when they arrive. Also if I've had guests I'm usually behind with clothes washing after a couple of days of hosting, and clothes would be my priority to wash first.

And yet not intrusive to sleep in it 🤣

I ask ' would you like me to strip the bed?'

Some folk say ' yes please' others 'no thanks'

Simple - at least you offered.

I don't mind either way, but when people remake the bed at least I don't have an immediate laundry pressure, and the room remains tidy.

The people that shock me are the guests who leave the room looking someone had a fight with the bed linen.

My father in law has turned out to be quite the pig when he stays, despite me dropping some real sledgehammer hints.

Post first covid lockdown we grabbed a holiday in a cottage. Not cheap. Was shocked to be asked to bring own bedlinen. This was their standard rule, not a covid thing. The mattress in each room was stained 😖I just thought, honestly, if you’re not going to supply sheets make sure your mattresses are immaculate. Won’t be going there again.

I ask if they want me to strip it.

I personally wash the sheets just before the next arrival as the cat likes to sleep on the spare bed so they get hairy.

I just shouted down the stairs ‘shall I strip the bed’ and did what they wanted which was to strip it.

If you can't ask the host, just leave it neatly. Either with bed made, as you found it, or just fold the stripped bedsheets and pillow cases in a stacked pile. But if the underneath pillow cases look a bit yellow or aged - probably best to just make your bed, leave the room neatly and say thank you. No host will ever criticise you for just making the bed as is.

We only ever stay at one place as houseguests and it can be 2 nights or up to 10. Sometimes on the day we are leaving are friends are going to work so not there when we leave. I always strip the bed, put the bedding in the washer and hang it out if still there when done and also make the bed up with fresh bedding.
and vice versa although we are here when they leave as we are both retired.
i think if you are good friends and treat their house like you do your own then why wouldn’t you do as you do at your own home.