To ask guests to remove bed sheets on last day of stay?

[Moobear22]

DH family stay over from time to time.
they never remove sheets.
we work full time. Who do they think removes the bed sheets?
to be fair to them, whenever I have stayed at PIL house they insist we leave the beds without stripping sheets when we go.
i don’t have time for excess housework and was always taught to strip bedsheets as a guest.
how do I ask politely for them to strip bed? I want to be welcoming and not rude.

What? You strip beds in a hotel???
I suppose my original gripe with the bedsheet situation is that I feel guests that don't remove bedsheets behave like they're in a hotel.

My MIL is the opposite. She actually strips her bed after a 1 or 2 night stay. Last time she stayed, I took it all back upstairs in front of her and put the sheets back on the bed. We’ve got 2 guest rooms. She’s the only person who uses that particular room. Like fuck am I changing the sheets after a couple of nights!!! I now change them every 3rd visit. Too busy and electric is too expensive for hotel standards!!

I don't have lots of different guests so if, say, my parents have stayed a night or two the chances are the sheets don't need changing because the next visit will also be them!

I bet some MNers are aghast you don't changes the he sheets every day, and have been struck comatose by the mere thought you leave sheets on for weeks between visits! You might as well just inject cholera into them when they next visit!

Hmmm, this is tricky for me. I would not enjoy staying somewhere (even at my own parents), if I wasn't given fresh bedsheets.

I tend to do it as a guest. It seems polite to me. Or at the very least say “is it ok if I strip the bed” / “do you want me to strip the bed”, in case it causes clutter for them whilst they are waiting to get round to that wash.

That said, I’m sure they’d do it if you asked them.

For goodness sake OP! how long does it take to strip bed sheets? about 30 seconds?
Surely you can just do it.

Hmmm, this is tricky for me. I would not enjoy staying somewhere (even at my own parents), if I wasn't given fresh bedsheets.

But MIL is the only person who sleeps in it. So won’t be someone else’s sheets. If she visits frequently, this does make sense.

I suppose my original gripe with the bedsheet situation is that I feel guests that don't remove bedsheets behave like they're in a hotel.

I would love to feel like guests felt like they'd stayed in a hotel after staying in my house, unfussed, unburdened and rested. I sincerely doubt they do, though.

It takes about 60 seconds to strip a bed

My Mum would never have asked a guest BUT as a guest I have asked if the host wants it doing - usually with good friends though. I am always happy when staying with folk to muck in so washing up, playing with kids, close rellies bathing kids or feeding/changing younger ones, chopping up snacks etc but I know this isn't the norm. Had one good friend say to me she always likes it when I come as I don't ask I just get on!

Come on OP, it takes 5 mins. Think you are being a tad dramatic.

Don't have people staying over. I wouldn't ask someone to do this if they are my guest. If you don't want hassle, don't have guests stay overnight.

I have one friend who always strips the bed and I forget to tell her not to every time she comes. It is midly annoying as I'd rather just leave the sheets etc on until I'm ready to wash them, else they are just in the way taking up room in a usually already overflowing laundry basket - we only do laundry once a week, and I usually save bed clothes for a sunny day.

Your either in one camp or the other. I do it as standard as if we are staying with family, it's usually someone's bedroom they've given up for us and not necessarily a guest room so they will be needing it as soon as we've left. I'd tidy up the room and when staying at my mums I would hoover too.

Even if you are the only person who had used those sheets? That seems so decadent!

I would just ask them if I wanted the beds stripped (although I personally would just do it myself, it doesn’t take long).

There was a thread here a while back where someone complained about the opposite, so it‘s impossible for the guests to know what‘s expected unless you tell them.

This. I wouldn't want someone to feel embarrassed about a stained mattress or mattress cover. Stuff happens to us all and I wouldn't judge but it doesn't feel very fair on them.

If it's been me and my boyfriend staying a week at my parents I'd strip bed myself.

We have probably have indulged in sone shenanigans in that time.

Me on own for 2 nights? I'd check with mum who is next staying, me or sister.

Me and sister probably fine to use sheets that other sister been in for a night.

Not so much if either of us had partners their too.

I was brought up to always strip the bed after staying with people to save them a job, so I tend to do it on autopilot as it’s one of those things I can hear my mum telling me off about in my head if I don’t! Especially if we’re with the children as that’s three beds to strip. I usually check with the host now though, as I know some people would rather they were left. Most people who stay with us would do the same, or certainly offer, but I’m not bothered if they don’t.

Tell them to bring sleeping bags

how do I ask politely for them to strip bed?

Please can you strip the beds before you leave.

I think etiquette dictates that your guests should ask your preference, and that sounds right to me. As a host your guests should feel welcome, so you asking them to do housekeeping is the wrong way round.

I think it's rude to ask, it seems like insinuating they're causing you extra work by being a host for a short while.

I ask guests guests NOT to strip the sheets because I'm embarrassed by my slightly stained duvet and old, worn mattress! To be honest I think you're being unreasonable. They clearly don't want their guests to strip their beds so probably assume you feel the same. It only takes a few minutes so why not just do it. If you feel very strongly about it just ask them.

There is some real competitive bed stripping going on here - 90secs, 60secs and even mind-bogglingly 30secs. Who has the energy to go at Formula 1 racing speed when bed stripping. I call 5 mins as a reasonable estimate but also no problem for anyone, male or female, working ft or not.
Like others, I wouldn't want the bed stripped as it will be done when next doing the washing and until then I prefer to look at a made bed.

I would never think to strip the bedding when I'm a guest. The first time I encountered this was earlier this year when guests to my home did it (one of three couples, the others didn't) and tbh I found it really odd.