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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

stripping beds after staying with friends

49 replies

doubtingdaisy · 12/02/2016 15:02

When friends stay with me I prefer them to leave the beds for me to strip and wash the bedding when I'm ready.
But when we stay with friends I usually strip the beds unless asked not to.
What's the norm?

OP posts:
WineOrSleep · 12/02/2016 15:04

My mum always taught me a good guest strips the beds for her host...

But I've always preferred instead to make the bed up nicely and tidily and leave the guest room in that way. I'd prefer my guests to just leave the spare bed remade nicely too, and then I can sort out sheets etc once they've gone in my own way

mrsmortis · 12/02/2016 15:10

I always ask. I'm happy to strip the bed, but only if my host wants me to.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 12/02/2016 15:12

I would ask first when I am a guest. Personally I would prefer you did though.

Scattymum101 · 15/02/2016 01:29

I would never have even thought to strip the bed as a guest!
I would prefer as a host that the bed was just left made for me to deal with.
Don't know why - probably just what I've grown up with.

ICJump · 15/02/2016 02:44

I just ask. I figure if we are good enough friends to stay over they won't mind if I check what to do with the sheet.

KeyserSophie · 15/02/2016 02:55

You should ask, because the host might prefer the beds left unstripped until she/he has time to wash them as it looks tidier.

WanderingTrolley1 · 15/02/2016 02:56

I always strip the beds before leaving.

queenoftheboys · 15/02/2016 02:56

As a guest I normally strip the bed. I would assume if I asked first they'd probably be polite and say "No that's ok just leave it". It never occurred to me that this might be annoying Blush

As a host I appreciate people stripping, because it's one less thing for me to do. The sheets can just stay in a pile til I'm ready to wash them.

EBearhug · 15/02/2016 02:59

Usually I ask, but the last time I stayed with someone, I stripped the bed without thinking.

cozietoesie · 15/02/2016 07:37

As a guest, I'd strip the bed. As a host, I'm happy enough if they've just remembered all their possessions - I don't care much about beds. (And I definitely don't care if they re-make the bed either. What would be the point of that?)

SmallGreenBouncyBall · 15/02/2016 07:45

I always strip.
with one relative I cojld otherwise not be sure bedding gets washed at all

Bunbaker · 15/02/2016 08:11

"I'd prefer my guests to just leave the spare bed remade nicely too, "

Yuck. I hate the thought of a bed that hasn't been left to air. I don't expect guests to strip the bed, but it is very much appreciated. I don't get this angst about stripped beds looking untidy. I much prefer to get the bedding washed and dried and remade as quickly as possible.

dementedpixie · 15/02/2016 08:15

I make the bed up and leave it. Stripping it would look messy, surely?

Bunbaker · 15/02/2016 08:33

"I make the bed up and leave it. Stripping it would look messy, surely?"

Why the angst about making it look messy? I really wouldn't thank you for making the bed and trapping all the sweat and skin cells under the covers for dust mites to breed.

I always leave the covers pulled back with the windows open to allow the bed to air for at least two hours on days that I am at home. On work days the covers stay back until I get home.

There is a good explanation here

Trills · 15/02/2016 08:55

So you're saying that when you go to friends, you do the thing that is the opposite of what you prefer?

Why?

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es · 15/02/2016 09:05

I let the bed air until just before we leave and then turn the covers back and leave it made. We leave our own beds to air turned back all day.

I'd be quite irritated if a guest stripped a bed without asking first, I'll do it when I'm ready.

Bunbaker · 15/02/2016 11:28

"So you're saying that when you go to friends, you do the thing that is the opposite of what you prefer?

Why?"

I never said that. As a guest I would strip the bed, but I would check with the host first. If the host didn't want the bed stripped I would leave the covers pulled back to air it.

FinestGrundyTurkey · 15/02/2016 11:30

I think Trills was addressing the OP, Bunbaker, not you Grin

Twistedheartache · 15/02/2016 11:42

I ask although my natural tendency is to strip it & I would prefer visitors not to because of space for dirty laundry/timing.
Utterly illogical moi!
Best one I heard was no don't bother the cleaner does it once a fortnight!

chumbler · 15/02/2016 13:45

I always strip the bed, even in hotels sometimes...!!! I hate it when guests don't strip the bed, as it I haven't got enough to do!!!

museumum · 15/02/2016 13:48

I wouldn't strip the bed - to me it feels like badgering the host to get on with the laundry ASAP.

cozietoesie · 15/02/2016 13:49

Twisted

Do I infer that the cleaner only changed it once a fortnight regardless of how many people had been staying?

Twistedheartache · 15/02/2016 19:38

Lol No I don't think so - just that the cleaner was due that week and she didn't have any more visitors - she's a very clean friend!

Trills · 16/02/2016 08:33

Thanks Grunfy. Bunbaker I was asking the OP, not you. She says that she prefers friends to leave it, but that her default behaviour is to strip the bed.

Ragwort · 16/02/2016 08:58

I would always ask my host - and I usually tell guests NOT to strip the bed - I would rather wait until I am putting the washing on rather than have a pile of bedlinen - and no where to put it. and sometimes if it is a single girl friend with clean habits I might use the duvet cover myself Grin.

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