stripping beds after staying with friends

[doubtingdaisy]

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?

[Paddletonio]

I don't want my guests to strip beds, just leave it and let me do it at my own convenience

[janethegirl2]

I always strip the bed when I stay with my DM and generally remake it with fresh bedding, as that is what she likes.
However I prefer guests to leave the bedding on the bed and not strip it. I wash it when I have time and tend to put it back on the bed the same day to avoid having to fold and iron it.

[Bunbaker]

"I would be mortified if a guest striped the bed"

Why? Just smile and say thank you.

[ThornyBird]

cozie it did and has never been repeated . I learned by the 2nd set of visitirs that I'm really not as sociable as I thought I was. We now make sure to block alternate weeks out to save our sanity

[FoxFeatures]

I would be mortified if a guest striped the bed. Luckily it has never happened. And I don't strip a bed at a friend's house either. It takes moments to strip a bed, I can't see how that is a chore.

[BuggersMuddle]

I would strongly prefer guests didn't as I'd rather prioritise my own laundry. Plus they often get it wrong.

One family member for example will insist on sharing a towel with to save me washing, but I found the bed stripped to the mattress (including removing mattress protector / topper) and wrapped up with the solitary sopping wet towel. Cover also removed from the throw we were using at the time which went over the duvet and got rolled down / removed at night. So 3 loads of washing and she was next visitor, so actually the bed could've just aired.

Spare towel lovingly folded on chair ' to save me washing'.

I don't strip unless asked and I will not be sharing a towel. Quite a few older guests seem to do this towel sharing thing and I actually find it quite insulting tbh. Take what you're given with good grace and leave the place as you found it IMO.

[cozietoesie]

Now 4 weeks of continuous visitors would drive me round the bend by itself, leaving aside dealing with their bedding. I guess if you live in somewhere like Cornwall, however, that goes with the territory. Sadly.

[caravanista]

I always offer, but as a host I prefer guests to leave the beds.

[ThornyBird]

I always ask/offer.

Our first summer in Cornwall we had 4 weeks of continuous visitors and I really appreciated the ones who offered to strip the bed as we had a number of same day changeovers and never made that mistake again!

[cozietoesie]

I don't think it's gross - just unnecessary. I'm happy as anything, as a host, if guests check the place to ensure they haven't left anything and then just leave it at that. If anything were to niggle me - not a big niggle, though - it would not be an unmade/unstripped bed but rather having to search the place to locate items which the guests didn't need - spare pillows for example - and which have been put in out of the way places to keep them 'safe' or 'fresh'.

Like a PP, I used to work as a chambermaid at one time - and the things you used to find under the mattress (when guests had left) were mind-boggling.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es]

I really don't want guests stripping beds, if they ask I will tell them not to do it, even if they phrase it as "where would you like me to put the stripped linen". Just leave my house as you find it please.

[toffeeboffin]

At heart I'm a stripper, but social pressure causes me to make the bed instead.

But that's gross, right? Because the host will strip and wash anyway.

[toffeeboffin]

Just a second, this is very confusing.

If I am a guest, what do I do? Strip or make the bed?

And, scenario B, if I receive the guest, what do I do then? Ask them to strip or make?

Can someone clarify?

[nattyknitter]

I'm like you OP, I'm a stripper , but I prefer my guests to leave it until I am ready to do something with it. I would usually ask, but don't want people to feel like they have to say leave it when they would appreciate it done. I usually go with - where would you like me to put the linen when I have stripped the bed?

It's strange, when I stay with someone, I want to have as little impact as possible on their home, but when people stay with me I am quite happy for them to put their feet up. I always offer to wash up when I stay, but would be mortified if anyone tried to at mine. Same for taking hostess gifts, I never go empty handed, but never want anything when people come to me.

I always strip beds in hotels though, as I have worked in one and know what a difference it makes to the staff.

[e1y1]

I'd find it very presumptuous to strip a bed, I have never been in that position as a guest (don't stay out).

When I have had guests I would never want them to strip the bed, they are exactly that a guest, and it is not their job to do my housekeeping, to me it would be almost like asking them for rent whilst they stayed.

In my eyes a guest is to be made as comfortable as possible, so whilst yes, would want them to excersize manners and not trash the place, I would not want them doing ANY housework.

[cosytoaster]

As a guest it would never occur to me to strip a bed. I'd rather sort my own out too.

[Snog]

I would love it if my guests stripped the bed but they never do

[Wagglebees]

I'd leave it and people staying with us have left it. It's never occurred to me that some people strip the bed. I feel like it's a bit "here, get on and wash your sheets you lazy article."

[BaronessEllaSaturday]

If I'm staying somewhere I always ask because the place I frequently stay I am also often the next person expected as well. If I have guests then I don't mind either way as long as the bedding isn't left in a heap on the floor, I give guests the option and show them where to put the laundry if they do strip the bed.

[TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams]

MIL is always itching to strip the bed when she stays at ours but is adamant that we don't do it at her house....

I'd rather strip the bed myself in my own good time rather than have laundry piling up but that's probably because given the time to do it myself I'll wash, tumble, iron and just put them straight back on again.

[cozietoesie]

You're like me - I don't much care either way as a host. Much may depend on your physical layout though. I have a separate guest bedroom so I can close the door and leave it unless I have other guests coming soon afterwards. If you had guests who had used eg a sofa bed in a room that was normally used for other purposes, you might view the matter differently.

[scribblegirl]

Our guest bedding is white and my preference is that guests leave it as I'll only strip the bed when I've got enough whites for a full white load.

But in all honesty I don't mind. I don't imagine my guests are maliciously stripping beds in a PA chide against my cleanliness!

[TheFallenMadonna]

I would always ask. Just from this thread alone it's clear that there is little consensus on this...

[Pidapie]

I normally strip the bed and fold up the duvet nicely so it doesn't look messy.

[Ragwort]

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 .