I wanted to share some thoughts on triple sheeting, a popular practice in the hospitality industry that you may have considered for your Airbnb. While it’s common in many hotels, I personally believe it might not be the best choice for all guests, especially in a more personalized setting like an Airbnb.
Why Do Hotels Use Triple Sheeting?
Triple sheeting involves layering two sheets around a blanket or duvet, creating a clean and interchangeable system. Hotels typically favor this practice because:
Efficiency: It’s faster to change sheets between guests compared to changing bulky duvet covers.
Cost-effective: Laundering sheets is often cheaper and less labor-intensive than washing heavy quilts or duvet covers.
Aesthetic: It gives the bed a crisp, clean look, which many hotels prioritize for presentation.
Is It Cleaner?
While triple sheeting may appear cleaner from a logistical standpoint—since both sheets in contact with the guest are washed after every stay—it still leaves the quilt or blanket as a potential concern. Though the top and bottom sheets get washed, the middle layer (the blanket) may not be laundered as frequently, depending on the property’s policy. This means guests could indirectly come into contact with a blanket that hasn’t been washed in weeks, or even longer.
Quilt covers, on the other hand, are typically removed and washed between guests, ensuring that the entire bedding, including the duvet, is fresh and hygienic. This can provide an additional layer of cleanliness that some guests, like myself, may appreciate more.
If you’re trying to improve guest comfort and presentation, you might want to pair clean quilt covers with a strong Airbnb hosting strategy. Small details like this can influence reviews and bookings, especially when paired with steps to improve your Airbnb’s visibility in the algorithm or avoid common hosting mistakes that could affect revenue.
Why I Think Triple Sheeting is a Filthy Practice
From personal experience, I find triple sheeting to be quite uncomfortable. I tend to overheat at night, and the first thing I do is kick out my legs to cool down. When I unstick the sheets, I sometimes end up in direct contact with the quilt—essentially touching an item that may not have been laundered recently. This is a situation many guests could find off-putting, especially if they’re sensitive to hygiene.
For this reason, I believe quilt covers are a better option, both in terms of comfort and cleanliness. They’re easy to remove and wash, ensuring that every layer of bedding has been laundered between guests.
Technically, using a top sheet reduces direct contact with the quilt or blanket, which is why some hosts or hotels don’t replace quilt covers every time. However, not laundering the quilt cover after each guest can still present hygiene concerns:
1. Bacteria and allergens: Even with a top sheet, skin cells, sweat, and other particles can pass through sheets, potentially contaminating the quilt or duvet. Over time, this buildup can attract dust mites or even cause odors.
2. Guest habits: Not every guest will sleep the same way. Some, like myself, may kick off the sheets during the night, making contact with the quilt. This means that even with a top sheet, the quilt itself could still be in contact with the guest’s skin.
3. Perception: While it may not always be technically “dirty,” guests could perceive a quilt that hasn’t been freshly laundered as less clean, especially in an Airbnb where cleanliness is a top concern.
While it’s not necessarily “filthy” not to wash the quilt cover every time, regularly changing it—like you would in a home environment—could enhance guest comfort and hygiene, especially if you want to exceed expectations. The recommended time between cleaning quilt covers can vary, but for high-traffic accommodations like an Airbnb or hotel, it’s best to clean them between every guest stay. If that’s not feasible, a general guideline is to wash quilt covers at least once every two weeks, or monthly at a minimum, depending on how frequently the property is used.
In a personal home setting, where the same individuals use the bedding consistently, every two to four weeks is typically sufficient. However, if the quilt cover shows any signs of stains, odors, or dust, it should be washed immediately, regardless of time.
Research on Triple Sheeting vs. Quilt Covers
While there is limited direct research comparing the cleanliness of triple sheeting to using quilt covers, studies on bedding hygiene emphasize the importance of laundering all layers of bedding between guests to minimise the spread of bacteria and allergens. In a home-sharing setup like Airbnb, where guests expect a more home-like, personal touch, providing fresh duvet covers could make a stronger impression.
In summary, while triple sheeting is a popular choice for hotels due to convenience, I believe quilt covers offer a more hygienic and comfortable experience, especially for guests who, like myself, are more sensitive to warmth at night.
