How often to wash guest bed linens when rarely used?

last year

We are recent empty nesters. We now have 3 rooms that can be used as guest rooms during non-holiday times. I am a volunteer host for “safe homes for traveling military” but it’s only once in a while that a military traveler needs help in my location. I’m also a volunteer host for cancer patients being treated at our nearby medical center, but again, our guest rooms remain empty most of the time. I estimate they are occupied maybe 4-6 days over the course of 3 months or so.

My cleaning question is this. I dust, vacuum, and do general cleaning once a week in the unoccupied areas. But how often should I change the comforter covers and sheets in an unoccupied area? All the linens are clean, but if they stay there for six or eight weeks when nobody is coming to my house, does that mean that they get musty or stale? We have central AC, and I’ve never sniffed and thought they were musty. But should I wash them, maybe every 3-4 weeks or so even if they haven’t been used? The reason I’m asking is because I don’t want somebody to need to come to my home and the bedding is stale. The military people, my Sailor and Soldier included, won’t care bc it’s already an upgrade from their service experience, but I want to make sure the cancer patients to have the most clean, healthy environment.

Featured Answer

marmiegard_z7b

last year

Tiffany, yes, I have sometimes used just the dryer. We use unscented detergent and dryer sheets but sometimes I think a short run in the dryer does “ air” things out.

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Comments (6)

marmiegard_z7b
last year
I have had this same thought about our one guest bed. Which actually gets less use than yours lately.
Our extra bed linens are in a hall linen closet and I think they stay pretty fresh— better than when we stored some in a bathroom closet in another house. And I’ve wondered if sheets actually stay fresher on a bed rather than folded up.

Anyway, do you get several hours notice before any guests?

What I decided to do is keep a light quilt or coverlet on bed but over mattress pad but not the sheets. In more of an emergency I would then make up bed with closet sheets. If I have warning, I would run clean sheets through a quick wash cycle/ dry & make up bed. Just makes me feel they are fresher. So get to skip stripping before remaking.
This is also why I am avoiding big puffy comforters for guest bed, despite lovely bedroom photos, as harder or not able to wash in my washer’s capacity.
AJCN thanked marmiegard_z7b
Kendrah
last year
If your sheets are covered by a quilt or comforter, I don't think they will be dirty or musty. But if you are worried, peel back the comforter, open the windows, spritz a little vinegar and water spray right above the bed. Then make up the comforter again. For the comforter, or whatever top layer you have, roll a lint roller over it and also spritz with vinegar and water. If you are really concerned then keep your sheets in the closet and make the bed prior to guests arrival.

As a cancer patient who has had to travel for treatment, a good tip I can share is that immune compromised patients can often have allergies to scented products. Be sure to launder all of your bedding in unscented detergent and don't use scented fabric softeners or room or sheet sprays.

Great that you open your home to others. We used our extra guest room to house a homeless young adult for 8 months.
AJCN thanked Kendrah
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AJCN
Original Author
last year
Those are great suggestions. Thanks!
tiffany66
last year
HU couldn't you run the puffy comforter or stored sheet set in the dryer to remove any dust and fluff it. Even the dryer sheet could give it a nice smell.
AJCN thanked tiffany66
Olychick
last year
last modified: last year
I would store the bed linens in plastic storage bags until needed and keep a light coverlet on the beds. I keep an air purifier running in my guest room. It keeps odors and dust out of the room and it's used every month or so by guests so not much other worry about odors or dust.
AJCN thanked Olychick

How often to wash guest bed linens when rarely used?

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