It’s always nice to have friends and family stay over, but the cleanup afterwards? Not so much. As soon as your guests leave, it’s tempting to strip the bed and throw the sheets in the wash. But what if we told you that’s actually a mistake?
Holding off on laundry might just be the hosting hack you need. It can save you time, lower your stress, and make getting the guest room ready for the next visitor much more manageable. Here are four reasons why you should wait to wash the sheets after your guests head home.
1. You Restore Order to Your Home Faster
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When guests depart, your first priority should be restoring order to your main living areas, not creating another pile of laundry. Tidy the living room and clear the kitchen to get your home back to normal.
Instead of stripping the guest bed, just make it. A made bed instantly makes the room look neat and feels less stressful than a pile of linens. You can tackle the laundry later, on your own schedule. This simple trick helps you reset your home quickly and makes the post-hosting cleanup feel far less overwhelming.
2. Your Pets Will Thank You
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If you have pets, you know that a closed door is just a challenge. The guest room can become a favorite lounging spot for your furry friends. Many hosts find that no matter how hard they try to keep them out, their dogs or cats will find a way to nap on the guest bed. This means pet hair and that familiar “dog smell” are inevitable.
Knowing this, it makes more sense to wash the bedding right before your next guests arrive, not right after the last ones leave. By waiting, you accept that the bed will get a little pet-loved in the meantime. Then, as part of your pre-guest preparation, you can wash the sheets and keep the pets out, ensuring the bed is truly fresh and free of allergens for your visitors.
3. You’ll Never Wonder if the Sheets Are Clean
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This system creates a simple, consistent routine. You’ll always know a made bed has used sheets on it, removing any guesswork like, “Did I wash these after Aunt Carol visited?”
Washing the bedding becomes a non-negotiable step in your pre-guest prep, just like setting out fresh towels. This guarantees every visitor gets undeniably clean sheets, without you having to second-guess your memory.
4. It Makes Hospitality Feel More Special
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Making the bed right before a guest arrives is a welcoming ritual. It’s an intentional, thoughtful gesture rather than a simple chore. The bedding is fluffier straight from the dryer, and you can make it look extra crisp and inviting. This small effort makes your guest feel truly cared for, with a bed prepared just for them.
Make Hosting More Relaxing
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By shifting your guest-related laundry to just before their arrival, you transform hosting from a chore into a more relaxed and enjoyable experience for everyone, including yourself. This simple change streamlines your process, allowing you to offer a genuinely fresh and welcoming space for your visitors every single time.