Giving up My Room for a Guest

Updated on November 20, 2010
S.D. asks from Peoria, AZ
13 answers

Have you all done this before ?
I guess it does not bother me, it is only for one night.
But how do I transition bedding.....seems like a lot
to wash, make, wash make.

What can I do next?

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M.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

Wash, make, wash make - lol
yes you need clean sheets, and most people these days have washer dryers, so it's not like you will be using the rubbing board, lye soap and a mangle.

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K.M.

answers from Oklahoma City on

What's a mangle?

When I was single and didn't have a guest room, I would give up my room sometimes, depending on who was staying. If it was a married couple I would take the couch so they could sleep together. If it was my brother or a friend, they got the couch.

Now I'm married and we have a guest room too. I wouldn't give up my room, even though our bed is more comfy than the guest room bed. (The guest room bed is my old bed and it's not bad).

I would always wash the sheets, though, when I gave up my bed. And if someone stayed in the guest room now, I'd make sure the sheets were washed before they got there and then washed when they left.

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R.M.

answers from Modesto on

Must have clean sheets on it!
If it doesnt bother you to sleep in it after them well that's your choice.
I would be pretty offended if someone gave me a bed to sleep in and the sheets were not fresh.... eww.

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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

We do this, too, for my in laws when they come to watch the kids.
Clean sheets a MUST no matter how much washing is involved. If family, though, they might strip the bed and do the washing for you:) (my sweet MIL does this for me when they stay)

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Yep--bedding should be clean for the guest and then clean for you!

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K.S.

answers from Kansas City on

You just do it. It's called graciousness.

L.B.

answers from Biloxi on

I have to chime in here -

I live in South Mississippi so after Katrina when many of my friends were homeless (literally), and we still had a roof without too many holes in it, we had revolving "guests" staying with us from anywhere from several weeks to a couple of months. At that time we were in a 2 bedroom apartment so no guestroom. Just a comfy couch and and air mattress in the living room.

Also, when I had to travel out of town for work I had a friend stay at my house with my son and she used my bedroom.

My Ex has his family coming in town next week for the holidays and is giving up his bedroom to his Mom and sleeping on a cot in his living room for the week.

So, that being said - does it really seem like a big deal to wash a set of sheets and pull out a change of clothing for yourself to stash in the hall closest for the one night you have company?

You will be a gracious hostess and your generosity will appreciated long after the visit is over.

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R.F.

answers from Dallas on

Would you sleep in a hotel room if you thought the bed wasn't fresh?
Another idea would be to get an inflatable mattress - not too expensive - fresh sheets, you both have a bed (where will you sleep otherwise - the couch?). That way there isn't a rush to remake one bed - take care of the guest's sheets later.

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M.C.

answers from Tampa on

I have. It may seem like a lot but I did as you write, wash, make, wash remake .... I want my guests to know they are on fresh sheets. I may be weird but when I get my bed back, I want it to be on fresh sheets as well :-)

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J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Who is your guest??? If it were a close family member and we had the time I would pull my sheets before they got there and have them help me set up the bed when they arrive. Then when they leave they should place the bedding into the washer. I would be more than happy to help someone giving up their bed as their guest. Or I would sleep on an air mattress. They are pretty cheap.

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M..

answers from Youngstown on

My sister is coming to stay with me for a week, and we plan on giving up our bed for her. Our bed is so much more comfy than the guest room bed, so me and my husband will sleep in the guest bed and let my sister have our bed. I have clean fresh sheets & pillowcases ready to put on our bed the morning she arrives. I also sent the blankets out to be dry cleaned and I have them ready to put on the bed the day she arrives. Yes, it is a lot of work but worth it for a houseguest that you love! Then when she leaves we will put the bedding in the wash again so the sheets are fresh & clean for us.

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

I do not give up our room for guests. We have a spare "guest" room with a queen size bed for our guests. Even if we didn't, I probably would be loathe to give up my own bed in my house. I wouldn't expect anyone else to give me theirs... I'd sleep on a sofa pull-out, an airbed (we have our own) or get a hotel room if necessary.

But, no matter what, the sheets must be clean. I don't mind doing the sheets, but it CAN get to be a lot of work if you have a quick secession of guests coming through close behind each other... We have had my parents come for 2 or 3 days, only to have them leave and my brother and his family be here the very next night, to have them leave, and have my hubby's brother or his mom come the very next weekend. That's a lot of sheets and towels! But you provide each guest clean ones. Its just what you do. If you can't do that, then perhaps you should suggest they stay elsewhere?

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K.P.

answers from New York on

Been there, done that. When my grandfather passed away, my siblings their spouses and children all wanted to stay with us. My husband immediately said "of course" and didn't notice the ???? look on my face. I quickly asked him where were we going to put all of these people, which he clearly hadn't thought about, but I appreciated the gesture.

I put clean sheets on our bed and my sister and her husband and twin infant daughters slept in there b/c our room is big enough for two pack-and-plays. My son slept in his room with his cousin on an air mattress on the floor. My other sister slept in the den on a pull-out. We slept in the basement on an air mattress. It was fine. Lots of laundry the next day, but it worked.

It is work, but if you offered you have to provide clean sheets and be prepared to spend the next day washing, folding and remaking.

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