Does triple sheeting work for Airbnb hosts?

Why hotels like it

You may have come across the triple sheeting method for making beds. It’s a proven method that many hotels use, and the advantages are simple:

• One type of linen. In the classic hotel version, every piece is a flat sheet.
• Easier to wash. Flat sheets tangle less in the washer and dryer than fitted sheets and duvet covers.
• Simple to organize. One kind of sheet for each bed size, and flat sheets are quick to fold.

How to triple sheet a bed

You need a mattress protector, a fitted sheet (or a flat sheet for the bottom), two flat sheets, and a lightweight blanket or duvet insert. A light blanket tucks more neatly and stays in place better than a heavy one.

1. 1Protect the mattress. Put on a waterproof mattress protector first.
2. 2Make the bottom layer. Pull a fitted sheet over all four corners and smooth it out. For the classic hotel version, use a flat sheet instead, with hospital corners at all four corners.
3. 3Lay the first flat sheet. Center it with the finished side facing down, the top hem even with the head of the mattress, and the same overhang on both sides.
4. 4Add the blanket or duvet insert. Center it on top, 6 to 12 inches down from the head of the mattress, so there’s room for the fold.
5. 5Lay the second flat sheet. Put it on top with the finished side facing up, lined up with the first flat sheet at the head.
6. 6Fold the cuff. Fold the top edges of both sheets down over the blanket, then fold the whole top section down once more, 8 to 12 inches deep. The blanket should now be fully wrapped between the two sheets.
7. 7Tuck everything. Tuck all layers firmly under the mattress at the foot and along both sides, using hospital corners at the foot.
8. 8Finish with pillows. Sleeping pillows go first, decorative pillows in front, framed by the cuff.

An experienced housekeeper makes a triple-sheeted bed in about 2 to 4 minutes.

How to make a hospital corner

1. 1At the foot of the bed, tuck the end of the sheet under the mattress.
2. 2At the corner, lift the side of the sheet and lay it on top of the mattress at a 45-degree angle.
3. 3Tuck the part still hanging down under the mattress.
4. 4Drop the top flap back down and tuck it in firmly for a clean, tight edge.

How to fold the sheets for storage

• Flat sheets: Fold in half lengthwise, then in half again. Fold in half the other way, then once or twice more until the sheet fits your shelf.
• Fitted sheets: Turn the sheet inside out. Tuck each corner into the next one until all four corners are nested together. Lay it flat, fold the elastic edges in to make a rectangle, and fold like a flat sheet.
• Keep sets together: Fold the full set and store it inside one of its own pillowcases. Your cleaner grabs one bundle per bed.

What about the guest experience?

For the fresh, crisp hotel feel, use white 100% cotton sheets with a real thread count of about 400 to 600. I use 600. Higher isn’t necessarily better, and my guide to choosing Airbnb sheets explains why.

Here’s my issue with flat sheets: they move. A guest turns over a few times, the top sheet slides, and the blanket or comforter underneath is exposed. That blanket isn’t washed after every stay, so it may or may not look and smell fresh, depending on how the last guests used it.

There are a few ways to set up the bed:

• Two flat sheets and a comforter. One flat sheet over the mattress, one under the comforter.
• A light comforter or a throw. Depending on the climate and season, a bed throw can be enough.
• A duvet cover. This is what I prefer. The cover wraps the whole comforter, so the comforter is always clean, and it looks and feels clean too.

My setup

As an experienced host, I use a fitted sheet on the mattress and a duvet cover over the comforter, and that’s it. It’s one less sheet to wash, so my cleaners fit more into each load. That matters, because laundry is usually the bottleneck on a quick turnover. My turnover laundry guide shows how my cleaners get it all done.

For me, this is the cleanest option for guests. Crisp white linen with a hotel feel, nothing moves around, and the comforter is never exposed. I keep extra flat sheets in the laundry room closet for guests who prefer one, and I mention it in my house manual.

These are little touches, but I’m convinced that fresh-looking, fresh-smelling linen matters a lot to the overall stay. Ask your cleaners to check every piece for stains and pull anything that can’t be saved.

Rule of thumb: replace bedding every 5 years, or sooner if it’s stained, thin or pilling.