Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Sheet Dreams

If I were absolutely stinking, go-to-hell wealthy to the point of having staff like a full-time maid and cook, I would instruct my maid to change the bedsheets every day. I adore the feeling of sliding into crisp cotton sheets... the cotton sheets would be so crisp they would be slightly crinkly. I have always savored a luxurious bed...not a fan of the big bunch of pillows that decorators seem to prefer, but at least two king-sized pillows to lean into at the end of the day.

I once read that as First Lady in the White House, Jackie Kennedy insisted the staff change her linens twice daily -- in the morning, and after a daily afternoon nap. I suppose I wouldn't be too high-maintenance in comparison. I seldom nap, so once would be fine, thanks. Really.

So I was shocked to learn of a survey taken in Great Britain that revealed most people 'across the pond' (according to said survey, at least), change their sheets only once every three weeks. One in six doing so only once a month. And the article continued to state that in the U.S., people also waited every three weeks or longer.

Not to be all judgmental, but: EEEeeeewwwwww...

To me that is disgusting. "Experts" in the survey recommended once a week, citing dust mites allergens as the main reason to 'go to the trouble.' The article continued to address how much 'trouble' it is to strip a bed and remake it with fresh sheets. Please. It's all of five minutes' "work." And well worth the effort.

I have always been told one should have at least 3 sets of sheets per season--that way they can be rotated constantly. I have 4 sets for each season. In the cold weather we prefer flannel sheets, and I also have two heavier cotton sets that are a bit too hot in warmer months. I splurge with the best I can afford at the time and always on sale from outlets or the Linen Source catalog. I prefer white ones, so I can toss them in the washer with a bit of bleach if necessary. I have an eye out for a bamboo set, as I've heard they are well worth the expense.

For the record, I change our sheets twice a week. Even being slightly odd about this, ** there's only so much time on chores I'm willing to spend. Where's my house-servant when I need one?!


**A friend says her 'quirk,' are clean floors...she said when she was in the hospital, she begged family members to go to her house and vacuum and mop for her...

Another one of my chore hang-ups are dishes: I cannot go to bed with a sink full of dirty dishes, even if we've had a dinner party and it's 2 in the morning. Something about seeing a stack of grimy dishes on the counter the next day turns my stomach..other than that I swear to you, I am no 'Martha Stewart.'



13 comments:

Jane said...

I'll admit: when I was younger (and lazier) - pretty much while I was living in the UK, ha - I would go for weeks without changing my sheets. Now, I change them once a week. We only have two sets of sheets for all seasons (well, James technically has a third, but I hate flannel sheets, so we never use those), because I don't buy them as often as I should. Maybe I'll get better about that.

But the environmentalist in me frets about running the washing machine enough to have more than one set of sheets on the bed each week, even though I do so very much love the feel of getting into freshly clean sheets. Which reminds me: the fresh clean sheets just came out of the dryer. Definitely looking forward to sleep tonight! :)

Ms. A said...

It takes me much longer than 5 minutes and I struggle with it. Dang Tempur-Pedic!

Moving with Mitchell said...

Totally agree with you about the dishes. As for the sheets, weeeellllllll. I need a maid.

Margaret (Peggy or Peg too) said...

hmmm....I think I'm a Ewwww.
1-2 weeks for me unless sick then asap. And I have been known to leave dishes in the sink after a party and you are so right there is nothing worse. So now I stay up and clean the kitchen after everyone goes home. I have found some things not done as well as if I had been a bit more sober but I didn't walk into a messy kitchen.:-)

"Alone again.... naturally!" said...

I adore good quality sheets...I have 3 sets of sheets...2 which are 1000 count (from a discount store), and the other one is around the 650 count. I find them not only luxurious but also last an incredible long time. And a once a week change most of the time for me too!

Sally Wessely said...

I'm with you on the dishes. I'm not quite as particular about changing the sheets. I do love them fresh, but not enough to change them twice a week. I have my favorite sets of sheets. I think it is hard to perfect texture. That is always my quest, finding the perfect blend and texture for sheets.

ReformingGeek said...

Nice sheets are worth the money! It's a bit of work changing the sheets with the thick mattress I have as the sheets just barely fit and I have to wrestle them on the mattress.

Hum.....maybe I'll be some new sheets. Bamboo? I'll look into it.

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