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Rotating clean house linen

(83 Posts)
grandMattie Fri 22-Apr-16 09:56:06

As I was putting the clean linen away this morning, it struck me that I am following my mother's system (and, presumably, my grandmother''s, ad infinitum) of putting the most recent clean bedding at the bottom of the pile, and taking the top one off or vice versa.
I have never understood this - surely if you do that, all your 'stuff' (bedding, table cloths, tea towels, etc.) wears out at the same rate and at the same time. The replacement of the whole lot would then be prohibitive Is it a sort of puritanical thing of keeping your favourite for 'best' or what?

2old4hotpants Sat 23-Apr-16 10:56:08

I use a flat top sheet under the duvet. Tuck the top inside during the day, and fold it back over the duvet at night. It is far easier to change and launder a sheet and means far less duvet cover changing (a job I detest)

wot Sat 23-Apr-16 11:02:17

Does that flat sheet stay in place all night?

Grannycupcake Sat 23-Apr-16 11:06:39

After reading all these posts I have made a resolution. I am going to change all my sheets and duvet covers to white egyptian cotton.
I have sympathy with the gran who sorts her airing cupboard out , gets rid of a ton but finds it is as full afterwards.
This happens with wardrobes as well. Bin bags of stuff go to the charity shop but the wardrobe still looks full. I don't buy loads of clothes, honestly.

2old4hotpants Sat 23-Apr-16 11:11:28

Yes it does Wot. No problem at all. I have done it this way for years. I tuck it in at the foot, envelope the bottom corners, and let the sides hang free. The duvet is wide enough to hide the trailing sides.

jane999 Sat 23-Apr-16 11:13:21

Use all white sheets and pillow cases - 4 sets for our bed, king size, and 3 sets double for spare beds. 4 duvets covers - king size in shades of grey with different patterns and 3 double various colours. We only use a 4.5tog duvet all year and spplement if needed with handmade patchwork quilts.

NonnaAnnie Sat 23-Apr-16 11:22:38

I tend to wash the bedding and put it back on the bed the same day, I do have a spare one but don't like the pattern very much. I have one set for the guest room.

I have two sets of towels and one extra set for guests.

I live in a small bungalow and needed to de-clutter as there is not much storage space and I love it. I got rid of so much stuff and let me tell you it's liberating.

MadMaisie Sat 23-Apr-16 11:28:43

I too have to confess to having a bedding and towel habit (no wonder we had to build an extension).

BBbevan Sat 23-Apr-16 11:53:30

At one point I had over 20 white pillow cases. I hate it if they show the faintest hint of yellow.luckily I found a ' recipe' to make them white again. My DCs were given quite a few. My DH has to drag me away from the bedding in shops. I love looking even though I have more than enough to last quite a few years

Granpammy Sat 23-Apr-16 12:19:26

Duvets take up so much storage space, especially in summer, when only the thin ones are in use. Desperate for somewhere to put them, I recently started putting spare duvets onto the spare beds, under the mattress covers. They act a bit like a mattress topper and are actually very comfortable.

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 23-Apr-16 12:27:40

Adding a sheet to a duvet ruins the duvet-ness. shock

The snuggly-ness goes.

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 23-Apr-16 12:29:02

Can't stand the foot of the bed tucked in. I require freedom.

HellsBells Sat 23-Apr-16 12:30:26

I have a favorite duvet cover - we bought it when we got married 42 years ago - it is in perfect condition - all fasteners complete and intact, not faded at all - It has seen plenty of action as we have had 6 children . Do you think if I let the manufacturers know (Dorma) they might send me a new one

We do not posess a winter duvet we just put our dressing gowns on top of the bed!

carolmary Sat 23-Apr-16 12:59:05

I have dreams of pristine white bedding. Our duvet covers are ancient and tatty (but clean!).We have 2 cats who like to sleep on the bed, so ours is covered with a sturdy throw during the daytime. Reading everyone's posts has made me determined to do something about our bedroom. Not sure what!

wot Sat 23-Apr-16 13:18:03

As long as you and your cats are happy and comfortable, what does it matter!!??

GrannyRose Sat 23-Apr-16 14:05:30

Could you please share your recipe with us, BBevan?

rubylady Sat 23-Apr-16 14:34:11

I'm very much like you Jing, I can't remember what is in my laundry cupboard. I have bought new duvet covers since moving so tend to use the same ones. Probably got the old ones from the other house in the laundry cupboard.

I also don't use sheets, I have a teddy bear blanket on as a bottom sheet, lovely and warm and cuddly and very comfortable on my memory foam mattress. Perfect. grin

EmilyHarburn Sat 23-Apr-16 17:00:54

I do not have spare linen it goes back on the bed the same day. Washed in the morning and in the evening finished off by the dryer if necessary before going back on the bed.

I do have towels - again one set for each bed room and 6 bath towels, 12 hand towels and 6 beach/swimming towels. As our towels I let dry naturally and change each week.

tiffaney Sat 23-Apr-16 17:33:38

I hate changing duvet covers so always use a top sheet under the duvet then I don't have to wash the duvet cover every time I change the sheets. Does anyone else still use a top sheet?

wot Sat 23-Apr-16 17:43:43

I'm not being controversial, but putting a top sheet on seems such an English thing to do. Perhaps that's not a bad thing. We bought back duvets from Germany the first time we went (1963) and my mum had to make the covers from cheap 'candy striped' sheets as you couldn't but them at this time. All our friends thought duvets were weird until if they'd slept under them round our house. I hope I'm not being rude here and I may try it myself even.

wot Sat 23-Apr-16 17:46:59

I think they do that in America too. Thinking about it, it was me who moaned about changing duvet covers so I might convert. I might be a bit inflexible.

wot Sat 23-Apr-16 17:51:10

In my case, the duvet cover would soon get mucky even with a sheet. Chocolate milkshakes, carrot cake, bits of crisps etc etc would all descend onto the cover?

FarNorth Sat 23-Apr-16 18:32:32

I'd hate to have all white bedding and/or towels - how boring.
I have my linen and towels reasonably neatly folded in the cupboard but I don't rotate them, I just take out whatever one I fancy using.
Keeps me happy anyway. smile

2old4hotpants Sat 23-Apr-16 19:23:40

Your nocturnal feasts sound good, Wot. I'm a bit worried about the effect on the teeth though

wot Sat 23-Apr-16 19:25:52

Yes, only got 11 left. I do go and brush them though.

wot Sat 23-Apr-16 19:26:32

And put the rest of them in Steradent