If there is any staining on the cover or smell, then yes, we wash the duvet as well. But generally no; the puffy duvets themselves are washed periodically rather than every single changeover - and they are always washed anyway every few months when switched out for a different weight duvet according to the season/temperature.
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That’s brilliant!
We take our feather duvets (Airbnb and personal) to local “no petrol-chemicals” dry cleaner – every few months or more often if we notice new stains. They always come back clean and fresh and way puffier. In addition, if weather permits, we put the feather duvet on the clothes line for a little UV bath between guests to freshen p the fragrance.
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For sure, different people have different situations, if you have pets or kids who hang out on top of the duvet. But like you, for me it isn’t just about the washing- even when the weather is cool enough for me to want the duvet, sometimes I get too hot during the night and throw the duvet off, but still want the top sheet cover. And I’m not going to get up in the middle of the night to remove the duvet cover and just use that like a sheet.
I use a top sheet and fold it over the top of the duvet so there’s NO doubt one is meant to go “between the sheets”! (an expression for a reason!) but why is no one whining about the struggle to get the duvet cover back on?? And yes, I know the rolling trick (whose physics still elude me), but it’s just as much of a challenge if you’re doing it alone. That’s great intel about having the duvets, feather or otherwise (mine are either feather or wool) “wet-cleaned”. I didn’t realize the was an option. THANKS
!
After years of doing the same thing and still half the time finding the top sheet rolled up in a closet when the guests leave, I finally started operating on the principle that where the guest is “meant to go” was where-ever they were used to and where-ever they were most comfortable… and I started canvassing them when they made their reservation about how they wanted us to “customize” their bed linens.
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Ive noticed all the variations of bedding use in my place. Some guests are used to having the ac on whatever the outside weather.
Ive been in Europe the past month and not one bed had natural fibres- synthetic everything. Gosh I so hate that.
And the food!!! …… now that’s another story for another time.
I started this thread and found it fascinating. I might better have specified that I am in northern New York State and born in 1951. I never ever even saw a duvet until I traveled in Europe in 1978. Last spring on a France tour we all had duvets in 4-star hotels and were too hot. Let me clarify what bedding means to me: a mattress cover, a fitted bottom sheet of cotton, a top sheet of cotton, a BLANKET (which is NOT a duvet!) of wool – replaced with a cotton blanket for the three summer months – and a bedspread (in my case I have beautiful quilts). In summer I have to change most rooms every day. It is impossible to wash the quilts. It is also impossible to wash the wool blankets. Yes, it is possible to wash the cotton blankets but if sheets are used properly it isn’t necessary. In summary, I had no idea that duvets were universal, or nearly so.
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We have 4 full sets of bedding, pillowcases, duvets, towels, sheets, for each room… Also summer and winter versions of each.
Everything is sent to the cleaners with every guest. We just rotate a clean set in with every changeover. It’s easier and more certain to be clean that way.
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Yes, it is necessary in a rental, because you have no idea whether guests sat with their bare bum on top of the blankets or whether they used the sheets “properly”.
I am your age, grew up in the US, and yes, I know that the bedding arrangement you use is standard in the US and Canada. But unlike you, I have used a duvet (with a top sheet) for the past 45 years.
Bedspreads are not necessary in a rental and just creates unnecessary laundry. Same for “decorative” quilts, pillow shams, etc. Do you really expect guests to remove the bedspread every night and put it back on again in the morning? If you like a bedspread on your own bed, that’s entirely up to you, but it’s a useless item in a rental. The first thing I do if I stay in a motel or hotel is pick up the bedspread with 2 fingers and throw it in a corner, then wash my hands, because I have no idea how often they wash those things.
Wow 
It is crazy how you have to explain everything to some guests!
I would not say a thing about it. Still act as if they slept and used everything and wash all bed linens, covers and blankets. My craziest pet peeve is when my Guests use all of my winter blankets (with temperature in the home at 75/76 fahrenheit) and then put them back in the drawers, even though there is a sign on the drawer that clearly states “If you use the blankets, please place them in the laundry basket upon checkout.” Some Guests don’t seem to care about following instructions.
And what about synthetics?? Ive just got back from Italy and the Netherlands where on every bed, no matter how classy, the doonas were synthetic. I was desperate for a comfortable not overcooked sleep. I think it is because Air Conditioners are generally used- and that is not my preference. Also, I suppose the doonas/ duvets are regularly washed ( I hope). In desperation we often pulled off the doona/duvet covers and slept under them
We’ve never used synthetics and wouldn’t ever do so. I personally have difficulty sleeping in synthetics.
We’d definitely hear about it in reviews if the bedding weren’t 100% cotton.
Having said that, there is a certain hosting style that simply does “whatever is cheapest”. And necessary if competing on the basis of price. But then, guests shouldn’t expect 5 star service at 2 star prices. Yet they still do.
I’ve found I really have to check the labels when buying bedding these days. There is so much microfiber- it seems to dominate the store bedding shelves, unless you can afford to shop at high end stores.
Of all places, Walmart carries 400 count cotton sheets and separate top and bottom sheets (I find I need to replace bottom sheets more often than top sheets, so this is useful, rather than having to buy a set). So as much as I hate to shop there, I do check what they have when I need more sheets.
My standard as a host is natural fibres- cotton or linen sheets, wool or down doonas. Im less keen on down though. In summer I provide cotton blankets as it gets darn hot here in summer, i can understand the use of my A.C at those times. We live near the coast and the sea breeze called locally ‘The Fremantle Dr’, regularly blows in. I think guests are too nervous to leave a window or shutter open to catch that at night, understandably not knowing the neighbourhood.
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So this raises an interesting thought – when we forum members become guests, are we pain-in-the-ass Karens if we ask about cotton sheets before we book… or go even heavier at the inquiry stage and tell the hosts “the availability cotton sheets is one of many factors when I’m deciding where to stay…” – which, depending on the duration or nightly cost, actually bludgeoning the host into buying cotton sheets.
And yet… In my 14 years of hosting, I have never provided cotton sheets or pillowcases. The microfiber sheet sets and pillowcases have endured, have easily cleaned, and have gotten softer over time. Some of these sheet sets are 10 years old.
I have slept on cotton sheets that have been scratchy, rough and uncomfortable.
Also, I always provide in the room ‘satin’ pillowcases to slip over the regular ones for folks who feel they need that for whatever reason. There are sometimes used; they are also polyester. I’ve never been reviewed for my sheet quality in a negative way.