Why People Make the Bed in a Hotel Room Before Checking Out

It is a common practice for guests to tidy up their hotel rooms, including making the bed, before they check out. This behavior can stem from various motivations, some thoughtful, others perhaps not so much. Understanding the reasons behind this seemingly small act can give insight into both the personal habits of guests and the operational challenges of hotel staff.

Respect for Housekeeping Staff

Many guests feel that making the bed is a way to show appreciation for the housekeeping staff who have put in significant effort cleaning their rooms. By leaving a bed that is already made, guests hope to make their job a bit easier. This gesture can foster a sense of goodwill and mutual respect between guest and staff, even if it doesn't always feel appreciated at the time.

Personal Habit

Some individuals have a habit of making their beds at home and carry that routine into their hotel stays. For them, making the bed provides a sense of order and cleanliness, which they find comforting in unfamiliar surroundings. This personal practice can create a feeling of familiarity and routine, making the hotel stay more pleasant and less disruptive.

Presentation and Impression Management

Guests may also want to leave the room looking tidy, especially if they have had visitors or if they want to maintain a certain impression. A neatly made bed can contribute to a welcoming and professional environment, which can be particularly important for business travelers or those who are staying for extended periods.

Hotel Policies and Encouragement

Some hotels actively encourage guests to make the bed as part of their checkout procedure, especially in extended-stay or budget hotels where housekeeping services might be limited. This can help guests feel more involved in the process and potentially make the room more comfortable until the next housekeeping visit.

Psychological Comfort

A made bed can contribute to a more comfortable and pleasant environment, even if it’s only temporary. For many people, the sight of a tidy bed can bring a sense of peace and tranquility, which can be beneficial during what is often a stressful time for travelers.

The Backstory: Unnecessary Work for Chambermaids

However, the guests’ intention to make the bed for the sake of respect or tidiness can sometimes backfire. When a chambermaid enters a room after a guest has left and sees a bed that is made, she has to un-make it and then re-make it according to the hotel’s standard operating procedures. This ends up being more work than just changing the sheets, which can be frustrating for both the maid and the guest. As an example, back in the 1970s, during his stay at the White House, President Jimmy Carter made his bed in a way that irritated the First Lady. This incident highlights the importance of considering the proceedings.

Guest Behavior and Housekeeping Regulations

Moreover, guests often don’t realize that a used sheet is considered unsanitary and must be removed and washed before it can be used again. Laws in many jurisdictions mandate this process, meaning that the bed should not be left unmade to avoid potential health issues.

Hotel Preferences

Hotel owners and managers would prefer it if guests stripped the bed before leaving, as this would help save time and effort when changing the bedlinen and re-making the bed. It also ensures that guests have not left any personal items, such as pajamas under the duvet, which can be unsanitary.

While some guests might find the idea of stripping the bed upon checkout to be inconvenient, understanding the reasons behind it can help them appreciate the hotel’s efforts to maintain hygiene and efficiency. Guests should be mindful of the potential inconvenience they might cause the housekeeping staff and aim to leave their rooms in as clean and tidy a state as possible, whether or not they make the bed.