Forum-sourced ideas for an optimal reus(e)able bed sheet, please

[peregrino_tom]

The recent debate on another thread about refusing an albergue's disposable sheets produced some interesting insights and examples of sheets that are reuseable and which some pilgrims choose to carry with them.
TBH this is an aspect of my/our caminos I hadn't previously given much thought to. But now in the category of 'things you never thought you needed, but now feel like they are necessary for a fulfilled life' I'd be quite up for adding another 100-200g to my pack for a suitable reuseable sheet. I'd be happy to not use it where the albergue/hospis asked me not to.
Characteristics of this reuseable sheet should be, broadly:
- light of weight
- fitting nearly all beds, without slipping off (size? depth? fitted?)
- easy to wash and quick to dry
- not producing an electric storm of static when rubbed up against a sleep bag; and ideally
- having some other uses to justify its position in the pack (at the moment all I can think of is using it as a glorified laundry bag to carry everything to the washing machine room..)
I guess the same applies to a pillowcase - if you don't take a tiny inflatable pillow like I do.
Cheers, tom

 

[markie6]

I'd always assumed that the sheets and pillowcases that were handed out where to help identify / catch bedbugs ? I've always taken my own pillowcase from home as a sort of luxury and washed it at the the same time as my other clothes

Hopefully somebody who is aware of the "why" we use these sort of sheets / pillowcases can chime in and be a little bit more constructive than some of the "splaining" and rudeness that was in the other thread please

 

[Flog]

I'd always assumed that the sheets and pillowcases that were handed out where to help identify / catch bedbugs ?

They're to help us keep our germs to ourselves and keep the bed clean for the next person.. to leave it as we found it. It's easier to clean/change the sheets than to clean the mattress.

 

[markie6]

They're to help us keep our germs to ourselves and keep the bed clean for the next person.. to leave it as we found it. It's easier to clean/change the sheets than to clean the mattress.

Thanks Flog, yes I'd honestly thought that hygiene was the bulk of it, although from other threads, readings online and thoughts from other pilgrims while walking I'd hoped there was more to them.

 

[J Willhaus]

We try to wipe down the mattresses daily, but that may not be the case everywhere. Also the plastic mattress covers are pretty "sticky" where you make contact with your skin.

I've only worked where we had real fitted sheets and washed them daily, but I've stayed places where the one time use ones are given out. Also may be a way for hospitalero in larger busier albergues to know how many beds are left if they don't specifically assign you a bunk. (Count out one per bunk and when the pile is done you are full.) I use a little diagram to keep track where available.

 

[C clearly]

The currently used "disposable" sheets meet most of your criteria, as discussed in the other thread. People can just stop throwing them away after each use.

Silk sleeping bag liners (used with or without a sleeping bag) are light weight, easy to wash and dry. They are currently available, but are expensive. If you sew, @trecile has posted her design for a silk liner with attachments to secure it to the bed. (I don't have time to look for a link to it now.)

Other fabrics can be used for sleeping bag with possible tradeoff in weight and drying time.

There is no need to cover the whole mattress. However, for those who prefer, fitted sheets are well known. Polyester would be lightest and quickest to dry (possible cheapest, too, ergo the currently used "disposables"), and a poly-cotton blend would be next. 100% cotton is nice, but heavier and slower to dry.

No one sheet will fit every mattress perfectly. You could use a stretchy knit fabric, but that might not feel so good, would likely be heavier, and might not dry so quickly.

As far as bedbug protection goes, none of these sheets is effective. A sleeping bag liner that fully cocoons you body, including your head, would provide a physical barrier. The bed bugs can only get in through whatever openings you give them.

As far as "other" uses go, I'm sure we can invent some uses for fun. My silk pillowcase can be used as a scarf.

 

[PiesIrlandeses]

I use a silk sleeping bag liner.

 

[Simon B]

What about something like this?? - https://www.amazon.co.uk/MIQIO-Slee...8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

 

[SureFtWayEli]

The recent debate on another thread about refusing an albergue's disposable sheets produced some interesting insights and examples of sheets that are reuseable and which some pilgrims choose to carry with them.
TBH this is an aspect of my/our caminos I hadn't previously given much thought to. But now in the category of 'things you never thought you needed, but now feel like they are necessary for a fulfilled life' I'd be quite up for adding another 100-200g to my pack for a suitable reuseable sheet. I'd be happy to not use it where the albergue/hospis asked me not to.
Characteristics of this reuseable sheet should be, broadly:
- light of weight
- fitting nearly all beds, without slipping off (size? depth? fitted?)
- easy to wash and quick to dry
- not producing an electric storm of static when rubbed up against a sleep bag; and ideally
- having some other uses to justify its position in the pack (at the moment all I can think of is using it as a glorified laundry bag to carry everything to the washing machine room..)
I guess the same applies to a pillowcase - if you don't take a tiny inflatable pillow like I do.
Cheers, tom

I really like my Sea to Summit Comfort Blend Liner, rectangular with pillow sleeve model, Tencel fiber blend with fresh odor control fabric treatment, weight 10.2 ounces. Amazon, Backcountry, REI, LL Bean sell it. It is a lightweight liner that does not have a side opening but is stretchable & I find easy to slide into & out. Washable. Use jacket for pillow.

 

[jandeschepper]

You could apply elastics at the 4 corners diagonally to keep it in the mattress. An idea for manufacturers?

 

[Yoyo]

In this earlier post I described my solution which has worked well for me on several caminos.

 

[trecile]

You could apply elastics at the 4 corners diagonally to keep it in the mattress. An idea for manufacturers?

The sleep sacks that I make have elastic to hold it in place on the mattress. A simple length of silk the size and width of a single bed with elastic across the corners would be very light weight.

Here is my Google Doc with instructions for making my style of sleep sacks:

Sleep sack instructions

Sleep sack instructions I use 45 inch wide 8mm silk habotai fabric that I buy from Dharma Trading. I buy the natural white silk and dye it. I prewash the fabric before dying or cutting. I want the finished size to be the same size as a twin sized bed, which is 39” x 75” (96.5cm X 190.5cm), so I...

docs.google.com

 

[Astipad]

The sleep sacks that I make have elastic to hold it in place on the mattress. A simple length of silk the size and width of a single bed with elastic across the corners would be very light weight.

Here is my Google Doc with instructions for making my style of sleep sacks:

Sleep sack instructions

Sleep sack instructions I use 45 inch wide 8mm silk habotai fabric that I buy from Dharma Trading. I buy the natural white silk and dye it. I prewash the fabric before dying or cutting. I want the finished size to be the same size as a twin sized bed, which is 39” x 75” (96.5cm X 190.5cm), so I...

docs.google.com

This is brilliant, many thanks. I also love the tubular idea for the pillow case.

 

[KariC]

The recent debate on another thread about refusing an albergue's disposable sheets produced some interesting insights and examples of sheets that are reuseable and which some pilgrims choose to carry with them.

Silk sleeping bag liner. Super warm, and extremely compact and lightweight. Sorry, can't think of another use for it!