Do I need to Iron?
If you asked this question while living a life of normality and not running a B&B then I would say that you don't have to iron anything as it is your prerogative. But because you run a B&B then of course you have to iron - your guests expect crisp clean sheets but there are shortcuts you can take....
Ironing can take up a lot of time and unless you are one of those people where ironing is the best thing in the world then like me - you'll have a problem in no time at all!
If you just have a standard iron with steam function then the most obvious way to iron the giant King size or Double Duvet covers and pillow is to use the folding technique. You don't have to iron the cover as a single sheet, fold it in half first so that it fits on the ironing board and then just feed it up over the board.
Doubling - Folding - Ironinng
Keep on Doubling up on the duvet covers as you iron so when you have ironed one side, fold it in half leaving the un-ironed part on the outside as you do so, iron that bit and fold again! Folding, ironing, folding, ironing!
If the iron is hot and ready to go then each Duvet cover takes between 5-10 minutes depending on how much of a perfectionist one is.
Secret Tip!
I've done this before and I'm pretty sure some other people have to - it's nothing to be ashamed of and indeed should be promoted...
Iron the sheets and covers on the bed!
Once you've made the bed which normally takes the most time, if you have not ironed the Duvet Cover on the ironing board then put the iron on a medium temperature with lots of steam and iron on the bed while everything is in position.
Because you have already stretched the sheets on the bed it is easier and quicker to do it this way then you have not got to worry about the ironing in the afternoons!
Do I have to Iron sheets?
My opinion is - No - for the simple reason that when you fold it after washing and drying and then stretch it out over the bed tightly there isn't really any creases to be seen especially if it's a high quality Cotton sheet.
Extra Tips....
If you have a neighbour who is retired for example or someone close by that could do with an extra income how about asking them to wash aswell - £2 per bed would go down very well - 5 rooms at £2 per room that's £10 a day for your business washing, drying and ironing - £300 per month they could even drop it round the next morning when you swap the clean for the dirty - You'll never know if you don't ask!
Some people have said that if you wash the bedding and then hang it straight outside then it pretty much un-creases itself - if this actually Happens I'd love to hear about it as I don't recall that sheets iron themselves unless it is a new material. But hanging them up while they are wet definitely makes them easier to iron as the weight of the wet material stretches itself out as it drys.
LEARN TO ENJOY IRONING......
It may come down to the fact that you'll just have to learn to enjoy ironing. Get yourself a funky board design and set up a special place in the house where the ironing is to be done, get a radio nearby or plug in your iPod and dance while you iron - it'll keep you fit!
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| Invest in ironing and learn to love it! |
If anybody else has any tips then please please feel free to share them :) !!
Hi Benny,
ReplyDeleteThese are excellent tips for B&B owners everywhere. The only B&B I stayed at was in New Orleans. I liked it because the owners provided personal touches, such as travel size shampoo and condition from Aveda. And then, of course, they gave me breakfast in the morning. But it wasn't just some breakfast they slapped together. They cared about what they were feeding me. Needless to say, I've been back more than once.
Jolie du Pre