In my previous post I mentioned doing posts about handy items that are frequently overlooked by numerous travellers. So, what exactly IS a sleep sheet? A sleep sheet is a sheet or bed liner often made from satin or silk that travellers use to lay on top of hostel mattresses. This is often for hygienic reasons as nobody wants to catch bed bugs while on holiday!
I'll give the hostels the benefit of the doubt that most of them frequently wash their bed sheets between travellers but it doesn't hurt to give yourself a layer of protection just in case. In the worst case scenario, bed bugs may be the least of your worries. Many models of sleep sheets now also feature a pillow flap for you to insert a pillow in. Again, for HYGIENE PURPOSES!
So, if you ever run into some questionable duvets/pillows, you'll have a nice clean, silky sheet cocooned around you instead of that! Some hostels require you to bring a sleep sheet or hire linen from them. Some hostels (e.g. YHA) offer linen free of charge but this may not be the case in many other Hostels. You can save money by using your own sheet instead of having the hostel provide one for you. Sounds like a win-win situation so far.
Backpackers often choose sleep sheets over sleeping bags if they do not plan to camp outdoors. As a backpacker, you would want to free up as much room as possible in your luggage. Silk and satin liners are light and easy to pack. They usually come in their own handy pouch with a lanyard/strap attached. Most sleep sheet can be simply stored in your luggage's outer compartments to save room. They are especially easy to wash and quick to dry compared to traditional linen. You can buy sleep sheets on ebay and on Amazon for reasonable prices (around AU$5-$20) and it is definitely a useful purchase for your travels. However, if you are a sewing aficionado, here's a guide on how to make your own sleep sheet!
Of course, if you will be staying at higher end hotels or with friends/families, these sleep sheets may not be as necessary.
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