Whether I’ve been on a weekend road trip, just returned from a thrilling camping escapade, or have spent weeks exploring distant lands, there’s one steadfast routine I always follow before I set off: I wash my linens and make the bed. This practice isn’t ostentatious, it doesn’t cost a dime, and it never fails to deliver the perfect welcome home.
My bedtime prelude is straightforward. Whether it’s the night before or the same day as my trip, I strip the bed bare—every pillowcase included—and promptly place everything into the washing machine. On particularly ambitious days or when the bed has been neglected for a spell, I might even break out the upholstery cleaner for a thorough cleaning.
While the bedding is undergoing its cleaning regimen, I tackle the bedroom, addressing any clutter and performing a light dusting. This often coincides with my packing process; I relish the urgency that the wash and dry cycle brings. When the bedding is ready, I make the bed with ease. If I’m on the road the next day, I simply spend a few moments re-making the bed—it’s that simple!
Other home preparations precede my travels as well—such as washing dishes, taking out the trash, decluttering the fridge, and cleaning the litter box—to ensure nothing unpleasant lingers during my absence. Nonetheless, the pre-travel bed-making ritual always yields the most rewarding results.
I recently returned from a weekend getaway that had its share of unexpected twists. Suffice it to say, there were a few aggravating delays, including the ever-so-annoying 20-minute plane delays. After waiting an additional hour on the jet bridge, we finally took off, arriving home close to midnight.
Needless to say, the sight of my welcoming, familiar bed was a sight for the weary eyes. A quick shower, followed by my nightly skincare, and then it was time to nestle into the fresh sheets and drift off to sleep for a solid eight hours.
Even when the post-trip blues settle in, a newly made bed with spotless, plumped pillows is a fantastic balm for any lingering travel wistfulness. Truth be told, it’s like a guarantee for a restful night’s sleep, something desperately needed after a trip.
This may seem like a mere triviality, but give this tip a try the next time you travel. Just imagine the comfort of finally arriving home to a snug bed after a long journey—it can turn even the most onerous aspects of travel, like airport screenings or stopovers at gas stations, into something manageable. After all, a clean bed waiting at home is the ultimate reward.
