Quantity

The usual allowance is three pairs to each bed, or five pairs to two beds of the same size, three pillowcases being allowed to each pillow.

Cost

Very good linen sheets, 3 yards in length, cost about 17/- per pair; good unbleached sheetings are sold at 1/1 per yard.

Size

It is important that sheets should be a suitable size for the bed for which they are intended. For a single bed 72 inches and for a double bed 90 inches is a convenient width; 2f or 3 yards is the usual length, remembering that when the bolster is to be rolled in the sheet it takes up quite 3/4 yard. Ordinary bedsteads are 6 feet 6 inches long.

Sheets should have a 1/4-inch hem at the foot and a 1-inch hem at the top: this distinction helps to prevent the foot part being placed near the face. Unless there is an embroidered initial or monogram on the top fold, the name of the owner should be marked on the lower left-hand corner.

Sheets should be changed once a fortnight, and clean pillow-cases should be given out each week.

Counterpanes

Marcella counterpanes (costing from 14/11 to 16/11) should be removed at night, as, being heavy, they exhaust the sleeper, and, being non-porous, they prevent the escape of the emanations of the skin.

Bolton sheeting ( 9 3/4d. double width), prettily embroidered, muslin, or bedspreads made up with lace insertions, are elegant and light. Cretonne covers matching the draperies of the room are both serviceable and dainty.

Eiderdowns are much cheaper than formerly; very good ones can be bought from 20/- to 25/- upwards. Toraliums, a cheap substitute, can be purchased at as low a price as 3/6; these should be perforated to ensure ventilation. During the summer they should be well shaken, folded up with some moth preventative, wrapped in brown paper (pasting up the paper to keep it quite air-tight), and placed in a large drawer or chest.

How To Air A Bed

1. Open windows top and bottom.

2. Take off the top clothes one by one and place on two chairs, with the seat turned towards foot of bed.

3. Beat and shake pillow and bolster, and place near window.

4. Remove lower clothes one by one and spread.

5. Turn mattress so that air has free access to every part by arching it on its two ends.

6. Spread night-vest and night-dress near window.

7. If convenient, leave door open to flush the room with air.

At least one hour's airing is necessary; each member of a household should attend to this before leaving the bedroom. The warmth of a bed conduces to the free escape of perspiration, little particles of skin rub off, and possibly disease germs with which the occupant has come in contact during the preceding day. For these reasons a thorough airing is required; if this be neglected, the bedroom acquires a close, stuffy smell, and the health of the occupant will soon be affected.