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I do similar. Just a comforter or light summer comforter to pull up and that's it.
But back to making the bed being unsanitary. A long time ago I read somewhere that the Shakers? used to pull the sheets down and let the bed air for about fifteen minutes. Then they'd go back and make the bed. That sounded good to me and I've done it ever since. I think letting it air out and if there's sunlight coming in through the bedroom window, let the sun sort of sanitize it too, would do away with the problem of bacteria or whatever problems that might come from making the bed immediately. Anyway, I'm too tired when I first make up so it works.
My mother did not approve of making a warm bed, so I throw the covers back when I get up and turn on the fan. Making it presentable comes later in the morning. I do snap the sheets and plump the pillows when I get up. Sometimes its still "unmade" when I climb back in.
I'm just on the verge of retirement (2 more weeks) so I'm quite puzzled on why retirees would want to do less chores instead of more than when they were working. It's hard for me to keep the house as neat and clean as I'd like when I'm working while having many outdoor hobbies and volunteer activities. I will not have good excuses to let go of house maintenance when I stop working. In addition, we have a long list of things to do to fix up the houses, to down size in preparation for
So it's very likely that we will relocate to the Eastern edge of WA or CDA, ID in a very near future. There are many chores and househod tasks awaiting me in my upcoming 'retirement'.
Why would you want to do more chores in retirement?? Why would you do anything that you would rather not do, if you could avoid it and still maintain your home and lifestyle. My time and energy are important to me.
This depends on your definion of chores whether they are routine or disagreeable tasks. It's the former for me. I typically enjoy the fruits of my labor so I don't mind doing household 'chores' when I have the time. I'm the kind of person who can not sit still so the only wasted time and energy activities to me would be something like watching sitcom T.V. or yakking on the phones ;-).
So the question that I have for retirees who stop doing some household chores is why?: Because they are not needed? because they have become too physically demanding? Because you would rather doing something else? If so, what would you rather be doing? Because you think you have saved enough money so now it's the time to pay someone to do the work? Because you think retirement is the time to just kick back, relax, enjoy your coffee, your margarita and let someone else to do all the work? etc.?
Love this. I'm not retired, but I think the same way about these things.
We have company coming for Sunday dinner tomorrow, so I had to get into high gear in the housecleaning department, and this is NOT the norm. Spent all day cleaning, the dining table will be beautifully decorated, guest soaps and towels in the bathroom, pretty wreath on the door and fresh flowers in the flower pot on the porch, clutter organized and hidden away, our company will have no idea we don't ALWAYS live this way, far from it. Live is TOO short. I'd rather spend one Saturday knocking myself out cleaning, and basically say the heck with it the rest of the time, then worry about a little dust and la few laundry piles all the time. But, I work 50 hours a week, so, I'm excused, but I don't plan on changing that when I retire either.
After doing janitorial for sixteen years, I can say for a fact that it's far easier to keep things at a certain level of clean, than let it go and have to labor harder to get it back.
The last time I even saw an iron was about 45 years ago when I was age 23.
Funny you should mention this. I know there is an iron in the back of the linen closet but I haven't seen my ironing board in years. Wonder if I still have it? It could be in the basement somewhere but maybe I sold it at a garage sale.
I bought one of these steamers 25 years ago and used it daily before I retired. Now it gets used once in awhile.
Ten or more years ago I gave up sending out Christmas cards. That is a thing of the past for the most part for most people, of course. I appreciate the few people who still send one to me, but since they don't get one back I am not surprised that I receive fewer and fewer.
I buy a box of 10 cards at the after-Christmas sales for the next year. Anyone who bothers to send me a card gets a card, otherwise, I don't send out cards. I got sick and tired of hearing about how much stamps cost, so people were pruning their lists, etc, and I was always one of the ones eliminated. Stamps cost the same for me as they do for others. If I'm not worth a stamp to them, they're not worth a stamp to me
OMG---I sound just like a grouchy old lady
Has that time come?
The last time I even saw an iron was about 45 years ago when I was age 23.
I have never owned an iron. Ages ago my H bought a shirt that wrinkled horribly. I told him he could iron it himself or take it to the cleaner. Never saw the shirt again, he probably threw it away!
I still remember my grandma ironing sheets and underwear. I revolted and refused to iron anything!
After doing janitorial for sixteen years, I can say for a fact that it's far easier to keep things at a certain level of clean, than let it go and have to labor harder to get it back.
At least, it is for me.
Absolutely!
I've never been able to understand the idea of 'spring cleaning' for instance.
I will admit though, that if there is a 'project'.....like a really thorough cleaning of the entire refrigerator or defrosting the freezer,(I prefer non-frost free freezers) or windows....I do do windows there is at least a sense of accomplishment
But back to making the bed being unsanitary. A long time ago I read somewhere that the Shakers? used to pull the sheets down and let the bed air for about fifteen minutes. Then they'd go back and make the bed. That sounded good to me and I've done it ever since. I think letting it air out and if there's sunlight coming in through the bedroom window, let the sun sort of sanitize it too, would do away with the problem of bacteria or whatever problems that might come from making the bed immediately. Anyway, I'm too tired when I first make up so it works.
It's the moisture trapped in the bedding that makes it a mite terrarium if you make it immediately on getting up. But it isn't like making the bed causes a spike in health problems or anything; we are exposed to mites a lot more often than we like to think about.
We live in a townhouse which means we gave up all exterior maintenance except for our own plantings which we put in for our love of gardening. Otherwise all snow, lawn, deck, roof, siding issues have been reduced down to us making a phone call should a problem arise or the job not be done to our liking. And people ****** about association fees!
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there is at least a sense of accomplishment 
