Sleeping Bags – Ideal For Short Sits

House sitting for just two or three nights (or a weekend) at a property can be a neat way to enjoy a brief change of scenery, and for full-time NZ house sitters (like myself) it also helps to fill in those awkward little gaps that can crop up between longer assignments. However, short stays can come with their own drawbacks, one of those being the task of stripping the spare bed, washing the linen, drying it, and then making the bed up again – after only using it for a few quick nights. What I like to do for short stays, instead of messing up the spare bed, is to use my own sleeping bag and camp on the couch in the lounge. I do this all the time on brief assignments and hopefully the following will help explain why those who are undertaking house sitting jobs in New Zealand may like to consider doing likewise.

Save Time On Bed Preparation

When using spare beds, it’s the job of all New Zealand house sitters to strip off the sheets, wash them, dry them, and then remake the bed before they leave the property. It’s just common courtesy to leave the beds made up with fresh linen. But this can be a bit of a nuisance on short sits, especially if the home doesn’t have a dryer and you’re relying on good weather or a drying rack. And it can all seem to be a bit of a pointless chore for a flying visit. By using their own sleeping bags on the couch, house sitters in NZ can eliminate this chore entirely. Simply give your bag a good shake outside, roll it up, and you’re good to go. You won’t even have the look at the spare bed, let alone tend to its laundry!

Greater Flexibility

Not all homes have a dedicated guest bedroom. If you’re open to sleeping on a comfortable couch with your sleeping bag, you have more options for house sitting gigs, including those where a spare bed isn’t available or you’re not comfortable using the master (marital) bed. You can also set up in a space that feels most comfortable and convenient, which is usually in the lounge where you can enjoy the winter fire (some bedrooms can be absolutely freezing!), and you have the telly as well.

Ideal For Last-Minute Sits

If you often take on short-notice house sitting jobs, packing a sleeping bag means you’re always prepared. There’s no need to ask if a guest bed is available or worry about what bedding arrangements have been made. Simply bring your sleeping bag (and pillow). Job done!

A More Hygienic Option

Using your own sleeping bag can also be a cleaner option. Naturally, Kiwi house sitters like to know exactly when (and how) their proposed bedding was last washed. I have come across a handful of places where the bed linen on made-up beds clearly hadn’t been put through the machine since it was last used by the previous occupant. This isn’t so bad on longer sits when you have plenty of time to clean the bedding properly and make full use of it during your stay. But on short assignments, your own sleeping bag ensures a personal, familiar, and hygienic sleeping environment for the fleeting time you’ll be there. NOTE: It’s also a good idea to take your own pillow(s) whether your stay is a short or long one. Some of the pillows I have encountered on my travels have been pretty gross. The slips may be clean but underneath the pillow itself can be as yellow as butter.

Final Word

Short house sits don’t have to come with the inconvenience of extra laundry and bed-making. By taking a sleeping bag and setting up on the couch, you make your stay easier, reduce your house work, and it helps to leave the home just as tidy as you found it. It’s a small adjustment that makes a big difference. So, next time you pack for a short house sit, don’t forget your trusty sleeping bag!

NOTE: If you find the couches/sofas too uncomfortable after only one night (and I occasionally have), grab a spare blanket from the cupboard, spread it out over a spare bed so it covers as much of it as possible (especially the pillow area, aka the head of the bed), and put your sleeping bag on top of that. On your last day, you just need to shake the blanket outside, fold it up, put it back in the cupboard, and then straighten up the duvet on the bed. Another option is to take the seat cushions off the couch/sofa (if they’re removable) and place them on the floor in a line and use those as a bed, and I find they work rather well.