Bedwetting

[Martin]

We've just had another episode of a guest wetting the bed, and the mattress having to be disposed of. We're an 11 bed property and this is the 4th or 5th time it's happened in 2 years.

The parent of the child concerned seemed to insinuate that she expected us to have waterproof mattress covers on all beds, but our hotel inspector advised us very clearly that they were deemed unacceptable for standard use.

We tend to charge based on the circumstances. If it's caused by a bloke having a skinful of beer, then we tend to charge for every single thing (disposal, new for old, collection, time etc), including a charge for additional cleaning which we pass straight onto housekeeping. In this case however it was a pleasant, quiet young teenage lad, and we're going to ask for a contribution towards the replacement.

What do other people do, both in terms of prevention, and resolution?

Cheers,

Martin.

[Sue: White Horse Walking Holidays]

What do other people do, both in terms of prevention, and resolution?

Cheers,

Martin.

Yet something else I hadn't even thought about. :-(

[S_Gregory]

We have experienced similar problems with bedwetters too. We are an accessible self-catering (www.thehytte.com) with many the majority our guests having pysical/learning disabilities with associated continence problems, yet we have never have a soiled bed by any of our guests with disabilities as they always use/bring either protective sheets or inco sheets.

Our problems have been with children often older ones which you would not expect to still bedwetting. and their parents who think it is OK to just turn over the sodden mattrass and leave without mentioning the fact that the bed and room smell like a public urinal.

To combat this we provide a waterproof mattrass cover in each wardrobe (at eye level!!) and a note in our guest information saying;
" To prevent accidents a waterproof mattrass cover is provided in each room - Please use "
This has dramatically reduced the problem, if guests have a genuine accident and tell us about it when it happens so we have time to put things right before changeover day we do not make a charge (You can tell the genuine people as they are honest upfront and generally mortified that it has happened)
However like you if its someone who has been drunk or they have hidden the fact by turning the mattrass over without letting us know I charge. If children are young and occationally wet the bed I do feel their parents have some responsibility use the mattrass protectors povided. Incidently some of our mattrasses are from IKEA they are great quality sprung matrasses which have proved to be better quality that other mattrasses we have had and have the added benefit of zip off removable covers which can be machine washed and come up like new so usually the cover can be washed rather than relacing the whole mattrass

[joyce_taylor]

Do Ikea`s matresses conform to BS7177? I thought they only sold domestic bedding

[S_Gregory]

Yes thanks! our IKEA mattrasses clearly state on the label that they conform to BS7177

[_grockles]

We have 5 units which are all accessible (www.ingoldmells.net) We find we attract quite a lot of care/nursing homes as large groups. We now fearlessly ask at the time of booking if there is going to be an issue with continence, and explain that only one single bed in each unit has an encapsulated mattress and is suitable for incontinent guests, all the other beds have waterproof removable covers, which do not hold back a real onslaught. We have had mixed experiences from the absolutely appalling to merely thoughtless. We find that 'carers' neither clean up very well, nor worry about bed soiling. Family members take much more care. As we have had wet/soiled mattresses we have replaced with a brand called 'Neptune' recommended by our bed supplier. (Clue in the name). However, Neptune mattresses will only grade at a maximum of 4 stars. We almost always bill for everything, but finding a legally responsible member of nursing home parties can be a challenge. We take the time to explain that the holiday is signed for by a guest who is legally responsible for damage, but they often put holidays in the name of the receiver of care, who funds the holiday, but is not ultimately responsible either for their money or how the unit is left. Another associated issue is yellow bagged waste. Many guests bring yellow bags which they use at home, and are collected by arrangement with their local authority for safe disposal. We have no such arrangement, and all pads and waste should go into domestic waste as you would a baby nappy. However, guests tend to accumulate wet soiled pads in yellow bags, then hide the yellow bags in our standard waste,. There is a fine for yellow bags in domestic waste. We search their bins now and will be quite clear about yellow bag waste. For safe cleansing of bedding soiled with human waste you should have a machine with a suice cycle and a boil cycle. In absence of such an industrial machine you should bin or burn bedding soiled with human materials. ... I could go on, its been and continues to be a very big issue for this small business.....

[Martin]

Crikey, I'll never whinge about the odd mattress again!

Funnily enough our mattress supplier mentioned Neptune mattresses today, so we'll do some research on them (we are 4 Star).

Cheers,

Martin.

[freddy1]

regardless of what the assessor says I have got waterproof mattress covers directly on top of the mattress (or mattress toppers) then I put a normal mattress cover on top of that - over the years I have accumulated fitted bedsheets that are thin or bubbled not suitable for sleeping directly on so I place one of these on top of the normal mattress topper and then the actual bottom sheet. Know it sounds like a lot but it has prevented costly replacements, the only sheet needing to be changed is the top for normal/1 night guests and any disasters then it all comes off and no damaged mattress. The inspector has not gone against this because I also pointed out the article I found in a magazine/newspaper regarding beg bug infestations in a major hotel a few years ago which cost the establishment a fortune not only in replacement mattresses but law suits - my point to her? I have no intention of being sued and one cannot judge a guest's cleanliness just by appearance she did not argue the toss.

[kendalcottages]

We use mattress covers and I don't see any reason why your "hotel inspector advised us very clearly that they were deemed unacceptable for standard use". I would be interested to know why? There are very good quality mattress covers available nowadays and I doubt most people would know they are lying on one.