This Is Your Momma’s Sleep Sheet!.

Editor’s note: This story is part of a travel resource series for Brooke vs. the World’s upcoming free ebook, which will feature a collection of thrifty travel tips from some of today’s top travel bloggers. More information, including how you can get involved in the project , is available at the end of this post.

The mainstream press has put the fear in me.

For years I lived in ignorant bliss of the bacteria levels in hotels and airplanes, but then headlines like “Hotel Not So Grand” and “6 Places Germs Breed on an Airplane” shattered my rose-colored glasses.

To be honest, I’m not really freaked out by the germs. More than anything, the uncleanliness just makes me uncomfortable. For example, when I lived in San Francisco, I rode the BART regularly and really enjoyed resting my head on its cloth seats. Well, guess what? After 40 years, those seats are pretty vile, according to a recent news story. So, next time I ride the BART, I’m not going to get that same warm, fuzzy feeling I used to get; it has been tainted for me.

The same holds true for hostels. Like hotels, some hostels are clean, some are not, and to be honest, I just don’t know anymore. So to counter my uncertainty, I began traveling with a sleep sheet, and I’ve never slept better; it gives me peace of mind, even if it is really only a thin piece of fabric.

Before we left for Europe, Beth and I each bought sleep sheets (also known as sleep sacks), and while ours weren’t that expensive ($15-$35), it was an extra expense. And when you are on a budget, every penny counts. So, we decided to create a How To Guide for making your own, awesome sleep sheet with a spot for a pillow too!

Beth’s Two Cents: The only thing scarier than a potentially filthy bed is the idea of a dirty pillow. With the built in pillowcase you can slide the pillow in, so your head will always rest on your clean sheet. You can also use the built in pillowcase to stuff in some of your clothing in case you don’t want to use the hostel provided pillow.

Step One: Get yourself a queen or king size flat sheet. For our sleep sheet, we are using a queen. Though, you could use two twin or full sheets sewn together. I highly recommend using an old sheet from your mother’s collection if you can. Not only is it free, but it also gives you a little sense of home when you are abroad.

Step Two: Fold the sheet in half.

Step Three: Cut a little over 1/3 of the way down on the folded edge.

Step Four: Sew, stitch or fabric glue up the open side and bottom.

Step Five: Hop in and enjoy! A little slice of home you can take anywhere around the world!

Step Six: Remember to pack a piece of yarn or Zip Lock bag so you can wrap up your sheet in the morning!

Brooke vs. the World has asked travel bloggers to put together their best thrifty and resourceful travel tips for a helpful, free ebook. If you think you’re thrifty and would like to participate, check out the official rules so you can be part of the ebook too!

Wondering why some of these photos were taken outside and some inside? We planned on doing the entire shoot outside but we got rained out. Oops!

*Please remember all photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and property of Beers and Beans Travel Website, Nariko’ s Nest Weddings & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!