One of the first souvenirs you may want to purchase upon arrival in India is a sleep sheet. Unlike budget hotels across much of the western world, India’s cheap hotels keep costs down by skipping the constant changing of bed linens. Most budget hotels don’t even offer a sleep sheet. You’re provided with a foam mattress covered by a flat sheet which is then folded under as the primary bed linen. A plush blanket is commonly folded at the foot of the bed for covering warmth.

Before committing myself to a particular hotel I always ask to view the room first. I am a rather rugged traveler when push comes to shove, yet I’ve been startled by the cleanliness of sheets one too many times. Musty, hair covered sheets wrinkled from countless uses lie waiting to take on another guest. And don’t forget the pillow cases, stained black in a circular area near the middle of the pillow from the oils and dirt of tired heads who have come before me.

Typical India market linen store

From cotton to silk, nearly every market in every town throughout India will have stacks of sleep sheets in colorful designs for sale. Fortunately prices starting around Rs 150 won’t leave you digging too deep in your pockets. A fresh sleep sheet can cover even the dirtiest of beds while also providing a clean option for the reused sheets offered on sleeper trains. A properly folded sheet doesn’t take much space, and soiled sheets can be made fresh again with a trip to the local laundrywalla.