Indian Railways provides two white sheets per berth in reserved coaches, with the intention that one serves as a bedsheet and the other as a blanket, to minimize direct contact with the less frequently washed black blankets. While bedsheets, pillow covers, and towels are cleaned after every trip, the black blankets undergo washing only once or twice a month, a detail clarified by the Railway Minister.

Indian Railways provides two white sheets per berth in reserved coaches, with the intention that one serves as a bedsheet and the other as a blanket, to minimize direct contact with the less frequently washed black blankets. While bedsheets, pillow covers, and towels are cleaned after every trip, the black blankets undergo washing only once or twice a month, a detail clarified by the Railway Minister.

Indian Railways provides two white sheets per berth in reserved coaches, with the intention that one serves as a bedsheet and the other as a blanket, to minimize direct contact with the less frequently washed black blankets. While bedsheets, pillow covers, and towels are cleaned after every trip, the black blankets undergo washing only once or twice a month, a detail clarified by the Railway Minister.

Those who have had overnight journeys in reserved coaches of Indian Railways would be familiar with the two sets of blankets that are provided to each passenger. A thick black sheet that resembles a hard woollen blanket comes along with a couple of white spreads and a pillow of the same colour. The pillow covers and sheets with the name "INDIAN RAILWAYS" imprinted on them are synonymous with long train journeys in the country.

While some passengers spread the black sheets on their seats before using the white ones to cover themselves, some others use them the other way around. Yet others prefer to sleep sans any spread on the berth and simply opt to cover themselves with the black blankets, given that they are warmer compared to the nice and thin white sheets.

So how exactly are passengers supposed to use these two sets of sheets? More importantly, are these sheets washed after each journey? According to a news report, it has finally been revealed why Indian Railways provide two bedsheets per berth in their reserved coaches.

Why two bedsheets per berth?

The reason why each berth is given a couple of white sheets is to ensure passengers don't come in direct contact with the black sheet. Ideally, one white sheet can be used as a bedsheet to be spread over the seat, while the second one can become a blanket before the black sheet is used. The black sheets are not washed after each train journey and it is not advisable for passengers to use them to cover themselves, the Railway Minister has reportedly said.

While the bedsheets, pillow covers, and towels are washed after each use, the blankets are washed once or twice a month, TV9 Marathi said in a report. As per railway regulations, cotton bedsheets are replaced after one year, while polyester bedsheets have a lifespan of two years. Pillow covers and face towels are used for nine months, while pillows and blankets are replaced after two years, the report added.

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