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While traveling by Indian Railways, passengers traveling in AC coaches (First AC, 2nd AC and 3rd AC) are given a Bedroll Kit in a sealed packet by the Railways. This kit usually includes a pillow, pillow cover, a woolen blanket, a face towel and two white bed sheets. It is often seen that most of the passengers, without thinking, mix both the white sheets together and cover themselves or wrap both the sheets under the blanket to protect themselves from the cold. However, according to the rules and hygiene protocols of the Railways, there is a very special and technical purpose for giving these two sheets, about which 90 percent of the passengers are not aware.
The real scientific and hygiene reason behind finding two white sheets in the train
Lakhs of passengers travel in AC coaches of Indian Railways every day. The rexine mattress laid on the train berth and the heavy woolen blanket provided by the Railways are such items which are not practically possible to wash after every journey. As per railway rules, bedsheets and pillow covers are washed and sanitized at high temperatures after every trip, while blankets are dry cleaned only once or twice a month. In such a situation, a protective cover of two different sheets is prepared to protect the passenger’s skin and body from dust, bacteria and allergens present in the mattress and blanket.
Know the rule of using both the sheets properly
As per Railway guidelines both the sheets should be used at two different levels.
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First Sheet (Bottom Sheet): As soon as the bedroll is opened, first of all a white sheet should be completely opened and spread on the train berth (mattress). This sheet forms a protective shield between your body and the mattress so that the dust and germs present on the mattress do not come in direct contact with you.
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Second sheet (Top Sheet): The second white sheet is used to cover oneself. After this the woolen blanket is put on top of this second sheet. In this way the second sheet acts as a barrier between your body and the woolen blanket, so that the rough fiber or dust of the blanket does not touch your skin and face.
Wrong use can cause skin problems
If you cover both the sheets and lie directly on the mattress without laying the sheet, the risk of direct contact with sweat and bacteria from passengers already sitting on the mattress increases. On the other hand, if you cover yourself directly with a blanket without applying a sheet, then the hair and dust particles of the blanket can enter the lungs through breathing and cause problems like allergies, sneezing or itching and rashes on the skin. By using both the sheets like a sandwich, top and bottom, the journey remains completely clean and safe.
Why does Indian Railways provide only white colored sheets?
There is a solid reason behind Railways always using white colored linens and bedsheets. Any kind of stain, dirt or insect on white clothes is immediately visible, which makes it easier for the cleaning staff to identify dirty clothes. Additionally, white sheets are washed in bleach and hot water at extreme temperatures to eliminate all germs. Colored clothes fade after repeated washing, whereas white sheets assure hygiene and purity.
