transgenderer:

The whole concept of making the bed is such nonsense. You need 1 sheet (between you and the mattress, for washability and pleasant texture) and 1 blanket (for warmth, comfort and modesty if you’re like that). Additional blankets can be added for more warmth. These don’t need to be made, you just leave them on the bed and get under them. Everything else is pointless ceremony

In conditions of more particulate debris in the air, such as when heating and lighting was by way of flame or with dirtier furnaces, covering the bed while not in use did prevent grit from settling on the sleeping surface