TowelHub Blog

The appearance of the bedroom and the bath will influence a visitor's impression of the entire room. Any room that isn't ready with proper fitted sheets, fresh towels, or bathroom supplies can appear to be poorly equipped. These details are important since they are utilized during the entire stay.

Making a choice of hotel linen isn't just about purchasing matching sheets and towels. When it comes to mattresses, hoteliers need to account for size, fabric construction, towel weight, washing needs and how many sets of mattresses they have to replace. It may look good when you first unpack the product, but may not perform as well after several weeks of use in the laundry.

The purchasing process must also take into account the kind of property. The needs of a roadside motel, vacation rental, and full service hotel are not the same. The way they are laid out, how they are used and what they include in their laundry facilities can create all kinds of differences when it comes to what you buy.

Hotel Linen Essentials for a Complete Room Setup

If you're putting together a full linen package for a room, this is the first step. When making a full package for a room, this is the first step.

Begin with the products given for each bedroom or bathroom. Having a written inventory is helpful when purchasing and will deter staff from working with incomplete sets. In the bedroom, the essentials are:

• Fitted sheets to fit mattress size
• Extra layers of flat sheets.
• Christian Carriage of the right size for pillowcases
• Mattress protectors
• Bed covers and appropriate inserts for the duvet.
• Additional blankets provided as necessary.

The bathroom must have separate towels, hand towels, washcloths and bath mats. Extra towels may be required in larger rooms and bath sheets or other guest amenities may also be provided in suites.

This inventory will form the basis for the hotel's linen plan. It also aids in separating products that are used in guest rooms from swimming pools, gymnasiums, and spas.

A property that has a swimming pool, for instance, should not allocate a room for pool towels to the same pool of rooms that is allocated for bathroom towels. With separate stock, it is easier to distribute it and is easier for the housekeeping team to spot when there are shortages.

Hotel Bedding Price Based on Fabric and Mattress Size

In a guest room the biggest collection of textile products is typically found in the bedroom. Thus, if the bedding specifications are wrong, a lot of rooms may be impacted.

The type of fabric is the primary factor to consider. Cotton and cotton/polyester blends are popular choices, but with different priorities of purchase.

Cotton-Polyester Fabrics and Cotton Fabrics

Cotton bed sheets are natural and have great breathability. These should be considered for use on properties where a more traditional cotton sleeping surface is important.

Cotton-polyester blends are blends of two fibers. They may be easier to use and easier to crease than some all-cotton, depending on their type of construction. This may work for hotels that often change out rooms or have strict laundry requirements. The hotel bed linen collection consists of items that have different fabric specifications. 

Percale and Sateen Weaves

Percale is a plain weave fabric, and it is matte and crisp. Sateen is smooth and has a sheen. Both are not necessarily superior beds. This will rely on the feel you want, fabric quality and how the sheets perform after laundering.

Mattress Fit and Sheet Dimensions

Mattress size and sheet size. Choosing the correct mattress size is as important as choosing the right fabric. A fitted sheet needs to be wide enough to fit the mattress and if the mattress has a topper or protector that stays in place, then the fitted sheet must be wide enough to fit for that depth as well.

Try not to use the label on the mattress as a sole indicator. Before ordering, measure its length, width and depth. Hotels should maintain a separate size record for every hotel room of different sizes.

When a sheet is fitted correctly, it will remain in place and provide housekeeping with a uniform look. It also eliminates returns due to incorrect size.

Bed Sheet Quality and Thread Count

Thread count refers to the number of threads in a square inch of material and is an indication of its quality. It can be a useful tool for buyers to compare when considering bedding, but the figure should never be the sole reason.

The higher the thread count, the better the quality is not necessarily true. Fiber type, yarn construction, weave and finishing all relate to the feel and wear of a sheet.

Before ordering, check the following details:

• Fiber composition
• The number of threads and weave.
• How many threads and weave.
• Finished sheet dimensions
• Mattress compatibility
• Washing and drying directions.
• Current status of availability for subsequent orders.
• Availability of the same specification for future orders.

In the hospitality industry, white bed sheets are still a viable option for a lot of establishments. They provide uniformity and enable stains to be seen during inspections of the rooms.

But, white fabric still requires correct maintenance. Washing it incorrectly, using the wrong detergent, or storing it improperly can impact the look of it. So, the type of beds that a hotel uses should be related to its laundry operation rather than the room design.

Mattress Fit and Sheet Dimensions

Mattress measurements deserve the same attention as fabric selection. A fitted sheet must accommodate the mattress depth, including any topper or protector that stays in place.

Do not rely on the mattress label alone. Measure its length, width, and depth before ordering. Hotels with different bed sizes should keep a separate size record for each room.

A correctly fitted sheet stays in place and gives housekeeping a consistent finish. It also prevents unnecessary returns caused by incorrect dimensions.

Hotel Towels and GSM Selection

Towels should be different from bed sheets and perform better in a different environment. They are expected to absorb moisture, feel comfortable, and stay in good shape after being used over and over again.

GSM is units per square meter or per square meter. It is a measure of the weight of a fabric per unit of area. This measurement is used by buyers to compare the thickness of towels but is not a measure of softness or absorbency.

How to Compare Hotel Towels GSM?

GSM should be taken into account in conjunction with size, fiber, construction and usage of the towel. The weight of towels can be the same, but their yarn and pile can vary so one towel can feel different from the other.

TowelHub also has some products by weight of 12. The towel thickness and weight guide describes how consumers can compare this with GSM.

Useful when comparing product specifications of various suppliers. Before comparing the weight of the towels, ensure they are of similar size.

Choosing the Right Bath Towel

A business hotel might want a towel that dries quickly and is easy to use for their employees. A resort can be more concerned about being "fuller" and bigger.

The decision should take the washing facilities into account as well. Heavy towels may take longer to dry and weigh down each load of laundry. This additional time can impact room preparation if the drying equipment is already running at 90% capacity.

The point of comparing commercial bath towels isn't to consider their thickness. Check the stitching, fabric feel, dimensions, and absorbency. Under normal operating conditions, a washed sample offers a much better indicator of performance than an inspection straight out of the package.

Hand Towels and Washcloths

Bath towels are just a single component in the bathroom. Hand towels should be kept by the sink and washcloths are a smaller option used for personal washing.

The wholesale bath towel range offers a category to offer comparative options for bath towels. The bathroom's stock should also include separate hand towels and washcloths. Having a coordinated look in a room is easier to maintain if these products remain the same.

Linen Inventory and Replacement Stock

A hotel can't use the same sheets and towels all day long. Before used items can be reused by Housekeeping, they must go through the collection, washing, drying, inspection, and storage processes. The stock requirement will be dependent on the speed of this process.

One approach can be a three-part system:

• There's one set in the guest room.
• One set is in the laundry process.
• A single clean set is available for use.
• Suppose there are 40 rooms in a house. 
• Two bath towels are given to each room.

40 rooms × 2 towels × 3 sets = 240 bath towels.

This is just a sample calculation and is not a requirement across the industry. If a hotel requires laundry to be done off-site or the turnaround is longer, extra stock is required. If the laundry is in the building and reliable, you might need to reserve another property to accommodate the needs.

Determine the product for each bedroom and bathroom separately. Not all sheets, pillowcases, hand towels and washcloths are used at the same rate.

Furthermore, note down any damages and emergency replacements. The inventory plan should show the pattern of the hotel's inventory needs rather than frequent emergency orders if the hotel has a consistent shortage of the product.

Laundry Care and Linen Durability

The condition of hospitality textiles is directly affected by the laundry conditions. The product could quickly deteriorate if staff use incorrect temperatures for washing, overfill washing machines or fail to follow the fabric care instructions.

Develop a washing process for each product type. It should include the use of detergents, water temperature, drying, sorting and inspection.

Along with particular attention, towels are in need of special attention. Fabric softeners may leave a residue, which can cause loss of absorbency, and overloaded machines can cause excessive strain on the fabric.

Wash items and then check them before putting them back in room stock. Check for thinning material, loose stitching, stains that do not go away and damaged edges. Discard items that are no longer fit for presentation or cleanliness for the hotel.

Choosing Hotel Bedding Suppliers

Product specifications and consistency should be used to evaluate a supplier, not price. Hotels should be aware of the items they are ordering and whether the same item may be available again if the current stock is to be replaced.

When evaluating hotel bedding suppliers, ask for clear information regarding fabric composition, size, construction and pack quantities.

If buying towels, check size, weight, fiber and purpose. Premium does not mean right for all properties.

Wholesale hotel bedding and wholesale hotel towels are subject to the same checks. Ask suppliers about:

• Minimum order quantities
• Available product samples
• Up-to-the-minute stock and repeat order information
• Packaging and delivery options
• Product care instructions
• Correct and damaged goods return procedures

A sample is a great way to avoid an expensive mistake for hotels that are purchasing larger quantities. Wash it and dry it, check the finish and then match it to the stock in the room.

Hotel Linen Costs and Long-Term Purchasing Decisions

However, the price paid is not the price. A cheaper sheet might need to be replaced sooner, and a heavier towel might prolong the drying time.

A convenient approximation is cost per useful cycle. The cost per use is determined by dividing the purchase price by the number of cycles that can be used.

For instance, a sheet of paper valued at $20, when used 100 times, has a cost of $20.00 per cycle. A $15 sheet used for 50 cycles costs $0.30 per use.

These are indicative rather than guaranteed product life spans. Actual results will depend on construction and washing conditions and handling.

Luxury hotel bedding and other items are no different. Any extra upfront costs must be justified – from a desired fabric to a perfect fit to the service level that the guests are expecting when staying at the property.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be the best linen for hospital rooms?

Cotton or cotton/polyester fabrics can be used, depending on the needs of the property. When making a decision, buyers should consider the composition, weave, fit and washing capabilities of the fabric.

What are the appropriate GSMs of hotel towels?

Not all GSMs work for all hotels. When shopping for towels, buyers should take the weight of the towel, size, construction, absorbency, and drying needs into consideration. The best method for determining suitability is to test a sample.

What is the number of sets of linen a hotel should stock?

Starting with 3 sets per room can be helpful for room use, laundry and clean reserve stock. This will vary based on occupancy, laundry pickups and replacement.

Why are hotels so often using white bed sheets?

White sheets help to create a uniform look in the room and make stains more noticeable. They also enable hotels to present their beds the same way in various rooms.

When a hotel buys wholesale hotel linen, what should it be sure to check?

Inspect the quality of the fabric, size, towel weight, sheet construction, care instructions, sample quality, order quantities and repeat order availability. The products to be used should also be compatible with the laundry equipment and storage at the hotel.

Conclusion

The selection of products for the beds, appropriate for their usage and purpose, and applicable in day-to-day use is a critical element in a good room setup. The right sheets and towels should not only meet guest expectations, it should also not make laundry and housekeeping more difficult.

Please consult your room stock before ordering, size mattresses, monitor the need for towels, and estimate how many items you need to replace. Use test samples rather than relying on product descriptions when testing.

When ordering your next hotel supplies, you should compare bedding, towels, and other need-of-the-bathroom items at TowelHub. Select products based on room size, laundry needs, and buying habits.