Perfectly washed bedding is not a consideration for hotels, it is a public demand and a hygiene requirement. If there is a reason a guest will choose to immediately leave a hotel room (and probably never return), it is because the bedding is poorly washed.
This article briefly discusses what to consider when buying hotel bedding: which fabric lasts the longest and which washes more effectively.
Longevity
All bedding has a shelf life. This is best described in terms of how many washes the clothes can withstand without losing their quality. The easiest way to ensure your bedding lasts longer is to choose Egyptian cotton. The purchase will cost more, but this is offset by two factors: longevity and the initial quality that the customer experiences. So why is Egyptian cotton better?
In cotton, size does matter and it all has to do with the length of the cotton fibers. Conditions in Egypt produce the longest fibers (over 1.5 inches) and this means that they are stronger and finer, giving the feeling of softness.
The amount of threads is an important part of that feeling of comfort and luxury. The most popular cottons have a count of about 150, with good quality sheets starting around 180. 200 is the point where the thread count reaches the luxury range.
However, it’s not just about the number of threads per square inch. Egyptian cotton fibers are longer and allow for finer, thinner yarns, which means there is more per inch. But it also has to do with the ‘layer’ of the threads, such as the number of layers in the toilet paper, twisted together and how they intertwine to form the fabric. Quality Egyptian cotton has two layers, which means a softer, finer yarn.
Longer threads mean there are fewer of them and therefore fewer ends to fray. They are also thinner and therefore more packed, making the sheets stronger. Finally, this combination of long and thin yarns creates a more stable and tight weave that is unlikely to move and can absorb more dye to give longer lasting colors.
Percale
‘Percal’ is also a term worth keeping in mind, because it refers to the type of fabric used. The calico gives the fabric strength and this means it will last longer in multiple washes. Calico is generally only found in fabrics with a high thread count.
Mercerization
This chemical treatment process for cotton was invented by a Lancashire man, John Mercer, hence “mercerization”. Modern development of this process has resulted in a treatment that allows for a softer and more resistant fabric. Egyptian cotton that has been treated in this way is the most durable and will be least likely to discolor or lose its premium feel with repeated washings.
Effective washing
Egyptian cotton can absorb more water in the wash. In fact, Egyptian cotton often improves as it is washed over and over again, making fine, tightly woven yarns more soft. Saving on bedding can mean that with repeated laundering, savings are lost in a single-use, laundering environment like a hotel.
The washing process
If you have spent more to take advantage of the benefits of Egyptian cotton, it is important that the choice of wash respects this quality. If the wrong detergent or the wrong amounts are used, even the best cotton clothing will turn gray, particularly in certain hard water environments.
When considering the choice of laundry services, it is important that the supplier can answer what system they are using and why – ask for references from other hotel customers and check these references to make sure they are genuine.