Can you remember how long you’ve been using your personal pillow for? Has it been two years, four, years, six years, or even longer? People grow very comfortable with their pillows and like to use them for as long as they retain decent quality.

Obviously, circumstances are different in the hospitality industry since people are just staying there for limited periods of time and aren’t becoming attached to them like they would with their own. Hospitality properties also have a lot more beds and will be using a much higher amount on a daily basis. That brings the question of how often hospitality properties should replace these popular linen items. This blog will explain why it is important that properties replace their bnb and hotel pillows, how to know when it’s time to replace them, and how to care for them.

Why Should Hospitality Properties Replace Pillows

For the same reason why you should replace your pillows at home. When we sleep, our bodies shed hair, skin, and oils.

These cushions can absorb these materials and eventually begin to smell, although regular washing will prevent that. However, these conditions can also attract dust mites, which can affect people with allergies and prevent them from getting a good night’s sleep.

When Is It Time to Replace Pillows?

Properties replace pillows according to certain schedules, but also when people begin to notice signs of wear and tear.

Some of these signs include:

Permanent stains from sweat or oil
Guests complain of aches in the neck, head, or shoulders after sleeping on the pillow or report allergic reactions.
You fold the pillow in half, and it stays in that position (this only applies to feather pillows)

And keep in mind that pillows that pass the fold test aren’t immune from replacement. They go through a lot and should still be replaced every few months, regardless of their condition.

How to Care for Pillows

The easiest way to care for your pillows is to wash them regularly. For down pillows, that means:

Washing two at once so that your washing machine stays balanced during the spin cycle
Wash using gentle, additive-free soap and the fastest possible spin speed to prevent moisture from lingering
Give them an extra rinse to keep soap from persisting
Use non-chlorine bleach for whitening.
Avoid fabric softener, as this can make feathers lose their fluffiness.
It may take a few cycles to dry, but it’s important to be patient. Your pillows should be completely dry to prevent mold from forming.

Washing pillows designed with memory foam is a different story. You won’t be able to launder them the same way you would feather pillows, as the spin cycle of the washer and the heat of the dryer can cause the foam to break down. Instead:

Wash them by hand in the sink or bathtub, using lukewarm water and a small amount of gentle detergent.
Dunk the pillow and squeeze it so that the detergent soaks into the material. Do this for maybe 10 minutes.
Drain the water and rinse away the detergent under the faucet. Squeeze the water out of the foam, but do not wring out the pillow. This can damage the foam.
Place the pillow on a flat, dry surface in a well-ventilated area – but away from heat and direct sun – to let it dry.

Hotels replace pillows because they know how valuable a good night’s rest is for their customers. A guest who wakes up with a stiff neck is less likely to check back in.

InnStyle offers a wide selection of pillows and will be able to help you determine which type is best for you. Please give InnStyle a call about any hospitality product questions you may have. Their account managers would be more than happy to assist you and offer their own insight. InnStyle can be reached at 267-354-6020 or 800-877-4667. Their website is https://www.innstyle.com/.