Informative articles relating to sheets and bed sheets, and their applications in the hospitality industry.
As stains go, blood is one of the worst.
It’s easy to see a blood stain and feel like Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth, driven to the brink of madness by that spot that…just…won’t…come…out.
But getting blood stains out of hotel bed sheets doesn’t have to feel like an impossible task. Whether the stain is fresh or has had time to soak in overnight, there are numerous methods for restoring your sheets to pristine condition.
Continue reading How to Get Blood Out of Sheets →
You pride yourself on having a neat, well-organized linen closet, with all your towels, washcloths, sheets and pillowcases cleanly squared away.
Then it comes time to fold a fitted sheet, and all bets are off.
As housekeeping chores go, this one can feel like a wrestling match, only your opponent is a squid, or a puff of smoke.
Continue reading How to Fold a Fitted Sheet →
There’s nothing quite like going to bed beneath a set of freshly washed sheets.
It’s a nice feeling when you’re at home, but something guests at your inn, bed and breakfast or vacation rental property will think of as a given. You check into an establishment, you expect to find clean, high quality hotel-style sheets.
But how do you keep those sheets clean and comfortable week after week, guest after guest? In this blog post, we’ll explore the best ways for you to care for bedding at your hotel, inn, bed and breakfast or vacation rental property.
Continue reading What’s the Best Way to Care for Hotel Sheets? →
At InnStyle, we’ve long offered products that carry the “certified organic” label, but what does that distinction really mean in connection to the organic cotton sheets, towels, etc. we sell?
Organic certification only applies to cotton grown according to strict requirements governing fiber production and processing and the use of pesticides and fertilizers.
In this blog post, we’ll look at two of the international organizations that certify organic products such as cotton sheets, cotton towels and other cotton products such as robes, duvets, etc..
Continue reading “Certified Organic” Includes More Than Just Organic Cotton Sheets →
After almost 30 years of serving the hospitality industry, I have seen many changes, but one thing has remained the same:
Whether people are on vacation or traveling for business, they want to stay in a clean room with clean sheets, clean towels and clean bedding.
Guests have become even more conscious of room cleanliness in recent years thanks to some high-profile and widespread beg bug invasions.
We’ve written blog posts in the past about protecting a room and a bed against bed bugs. If guest finds – or worse, is bitten by – a bed bug, it can be an expensive proposition.
That’s why protection is your best prevention. Be vigilant in checking your room each time a guest checks in our checks out.
Continue reading Guests Want Clean Sheets and Towels (And No Bed Bugs) →
Egyptian cotton has long been considered the finest cotton in the world and therefore it stands to reason, Egyptian cotton sheets are considered by many to be the best cotton sheets you can buy.
Egypt’s climate – marked by heavy rains, humidity, and stable temperatures – and fertile land come together to create growing conditions that make the country a leading producer of high quality, extra-long staple (ELS) cotton.
These longer fibers allow for much stronger and more uniform yarns, making the resultant fabric much smoother and more resistant to wear. It also maintains its luxurious texture, becoming softer and silkier over time with proper care. And ELS Egyptian cotton is much more porous than other cottons, allowing it to readily wick away moisture, leading to an overall better overall sleep.
Continue reading Why are Egyptian Giza & Pima Cotton Sheets So Special? →
This is a question we’re asked frequently by innkeepers who are attempting to keep their costs to a reasonable minimum, and also by customers who only plan to use their bed sheets at home.
No matter who’s doing the asking, though, it’s a wise question to ask. Because bed sheets—especially well-made and comfortable bed sheets—can be costly. And for both hospitality and home use, most experts recommend having a minimum of three sets of sheeting per bed: one on the bed, one in the wash, and one in the closet. In between each use, we recommend laundering and then storing your linens in a well-ventilated space.
But take heart: With proper care, fine bed linens can last for many years, regardless of whether you’re using them exclusively in the home, or in a busy hotel or inn with a heavy guest turnover.
To ensure that your bed sheets will last as long as possible, alternate the use of each set on a weekly basis for home use. For innkeepers, of course, sheets need to be changed each time a guest checks out and a new guest arrives. Depending on the level of turnover, innkeepers will find that the majority of their sheets need to be replaced much sooner than a homeowner will need to replace hers.
For best results when laundering, use a non-chlorine bleach and a gentle liquid detergent not a fabric softener as it will lessen the life of the fabric and add a substance that does not allow the fabric to breathe. Wash on a gentle cycle with warm water, then tumble dry until slightly damp.
Pro tip: Over drying or drying on too hot a setting is the single biggest factor in reducing the life of your sheets. This is why we suggest taking your sheets out while slightly damp. Once smoothed and folded, most sheeting will be less wrinkled. Again, you can touch up with an iron on the hem of the flat sheet and pillowcase hem.
Continue reading Which Type of Bed Sheets Last the Longest? →
Monogramming for InnkeepersMany of our bed-and-breakfast, country inn and upscale hotel customers provide monogrammed robes in every guest room. Innkeepers find their guests love these robes and quite often want to purchase them. Simply putting a small tag on the robe hanger can explain to the guest that if they wish to purchase the robes, new robes are available for sale at the front desk.
Some innkeepers have little shops or a few shelves behind the front desk where they show inventory of many of the monogrammed items used in the rooms. Monogramming your robes not only reminds guests where they stayed but also brings back the many fond memories they made while staying at your property.
Crests, logos and initials can be monogrammed on all bath and bedding items. All monogrammed orders must be approved before work can be completed.
We use a two-step approval process:
Continue reading Monogramming Your Robes, Towels, Bed, Bath and Table Linens →
Do not use Chlorine Bleach on your sheeting or towels as it will cause fading and discoloration. It breaks down and permanently weakens the cotton fibers. It is important to ensure that your linens do not come in contact with face creams or toothpaste as these may leave stains on your towels or sheets. All stains need to be treated properly before they are put into the washer and dryer. If a stain is not caught before it hits the washer and dryer, the stain will set. Try to use makeup remover towels to remove makeup such as our InnStyle makeup remover towels or Facial Wipes (you will save many towels, washcloths and pillowcases if using these). When washing your linens, use an oxygen-based product or a product without a brightener and fragrance to wash the linens. Brighteners in washing detergents can leave white spots. Oxygen based products are safe for use on almost all washable fabrics including color fabrics. When using an oxygen-based product, the chemical ingredient oxidizes to help remove soil and organic matter brightening the fabric and removing stains without taking out the color of the fabric.
Fabric softener is also Not Recommended!! Fabric softener is designed to coat fibers in oils, waxes and fragrances that might make the fabric feel soft but the build-up of chemicals can damage the fabric and make it less absorbent. In addition, fabric softeners clog the pores of cottons including Egyptian cotton . This applies to any sheeting or toweling. It prevents the cotton from breathing and it decreases the luster and gloss of the appearance. High quality Cottons including Egyptian cotton linens do not need to be treated with fabric softener. The Cotton will become softer naturally, without fabric softener, after repeated washings and dryings.
The InnStyle staff would be happy to go over proper care of our fine linens with you. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
How long should my bed sheets last?
This is a question asked frequently by both our innkeepers and by our customers for home use.
For home use & hospitality use, with proper care, fine bed linens (depending on the sheets you purchase-this is why I state “fine linens”) can last for many years. It is best to alternate the use of each set on a weekly basis for home use. For innkeepers, of course, sheets need to be changed each time a guest checks out and a new guest arrives. Innkeepers will find that most sheets will need to be replaced sooner (than a homeowner) depending on how often their turnover is of guest occupancy in their properties. Three sets of sheets for each bed is a good guideline to follow for hospitality and for your home: one on the bed, one in the wash, one in the closet. In between each use, launder and store your linens in a well-ventilated space. For best results when laundering, use a non-chlorine bleach and a gentle liquid detergent. Wash on a gentle cycle with warm water. Tumble dry until slightly damp. Over drying or drying on too hot a setting is the single biggest factor in reducing the life of your sheets.
Continue reading Cotton Sheeting →