B&B supplies - Part 2

Choosing Bedding for Use in a Bed and Breakfast Need Not Evoke Angst

With so many choices available when purchasing bedding for the bed and breakfast or hospitality industry, it can feel overwhelming to the point of complete brain-melt down, thus contributing to a case of decision-avoidance-syndrome. Buying bedding need not be such a drama-inducing experience however, as long as one adheres to a few simple and basic bedding caveats.

At first blush, “loft” seems like bedding industry specific term meaning, well… I didn’t quite frankly know. Loft, I’ve come to discover however, is not such a mystery after all and simply refers to the quality, aka “fill power”, of the down products used in bedding stuffing. For example, a down comforter that possesses fluffy masses of high quality down, with comparably fewer ounces of inferior quality types of down, is said to have high “fill power”, otherwise known as “loft”. This higher quality comforter is subsequently lighter and warmer than an inferior comforter with less fill power.
When deciding on a blanket purchase, one needs to be clear about the intended use of the blanket. For example, for use in the summer months choose among easy-to-care-for cotton or thermal varieties. These types allow air to pass through and are more comfortable for the warm-weather guest. For cooler weather, the finest-quality and warmest choice would be merino wool. Synthetic blankets on the other hand are less expensive, easier to wash, and are non-allergenic–but offers less in terms of warmth.
Flannel notoriously shrinks. When purchasing flannel sheets, make sure the label indicates it has been pre-shrunk. Otherwise, unless your mattresses go on a diet, the sheets will cease to fit over time.
For the crafty inn keeper, avoid the expense of purchasing a fancy duvet cover by easily making your own. Purchase two flat sheets and simply sew them together on three sides (inside-out, of course!). Sew grommets into the forth side and complete the look by enclosing the comforter with decorative ribbon. Viola! You have created an inexpensive, practical and easy to maintain duvet cover your customers will notice and appreciate.
When filling a decorative sham, buy an inexpensive queen-size pillow. The result is a decadently over-stuffed sham, with an aesthetic quality that only looks expensive.

When purchasing hospitality supplies in general, and bed and breakfast supplies specifically, there are purchases that you must splurge on, and purchases that you can skimp on. The trick is to understand how these decisions will impact the comfort and satisfaction of the inn customer, which ultimately impacts the comfort and satisfaction of your wallet.

For more information on our bedding or any other wholesale supplies we offer, please contact us at 267-354-6020 or toll-free at 1-800-877-INNS (4667).

Bed Bug Protection and the Bed and Breakfast Supplies Industry

Warning: This Post Is Not For The Squeamish

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has much to be proud of.

It is a unique city comprised of neighborhoods, each with its own identity. The quality of life is affordable. Sports fans are the most fiercely loyal (and unabashedly honest) in the country. Several of the nation’s finest colleges and universities calls Philadelphia home. The art and music scene is world-class. There are countless fine-dining experiences and even more amazing neighborhood restaurants and cool diners to satisfy any palate.

Hoagies. Cheesesteaks. Pretzels.

And then there’s the history. It goes without saying.

However, Philadelphia has just been bestowed a rather dubious “honor”, overtaking New York City, as being the most bed bug infested city in the nation, according to pest control giant, Terminix. Miami, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco and Washington DC have also been named as cities with a growing bed bug infestation problem.

In Philadelphia, as well as across the country, the rampant bed bug issue has become a major source of concern for the hospitality industry. Once eliminated by the use of DDT (which was banned for use in the US in 1972), bug bed infestation has grown steadily due to greater international travel, the use of non-effective treatments to which the pests have now become resistant, and a general disregard of the advancing epidemic over the years.

InnStyle, the source for innkeeper supplies and linens since 1952, offers many solutions to the bed and breakfast and the hospitality industry. For example, InnStyle carries products to enclose and defend vulnerable soft surfaces from the pests, such as mattress and box spring encasement, anti bed bug sheets and pillow protectors. InnStyle also carries Rest Easy Bug Spray, an environmentally green and all-natural product proven to kill bed bugs and prevent infestation. It is easy for hospitality staff to use and has a natural cinnamon scent.

InnStyle also offers tips on how to defend the hospitality property from this bed bug epidemic. Please visit their website to take advantage of this helpful tip sheet at: https://www.innstyle.com/images/BEDBUGSmay609.pdf.

With diligent attention and protective products from InnStyle, the hospitality property or bed and breakfast proprietor need not fear that these pests will negatively impact their business.

Even in Philly.

Contact InnStyle for more information on how to protect your property with Bed Bug Protection – Call us at 800-877-INNS (4667)

Pilling Got You Down? Consider Percale

Percale is defined as a fine woven cotton cloth, used primarily for sheets and industrial uses, has 17th century French origins (ooh la la!). The word itself is believed to be derived from the Persian pargālah, meaning rag.

Why is percale weave, such as Grande Hotel, Orlo, Celeste or Sereno, a good choice for customers who yearn for the smooth, sleek feel of pill-fee sheets? The answer is simple, if one has just a little education on the nature of fabric. It is a common, yet mistaken belief that the answer relates to the fabric content (i.e. cotton, polyester or a blend thereof). Not true. Rather, the solution is hidden deep in the core construction of the fabric and in the length of the fibers themselves. Simply put, the longer the fabric (known in the industry as long staple) and the tighter the twist of the yarn, the more resistant to pilling.

Here’s why:
Pilling occurs when fibers in the fabric break, tangle, and “ball up.” The shorter the fibers used in the fabric, the more likely the chance for breakage, leading to tangling and inevitably to pilling. The shorter and more brittle the fiber, the more breakage (pilling) will occur.

And what exactly causes fiber to break and getting intertwined in itself? In the case of lesser quality sheet (i.e. that which is constructed with short, brittle fibers) the simple act of using the sheets as intended, that is sleeping, causes fibers to snap, twist and pill. As an individual sleeps, the predictable act of tossing, turning and moving against the short, weak fibers creates friction which, over time, causes fibers to break. This is why fitted sheets tend to pill more heavily at the foot of the bed, the very place where the most abrasive and recurrent movement occurs.

It should be noted that even high quality sheets, such as Sferra’s fine linens, can pill without given correct care. Sferra uses only long staple (long length) fibers; however, even the finest of fabrics can pill without proper handling and laundering. The most common “abuse” such fine linens endure is the use of chlorine bleach and excessive fabric softener (which can weaken the fibers), followed by drying at high heat levels (which can cause fibers to break). Weakening + Breakage = Pilling.

Fine linens must be handled like the investment that they are by following the prescribed care instructions. For the care of Sferra’s fine linens, we recommend a short wash cycle with gentle detergent. Then, use a low-heat setting during the drying cycle and remove the bedding while still slightly damp. Please take note that even the agitation of the washing machine or the tumbling of the dryer can cause breakage, so never overfill the washer or dryer to avoid additional friction during these cycles. Also, avoid laundering your sheets with other items, such as towels, for the high nap on a towel may cause a breakdown of the cotton fibers. To be safe, launder sheets separately.

Your fine linens will give you years of satisfactory, sleek, smooth use by following a few simple rules. Although its origins maybe in the word “rag”, if handled correctly, your fine percale linens will not be reduced to such a state. Even the most discerning Persian would agree.

For more information on our cotton Percale sheets or our best selling 600 thread count ‘wrinkle free’ sheets please contact us at 267-354-6020 or toll-free at 1-800-877-INNS (4667).