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Why do hotels use white bedding?
I’ve always viewed white sheets as the default, the bedding you select when you don’t really know what you want and don’t want to rock the design boat.
However, having spent the summer dreaming of a luxury getaway and researching the mattresses used in hotels, I’ve found this simple sheet option has worked its charm on me.
You might be surprised by how much thought goes into every detail of your hotel room. From the height of the bed to the number of sheets on your mattress, each aspect has been carefully thought over.
Using white bedding is no different and there are two primary reasons why hotels default to plain white sheets; the aesthetic and the practical.
An elegant, cohesive look
White sheets might not be the stand-out feature of any room but for hotel elegance, this classic, crisp and simple look is a benefit.
White bedding is timeless, ensuring a hotel doesn’t have to update its bedding every time the season changes.
For me, someone dedicated to finding the best mattresses for my sleep needs, I’m increasingly drawn to the easy elegance of white bedding. I can let the rest of the room show my taste while my bed prioritizes sleep comfort.
And as Amber Edwards, general manager of The Hamilton Alpharetta, explains to Travel + Leisure, white sheets “[allow] other elements — like plush throws, elegant pillows, and carefully chosen décor — to stand out.”
The ‘blank canvas’ effect contributes a further benefit to white sheets; every stain or spill will show up. That might not sound ideal but it means unblemished white sheets have come to signify a hotel or home that’s clean and cared for.
Easy cleaning that stays crisp and bright
White sheets are often associated with cleanliness and while this might at first seem counterintuitive, it’s all to do with fading.
We recommend changing your bedding once a week but this will cause colored and patterned sheets to lose their boldness. In time, they’ll start to look worn.
However, even with frequent washes crisp white sheets can retain that fresh-out-the-pack clarity.
And with fading out of the picture, you can use higher temperatures and stronger bedding stain removal methods when washing your white sheets, to ensure they’re completely sanitized.
This powerful cleaning does result in brighter sheets in the short-term (and easier laundry days), but in the long-term this high-tempo washing schedule is likely to cause your sheets to lose their softness.
Hotels avoid this by investing in quality bedding. If you have the budget, I recommend doing the same. You may have to pay out more in the short term (although it’s worth looking for a discount during the Labor Day mattress sales) but in the long term you’ll save through not having to replace your bedding as often.
High quality materials aid in care and maintenance of your sheets. And they might even help you sleep better.
Curling up in soft sheets makes it easier to get comfortable when first climbing into bed, while the breathable materials often used to make hotel-style sheets can assist temperature regulation, so you’re less likely to heat up on a warm night.
