How to Make a Bed Like a Hotel?

Table of Contents:

• Why White Bed Sheets in Hotels?
• How to Check for Bed Bugs in a Hotel?
• How to Prevent Bed Bugs?
• Guide to Making the Bed
• Conclusion

Have you ever wondered why hotel beds look so pristine and inviting? These beds make you want to stay in bed and relax. The answer lies in the meticulous attention to detail that hotel staff give when it comes to bed-making. It’s a not-so-well-kept-secret of the hospitality industry, to ensure you have the most comfortable stay. 

Fortunately, it’s easy to replicate the techniques used by hoteliers to ensure that you can also have a restful sleep. There are no secret formulas, just tricks of the trade and great attention to detail. 

In this guide, you’ll learn those secrets, as well as tips on ensuring your bed is hygienic and free from bed bugs. 

Why White Bed Sheets in Hotels?

White bed sheets are standard in the hospitality industry. But have you wondered why hotels always use white bed sheets? There are plenty of reasons why they prefer using white sheets, which are explained below.

1. Hygiene

Hygiene is the primary reason why hotels use white bed sheets. Cleaning and maintaining white bed sheets is easy since you can bleach them. Ironically, while most would avoid using white sheets because it makes stains and discolouration easily visible, it is also the primary reason they’re recommended for hospitality use. The housekeeping staff can easily spot any dirt and stains when cleaning. 

The bleaching process helps remove any stains or discolouration on the sheets. Bleaching is essential in a hotel to ensure the cleanliness of the bedding, since it is in constant use. Aside from bleaching, disinfecting the white sheets is easier to manage. Therefore, cleaning is the utmost priority for hotels to ensure that they are pristine for use by guests. 

2. Aesthetic

When you see a white sheet on the bed, you perceive it as clean and fresh. It is the same concept that explains why hotels prefer using white towels. Hospitality managers want to convey a clean and crisp image to their guests, thus creating a good impression. As long as the white sheets are properly maintained, they can stay in good condition even if multiple guests have used them.

The freshness and cleanliness of a bed with white sheets also helps create a room with a feeling of opulence. Hotel guests find the bed inviting and relaxing. It also adds a sense of sophistication and elegance. These are all qualities you want in a hotel room. 

3. Practicality

Some would argue that using white bed sheets is not very practical. But there are many practical reasons for using white sheets that are well-known to hotel staff and managers.

First, it is practical because white sheets are easy to find and source. Many textile and bedding manufacturers stock them, so finding suppliers won’t be an issue. They are readily available in the market, and hotel suppliers may even offer bulk pricing, which could mean significant savings for hotel management.

Since white sheets are easy to find, you can easily replace them if any of the sheets are damaged or stained beyond repair. On the other hand, if hotels use patterned sheets, they need to look for specialised manufacturers to source them. And the patterned sheets are usually available in limited amounts or via a custom order. If you lose your business with the supplier or they decide to stop manufacturing those patterned sheets, it could be difficult for you to find another supplier that can make the specific patterns you need.

But that’s not all; hotels also prefer using white sheets to make it easy to detect signs of bed bugs, blood stains and visible markings. Therefore, bugs won’t be able to hide and can be disinfected quickly. 

4. Versatility

The versatility of white bed sheets is part of the reason why hotels prefer them. They can pair nicely with any other décor details in the hotel room, such as the curtains, wall décor and different visual accents. 

It makes it easier to decorate the hotel room and achieve the sophisticated look that is the standard in modern hotels. 

How to Check for Bed Bugs in a Hotel?

Many hotels suffer from a bed bug infestation, but it doesn’t mean your hotel should be a victim. However, you must address the bed bug problem because it can negatively affect the guest experience. 

Bed bugs are tiny, brownish-red insects that feed on human blood. They can cause itchy bites and allergic reactions. Make sure you identify a bed bug problem before it becomes an infestation. This will protect your guests and ensure that you stop any spread. 

Follow this step-by-step guide on how to check for bed bugs in your hotel.

Step 1: Check the bedding

Always start by looking at the bedding and inspecting it visually. Check the bed sheets, pillows and blankets. Keep a close eye on any brownish-red spots, as they could be bed bugs. Some are small enough that they’re hardly visible to the naked eye. Be on the lookout for any small spots. 

Aside from the prominent and visible areas, you should also check the seams and crevices of the bed frame. Some bed bugs hide in those areas, a place where you might not think to look.

If you can’t see them, use a flashlight so that you will be able to find them more easily.

Step 2: Look at the furniture

As mentioned above, bed bugs do not just live and thrive in bedding. They often hide in the furniture itself. Inspect all the furniture in the hotel room, such as the bed frame, headboard, couches, chairs and desks. 

Consider any areas in the hotel room where the bed bugs could be, such as the joints or underneath the furniture.

Step 3: Inspect the luggage rack

Most hotel rooms have a luggage rack and that is a common area infested by bed bugs. Like the furniture, you should thoroughly inspect the seams and joints of the luggage rack. Don’t forget the straps that hold the luggage in place.

Step 4: Look in the closets and dressers

Aside from the furniture, you must inspect the drawers and furniture, too. These are common hiding spots for bed bugs, so look into them. 

If there are any signs of a bed bug infestation in the room, the hotel staff must thoroughly disinfect the room to rid the infestation. You want to ensure that the room and bedding are free from bed bugs to make your guests’ stay as comfortable as possible.

How to Prevent Bed Bugs?

While common in many hotel rooms, it is not an acceptable standard to leave it bed-bug-ridden. However, you must proactively ensure your bed and bedding are free from bed bugs. Otherwise, it will lead to a poor hotel guest experience and you will have trouble finding bookings for your hotel.

You can take preventive steps to fight bed bug infestation before it happens.

Train your staff

Ensure your hotel staff know how and where to look for bed bugs. Their job is to closely monitor and maintain your hotel rooms and bedding to be free from these pests. 

Training them is the only way to ensure they know how to spot possible signs of an infestation. Adequately trained staff also know what to do about it if they suspect there are bed bugs in your hotel rooms.

Schedule regular inspections

Don’t wait until you’re sure you have bed bugs before acting. Instead, conduct regular inspections so that you can address the issue before it gets worse. 

Spend time inspecting the room after every hotel guest checks out. You can even use specialised bed bug detection equipment if necessary.

Encase the mattress and box springs

A protective cover can help fight bed bug infestation in your hotel room. These covers are made of materials that bugs cannot penetrate. Therefore, it is worth investing in high-quality protective covers for your bed to ensure maximum cleanliness. 

Minimise clutter

The less clutter in your hotel room, the better. Clutter provides more space for the bed bugs to hide, which makes them virtually impossible to detect. Provide adequate storage for your guests’ personal belongings to make cleaning easy during and after each guest’s stay.

Wash bedding regularly

Use the hot water setting when washing the hotel bedding. Bed bugs won’t survive high heat. So make sure you clean the bedding on a high heat for at least 30 minutes to ensure that you eradicate them in the washing process. Also, consider hiring a professional laundry service specialising in bed bug prevention.

Guide to Making the Bed

The following are some techniques hotels use to make the bed look as aesthetically pleasing as possible. 

Use a flat sheet

Use a flat sheet and lay it over the mattress. Ensure that the sheet is centred and that no extra fabric is hanging on the sides. Tuck the extra sheet on the side of the bed and pull it under the mattress. Pull the sheet tight to avoid wrinkles or creases on the bed surface.

Add the fitted sheet

Once you have secured the flat sheet, it’s time to place the fitted sheet over it. Then, again, smooth it out so it is free of wrinkles.

Place the duvet or comforter

The duvet or comforter is the layer after the fitted sheet. If you’re using a duvet, always place a comforter inside it to make the bed extra fluffy and comfortable. 

Add the pillows

Once you have placed the duvet or comforter, you can add the pillows. Always start with the largest pillow at the back. Then, work your way forward according to the size of the pillows. You can add up to four pillows, depending on the bed size. 

The decorative cushions should be in front of other pillows to create contrast.

Position the blanket

The blanket serves as the final finishing touch when making the bed. Place the blanket toward the foot of the bed. Make sure it is evenly folded and centred. Visually, the blanket provides a textural difference from the bed. 

Conclusion

Making a bed look like a hotel room seems like a daunting task. But all it takes is the proper techniques and keen attention to detail to achieve a relaxing and sophisticated hotel bed. Hotel housekeeping staff are well-trained for the job, and hotels invest in the best-quality bedding to create the most luxurious space for a good night’s sleep.