Choosing the Perfect Hotel Quality Bedlinen?

When it comes to creating a comfortable and enjoyable stay for guests in a hotel room, the importance of a comfortable bed cannot be overstated. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully consider the bedding, mattress and bedlinen that you provide.

Selecting the best bedlinen for your bed & breakfast, holiday home, or hotel is a vital process that requires thoughtful consideration. However, it can also be a challenging task when considering the various styles, colours, fabrics and thread counts available. From deciding between polycotton and cotton to selecting the appropriate thread count, this comprehensive bedlinen guide offers valuable insights to help you make the right choices for yourself and your guests. By following these guidelines, you can create the perfect sleep environment that is essential for a great night's rest.

What is a thread count? - The thread count of bed linen refers to the number of threads woven together per square inch, counting both horizontal and vertical threads. For example, if 100 lengthwise threads are woven with 80 width wise threads, the resulting thread count would be 180.

Does a high thread count indicate higher quality? - A higher thread count is often desired in hotels as it is typically associated with increased softness, strength and luxury compared to lower thread count bed linen. However, it is important to note that a high thread count alone does not guarantee quality, as the type and standard of the fabric used also play a significant role. For instance, our luxurious 400 thread count Egyptian cotton bed linen is crafted from 100% fine cotton, resulting in a silky soft finish that is highly sought after in boutique hotels and B&Bs. While thread count is an important factor in determining the overall quality of a product, it is the combination of a high thread count with superior fabric that truly elevates the quality of the fabric. Bedlinen with a higher thread count may come with a higher price tag, so it is crucial to consider, but not solely rely on, the thread count when evaluating the benefits of style and fabric. Ultimately, the quality of the fabric used in conjunction with the thread count is what allows the true quality of the bed linen to shine through.

Percale bedlinen - Often mistaken for a type of fabric, but it actually refers to a specific type of weave. This weave consists of a simple criss-cross pattern that creates a durable yet soft fabric. The fabric is tightly woven to ensure it can withstand repeated use, washing and drying. Authentic percale bedlinen is defined as having a minimum of 180 threads per square inch, resulting in a superior finish. Percale is not defined by the fabric it is made from, so it can be manufactured using polycotton, 100% cotton, or any other blend of fabric threads.

Polycotton and cotton bedlinen - Both options are popular among hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering properties for different reasons. Polycotton is a blend of durable polyester and luxurious cotton, making it a preferred choice for its easy-care properties. This means minimal ironing is required to maintain a crisp finish. Polycotton is also known for its longevity, able to withstand repeated use, washing and drying, making it a great choice for commercial environments.

Polycotton Bedlinen -  is often criticised for its rough texture in comparison to cotton, mainly because of the inclusion of the synthetic fibre, polyester. However, our Easycare percale bedlinen collection incorporates combed cotton to maintain a luxurious silky feel while still being easy to care for. The combing process eliminates unwanted fibres from the fabric, resulting in a smoother touch.

Cotton Bedlinen -  On the other hand, is a popular choice for its luxurious feel and numerous benefits. Unlike polycotton, 100% cotton linen is made from a natural material, making it ideal for guests with sensitive skin. It is also known for its ability to maintain softness, breathability and durability wash after wash due to its exceptional natural properties. However, cotton is also known for being more high maintenance in terms of washing, drying and ironing compared to polycotton.

To combat the ironing time associated with cotton, consider using a Blanca Laundry Press. This innovative tool can significantly reduce ironing time while providing a professional finish.

Bedlinen Measurements - Our bedlinen ranges may vary in size due to differences in fabric and style, but they are typically the same size or slightly larger than standard UK bed linen sizes. We take into account the tendency of cotton to shrink when washed when determining our sizing. You can find measurements for our top-selling collections below, and all products will have the necessary specifications listed on our website.

Plain, patterned, or coloured? - Bedlinen is not only a practical necessity in every bedroom but also a decorative element that can enhance any room's decor. Whether you choose plain or patterned fabrics for your bedrooms, it is essential to consider what compliments your decor best and, most importantly, what your guests will appreciate.

• Crisp, white linen is a classic choice that appeals to both hosts and guests, creating a sense of freshness and simplicity that is universally pleasing. While plain in appearance, white linen can be easily enhanced with pops of colour through the addition of soft furnishings like runners, cushions and curtains.
• For those looking to deviate from plain bedlinen, patterned options can make a bold statement. Geometric patterns can bring a modern touch to your bedroom, while floral prints offer a more subtle alternative. Textured bed linen, such as ruched or seersucker styles, can add depth and interest to your bedding.

• Coloured bedlinen, particularly in pastel shades like duck egg and minimal silver greys, is both versatile and fashionable. These colours are on-trend and can easily compliment a variety of bedroom decor styles.

Laundering - If you are in search of a bed linen range that is suitable for professional laundering, we invite you to explore our selection of commercial laundry-friendly bed linen. Our offerings include percale, satin stripe and 300 thread count cotton-rich ranges. While the majority of our bed linen collections are constructed to withstand professional laundering, we do not recommend commercial laundering for two simple reasons.

• Firstly, the plastic poppers on some of our bedlinen is not compatible with the calendaring process, which involves passing fabric through two heated rollers at high pressure to smooth out the linen. Open bag duvet covers are often a more suitable choice for those utilizing professional launderers, although it is advisable to confirm with the launderer beforehand as they may be able to accommodate covers with plastic poppers.
• Secondly, we advise that our bedlinen be washed at a maximum temperature of 40°C, whereas professional launderers typically use much higher temperatures, which can significantly reduce the lifespan of your bedlinen. It is important to always inquire about the washing temperature used by launderers to prevent fabric damage from shrinkage and skewing.

Laundry Care Instructions:

• Washing:
  - Separate white, light and dark colours to prevent colour bleeding.
  - Use a colour-safe detergent without optical brighteners.
  - Avoid overfilling the washing machine.
  - Wash at a maximum temperature of 40°C.
  - Promptly remove bed linen from the washing machine to prevent wrinkles.

• Drying:
  - Avoid overfilling the tumble dryer.
  - Dry on a cool setting, between 70°C to 80°C.
  - Do not over-dry; allow a cool down period to minimise creasing.
• Ironing:
  - Use a cool to warm iron for best results.
  - Avoid bleaching or dry cleaning to maintain fabric quality.

 

Bedlinen Terminology Guide - Understanding bed linen terminology can be a daunting task, but fear not! Below is a comprehensive guide to help you navigate through the world of bed linen jargon with ease.

• Bed Base Wrap: Bed base wraps offer a sleek and sophisticated alternative to valances. The elasticated edging fits snugly around the bed base, providing a clean and polished look.
• Combed Cotton: Combed cotton is a luxurious variation of regular cotton. Through a meticulous process of treating cotton fibres, they are spun into yarn, resulting in a smoother and softer fabric.
• Cording: Cording is a decorative embroidery technique commonly found on bed linen. It can be in the form of a pattern or a corded edging, adding a touch of elegance to your bedding.
• Cotton Rich: Bed linen labelled as cotton-rich indicates that the majority of the material used is cotton, blended with other fabrics such as polyester for added durability and comfort.
• Duvet Cover: Duvet covers serve as both a decorative and protective layer for your duvet. Available in a variety of colours, patterns, styles and textures, they can be coordinated with matching pillowcases for a cohesive look.
• Easy Care: When bedlinen is labelled as easy care, it means that the fabric requires minimal effort to launder and typically needs little to no ironing, making maintenance a breeze.
• Fitted Sheet: A fitted sheet is a fabric sheet with elasticated corners designed to snugly fit over a mattress, providing an extra level of comfort and hygiene.
• Flat Sheet: Also known as a 'top sheet,' the flat sheet is placed on top of a fitted sheet or between the duvet and a blanket for added comfort and hygiene.
• Housewife Pillowcase: A housewife pillowcase features a sewn edge that ensures a perfect fit for your pillow, creating a neat and tidy appearance.
• Oxford pillowcase: A type of pillowcase featuring a fabric edge, border, or frill, typically around 5cm in size.
• Percale: A tightly woven plain weave fabric, commonly made of 50/50 polycotton, 100% cotton, or a blend of other fabrics. A thread count of 180 or higher is typically considered percale.
• Pilling: Also known as bobbling, pilling occurs as a result of improper care during the washing of bed sheets. Pilling is the formation of small, loose or broken fibres that knot together, creating annoying fibre deposits on linen or clothing.
• Pillowcase: Often coordinated with duvet covers, pillowcases serve as a hygienic casing for pillows, protecting them from bodily oils, sweat and soiling.
• Pillow protector: Serving as a barrier between the pillow and pillowcase, pillow protectors are popular additions to guest rooms. They shield pillows from fluids, oils and stains, helping to prolong the life of the pillow.
• Polyester: A synthetic, man-made fibre commonly used in bed linen due to its durability and resistance to wrinkles and shrinking.
• Polycotton: A blend of polyester and cotton.
• Satin/Sateen: A luxurious, smooth and silky fabric, created through a weaving process where the weft passes over multiple warp threads to produce a sleek surface.
• Seersucker: A lightweight, all-cotton fabric with a crimped, chequered or puckered surface.
• Thread count: Referring to the number of threads woven vertically and horizontally into one square inch of fabric.
• Valance: Also known as a bed skirt, a valance is a decorative piece of fabric used to cover a bed divan or the space beneath a bed, placed between the mattress
• Jacquard: Jacquard is a fabric woven on a loom