Blanket rules to beat those “old wives’ tales”

The last thing you want is for your guest to opt not to use the extra blankets you provide, in fear of cleanliness. It’s true; a plush, thick blanket is alluring on a chilly night but poses the question, ‘when was it last laundered?’

Blankets must be kept hygienically clean and laundering rules apply for different blanket fabrics. Follow these tips to ensure your guests feel comfortable snuggling up to bed blankets during their stay.

1. All blanket materials are not created equal.

When purchasing blankets for your establishment ensure they are made from durable fabric that will still look great after the many launders it will endure. Cotton comes up trumps in this department as it is warm, breathable and easy to wash. As a bonus cotton fabrics get softer and more pliable after a few launders. Cotton blankets come in a range of thicknesses to suit the temperatures at your location and are also available blended with synthetic materials such as polyester or acrylic for increased warmth and durability.

2. Check often, wash regularly.

[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”27469″ align=”left”]As a general rule, room blankets should be thoroughly checked by housekeeping between guests and washed monthly. A check includes visually inspecting both sides of a blanket for marks and a smell test for ‘fresh laundered’ cleanliness. Marked or smelly blankets should be washed and replaced immediately however clean blankets should be laundered monthly to ensure high hygienic standards.

3. Luxe is not always best.

It is of the utmost importance your guest is warm and comfortable during their stay but resist the urge to provide luxurious blankets options such as wool within your rooms. Although wool and plush blankets are breathable and warm they are also typically un-washable making them impractical for hotel use. If you are concerned for the warmth of your guests it is more feasible to provide several cotton blankets which can easily be laundered and kept clean.

With a little forward thinking with blanket selection and impeccable checking by your housekeeping team, your room blankets will be on high rotation and seen as a well thought out gesture by your guests.