What Hotels Should Consider Before Buying Bed Linen and Towels

Price matters, but it isn’t the only or even the most important factor when hotels purchase bed linen and towels. With more than 30 years in textiles, I’ve learned that purchase price alone can be misleading in hospitality. A towel or sheet that is cheap upfront but requires frequent replacement may end up costing far more over its useful life. The same logic applies to bed linen.

The smarter question for hotel buyers is not simply: How much does it cost? Instead: How much will it cost over its useful life?

Below are key considerations I recommend for professional buyers.

1) Don’t judge towels by GSM alone
GSM (grams per square metre) is a common spec, but it doesn’t define quality by itself. A heavier towel isn’t automatically better. Important factors include:
– yarn quality and fibre composition
– construction and finishing
– absorbency and drying time
– washing performance, shrinkage, and how the towel feels after repeated laundering

For hotels, performance after many wash cycles matters more than how luxurious it feels brand-new.

2) Higher GSM has operational implications
A very heavy towel can feel luxurious but carries more material and retains more water. This affects washing loads, drying time, energy use, laundry capacity, handling, storage, and overall operating costs. The optimal GSM depends on the property’s positioning and laundry system.

3) 100% cotton isn’t the only question
Security around “Is it 100% cotton?” is common, but the complete textile specification matters. Depending on the application, cotton blends (e.g., cotton/polyester) can offer advantages in comfort, durability, appearance, drying time, ironing, maintenance, and service life. There isn’t a single universal answer for every property.

4) Thread count is often misunderstood
Thread count can be a marketing number. Like GSM and other specs, it should not be used in isolation to define quality. Yarn quality, weave, finishing, and construction all influence performance. A high thread count on paper may not translate to better performance with professional laundering.

5) Industrial laundry changes everything
Hotel textiles live a very different life from household textiles: frequent washing, large-scale drying, professional processing, chemical exposure, and repeated handling by staff and guests. A textile that performs well at home may not suit hospitality needs. Always consider the laundry process from the outset.

6) Shrinkage matters
Small dimensional changes can translate into significant operational issues when scaled across hundreds of pillowcases, duvet covers, or sheets. For professional projects, dimensions should be planned with expected shrinkage and the laundry process in mind.

7) White is simple—but demanding
White linen offers a clean, consistent appearance and easy room coordination, but it also shows stains, discoloration, and washing inconsistencies more readily. Maintaining uniformity of supply becomes crucial when replacements are needed later.

8) Replacement availability is part of the decision
Hotels don’t replace all textiles at once. Damaged, stained, or worn items appear at different times. A reliable supplier should plan for ongoing compatibility and stock replacement availability. Repeatability and inventory planning can be as important as the initial price.

9) Different hotel categories require different solutions
A luxury boutique, a large corporate hotel, an apartment-style property, and budget accommodations each have distinct priorities. Some may prioritise softness and presentation; others durability and laundry efficiency; others a balance of both. There isn’t a single “best towel” or “best bed linen”—only what best fits a specific operation.

10) Think cost per use, not cost per piece
This is perhaps the single most important principle. A cheaper product that needs frequent replacement may be more expensive overall than a higher‑quality option that lasts longer and performs reliably. Professionals should evaluate total cost of ownership: purchase price, laundry costs, operational performance, replacement frequency, and overall useful life.

A perspective from three decades in textiles
Hospitality textiles are not merely scaled-up household goods. They are workwear for rooms and public spaces—designed to look good, feel comfortable, and endure a demanding operational environment. For this reason, hospitality purchasing should emphasize total performance rather than a single spec or the lowest upfront price.

About the author
Murat Kartal (Kartal Murat) is based in Budapest, Hungary, and founder of Kartaltex. With more than 30 years of experience in textiles and international trade, his work spans curtain fabrics, upholstery, and hospitality and contract textile solutions.

Invitation for readers
Hotel managers, housekeeping professionals, laundries, and hospitality suppliers: when selecting bed linen or towels, what factor most influences your purchasing decisions—comfort, durability, laundry efficiency, price, or something else? I’d welcome your insights.