When staying in a hotel, have you ever been curious about those white bed sheets and thick towels? They may seem ordinary, but they have a professional general term - "hotel linen". This somewhat special word conceals a lot of knowledge about hotel services.

"Linen" is not a native term but a term originated from the Western hotel industry. Originally, it referred to all fabric items in hotels, but now it has become a common term in the industry. Simply put, almost all the textiles in a hotel can be classified under the category of "linen" : bed sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases on the bed go without saying, face towels, bath towels and floor towels in the bathroom, and even tablecloths and curtain fabrics in the restaurant are all members of the linen family. Although these items do not speak, they directly determine the guests' accommodation experience.

The "ins and outs" of hotel linen are first reflected in classification. By scene, there are guest room linen, bathroom linen and dining linen. By material, pure cotton, polyester-cotton and bamboo fiber each have their own advantages and disadvantages. All-cotton fabric is breathable and skin-friendly, making it the top choice for high-end hotels. Polyester-cotton blended fabric is more wear-resistant and washable, making it suitable for economy hotels that frequently change their products. There is another detail that is often overlooked - "count", such as 60 and 80. The higher the count, the finer and softer the fabric becomes, and the smoother it feels to the touch.

Although linen is just a textile product, its management requires a lot of attention. Formal hotels strictly enforce the "one guest, one change" policy. Used linen must be sent to professional institutions for cleaning and undergo processes such as high-temperature disinfection, strong decontamination, and ironing to ensure hygiene standards are met. Moreover, linen has a "lifespan". Generally, it will be discarded after being washed 50 to 80 times to prevent it from becoming rough and stiff due to fabric aging. If you observe carefully, you will find that many hotels have exclusive dark patterns on the edges of their linen. These patterns serve both as brand identifiers and as the "ID cards" for traceability management.

Why is linen considered the "invisible face" of a hotel? High-end hotels will use more than 80 count encrypted fabrics and pair them with satin edge designs to enhance the texture. Eco-friendly hotels will choose organic cotton or degradable fibers to convey the concept of green development. Even the folding Angle and placement of the linen reveal service details - such as whether the pillowcases are flat and whether the bath towels are folded into a uniform shape. These seemingly minor details precisely reflect the hotel's dedication.

Next time you stay at a hotel, you might as well pay more attention to these "silent service providers". A well-ironed bed sheet and a fluffy towel are the result of a commitment to hygiene and a pursuit of quality. Having learned about hotel linens, your understanding of "staying comfortably" might become more thorough.