Head of procurement at Mitre Linen, Phillip James, explores the importance of creating a healthy and hygienic sleep environment for your guests and what measures you can take to ensure they can relax in the knowledge that your beds are clean and fresh…
Ensuring that your hotel has exemplary hygiene measures for your guests is a necessity, especially when mattresses and pillows are ideal breeding grounds for dust mites. These microscopic bugs are invisible to the naked eye, however enzymes in the fesses of the dust mite are the second largest cause of allergies in the UK.
Considering that the average person produces between one to two pints of perspiration per night, mattresses and pillows are often the most invested areas due to the constant supply of dead skin cells, moisture and heat from our bodies.
“Dust mite are the second largest cause of allergies in the UK”
Given the significant investments that hotels make in beds, mattresses, pillows and duvets, protecting these assets offers a dual benefit. Guests sleep well with a reduced risk of allergies and hoteliers safeguard their property while extending the lifespan.
Experts in all things related to beds and bedding, Mitre Linen provides expert advice on how hoteliers can provide guests with a hygienic sleep environment and protect their investments.
Mattresses
A mattress represents a considerable financial investment and is worthy of protection against spills, mishaps and untimely deterioration. Today, hotel owners and operators are becoming increasingly convinced of the need to protect against fluids, dust mites and bed bugs and a mattress protector will help to maintain the quality and cleanliness of mattresses. There are a whole host of mattress protectors and mattress encasements available, here Mitre Linen recommend their favourites:
For accidents and spills, the Cushion Cloud Protector is a must, this cushioned mattress protector provides luxurious comfort with its jacquard knit weave, and it is also waterproof and provides allergy protection for mattresses.
“With more than 5.4 million people in the UK suffering from asthma, the importance of keeping your beds and bedding free from dust mites is becoming more prevalent.”
For total mattress protection, then a Mattress Encasement that fastens around the whole mattress is essential. The Protect A Bed Buglock Plus Encasement is bed bug-escape and entry-proof as well as waterproof and has been test-washed over 200 times to ensure quality and durability.
If budget is a concern, the Mitre Linen Essentials Polyrest Mattress Protector is generously thick and this moisture-resistant protector features a 25cm deep skirt, is easy to launder and will help to prevent mattresses becoming damaged.
Pillows
Considering that within two years, approximately one third of a pillow’s weight is made up of dead skin, dust mites, oil and dirt then protecting pillows is a given.
The Allerzip Smooth Pillow Protector from the Mitre Comfort range saves pillows from contaminants which affect the lifespan and smell of pillows which guests will be quick to notice. The protector is both waterproof and breathable, allowing water vapour to escape. With a handy zip it is also easy to fit and to remove for washing.
The Comfort Quiltop Pillow Protector is an economical housewife flap pillow protector featuring a Hollowfibre filling and polyester cover. It keeps pillows free from spills, stains and excess moisture to preserve their lifespan and keep odours neutralised.
In addition to using mattress and pillow protectors, consider these two recommendations from Mitre Linen:
1) Wash bed linen on a high temperature
Washing bed linen on a high temperature will help to kill bacteria. 100% cotton bed linen can be washed on a high temperature (always check the care labels); not only will this ensure that your beds are thoroughly cleaned, but it will also help to maintain the crisp, white appearance of your bed linen, so beds will look and feel fresh.
2) Consider the type of duvet and pillows
With more than 5.4 million people in the UK suffering from asthma, the importance of keeping your beds and bedding free from dust mites is becoming more prevalent and with bedding and mattresses being renowned for harbouring dust, this can cause many issues that will affect sleep quality. Choosing an anti-allergenic duvet and pillow, like the Healthy Living Range can help provide a healthier sleep environment. Treated with a special Estlon fibre, these duvets and pillows comprise of a reduced fungal level of up to 99.99 per cent in comparison to untreated fibres.
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