How to ensure the durability of hotel and restaurant textiles – real experiences from the field

In the hospitality industry, textiles are not decorations, but tools. They are used every day, washed, stretched, twisted, laid out, and stained — and we expect them to look as if they just came out of the box, even months later.

In hospitality, textiles are not decoration—they are tools of the trade. They are used, washed, pulled, twisted, laid out, and spot-cleaned every day—and yet we expect them to look as good months later as the day they came out of the box.

Over the years, I have visited many places and observed what really makes textiles durable and what can ruin them in just a few weeks.
The advice below doesn’t come from books—it comes from laundries, restaurants, and hotel storage rooms.

1. The laundry matters more than the type of textile

This may sound strange coming from a textile supplier, but it’s true:
if a property works with a poor laundry service, any textile will quickly deteriorate.

I’ve seen towels that were 600 g/m² ruined in just 3 weeks.
Why?
Too high temperature, incorrect chemicals, over-spun drying.

A good laundry:

does not burn the fabric
takes care of colors and whiteness
does not shred the fibers
restores the softness of the fabric.

It’s worth checking at least once a year how the textiles are handled. The differences can be huge.

2. Water that’s too hot does more harm than good

Many properties think: “Everything should be very clean—let’s crank it up to 90°C.”
The problem is that this doesn’t clean the textile better—it just wears it out faster.

Best practice:

Bedding, towels: 60°C
Restaurant tablecloths, kitchen towels: 60–70°C
For stubborn stains: chemical pre-treatment, not extra heat

High temperatures damage the fibers and gray out the whiteness—which is then “repaired” with more bleach. A vicious cycle.

3. Bleaching and disinfection are good, but in moderation

Disinfectants, chlorine bleach, and strong stain removers always leave a mark on textiles over time.
Not immediately, but gradually:

thinning of fibers,
yellowing,
stiff texture,
pilling.

The professional solution: oxygen-based bleach + proper washing program. A good compromise between hygiene and longevity.

4. Most textiles are ruined during drying

This is rarely talked about, but it’s true.
Excessive drying heat literally “sucks out” the fabric’s softness.

Good textiles are good because they retain moisture, elasticity, and “life.”
If over-dried, they become stiffer day by day.

Ask laundries for: medium heat, shorter drying time.

5. A well-organized storage room makes a huge difference

This is one of the most underestimated factors.

Textiles stay beautiful if:

they are not crushed under 100 kg of other textiles,
they are not stored in a damp place,
they are not “overexposed” (in dry, dusty areas they crack and yellow).

Good storage: shelves, covered storage, clean room, low humidity.

For example, at one apartment building, a lot of bedding had to be replaced even though washing and drying were perfect—because they were stored in a damp basement.

6. Rotation is the textile’s best friend

If a hotel doesn’t have enough textile “stock,” one set circulates too often.
The result: worn, thin, overwashed fabric.

Best practice: at least 3 complete sets in rotation
(many places have 4–5).

This costs more initially, but the textile’s lifespan can double.

Durability is not a matter of luck, but of system

Textiles last a long time—if you let them. No miracle products or expensive machinery are needed.

Just a few consistent steps:

proper washing program
appropriate use of chemicals
normal drying
sufficient quantity
clean and dry storage

Hotels where this works don’t need new textiles for years—only when expanding.

Sz&N Hotex kft.

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