Expensive vs. Affordable Bed Linen: The Bare Truth
Adults need seven or more hours of sleep per night to achieve their best health and wellbeing. This is according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
Many adults in Australia suffer from insufficient sleep of either duration or quality. A 2016 sleep health survey of Australian adults put the numbers at 33 to 45 per cent of adults. That is a cause for alarm.
These facts make sleep big business for hotel owners.
When guests come to your hotel seeking accommodation, they want a place they can relax and have a good rest. And what a better way to do so than by having some good quality sleep?
Hotel beds should be a sanctuary. To achieve this, the choice of bed linen matters. It affects the quality of sleep and how comfortable your guests will be.
Poor quality bed linen is uncomfortable. It makes it difficult to sleep throughout the night.
If you want to keep your guests coming back to your hotel, ensure your bed linen is cosy. This will create an unforgettable experience for your guests.
Learn how to select hotel-quality sheets.
After all…
“Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our bodies together.” — Thomas Dekker
How do you choose bed linen that will guarantee good quality sleep for your guests? Does buying expensive bed linen always equal good quality?
Let’s explore this.
What Makes Bed Linen Expensive or Affordable?
Have you had a look at the price tag on bed linen and felt your head spinning? One of the looming questions on your mind is probably whether the bed linen is worth the price tag.
Hotel owners are always on the lookout for good quality bed linen. But the cost is always a factor to consider.
It is not advisable to go for cheap bed linen. This is because it is not durable and can’t withstand the wear and tear of regular washing.
But this doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune either. It is important to buy good quality linen. You can get this at an affordable cost.
Bed linen experts recommend you pay attention to the following. These determine the quality of your bedding
- Thread count
- Fibre
- Weave
1. Does Thread Count Improve Quality
What is thread count?
This is the number of threads woven together per square inch on a bedsheet. Thread count looks at both the horizontal and vertical threads on a bedsheet.
A high thread count is when there are more threads on a bed sheet per square inch.
A low thread count has fewer threads per square inch.
When it comes to bed linen, thread count is one of the most misunderstood aspects. There is an endless debate about whether high thread count means the quality is high.
The truth is that you can have a low thread count but your bed linen can be of high quality. It will often feel smooth, crisp and endure washing better.
So, what is a good thread count?
According to Consumer Reports, a good thread count is usually between 200 and 400.
So, if you are spending an arm and a leg on sheets where the thread count is more than 400, then it is not worth it. Bed sheets with a thread count of over 400 are made of yarn that is of poor quality.
The table below shows you how to choose thread count depending on your budget and preference.
Thread Count |
Quality |
| 200-220 | Good |
| 230-280 | Very Good |
| 300-400 | Excellent |
NB: Thread count alone does not determine the quality of the bedsheet. It also about the quality of the fibre.
2. Which Fibre Should You Choose?
There are different types of bed linen available in the market. The best choice of fibre for your bed linen should be one that is long-lasting and suitable for your pocket.
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This is because hotel bed linen undergoes regular washing. To be long-lasting, the linen should be made of a fabric that is both machine washable and of good quality. This will guarantee the linen withstands the wear and tear.
Is linen, cotton or polyester bed linen better?
Let’s look at each of these fibres.
a) Cotton
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b) Linen
Linen sheets usually come from fibres that grow from the stalks of flax plants.
Here is a diagram that shows the stages flax undergoes before it turns into linen.
Image from: Blake and Taylor
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c) Polyester
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3. Choosing the Weave of Your Linen
Consider the weave of your bed linen. The weave affects the durability and appearance of the bed linen.
Weave and thread count go hand in hand. For instance, good quality bed linen is woven using single-ply yarns and will have at most a thread count of up to 400.
Anything above this means the bedding is made using multiple yarns.
Sateen and percale are the most popular weaves used to make bedlinen. Sateen weaves are silky, smooth and warm. Percale feels crisp and starched against the skin.
Bed linen made of sateen weave is great for countries such as Australia that have a warm climate. This is because it is breathable.
Want to know the difference between sateen and percale weaves? Watch this video:
Other weaves for bed linen are jersey and flannel. Often, flannel bed linen is woven while jersey ones are knit. They are not as long-lasting as cotton but can serve you for some time with proper care.
What’s Best: Expensive or Affordable Bed Linen?
Although quality bed linen costs more, in the long run, it is cheaper. This is because it serves you for a longer period of time. Plus, you don’t have to keep replacing it.
Some ways you can save on cost without compromising the quality of your bed linen include:
- Bulk buying. Buying in bulk often results in higher discounts.
- Buying linen in one colour. Most hotels use white bed linen. Buying bedding in one colour makes it cheaper to replace and clean.
- Proper wash care for bed linen. This will increase the lifespan of your bed linen and it will serve you for a longer time.
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Use a top sheet. When it comes to bedsheets, many hotels prefer to use a top sheet. This is because they have elastic sewn pockets and corners that keep them in place all night.
They are also comfortable in the summer when it is too hot to use a blanket. - Buy from a supplier who guarantees you quality at an affordable cost. Wondering where to buy hotel quality bed linen in Australia at an affordable price? Australian Linen Supply is your go-to supplier. They are a credible brand.
Many Australians love their experience with ALS.
"As always your products are excellent, affordable and with great quality!” — Anna P
“I am happy with the service provided by this company. Our order arrived within days of purchasing & the customer service was immaculate. Thank you for your help.” — Jess P
"The items received were exactly as described and so far appear to be of great quality. The Service is friendly, superior and is second to none and the delivery was super fast. I look forward to my next order." — David
You can be ALS’s next happy customer: Shop bed linen now.
Feature Image: Katemangostar
