White is such a classic, versatile color. You can never go wrong with it because it fits everything. But it’s also a challenge to keep our white linens sparkling white, and sometimes we tend to try so hard that we overdo it and make things even worse.
But if there’s one place who knows how to keep white linens brightly white, it’s hotels. They always have the brightest and cleanest sheets and towels, despite all the usage. They obviously have some helpful hacks in maintaining their crisp white sheets and towels, and in this article, we’re uncovering how hotels wash whites – and sometimes, the answers are just lying in our cupboards and pantries.
Spot cleaning is crucial in preventing permanent stains of linens, especially white sheets, whether in a hotel or not. Spot cleaning is the most effective way to remove stains, regardless of whether you use professional equipment or detergent.
That is why hotel laundry staff inspect discolored linens and separate them for spot cleaning. Rather than tossing them in with the rest of the laundry in the washing machine, this method provides them individual attention. Simply put, a regular wash cycle is not enough to keeping towels as white as they could.
When it comes to white sheets, it’s a common conception to use bleach. And yes, it gets the job done, but sometimes, it’s not the right way to wash whites. Because bleach is so caustic, it's extremely difficult to use. It can weaken the fibers in your white linens and sheets, making them subject to tearing and ripping if used incorrectly.
Most hotels use peroxide-based laundry detergents to keep their sheets and towels bright. While these compounds are extremely successful at preventing white linens from greying or yellowing, they do necessitate some amount of knowledge. When used incorrectly, they might cause damage to your linens.
Most people think that washing linens with hot water is the best way to clean it, but it actually isn’t. Hot water accelerates the breakdown of the material, which can be costly in hotels where sheets are frequently laundered every day.
Unless you have extremely stubborn stains, use cold water to wash your white sheets and towels. You should also make sure that your washing machine is correctly loaded. If you use too much laundry soap, it will not distribute evenly and the stains may not be washed off properly.
Reduce the dry time by using a lower setting. Fabrics can be worn out more quickly if they are dried quickly. It also helps to hang your linens in the sun to dry.
Hotel towels and blankets are exposed to all kinds of stains, and yet it still comes out so white. The key is identifying what the stains are and what caused them, so you can do the correct washing technique.
For makeup stains, you can soak them in a mixture of chlorine bleach, water, and detergent, then rinse it afterward. Once it’s all done, you can carry on with a regular wash cycle, and your stubborn makeup stains will be gone.
For tomato stains, pre-treat them first and use bleach. You should also make sure to soak and wash them using cold water, since these kinds of stain are very hard to remove.
For greasy food stains, time is your number one competition. The sooner you tackle the stain, the higher your chances are of removing it all the way. Cover the stains with any artificial sweeteners that have fine powders. This helps absorb all the oil to prevent them from staining and damaging your linens.
The ultimate trick in keeping your sheets and towels so white is to protect them from any stain or detergent residue that can make them turn yellow in the long run. You can add a cup of white vinegar together with your usual detergent to break off all the residue that can be left behind in your linens. This helps your linens to stay white as long as possible.