Is It Worth Ironing Towels and Bed Linen in a Hotel? Aesthetics vs. Practicality

To iron or not to iron? Find out if it's worth ironing hotel textiles. Discover the pros, cons and costs to strike the right balance between aesthetics and operations.

Is It Worth Ironing Towels and Bed Linen in a Hotel? Aesthetics vs. Practicality

A guest opens the door and... instantly senses the standard. One of the strongest visual cues is the look of the bed and the quality of textiles – bed linen, towels, bathrobes. But is ironing these items a necessity or just an unnecessary luxury?

In this article, we answer honestly: is it worth ironing hotel textiles, what are the pros and cons, and how can you approach it professionally and cost-effectively?

1. Bed Linen – smooth perfection or natural softness?

PRO ironing:

• Premium aesthetics – smooth linen gives a sense of freshness, cleanliness, and luxury

• First impression – especially important in 4–5★ hotels

• Easier bed making – ironed linen is more structured, making it easier to achieve a "dream hotel bed" look

AGAINST ironing:

• Energy and time costs – especially with high occupancy

• Impact on fabric – frequent ironing may weaken fibers, especially in organic cotton

• Folding matters – ironing won’t fix creases from poor storage

Many hoteliers find a compromise: they iron only duvet covers and sheets, leaving pillowcases naturally soft.

2. Towels – smooth or fluffy?

Towels should not be ironed – for several good reasons:

• Ironing crushes the loops, reducing absorbency and fluffiness

• Flattened towels look unnatural and feel of lower quality

• Tumble drying with an “air fluff” cycle produces better results than ironing

Instead of ironing – focus on proper drying and light folding. It’s quicker, cheaper, and... better for the towel.

3. Bathrobes – elegance vs. practicality

Ironing bathrobes is also not recommended:

• Most are made of terry or velour, which don't respond well to high heat

• They easily lose volume and their cozy, wrap-around effect

• After several ironing cycles, the fabric may feel stiff or “tired”

Best practice: shake out after drying and roll or fold attractively for display.

4. What does it cost?

Time, energy, staff – ironing textiles can increase room servicing costs by 15–30%.

In hotels with 20+ rooms, this adds up to hundreds of euros per week – not always reflected in guest ratings, unless it’s a high-end luxury property where every detail counts.

5. Do guests notice? Yes – but…

Industry studies (e.g. Hotel Trends Europe) show:

• Guests perceive linen as “clean and well-kept” based on its appearance – regardless of ironing

• 78% of guests value softness and fresh scent over perfect smoothness

In apartments and boutique stays, the trend is moving toward natural cotton with a soft “crumple look” – intentional elegance, not hospital precision.

Summary

Iron your bed linen only if…

• You represent a 5★ or premium boutique hotel where aesthetics are key

• You want to impress the guest the moment they walk in

• You have the staff and facilities to do it efficiently

Don’t iron towels or bathrobes – maintain their softness and structure. It’s better to invest in fabric quality than in heat and labour.

Choose textiles that require no compromise – "Touch of elegance. Marked with Ormire."