Close your eyes and imagine this: You’ve just gotten off a long flight and are desperate for a nap. After taking a cab to your hotel and swiftly checking in, you finally make your way to your room, pull back the duvet, and snuggle up in bed. Now, what color are the sheets you’re picturing? We’re almost certain you’re thinking of white sheets, as that’s what we’ve all come to expect when we check into a hotel. But why do hotels typically use white linens? According to a few hotel experts we spoke to, it’s a little bit about uniformity mixed with a bit of psychology. 

“After safety, cleanliness is always the hotel’s first priority. White, crisp linen reminds the guest how clean the hotel is,” Delane McCoy, an area general manager for Coury Hospitality who also oversees Colcord Hotel in Oklahoma City, told Travel + Leisure. “The hotel bed is the focal point of any guest room, and all attention is drawn there. A bed with fresh, crisp, clean, white linen gives guests the peace of mind that the entire room is clean and sanitized.” 

And while it’s great for guests’ peace of mind, this linen choice also helps the hotel cleaning staff.

“This also helps housekeeping staff identify when sheets need extra cleaning or should be replaced,” Brooks Ferring, the owner of The Berkeley Hotel in Denver, added. “Many upscale hotels prefer white linens for these practical reasons.”

And, as Craig Strickler, president of the Americas at Valor Hospitality Partners, noted, hotels also use white linen or terry as these materials lend themselves to a more seamless laundering process. “Also, white doesn’t lose its ‘color,'” Strickler added. “It allows the linen and terry to last longer than linen and terry made with colored material.”

There’s one more practical reason why hotels go for white linens. As Amber Edwards, the general manager of The Hamilton Alpharetta, stated, having a white bed is the perfect base for a well-designed room, allowing all the little details to pop instead. 

“The beauty of crisp, white bedding is that it complements the room’s design, allowing other elements — like plush throws, elegant pillows, and carefully chosen décor — to stand out and create an elegant, cohesive look,” Edwards said. “This timeless approach reflects the refined ambiance of a luxury hotel, ensuring guests are welcomed into a space that feels personalized and polished.” 

So, there you have it. A lot of thought went into the simple white linens, which ensure you not only love the look of your hotel room but can get cozy in it, too. Now close your eyes and get that nap.