This Is Why Hotel Sheets Are Always White

It doesn’t matter if you’ve checked into a Motel 6 or the Four Seasons—the bed is what you came for, and the sheets are always the same: white. Not ivory. Not eggshell. Not bone. Just plain, crisp white. In a world where every traveler is different, why does this tiny detail stay the same?

It’s an interesting question that you may not have thought of until now, and here’s a little spoiler—it’s not a random choice. Read on to find out exactly why hotels always seem to choose white sheets for their beds.

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Are all hotel sheets actually white?

It’s impossible to audit every hotel on the planet, but broadly speaking, the answer is yes—hotel sheets are pretty much always white. Just ask hotel veteran Jamie Cooperstein, the author of True Hospitality: Lessons Learned from Behind the Concierge Desk. After years of witnessing the ins and outs of the hotel industry, including daily housekeeping routines, she says: “Yes. The only time you might see colored sheets may be at a bed and breakfast, when you are staying at a homeowner’s place.”

Why are hotel sheets always white?

Here's Why Hotel Sheets Are Always White Saowaluck Voraprukpisut/GETTY IMAGES

A common misconception is that white sheets are purely about aesthetics and chosen to make a hotel look more upscale. The real reasons are more practical.

Cleanliness

Most important, white signals cleanliness. It shows everything—from dirt to that late-night room-service wine spill. It might seem counterintuitive (who wants to see stains?), but that’s precisely the point: White sheets make it obvious that the linens are clean, giving guests a sense of trust in the hotel’s hygiene.

And if a housekeeper ever lays down a fresh sheet that shows a stain? They’ll know right away and use another sheet.

Longevity

Let’s not forget that hotel sheets get used, and washed, and used again—a lot. That makes their color apt to fade. “If you use colored sheets on a bed, it will be very apparent after a few guests have come and gone. Those sheets will be faded, and that’s not a good look,” says Cooperstein. “By using plain white sheets, they can still look brand-new after a year.”

And speaking of heavy laundering, most hotels have their own on-site laundry facilities: “They have a whole team doing cleaning and ironing and have the process down to a science.”

Is there a psychological element to it all?

For some people, white bedding just feels easier on the brain—no loud patterns, no distractions. It helps the mind unwind and sets the tone for a calmer, more restful night.

“A lot of luxury hotel brands know that guests marvel about their bedding,” says Cooperstein. “Some have even made it an option for guests to buy their sheets, pillows and even mattresses. If you loved your sleeping experience, you can bring it home with you.” Some examples include the Four Seasons and Kimpton Hotels & Resorts.

And traditional retailers have caught on as well. “Macy’s has made a lot of money over the years on their proprietary ‘Hotel Collection’ of bedding, towels and pillows, purposefully created to make consumers feel like they’re able to replicate a refined hotel experience,” says Cooperstein.

Have white hotel sheets always been the standard?

No. Westin Hotels & Resorts, now under the Marriott International umbrella, are credited with starting the white-sheet trend in the ’90s. The idea was that this small change could make a big difference, creating a “halo effect.” As Erin Hoover, the former vice president of design for Westin and Sheraton Hotels, told HuffPost in 2014, “People thought a room had been renovated, even if it was just the bed that had been changed. It had a huge impact.”

Westin also pioneered the hotel-in-your-home feel, says Cooperstein. “They were apparently the first company to sell the experience—packaging the bedding for consumer purchase,” she explains.

While you won’t find white bedding in any official hotel rule book or lodging association requirement, it’s an expected industry standard.

Are hotel towels always white too?

Typically, hotel towels are also always white, for the same reason the sheets are: It’s easy for the housekeeping team to spot any stains and make sure guests have sparkling amenities.

Also, hotels typically order towels in bulk, and using a single color means they don’t have to worry about matching sets. Plus, white never clashes with decor, and whether a hotel room is modern or classic, white towels always fit. In your own home, however, it’s a different story: Colored or patterned towels and sheets are very much a way to express your personal style.

Is hotel bedding really that important?

Let us ask that question in a different way: Do you book a hotel for the coffee machine? The giant TV? The bedside phone no one ever touches? Of course not. You go for the bed. “And the front desk will definitely hear about it if there’s an issue with the bed,” says Cooperstein. “In luxury hotels, it’s not just about white sheets—it’s about that high thread count that gives the bed its silky, relaxing feel.”

So, yes, hotel sheets are white—for cleanliness, consistency and a whisper of luxury. Mystery solved. Now if only someone could explain why they still don’t use fitted sheets and insist on tucking in the corners. But hey, one sheet secret at a time.

About the experts

Jamie Cooperstein is the founder of J. Cooperstein Hospitality Consulting, a former concierge at the Rittenhouse Hotel and the author of True Hospitality: Lessons Learned from Behind the Concierge Desk. She spent a decade as a concierge at both a luxury hotel and a luxury residence.

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Sources:

Jamie Cooperstein, former concierge, founder of J. Cooperstein Hospitality Consulting and author of True Hospitality: Lessons Learned from Behind the Concierge Desk
HuffPost: “We Found The ONE Reason Why Your Hotel Bed Is So Perfect”