Types of bed linen – our guide
The right bedding size
A bedding set usually consists of a pillow cover and a duvet cover. Both covers are available in different sizes. The LUSINI range includes pillows and duvets in up to eight sizes – and, of course, the matching pillow covers. When buying bedding, it is important to keep the size of your bedding in mind to ensure you purchase the right covers.
In Germany, the standard size for duvet covers is 135 × 200 cm. If you prefer a larger duvet, you can also choose the 155 × 220 cm size in addition to the standard size – oversized duvets are becoming increasingly popular. They are also suitable for double beds. Extra-large duvets (220 × 240 cm) can easily cover two people.
Discover the wide range of bedding at LUSINI now!
What types of bedding closures are available?
In addition to different sizes, bedding also comes with many different closure options. It is particularly important that the bedding fits well and stays in place. Only then can the bedding effectively perform its main function: protecting your pillows and duvets during daily use. In the hotel industry, there are two additional important factors to consider: For housekeeping, it is very important that hotel beds can be made quickly and easily. In addition, many hotels send their bed linen to a laundry for cleaning, where it is usually also mangled. This also influences your choice of fasteners.
Hotel closure bed linen
What is hotel closure bed linen? This is bed linen without zippers or buttons. Instead, hotel closure bed linen has a folded flap on the open side in which the bedding is secured. This flap prevents the bedding from slipping out. In everyday hotel life, this type of closure saves a lot of time thanks to its quick and easy handling.
- Standard closure in the hotel industry
- 30 cm (duvet cover) or 20 cm (pillow cover) overlap
- Saves time thanks to quick covering
Hotel closure with curved darts
If you would like to cover your bedding without a closure, there are closures with additional curved darts in addition to the conventional hotel closure. The closure is provided with an additional seam on the left and right to fix the filling even better.
- Further development of the hotel closure
- 30 cm (duvet cover) or 20 cm (pillow cover) overlap
- Curved seam secures bedding
Bedding with zippers
This type of closure is particularly popular for use at home. It is very quick to close and the bedding set stays in place.
- Durable zipper
- Excellent filling retention
- Lightweight: cost savings in laundry
Button closure
Button closure is the classic type of closure. The buttons are sewn into the open ends and can be fastened there. They are usually concealed. The advantage of button closure is that the bedding is securely enclosed in the cover. However, changing the bedding usually takes considerably longer. Over the years, button closures have increasingly given way to zippers.
- Traditional closure for a classic look
- Durable buttons
Bag closure bedding
The bag closure is very similar to the hotel closure. A narrowing at the top of the opening ensures that the filling stays in place. Bedding with a bag closure is easy to iron and saves time when making the beds. Simply fold the narrowing at the top of the bag closure inwards after making the bed.
- Quick bedding up possible
- Filling secured by narrowing at the top
- Easy to iron, no pre-ironing necessary
Bed linen with laundry closure
This closure is particularly popular when the bed linen is cleaned in a laundry. To ensure the best possible fit, this type of duvet cover is up to 10 cm longer than necessary. On the open closure side, there are holding seams approx. 7 cm from the edge on the left and right. In addition to being easy to handle in the laundry, this cover guarantees quick changing.
- Longer duvet cover with reinforced seams
- Very quick to put on beds
- Very easy to iron
- Reduced weight, saves costs in the laundry
Overview of bedding materials
The material used for bed linen has a major impact on sleeping comfort and the durability of the textiles. Whether pleasantly cool in summer or cosily warm in winter – the best material for bed linen depends on the season, area of use and guest requirements. In this overview, we show you the most common bed linen materials and their advantages – so that you can always make the right choice for your hotel guests.
Cotton
Cotton is probably the most commonly used raw material for bed linen. Depending on the quality of cotton used, the price range can be quite wide. The selection ranges from coarse linen fabric made from short cotton fibers to fine satin made from high-quality cotton. Cotton bedding is therefore available in every price segment. Cotton is a natural fiber that is breathable, feels soft on the skin, and absorbs moisture well.
Polyester
In addition to cotton, polyester yarns are also frequently found in bedding. Polyester is a synthetically produced fiber that offers several advantages: Polyester dries faster than cotton. This saves energy and reduces the amount of care required for bedding. In addition, polyester retains its shape better than cotton and does not warp. To compensate for polyester's lower breathability and absorbency, it is usually woven with cotton. This combines the advantages of both materials.
Linen
Linen bedding has become increasingly popular in recent years. The material is a natural fiber obtained from the stems of flax plants. Linen feels cool against the skin. The material is also particularly absorbent and regulates temperature, creating a comfortable sleeping environment. On top of that, linen creates a natural look. The wrinkled appearance is desirable here: you don't have to iron linen bedding!
What are the different qualities of bed linen?
In addition to the materials used for bed linen, it is also important to know the different qualities and types of fabric. These have an influence on the characteristics and function of the different types of bed linen.
What is thread count?
Thread count (TC) is a unit of measurement for textiles. It indicates how many threads are woven into one square inch (2.54 cm²). To determine the exact thread count, all horizontal and vertical threads are counted. These threads are called weft and warp threads. In general, the higher the thread count, the finer the yarn and the denser the weave. Fabrics with a low thread count usually use coarser yarns to keep the fabric dense. These are made from cheaper, short-staple cotton. The fabric made from these yarns is not as fine and feels slightly rougher and more robust. If you are looking for more affordable bed linen, you will find entry-level models with up to 80 TC on the market. Very high-quality bed linen starts at a thread count of around 200 TC. This is often the case with fine damask and satin bed linen. A higher TC is not used for bed linen from the LUSINI brand ERWIN M., as the fabric would otherwise become too dense and important functions such as breathability would suffer. Even if you repeatedly see specifications of 600 TC or higher online, don't be fooled! In most cases, twisted yarns (two threads woven together) are used, which are counted twice.
Damask bed linen
Damask bed linen is characterized by its alternating smooth, shiny, and matte pattern, which appears in reverse order on the reverse side. Depending on the angle from which you view the fabric, it has an elegant shiny or matte effect. Damask is particularly popular for its elegant appearance, especially in single-color fabrics. Damask uses particularly high-quality, fine yarns. Because they are so fine, it is technically possible to weave a large number of yarns tightly together. This results in outstanding quality (200-300 TC) that impresses with its exceptional durability.
- Finest yarns (long-fiber cotton)
- Luxurious pattern
- High durability
Satin bedding
Satin bedding is made from the finest yarns and impresses with its special weave. The so-called satin weave ensures a natural sheen, and the shimmering satin bedding mimics the properties of silk. The skin-friendly, breathable fabric gives every bedroom a very special atmosphere. As with damask, satin fabric is made from a large number of threads woven tightly together. The high thread count (200-300 TC) combined with the finest yarns gives the fabric an unmistakably soft feel. Satin and damask are among the highest quality bedding fabrics available.
- Unmistakably soft fabric
- Finest yarn quality (long-fiber cotton)
- Silky sheen (mercerized)
Percale bedding
Percale is a fine-threaded, sturdy cotton fabric (up to 200 TC) with a plain weave. Percale originated in Persia and its breathable and cooling properties ensure a comfortable night's sleep. Percale bedding is very durable and will last you a long time.
- Durable
- Lightweight plain weave
- Fine yarns
Renforcé bed linen
The soft Renforcé fabric not only feels great against your skin, it also regulates temperature and is particularly comfortable. It is made from a solid base quality (up to 140 TC). Medium-fine threads are used for Renforcé bed linen. The standard plain weave fabric is easy to care for and durable. This makes Renforcé bed linen a classic in the bedroom all year round.
- Pleasant feel
- Medium-fine to short-fiber yarns
- Easy care
Linon bedding
Linon is a smooth, plain-woven fabric (80 to 150 TC). Linon bedding is usually made from inexpensive, coarser cotton yarns and is considered an affordable alternative in the bedding segment. This material is suitable for all seasons and is easy to care for.
- Short-fiber yarns
- Entry-level products at great prices
- Easy-care
Seersucker bedding
Seersucker is an easy-care crepe fabric with a three-dimensional crinkle effect. The fabric feels pleasant against the skin when sleeping and has a temperature-regulating effect. The crepe fabric creates small air chambers and spaces between the body and the bedding, which counteract sweating, especially in summer. Seersucker bedding is non-iron, saving you a lot of time.
- Cooling effect thanks to special weaving technique
- No ironing required
Jersey bedding
Unlike other types of bedding, jersey bedding is not woven but knitted. This makes the fabric slightly elastic and means it does not need to be ironed. There are two different qualities: single jersey, which is knitted once, and interlock jersey, which is knitted twice. This process makes interlock jersey a very dense and durable fabric. Jersey bedding is soft on the skin, extremely delicate, and very easy to care for.
- Elastic
- No ironing required
- Cozy soft feel
Beaver and flannel bedding
The terms beaver and flannel are often used interchangeably when referring to bedding. They refer to a soft cotton fabric with a roughened surface. Conventional beaver bedding is only roughened on one side, while the fine beaver or flannel version is roughened on both sides, making it even fluffier. This bedding is particularly characterized by its warming effect and is therefore especially suitable for the cooler seasons. It is also easy to care for and very wrinkle-resistant.
- High degree of warmth
- Soft and fluffy on the skin
- Low ironing requirements
Care instructions for your bed linen
In everyday hotel life, bed linen is exposed to particular stresses: it is washed frequently and must remain hygienically clean, durable, and attractive at the same time. To ensure that your bed linen always meets the high standards of your guests, proper care and a well-thought-out washing process are essential.
Washing bed linen correctly
Regular and thorough cleaning of bed linen is essential in hotel operations – both for hygienic and quality reasons. To wash your hotel bed linen correctly, you should always follow the instructions on the care label. A washing temperature of 60°C is usually sufficient to reliably remove 99% of all bacteria and germs. Washing at 95°C is usually not necessary and can put unnecessary strain on the fibers in the long run. Nevertheless, our hotel-quality bed linen is designed for high temperatures and is therefore perfectly suited for professional use. For gentle cleaning, it is recommended to turn pillowcases and duvet covers inside out before washing and to close all zippers – this protects the surface structure of your bedding and extends its life.
Note on fit: High-quality bed linen made from natural materials shrinks slightly during the first few washes – we take this shrinkage into account during production. Therefore, always wash the linen at the recommended temperature at first so that the hotel bed linen retains its optimal shape.
Detergent tips for hotels:
- White bed linen stays bright and white with heavy-duty detergent and active bleach.
- For colored bed linen, we recommend a color detergent without bleaching agents – this will keep the colors intense.
- Avoid fabric softener, as it forms a film on the fabric and reduces the absorbency of duvet covers and pillow covers.
- Our tip: Use washing powder without microplastics to care for your hotel textiles in an environmentally conscious and sustainable manner.
- Extra tip for allergy-friendly rooms: Special requirements apply in allergy-friendly hotel rooms. Find out how to hygienically care for bed linen for allergy sufferers in our separate guide.
Does bed linen need to be ironed?
Whether bed linen needs to be ironed depends on your quality standards and the bed linen material you have chosen. In everyday hotel life, a neat appearance is important – but at the same time, care must remain efficient.
The basic rule is: Do not overload the washing machine or dryer. An overfilled drum promotes creasing and makes subsequent processing more difficult. If the covers are shaken out and smoothed out quickly after drying, ironing is often not necessary. Bed linen made from easy-care and non-iron fabrics is particularly practical for hotels. Materials such as seersucker, jersey, or flannel are considered wrinkle-resistant or non-iron and save you valuable time in the laundry process—without compromising on comfort or appearance.
Find the right bed linen at LUSINI
Whether you are looking for classic damask quality, a modern satin look, or functional hotel closures, at LUSINI you will find a wide selection of bed linen that combines design, comfort, and durability. Discover our high-quality collections in various sizes, materials, and designs – specially developed for the requirements of the hotel and catering industry. Rely on uncompromising quality and give your guests dreamlike sleeping comfort – with bedding from LUSINI and our brand ERWIN M.