Why Do Hotels Always Have a Cloth Across the Bed? Many People
Don’t Know Its Purpose
At the foot of hotel beds, there is often a cloth laid across, which you may have seen
hundreds of times but never realized its purpose. This cloth is the biggest difference
between hotel beds and beds at home. Many people may wonder why hotels always have a
cloth across the bed. Besides decoration, does it serve any other purpose?
1. Decoration
As many people may have guessed, the primary purpose of this cloth is decoration. It
usually comes in a subtle color, yet stands out against the crisp white bed linens,
complementing the bed and the entire room.
2. Preventing Dirt When Eating on the Bed
Many people stay in hotels to fully relax and enjoy their time, and eating in bed is one
of the best ways to indulge. To maximize relaxation, many people opt not to go downstairs
for meals but instead have food delivered directly to the room, eating in bed while watching
TV.
However, since the bed linens are white, they can easily get stained by food crumbs or
spilled sauces. This concern is addressed by the cloth laid across the bed. It usually has a
darker color and is made from materials that are easier to clean. This is one of the reasons
why hotels always use this cloth.
For families with young children who enjoy snacking or making a mess, you can have the
child sits on the cloth to eat, making cleanup much easier for the adults.
3. A Place for Personal Belongings
Many people have a habit of placing their items, such as backpacks, bags, phones,
laptops, and cameras, on the bed when they enter the hotel room. These items can carry dirt
and bacteria, which can stain the white bed linens, making them look unattractive and less
luxurious, not to mention less hygienic when you lie down.
The cloth across the bed prevents this. You can place your belongings on it instead. The foot of
The bed is also a convenient place to put things when you haven’t yet figured out a better
spot.
4. A Place for Feet
In Europe, people often lie down on the bed at any time, even when wearing shoes or socks.
Shoes often carry dirt, and socks may have odors, which are both forbidden on the bed. In
this case, the cloth across the bed acts as an effective footrest. Guests can place their feet on
the bed comfortably without worrying about staining or unpleasant odors on the linens.
5. Other Special Roles
Some people maintain their daily exercise routines even when traveling. Since it’s not
always possible to carry a yoga mat everywhere, the cloth across the hotel bed can serve as
a temporary substitute. For women during their menstrual period, it can serve as a pad.
Now you understand why hotels always have a cloth across the bed, right? Its functions are
quite versatile, aren’t they? Make sure to take advantage of it during your next trip!