Murray Roberts talks about the need for migrant workers in hospitalit Value of good amenities | Page 29

SOME TOP TIPS FROM THE NATURAL LINEN
CUPBOARD ON HOW TO GIVE YOUR GUESTS
A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
G
uests who experience a good
night’s sleep are more likely to
return time and time again. So
what can you do to make sure your
guests will wake up in the morning
fully rested? The need for a good quality bed
and mattress to achieve this are common
knowledge. You might also want to look at
what goes on top of the bed, i.e. mattress
toppers, duvets, pillows and bed linen.
Synthetic fibres as well as feather
and down filling materials are very
good insulators however they will lead
to overheating and excessive sweating
as they lack the ability to help the body
regulate its temperature. Being too hot or
too cold will lead to less restful sleep and
frequent waking. On top of that overheating
and sweating also creates conditions in
which dust mites thrive (they love warm
and humid conditions). A study by St.
Barts and the London NHS Trust led by Dr.
Tucker has found that within 2 years 1/3
of a standard pillows’ weight can comprise
of dead skin cells, bugs, dead dust mites
and their droppings. It is the droppings
of dust mite that cause allergic reactions
(asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis, other
skin conditions) in many people.
Wool is a natural and breathable
material providing warmth without
overheating the wearer thus ensuring
your guests won’t wake in the middle of
the night because they are too cold or too
warm. Wool also draws any moisture due
to normal perspiration away from the body
(wicking effect making it a less attractive
habitat for dust mites. In addition, the
lanolin contained in most types of wool has
antibacterial properties. Aside from the
obvious benefits this also helps to eliminate
the food source for dust mites as they are
decomposer animals, which means they
feed on material that has already partially
been broken down by fungi. Hence, wool is
naturally hypo-allergenic.
Using a natural wool mattress topper
also prolongs the life of your mattress
due to less perspiration in general and
protecting the mattress by adding an
extra layer.
Whilst using wool bedding products can
make a huge difference to your guests’
sleep it is crucial to make sure you also
use 100% natural (silk, cotton…) bed linen
and nightwear - as again, poly-cotton or
synthetic sheets, duvets covers and pillow
cases can lead to overheating – detracting
from the benefits of wool. What’s more, you
will find that a bed made up with a wool
mattress topper, duvet, pillow and natural
bed linen offers the ultimate in luxurious
sleeping environments. Your guests may
not want to leave bed at all.
As well as providing your guests with
the perfect sleeping environment you can
also rest easy knowing that no animals
were harmed or lost their lives in order
to produce wool bedding products and
being 100% natural their impact on the
environment is minimal.
THE NATURAL LINEN CUPBOARD
WEBSITE: www.thenaturallinencupboard.
com TEL: [phone]
Housekeeping management 29