In the course of their service life hotel textiles are used, cleaned, stored and handled again and again. For procurement teams, selecting a fabric based solely on color, look or pricing can cause issues later on. When sourcing textiles for hospitality, you should start with the intended purpose and the performance you want from the completed textile.
For hotels, 100% wool blankets and FR curtains have different standards. A blanket needs to be warm, comfortable, dimensionally stable and have the right performance when it is cared for. A curtain may need to be flame retardant, colorfast and resistant to light. So every product needs a buying specification.
100% wool blankets are popular in hospitality because they are warm, natural to the touch and look classic. But purchasers should not approve a hotel blanket for hotel use based solely on fiber content.
Weight, construction, size, yarn quality, finishing and dimensional stability all contribute to a blanket’s effectiveness. Procurement teams should also ask about shrinkage, pilling, color fastness and cleaning requirements.
A blanket for general hotel use should come with explicit maintenance instructions. Specialized cleaning may incur additional maintenance costs and should be considered before purchase. Sample approval is also good for assessing softness, thickness, drape, color and general finish .
The buyer of hospitality fabric shall verify that the blanket received is the same as the approved sample and in accordance with the requirements that have been agreed upon.
Depending on the country, the structure, the location and the application, hotels may have special fire-safety regulations for curtains. This makes fire performance an essential aspect of the hospitality sourcing ecosystem.
Buyers should determine which local legislation or project standard applies before calling for estimates. The RFQ should specifically indicate the needed flammability test, standard and pass criteria.
A cloth described as flame resistant by a provider should not be the only reason to buy FR curtains. Procurement teams should inquire for the real test technique and test report. It is also vital to check if the result is valid for the finished curtain fabric being delivered.
Construction, finishing and treatment might impact fabric performance therefore documentation should be related to the actual product being considered.
Fabrics are typically used in hotels as drapes near windows and are exposed to daylight for long periods of time. Poor lightfastness can lead to apparent color shifts and tired looking well-maintained interiors over time.
So lightfastness is something that buyers of FR curtains should also look at, besides the fire performance. The appropriate level will depend on the location and the projected exposure.
For blankets that are 100% wool, colorfastness to washing, water and rubbing may be more relevant depending on the care method and planned use. The RFQ must specify the testing and performance standards necessary, not leave the requirements open to interpretation.
It’s not just about the fiber… Fabric performance. The choice of yarn, the construction of the fabric, its weight and finishing can all affect the performance of a textile in use and in cleaning.
Dimensional stability is especially crucial for wool blankets since repeated cleaning might impair size and shape if the product is not suited to the intended care technique. Buyers should check the shrinkage and care details before ordering greater quantities.
Dimensional stability is particularly important for curtains, as variations in length or form may impact the way they hang after washing. Hospitality fabric purchasing should therefore look at the entire maintenance cycle, not just the look of the fabric when new.
A thorough RFQ enables hotel procurement teams to compare providers on a level playing field. Depending on the product, specs can be:
When standards are clear, hospitality fabric sourcing becomes easier for designers, procurement teams and suppliers. All parties involved can understand what is being bought and what performance objectives are to be satisfied.
The best way for purchasers to evaluate products before buying big amounts is with a suitable hospitality textile specification. Instead of selecting from a sample book, procurement teams can evaluate a 100% wool blanket or FR curtain and see if it satisfies the practical needs of the project.
KocharTex offers textile solutions for institutional and hospitality applications, including wool-based fabrics and flame-retardant textile choices. For hotel projects product selection can be tailored to the desired application, appearance, performance requirements and maintenance conditions.
The best hospitality textile isn’t always the heaviest or the most expensive. It’s the product that fulfills the required requirements, is right for the application, fits the maintenance schedule and can provide consistent performance during the estimated service life. A concise specification facilitates decision.
100% wool blankets are naturally warm, comfy and have a classic look Before approving a particular blanket, purchasers also need to analyze weight, structure, dimensional stability, pilling, colorfastness and cleaning requirements for hotel use.
Hotels should refer to the relevant fire safety standard, flammability test method, pass requirement, test report, colorfastness, lightfastness, dimensional stability and care instructions. Requirements vary based on the building, location and project.
Care will vary according to the construction, finish and manufacturer's instructions for the blanket. Hotel customers should confirm the recommended cleaning process, anticipated shrinkage and dimensional stability prior to purchase to guarantee the blanket will fit within the property’s cleaning schedule.
Curtains close to windows will be subject to normal lighting and this can cause the colors to fade over time. Lightfastness testing helps hospitality customers choose materials that are more suitable for the expected light exposure.
An RFQ should specify the desired application, fiber content, construction, weight, size, color, testing required, flammability requirements where applicable, colorfastness, care instructions, certificates, test results, quantity and delivery timeline.
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