How Often Do Hotels Clean Comforters on the Bed?

As you’d expect, most hotel bedding is regularly washed and swapped out between stays, such as fitted sheets, pillow cases, and top sheets. But can the same be said for the comforter? Anyone who’s ever done laundry knows that comforters are bulky and can be annoying to clean, plus they tend to require less frequent cleaning than other bedding, as there’s usually less skin-to-comforter contact due to the other layers of bedding in between. This begs the question: Do hotels follow that same logic and clean comforters or duvets less often, or do they wash them as frequently as all other bedding? Here’s what experts have to say.

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There’s No Industry-Wide Standard

The frequency with which hotels clean comforters varies depending on the type of place you stay in, according to Downlite — a trusted source for hotel bedding in the U.S. for over 40 years. The company mentions that luxury hotels and resorts are the likeliest to wash comforters most frequently, given that guests generally expect levels of service and cleanliness that go above and beyond. Some higher-end resorts may even wash the comforters mid-visit if a guest booked the room for a longer stay.

The cleaning staff at any midrange hotel (i.e., typical two- to four-star hotels that the majority of travelers may frequent) generally abide by an individual company policy. Some are known to wash comforters between each guest, while others may do so once a week, for example, as part of a regular cleaning schedule. 

Then, there are budget hotels, which may lack the resources of higher-end accommodations. Some budget hotels only wash comforters if there’s an obvious spill or stain, or during a monthly deep clean of the entire room. However, it’s worth stating that there are budget hotels that are just as dedicated to clean bedding as more expensive hotels. 

And finally, when it comes to bed and breakfasts or Airbnbs, comforters tend to be cleaned on whatever schedule the owner of that small business decides.

Hotels That Stand Out Above the Rest

The reality is that hotels are typically mum about the specific details of their cleaning policy, so there’s no way to know without contacting the property and asking them directly. And not all hotels live up to expectations. Take, for example, the comments from Ben Pundole, executive VP of brand culture and experience for Public Hotels, in an interview with the Washington Post:, “I know for a fact that some hotels are more thorough than others.”

One example of a thoroughly clean hotel chain? The Hampton Inn, which has over 3,000 locations worldwide. It’s been official hotel policy since 2006 to wash every linen on the bed between guests, including comforters, duvet covers, sheets, and pillowcases. In 2012, Hampton Inn even began to leave notes for each guest to reassure them of the cleanliness of their room and put their minds at ease.

Different Types of Bulky Sheets

Of course, not all hotel rooms have comforters. Some may rely on duvets or heavy blankets instead. Comforters are more challenging to keep clean than duvets, as they take up a significant amount of space in a washing machine. Duvets, on the other hand, tend to have a thin removable cover that can be washed quite easily along with the rest of the bedding. So, it makes sense that duvet covers tend to be more regularly cleaned than comforters across the board — or at least, they should be.

However, when it comes to decorative bedspreads, there’s often a lot left to be desired in terms of cleanliness. According to a Reader’s Digest report, certain hotels were found to only wash their decorative bedding four times a year. This serves as a cautionary tale when it comes to decorative pillows or bedspreads in a hotel room.

What Can You Do?

Still worried about the uncertainty regarding a clean comforter? A simple solution is to contact the hotel directly. A service representative or manager can explain exactly how frequently their comforters are cleaned. If it ends up being less frequent than you’d like, you can always stay at another hotel.

Another option is to bring your own bedding. Though this takes up valuable luggage space, you don’t really need to bring an entire set of bedding, as the hotel should clean the sheets and pillowcases before your arrival — just bring a clean comforter or duvet cover from home. Lastly, after arrival, check the bedding for any stains. If something seems awry, contact the front desk to replace the dirty bedding with a clean comforter or new set of pillowcases.