Walk into almost any hotel room, and there’s a high chance that there will be pristine white bedding waiting for you. That’s no coincidence: Hotels rely on those white linens for a myriad of reasons, shunning the colorful options that are more commonly found in our own homes. From practicality to surprising psychological benefits, here’s a closer look into this intentional color choice when it comes to hotel beds.

Practicality

One of the major reasons why so many hotels use white linens is for practical purposes. White bedding shows stains easily, while darker bedding can mask those stains. In an interview with Travel + Leisure, Brooks Ferring, owner of Denver’s Berkeley Hotel, noted that overt staining “helps housekeeping staff identify when sheets need extra cleaning or should be replaced.” That’s especially important considering housekeepers need to turn over so many rooms, since it allows them to spot a stain in seconds and swap the sheets out for a fresh set.

Another practical benefit is that white sheets hold on to their color (or lack thereof) for far longer than darker sheets. Think of how your favorite T-shirt may start to fade after a dozen washes. Hotels wash their bedsheets hundreds of times a year, sometimes with harsh chemical cleaners. If a guest were to walk into their room and see faded sheets on the bed, they may get a sense that the hotel feels old and worn-down.

White sheets, in comparison, don’t show their wear to the same degree. Plus, hotels can use more aggressive cleaning materials and higher washing temperatures to get out tough stains since they don’t have to worry about color bleeding. This makes the room feel newer and fresher, whereas any worn colorful sheets might raise red flags.

Aesthetics

In the same interview with Travel + Leisure, hotel general manager Amber Edwards noted that white sheets offer aesthetic benefits as well, as they can help highlight other design elements in your hotel room. “The beauty of crisp, white bedding is that it complements the room’s design,” Edwards said, explaining that it allows features such as throw pillows and bedside decor to truly pop and catch your eye.

On the other hand, imagine bright red bedding — it’d probably be hard to focus your eyes on anything but such a bold color. White is a timeless color that’s often associated with luxury, so it never feels too bold or dated.

Psychology

White sheets also play a role in positively affecting the human psyche, according to the bedding company American Soft Linen. When a guest walks into a hotel room and sees fresh white bedding, they’re typically put at ease thinking the room has been thoroughly cleaned before their arrival. But if they walk in and find darker bedding, they may start to wonder if the hotel is trying to hide something.

Additionally, white sheets can convey a sense of familiarity, which in turn promotes relaxation. Most people walk into a hotel room expecting white linens, but if they enter to find neon pink or lime green sheets, for instance, the body might not relax quite so easily. Hotels use white sheets to eliminate all that noise and any potential distractions.

Beyond bedding, white in general also symbolizes positive factors such as safety, freshness, and simplicity. These positive connotations help the mind relax, which can be especially beneficial in unfamiliar environments such as hotel rooms, where you may otherwise find it difficult to unwind for the first night or two.