Yes.

Hotel properties looking to economise sometimes forego mattress protectors. It’s an understandable impulse - they cost around $10 to $40 for a basic, standard style, multiplied by as many beds as you have and regular replacing, the additional laundry expense, it can add up.

However, if you’re looking to save on operating costs, you can find better places to cut.

They’re called mattress “protectors” for a good reason - they protect your far more expensive mattresses, not to mention helping protect guests from bed bugs, mites and the sort of fluids and stains that can ruin guests’ experiences at your property. The last thing you need is your guests telling everybody on social media about the skin condition they picked up at your establishment or complaining about the condition of the most important item in the room.

New Protectors or a New Mattress?

In fact, every time you replace a mattress protector, think how much it would have cost to replace the mattress itself (see our previous article for more information on that).

It’s actually more economical to find sturdy, high-quality protectors. They come quilted and unquilted, whichever you want to give your guests a more comfortable night’s sleep.

Check that you’re not using traditional mattress pads as protectors, but that your protectors are waterproof and resist absorbing contaminants, and can protect the mattress from bugs, stains, dead skin cells and the like. If you’re using mattress pads instead of protectors you’re also doing more laundry than you need to, as they can be bulky and hard to launder. Good mattress protectors can be washed as normal laundry and dry quickly.

For extra protection and longer-lasting protectors, look for microfibre mattress protectors. They do cost marginally more, but many hoteliers appreciate the longer lifespan.