The latest horror flick, coming soon to a theater near you: “It Came from the Mattress.” The title alone makes you want to scream, doesn’t it? Picture throngs of guests running out of their guestrooms toward the exits—giant bed bugs, dust mites, skin cells (you use your imagination for what the other monsters would look like) in hot pursuit. Could you even stomach the trailer for the movie? The film would not be good for our industry, that’s for sure.
After doing a bit of research for an article on mattress and box spring encasements (click here for article), I will never look at a hotel mattress the same way again. I am sure you are all aware of the truth: hundreds or thousands of guests sleeping on the same mattress during its life span, each guest dropping his or her own skin cells, perspiration and…well, you insert the rest here. Of course there is the often cited “mattress weight will double in 10 years from dust mites alone” tidbit that will leave any frequent sleeper shaking in his socks. Oh, the humanity!
At recent trade shows I have attended, there have been an increasing number of suppliers selling mattress and box spring encasements. This has been driven, I am sure, by all of the buzz about bed bugs over the past several years. But as I learned this past week, human contamination is the primary reason to encase mattresses and box springs.
A Means to Protect Expensive Assets
If you do encase your mattresses and box springs—it is something I highly recommend—you will be protecting expensive assets, extending their life, and keeping them out of landfills. When it does come time to retire your mattresses and box springs, they will be suitable for donation or recycling. Of course encasements also enhance the sleep experience for your guests—providing a healthy environment free of allergens caused by dust mites, mold, bacteria, dead skin cells, etc. And, as mentioned, encasements can be one important weapon in your arsenal to prevent bed bug infestation—further saving you dollars and the necessity of having to clean, or even dispose of, a mattress.
As I discovered, there are numerous types of encasements available. Each is unique in its own way. Pay particular attention to the material the encasements are made from, the design of the zipper, and zipper security. You don’t want a zipper through which dust mites or bed bugs can penetrate. I am confident that most suppliers to our industry today have very reliable products.
When owners of lodging establishments green their properties, they often forget about the mattress and box springs. It is a huge missed opportunity. You can purchase “greener” mattresses—I have reported on them on Green Lodging News—but you can also encase any type you purchase.
I contend that every green lodging certification program should credit you for encasing your mattresses and box springs. The next time you participate in a certification process, ask about this opportunity.
Has your property implemented encasements? I would love to learn how they are working for you. Are they performing as expected? Have they ever torn? Been abused by guests? Have you considered encasements but then decided not to buy them? I would love to know the reasons. I can be reached by phone at (440) 243-2055, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (440) 243-2055, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
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As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
