There is no doubt that the Covid-19 crisis will mark a before and after in the hospitality industry, and the priorities and mindset of customers will change radically. Experts assert that success will not be related to price or offers, but to the ability of hotels to provide safety to their guests. Hoteliers must create an environment where customers can relax and feel protected.

With all eyes on hygiene, Carmela Martí, an expert textile interior design company for the hospitality sector, explains the role textiles will play in this new interior design.

The Room: A Safe and Germ-Free Space

To make the guest feel at ease, it is essential to ensure the room is a germ-free space. This requires changing some habits, such as leaving shoes, which can carry bacteria, outside the room and using the slippers provided by the hotels. It is even recommended to use robes to avoid bringing outside clothes into this hygienic space.

Additionally, the bed must become a temple of hygiene more than ever, as the sheets will be in direct contact with our skin. To prevent external agents like suitcases or jackets from touching the sheets, it is advisable to use bedspreads or throws that completely cover the surface and can be removed at bedtime. These items should be made with antibacterial fabrics or washable materials at 60°C to ensure disinfection.

Goodbye to the Trend of Table Without Tablecloths

According to the Bioburden report published by the Textile Technological Institute (AITEX), which studies the bacterial load on tables, tables without tablecloths accumulate 37 times more bacteria than those with fabric tablecloths. Whether it’s placemats, table runners, or traditional tablecloths, these will become indispensable in any establishment. In a world where hygiene is prioritized, merely wiping the table surface with a cloth is no longer sufficient to ensure cleanliness. Each customer will use their own tablecloth, which will then be washed at 60°C for disinfection.

Enter the Smart Textiles

The so-called ‘Smart textiles’ are fabrics that actively respond to external stimuli, such as bacteria in this case. These types of fabrics are already present in the market and are common in certain areas such as outdoor spaces or humid zones where bacteria proliferation is more likely. However, their use is undoubtedly going to increase. The textile world opens up a universe of possibilities for research and development of textiles with such properties.

Furthermore, these fabrics can serve as a solution to new challenges, such as curtains that ensure the separation of spaces in common areas, allowing us to maintain safe distances.

These are just some of the applications textiles will have in this post-pandemic landscape. Carmela Martí continues working and researching to offer textile solutions that add value to ensure the hygiene and safety of guests.