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The updated list of criteria (2025-2030) for the Hotelstars Union hotel star classification addresses the issue of bed hygiene by tightening up certain mattress specifications and introducing completely new regulations. In addition, aspects of sustainability are also taken into account in order to curb the throwaway mentality in particular. A new element of the upcoming criteria catalog will be the washing of products relating to the mattress - and thus for the first time the mattress cover itself. The Swiss premium manufacturer already meets these future requirements with its products. Thanks to the complete washability of its mattresses, which includes the mattress cover and the mattress core itself, Swissfeel provides the hotel industry with advantages in terms of both implementation and costs, as a reduction in the total cost of ownership is a key aspect of the overall concept.

“In recent months in particular, there have been an increasing number of reports in the media about poor bed hygiene in the hotel industry. Above all, the condition of mattresses has been criticized. This damages the image of the entire industry and is perceived by millions of potential guests. It is therefore right to set an example here via the criteria catalog. Making washing in connection with mattress hygiene an important part of the new criteria is a logical step. After all, everything else in the bed has long been washed for reasons of hygiene. And if you work with a full cost calculation, you will quickly see that the savings potential is attractive”
says Philipp Hangartner, Managing Director of Swissfeel AG.

Hotel beds become soiled through intensive use: it is not enough to just wash the bed linen. Mattress toppers or mattress covers also need to be cleaned just as regularly as the mattress itself. This is exactly where the Swissfeel bed system, which has been established and successfully tested for years, comes in. The entire mattress can be washed in a special washing machine and then dried thoroughly, which considerably increases the service life of the mattresses.

Studies have also shown that mattress covers are often by far the uncleanest piece of equipment in a hotel bed. This is mainly due to the fact that they are usually not cared for properly. They also reduce sleeping comfort due to the “perspiration effect”, noise development or surface tension. They also represent an additional burden on the environment. Especially if they are manufactured as a membrane, as artificial perpetuating chemicals (PFAS) are often used. For this reason, the future hotel classification criteria catalog (2025 - 2030) should also make changes in this regard. The use of encasings for mattresses and pillows will continue to be possible. However, only if the hotel complies with a specified cleaning cycle.

“However, this is a tough one, especially as there were previously no cleaning requirements at all for encasings or mattress covers. In future, they will have to be washed every month, which, in addition to the costs incurred, will also require at least a complete second set of encasings, plus the effort of changing them every month. This reduces the incentive to use them and at the same time drives up the costs, especially as in future the encasings will also have to be breathable, which eliminates the very inexpensive variants,
adds Philipp Hangartner, Managing Director of Swissfeel AG.

The alternative will be to wash the mattress cover once a year in conjunction with the use of a simple molleton, which will be considerably cheaper and require less effort.

Washing the mattress core eliminates the need to purchase a new one for hygienic reasons. Swissfeel products have been making this possible for many years. Hotels are also offered appropriate washing logistics. With its SWISSFEEL-2-CYCLE circulation system, Swissfeel has set new standards here, as hygiene, sustainability and cost efficiency are combined in the mattress for the first time. Swissfeel is “EcoVadis Silver” rated and its products are all “OEKO-TEX” and “suitable for house dust mite allergy sufferers” - certified by Service Allergie Suisse, a subsidiary of the “aha! Allergy Center Switzerland”.