<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by oldpenny16:
As you work for a hotel, I have a question. Why do hotels often starch the sheets? If it isn't starch, why are they often so stiff?
</font>
OP16, thank you so much for your kind words. When I see your name I make a beeline for your posting as you always have sych helpful information!
I agree 100% that the non-USA hotels (different cultures) are much more welcoming in accepting items from guests. I have even given away food!
As to the sheets, most people do not iron their sheets at home. Most hotels, though, DO iron their sheets in a huge machine that presses them one after another. The housekeepers stand on either side and two of them feed them in and two of them catch them and fold them. Very dangerous work. The scratchiness and stiffness comes, I imagine, from cheap detergents, cheap sheets and this pressing.
As for tipping maids, I do it myself and on a regular basis. Yes, they do keep tips. If they have not been your housekeeper the whole week, don't worry as they say it all balances out. I used to tip at the end of the week but now I found that leaving an appropriate tip on the pillow every morning gets me a smile and extra towels the next day!
I have also started leaving a dollar on the pillow each night for the turndown maid, if they have one.
I apologize to everyone as we have now gone waaaaay off topic!
------------------
Just trying to keep up with the gals in the trailer park next door.