A Hotel Manager Showed What Happens to Stained Sheets. Then Other Hotel Workers Revealed a Secret That Could Make Guests Furious

Lately, I’ve talked a lot about airplanes, cruises, and, of course, travel destinations, with guides, itineraries, and plenty of ideas for future trips.

From the best time to visit Vienna and the fascinating Kunsthistorisches Museum (Fine Arts Museum in Vienna) to city nicknames trivia, there’s been quite a variety of topics here lately.

And then there are the interesting, surprising, and sometimes downright bizarre travel stories. Like what a man did at a cruise ship buffet, how someone noticed that passengers’ luggage could have ended up at completely different destinations, a behavior that someone argued should lead to a “lifetime ban” from flying, or what happened with an Uber airport ride that offers a useful lesson for travelers.

I’ve also shared the red flags flight attendants notice, what they recommend not wearing on a plane, some of the dirtiest places on airplanes, and their answers to some of the funniest passenger questions.

This time, we’re talking about hotels. And I have to say, it’s been a very loooooooooooooooooong time since I’ve seen a topic generate so many opposing opinions. I know I have my own opinion, but I’m genuinely curious about your preferences and your experiences in hotels, so please share them in the comments after you read the different perspectives the topic has revealed.

ID 43561766 ©Alexander Raths | Dreamstime.com 

A Hotel Manager Shows What Happens to Stained Sheets Behind the Scenes

In a TikTok video, Sheri Walker, who shares behind-the-scenes hotel content, takes viewers into the housekeeping area to show how the hotel handles stained sheets and towels.

She opens with a warning about guests damaging hotel linens:

“Back here to housekeeping with me. Because you’re tearing the laundry and the towels up, it’s why your credit card keeps getting charged. Come on.”

She then explains what happens when an item doesn’t come clean during its first wash.

“Stained linen that we can’t get out the first time it washes, the housekeepers then take and drop it into this bucket and let it sit for 24 hours. Then they’ll come back in, wash it again, and if it still doesn’t clean it and come out, it goes in the toss pile.”

As she examines the sheets, she sorts them into two piles: items the hotel will keep and items it will discard. Her decisions aren’t always based on whether the linen has been properly washed. The sheets’ appearance, the type of stain, and how guests might react also matter.

At one point, she finds a small ink stain that won’t come out:

“A little ink stain that won’t come out. But I know you all are going to flip out. So I’m going to toss it.”

She also decides to keep items with fading or relatively minor marks, while sheets with holes end up in the discard pile. When she comes across another marked item, she anticipates the reaction:

“That is not blood. That is marker, permanent marker that won’t come out. But because you all flip out, I have to toss it.”

She shows viewers the two piles and the soaking solution used by housekeeping before asking a question:

“Tell me in the comments, would you sleep on this linen even though it’s clean, but you see a little tiny stain? I want to know.”

That question generated plenty of answers, but the discussion didn’t stop at whether a tiny stain was acceptable.

For Many Travelers, a Stain Immediately Raises Questions About Whether the Sheets Were Changed

One recurring argument was that guests have no way of knowing what caused a stain or whether the sheets were washed before they arrived.

A commenter explained the immediate reaction:

“any stain triggers a natural reaction or thought that the sheets were never changed from previous guests. human nature reaction”

Another person made the same point:

“No I don’t want stains or markings on sheets. First impression sadly is that the sheets weren’t changed from previous person.”

Other viewers explained that the problem wasn’t necessarily the stain itself. It was the uncertainty about what had happened before they checked into the room.

“I wouldn’t sleep on a hotel sheet with stains. You may know what the stain is and that they are clean, but as a consumer I don’t.”

“The thing is, as a customer, I don’t know what the stain is or that it has been cleaned well. If it were at my home it would be different.😁”

“I definitely would. I think what people would worry about is if it had been washed because it’s hard to tell if it’s just a stain or someone forgot to change them”

Other commenters raised broader concerns about hotel cleanliness.

“Stains scare me at hotels. Not all hotels actually truly clean the bed linens. Idk, I guess I’m a picky one. Sorry 😣”

“No… I can do my own dirt but not other peoples dirt. 😂”

One viewer appreciated Walker’s openness while admitting that even a tiny stain would make them nervous:

“I love love your content! But I would be a little nervous to sleep on a sheet with a little stain. Some places you just don’t know what’s going on behind there company doors. Love how transparent you are with your hotel! 💚🏨”

Other people were much firmer about what they expected from a hotel.

“I would not be happy sleeping on stained sheets. You know what you’re doing!”

“no stained sheets should ever be put back on a hotel bed. I will Callan get someone to come change the sheets. why should a customer have to sleep on stained sheets”

“Do not want to see any stains!”

Some Travelers Would Accept Ink or Marker Stains, but Not Blood or Other Bodily Fluids

Not everyone believed every stain automatically meant the sheets had to be discarded. Several viewers distinguished between permanent ink or marker stains and marks that might have come from blood or other bodily fluids.

“A ink stain or noticeable normal stain yes, a blood stain or bodily fluid stain no. Even a small hole isn’t a concern to me. I understand those articles aren’t cheap to replace and you have to let them serve their purpose”

“If it can be misjudged as bodily fluid it’s a toss. Everything else is fair game.”

“if its yellow/ brown or blood i wouldn’t want to lay on it. holes wouldnt bother me or small pen/ marker mark”

“If it’s just marker I wouldn’t mind lol but other things…no lol”

One commenter said they would even use a UV light when staying at hotels:

“yes, minor stains are fine just not bodily fluids. I bring a uv light when I go to hotels.”

Another person thought some travelers should be able to distinguish between marker ink and blood:

“I would sleep on it. Especially the pen and markers. I’m sorry, but ppl surely smarter to know red marker and blood difference. They aren’t the same once they dry. But I understand that some ppl find any stupid reason to get discounts or free stay”

One viewer offered a longer explanation from both a business and consumer perspective:

“From a business standpoint, it’s hard to determine to toss if the stain isn’t bad or not. As a consumer though, I am not much of a complainer so if it looked as if it was blood, I would definitely complain. Any bodily fluid for that matter. If it is obvious a small ink stain that wouldn’t bother me. A little hole, no big deal. Some people investigate everything at hotels and those shall be called potential Karen’s. I don’t investigate. You’ll be lucky if I notice. 😂”

These commenters were willing to accept certain permanent marks, but their answers also showed why Walker’s question was difficult: hotel staff may know exactly what caused a stain, while the next guest usually doesn’t.

Other Guests Say They Wouldn’t Mind a Tiny Stain at All

Many people also said a small mark wouldn’t bother them, as long as the linen had been washed properly.

“I wouldn’t care as long as they smell clean”

“A little tiny stain wouldn’t bother me. You can tell if they are clean and if it’s just a tiny stain I’d be fine with it. That’s just me though”

“I don’t worry about a tiny stain as long as it’s been washed 🥰”

“Yes I do because I’m not picky, as long as it’s clean”

“I’m not that picky. plus I would probably not even notice it…lol”

“I promise if its a pin size im not even noticing it”

“I want my bedding fresh & clean a little mark is ok ♥️”

Some people also thought the hotel’s type or price should affect what guests expect.

“Tbh if its a low price point i think most of those with just single marks are keepers.”

One commenter even suggested offering guests a choice, with a small discount for accepting sheets with visible marks:

“As long as I belived it was clean… if there was a discount option perhaps? Even a slight discount could save a ton. Just give the option. Also, give the option online to buy bulk towels!!!”

That suggestion introduced another possibility: some guests might knowingly accept minor cosmetic imperfections if the hotel explained the situation and gave them the option.

Some Travelers Bring Their Own Bedding to Hotels

Other viewers said they avoid concerns about hotel sheets and comforters by bringing their own bedding.

“when we travel we always bring our own sheets and comforter and pillows that’s just what we do”

Another person said they specifically bring a comforter:

“I’m ok with the sheets but I always bring my own comforter because most hotels, not all but most hotels don’t wash the comforters after every check out.”

Someone else described the first thing they do after entering a hotel room:

“First thing i do is rip the cover off the bed no matter what “star” level I’m staying in. I look for anything 😂.”

The discussion also turned to fragrances, with another viewer explaining:

“This is exactly what I do. I bring my own some people use fragrances not for me”

Walker responded by sharing a different housekeeping problem involving a guest room with a persistent perfume smell.

“We have a guest room here at the hotel that we’ve been trying to get a strong perfume smell out for the last two weeks housekeeping has tried everything. It doesn’t stink. It’s a nice smell, but it’s really really strong.”

Other Hotel Workers Say Some Guests Receive Stained Sheets

One of the most revealing comments came from someone claiming to be a general manager at a different extended-stay hotel.

The commenter explained that, at their property, stained sheets that remain marked after washing aren’t necessarily discarded. According to this person, some are returned to long-term guests, while others are reserved for workers staying at the hotel.

“as a general manager for an extended stay hotel myself any stain linen that I can’t get out if it’s a long-term guest we just wash it and we give it right back to them we keep stained linen on a separate shelf for our blue collar workers they are so tired when they get off of work just knowing that their sheets are clean is good enough for them that as far as my walk-ins or regular guests we do not use stain linen at all keeps from getting complaints and bad reviews.”

The distinction between long-term workers and regular guests prompted replies from two other people who described similar practices.

“we do the same”

“the hotel i work at also has these type of workers and we have a separate pile for those rooms because they stain them and turn them different colors. they dont mind using those as long as their sheets are clean.”

One person claiming to work in hotel laundry said:

“I work laundry in a hotel, the stain ones we put on the side we put the workers at and the locals, our good ones we put on the carpet side the out of Towners”

Another hotel employee described using stained sheets for construction workers:

“If we find small stains. We’ll reuse them, we put the small stains at the foot of the bed. We soak for 10-15 minutes only. Or the chemical will chew or burn the linen. We mainly use our stains for construction workers. (Extended stays)”

Someone else had a similar suggestion for longer stays:

“I would keep for long term renters who may just need extra linens. But not for those with one night stays.”

And another commenter said they had changed the type of bedding used at their property:

“I know it’s not brand standard but I invested in blue linen for workers no more throwing white stuff out”

Several of these comments specifically mention workers, extended-stay guests, and local guests receiving linen that would not necessarily be used for other customers. Commenters generally describe those sheets as washed and clean, though visibly marked.

Some Commenters Think Guests Complain About Stains to Get Discounts

Another discussion focused on guests’ complaints and whether some travelers deliberately look for reasons to request compensation.

One person claimed:

“some people look for things to complain about on purpose to get a free night or discount”

Another commenter made a similar joke:

“That’s their excuse for a comped night 😂”

And a hotel employee’s comment about complaints over tiny spots, mentioned earlier, reflected the same frustration from the staff perspective.

However, another viewer raised a practical question about charging guests for stained towels and sheets, especially when the hotel washes multiple guests’ linens together:

“how do you know which guest to charge for stained sheets and towels if you wash in batches?”

Hotel Employees Discuss How They Handle Difficult Stains

ID 13059161 © Kettaphoto | Dreamstime.com 

Several people who work in hotels joined the discussion to explain what happens in their laundry departments. One hotel manager emphasized how expensive linen replacement can be:

“Girl, I am a manager of a hotel and those linens and those towels cost a fortune. They are very expensive. They are not cheap I know exactly how you feel.”

Another employee described guests complaining about extremely small stains:

“I work at a hotel, and omg, the amount of people that get pissy because there’s a tiny tiny spot on the sheet. Like girl, these sheets are cleaned everyday and our hotel is 60 years old!! XD I love your videos I feel so seen 😂”

A laundry worker at a 102-room hotel shared two products they use for particular stains:

“I do laundry for a 102 room hotel and I use rubbing alcohol for ink marks and peroxide for blood stain.”

Another person, who said they had previously worked in hotels, questioned whether overloading washing machines could cause some laundry problems.

“as an ex hotel worker I feel like the issue is hotels/nursing homes an so on stuff the washers way too full they can’t clean everything when its jammed full 🙂🙃”

Not everyone was willing to discard stained bedding immediately. One commenter described keeping certain sheets available for additional beds:

“If it don’t come out in rewash we use some for extra beddings for rollaways and pull outs. The rest we donate to homeless shelters”

Another commenter described a different way of handling used sheets and towels at their workplace:

“Our hotel keeps all the ruined sheets and towels for cleanups/rags”

Someone else said hotel employees were allowed to take some of the stained linen home:

“yes I would my hotel lets employees take stained stuff home if it ain’t to bad! if not it get donated !”

What Happens to the Sheets Hotels Decide Not to Keep? Some Workers Say They Donate Them

The final part of the discussion focused on what hotels could do with sheets and towels no longer considered suitable for guest rooms.

Several viewers suggested donating those items to organizations that might still find them useful.

“please donate the ones you toss ❤️i love how transparent you are 😍 you so amazing 👏 🤩 inspirational”

“Is it possible to donate to an animal shelter or other charity?”

Some people claiming to work in hotels said their properties already donate used linen.

“We donate the sheets, pillowcases and towels to homeless and animal shelters where I work”

Another person described a more detailed process involving multiple wash cycles before linen is removed from service.

“we wash the linen and if its stained it goes in a rewash bin. when we do rewash there is a special cycle on our washers. if its still stained it goes in a reclaim bin to be washed on the reclaim cycle with a reclaim powder pack. if its still stained its counted and bagged up for me to take to the animal shelter. I used to donate to a homeless shelter but they told me I had to take the stuff to the salvation army store instead of the shelter so I stopped donating to them.”

Would You Sleep on Clean Hotel Sheets That Have a Small Stain?

After going through all these comments, I’m even more curious about what travelers think.

Would you accept clean sheets with a tiny ink or marker stain? Would a small hole bother you? What if you knew that the sheets had been washed more than once but still had a visible mark?

And what do you think about the comments from hotel workers who say that certain guests, including construction workers and long-term guests, receive stained sheets while other guests receive unstained ones?

Have you ever found stained sheets in a hotel room? Did you ask housekeeping to replace them, ignore the stain, or bring your own bedding?

Share your experiences and preferences in the comments. I’d really like to know where you stand.

This is the original video 

@therealsheriwalker Every day at the hotel, the housekeepers deal with stained linen from hotel guest and today I’m gonna take you behind the scenes to show you thier process of how they try to remove stains. Once they soak in a cleaning solution for 24 hours and if they’re still stained, we’ll either toss it or keep it And the toss. pile is usually bigger than the keep pile. Let me know in the comments would you sleep on sheets that had a little stain on it or would you be upset? #hotel #laundry #housekeeping ♬ suara asli – Atharrrr37 – pagaro