Microfiber or Cotton Pillow Covers: Which Option Works Best for Hotels?

Quick Answer:

Cotton and microfiber pillow covers each have different characteristics that can make them suitable for different hotels. Cotton is generally valued for its natural feel and breathability, while microfiber is often chosen for its smoother and softer feel, plus its potential lower cost.

For hospitality buyers, the better option depends on factors such as guest comfort, laundry requirements, product specifications, and purchasing budget.

The Different Types of Pillow Covers Hotels May Use

Hotels may use several types of pillow covers and protective layers depending on the property’s bedding setup:

• Pillowcases: Removable covers that go directly over the pillow and are available in materials such as cotton, cotton blends, and microfiber. AVM offers options including T-180, T-200, T-300, and microfiber pillowcases.
• Pillow protectors: An additional layer placed over the pillow and beneath the pillowcase to help protect the pillow from everyday wear, spills, and stains.
• Pillow encasements: Zippered covers that fully enclose the pillow and provide an additional protective layer.
• Decorative pillow shams: Primarily used for presentation and room styling rather than as the primary sleeping cover.

When comparing cotton and microfiber, make sure you are comparing the same type of product. A pillowcase, pillow protector, and pillow shell serve different purposes.

Cotton vs Microfiber: Key Differences for Hotel Use

Both cotton and microfiber pillow covers can be used as part of a hospitality bedding program, but their characteristics differ. For hotel buyers, factors such as comfort, breathability, maintenance, cost, and product construction can help determine which option fits their requirements.

 Quick Feature Breakdown

• Cotton: Natural fiber, soft feel, generally breathable
• Microfiber: Synthetic fiber, smooth feel, lightweight, easy-care characteristics
• Best fit: Depends on the property’s guest experience, laundry process, and purchasing requirements

Neither cotton pillowcases nor microfiber pillow covers are universally “better”,  the table above works as a checklist for matching fabric to your property type and laundry volume.

What Kind of Pillows Do Hotels Use?

Hotels use a range of pillow types depending on their property standards, guest preferences, room setup, and purchasing requirements. Hotel pillows may use down, down-alternative, polyester, or other synthetic fills, with different shell materials such as cotton, microfiber, or blends.

The pillow fill and pillow cover serve different purposes. The fill influences the pillow’s loft and feel, while the outer shell provides the covering that contains the fill. Hotels should consider both when selecting hotel-quality pillows for guest rooms.

Common Factors to Consider When Selecting Hotel Pillows

• Fill: Can influence the pillow’s loft, firmness, and overall feel.
• Shell: Provides the outer covering around the pillow filling.
• Size: Should work with the property’s pillowcases and bedding setup.
• Firmness: Can be selected based on room standards and guest preferences.
• Construction: Can influence how the pillow feels and performs during use.

AVM offers hotel pillow options across categories including Gold Label, Comforel, Dacron, MLily, and Best Western.

Procurement Considerations: Durability, Cost, and Maintenance

For procurement and operations teams, the fabric decision usually comes down to three questions.

• Durability under commercial laundering. Microfiber pillow covers tolerate high heat and frequent cycles well, which is why they’re popular for daily linen-change programs. Cotton pillow cases last for years too, but repeated high-heat industrial drying shortens their lifespan faster than microfiber.
• Cost at scale. Because most properties buy bulk pillow cases by the dozen or case, even small per-unit savings compound quickly across a 100-plus room property. Microfiber typically wins on landed cost; cotton wins on perceived guest value.
• Maintenance and care. Cotton and microfiber need different laundering approaches to stay soft, colorfast, and shrink-resistant across hundreds of wash cycles — getting this wrong is the fastest way to shorten a pillowcase’s usable life.

Sourcing from an established hotel bedding supplier matters here too: consistent dye lots, verified thread counts, and dependable access to wholesale hotel pillows prevent the mismatched, faded linens guests notice immediately.

Which Option Should Your Property Choose?

There isn’t one universal “best” option for every hotel. Instead, properties can compare the characteristics of each material against their own guest experience and operational requirements.

Consider Cotton If:

• A natural feel is important
• Breathability is a priority
• You want to compare different cotton constructions or thread counts
• The product fits your property’s laundering requirements

Consider Microfiber If:

• A smooth, lightweight feel is preferred
• Easy-care characteristics are important
• Cost is an important purchasing consideration
• The product fits your property’s laundering requirements

Consider Both If:

• You manage different room types
• Does your property have different bedding standards?
•  Are you comparing options for multiple properties?
• Do you need different products for different purchasing requirements?

Before placing a bulk order, compare material, size, construction, care instructions, pricing, and availability to determine which pillow cover best fits your property’s requirements. 

AVM Hotel Bedding and Pillow Options

AVM has supplied hotel bedding since 1982 and offers pillowcases, pillow protectors, encasements, and hotel pillows for hospitality buyers.

AVM’s pillowcase category includes:

• T-200 pillowcases
• T-250 pillowcases
• T-300 pillowcases
• T-310 pillowcases
• Microfiber pillowcases
• Pillow protectors (zippered)
• Zippered pillow encasements

For properties looking for cotton pillowcases, microfiber pillow covers, hotel pillows, or other hotel amenities, AVM provides multiple products that can be compared based on material, size, construction, and intended use. 

Explore AVM’s pillowcases, covers, and protectors or hotel pillows to review available options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why are hotel pillows so comfortable? 

Hotel pillows can feel comfortable because of the combination of fill, firmness, size, construction, and the pillowcase used with them. The right combination can help create the desired level of comfort and support for guests.

Q2. What brand of pillows do hotels use? 

There isn’t one brand used across every hotel. Properties can select pillow brands based on their bedding standards, product specifications, supplier relationships, and purchasing needs. AVM offers hotel pillow options across categories including Gold Label, Comforel, Dacron, MLily, and Wynrest

Q3. What’s the difference between a pillowcase, a pillow protector, and a pillow encasement?

A pillowcase is the visible outer layer guests interact with directly. A pillow protector sits underneath it as an added layer against spills and everyday wear. A zippered encasement fully wraps the pillow and is typically used where an extra layer of protection is a priority, such as extended-stay or allergy-conscious rooms.

Q4. What does “T-180,” “T-200,” and “T-300” mean on hotel pillowcases?

These numbers generally refer to thread density in the fabric construction. Higher numbers are often associated with a smoother, more refined hand-feel, while lower numbers can offer a more budget-friendly option for high-volume laundering. Properties often choose based on room class and laundry program rather than thread count alone.

Q5. Where can I buy high-quality cotton pillow covers online? 

Hotels and hospitality buyers can look for a hotel bedding supplier that offers different pillowcase materials, sizes, constructions, and bulk purchasing options. When comparing cotton pillowcases, consider material, size, thread count where applicable, construction, care requirements, order quantity, and pricing. AVM offers cotton pillowcases alongside microfiber pillowcases, pillow protectors, and other bedding products for hospitality buyers.

Q6. Can a hotel use both cotton and microfiber pillowcases across the same property?

Yes, many multi-room-type properties do. A common approach is assigning one material to standard rooms and another to suites or upgraded room categories, based on guest experience goals and each area’s laundry frequency.

Q7. How do I wash microfiber pillow covers without shrinking them? 

Care instructions can vary by microfiber pillow cover, so the manufacturer’s recommendations should be the primary guide. Check the recommended washing temperature, drying method, heat limitations, and other care instructions for the specific product.