Mr Tanzmeier, mattress hygiene is often underestimated in hotels. Why is this issue so crucial?

Hans Tanzmeier: Mattress hygiene is an essential part of sleep quality and, consequently, guest satisfaction. Hotel mattresses are used by many different people every day, which makes them a critical factor in terms of hygiene. Particularly at a time of increasing hygiene requirements, it is more important than ever for hotels to set high standards in this area.

What impact can poor mattress hygiene have on a hotel?

Poor bed hygiene can have a negative impact on a hotel’s rating. Organisations such as Certified or the DEHOGA hotel classification system regard the cleanliness of mattresses as a key criterion. If shortcomings are identified in this area, this can lead to a lower classification, which in turn can affect booking figures and the hotel’s reputation.

What challenges do hotels face when it comes to cleaning mattresses?

Hans Tanzmeier: Hotel mattresses are exposed to a wide variety of contaminants – including sweat, hair, skin flakes and even urine and blood. These residues can trigger allergies and significantly compromise the hygiene of the sleeping area. Many hotels rely on conventional cleaning solutions, but these are often not effective enough at eliminating dust mites or other pathogens.

How important is mattress hygiene for hotel guests?

Hans Tanzmeier: It plays a key role in a guest’s decision on whether or not to stay at a hotel. A clean place to sleep gives guests a sense of safety and comfort. Through professional mattress cleaning using certified methods, hotels can offer their guests an optimal sleeping environment. Our company, Handwerk & Hygiene, ensures that every cleaned mattress is labelled with a sticker and a certificate, so that guests can see at a glance that high hygiene standards are being maintained.

What role does mattress hygiene play in the DEHOGA classification?

Hans Tanzmeier: The current list of criteria issued by HOTELSTARS.EU and DEHOGA DEUTSCHE HOTELKLASSIFIZIERUNG GmbH stipulates that mattresses must be deep-cleaned annually. It must be demonstrated that the mattress has been dry-cleaned so that no residual moisture remains and the mite population is effectively reduced. Standard disinfectant sprays or mattress cleaning sprays are not sufficient to meet the required standards in this regard.

What innovative solutions does Handwerk & Hygiene offer in this area?

Hans Tanzmeier: We rely on our comprehensive three-year programme, which ensures long-term mattress hygiene. Our Bio MatraSan® MilbenStopp is based on the natural active ingredient margosa extract, derived from the seeds of the neem tree, and provides long-lasting protection against dust mites. We also use state-of-the-art cleaning machines fitted with highly efficient HEPA filters. This enables us to guarantee a thorough deep clean of the mattresses.

What are the benefits of your three-year programme?

Hans Tanzmeier: Our concept reduces the need for annual deep cleaning from the second year onwards, as Bio MatraSan® has a long-lasting effect of up to 12 months. This not only saves a considerable amount of money, but also ensures consistently high standards of sleep hygiene. At the same time, we avoid having to buy new mattresses, which is good for both your wallet and the environment.

What has been the response from the hotels you work with?

Hans Tanzmeier: Our customers are consistently satisfied. One example is the Hotel Tanneck in Bad Wörishofen. The management describes our working relationship as professional and particularly values our sustainable cleaning concept. This feedback reaffirms our approach of offering hotels a solution that is both hygienic and economically viable.

To conclude: Why should hotels opt for professional mattress hygiene?

Hans Tanzmeier: A well-maintained mattress not only ensures guest satisfaction, but also helps to maintain the high standards of hygiene that are essential today. Thanks to our unique cleaning concept, we offer a sustainable and certified solution that both improves hotel ratings and delivers long-term cost savings. Clean mattresses are not a luxury, but a given – and we help hotels to ensure this standard is maintained.