The chief stew opens the linen locker and shows you three stacks that look identical to you. "That set is the owner's — 600 thread count sateen, hand-finished, do not put it in the dryer above low. That one is guest. That one is crew." Getting these mixed up is a several-thousand-euro mistake, and it happens all the time.
The linen inventory
A cabin bed set typically comprises: fitted sheet (or bottom flat sheet), flat top sheet, duvet cover (or blanket/coverlet), pillowcases, plus a mattress protector and often a bed runner and decorative cushions (which are not linen and never go in the wash without checking).
| Fabric | Character | Care notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton percale | Plain weave, matt, crisp, cool | Robust; irons beautifully; the yacht workhorse |
| Cotton sateen | Satin weave, lustrous, smooth, warmer | Shows snags and iron marks; lower iron temperature; never over-dry |
| Linen (flax) | Textured, breathable, relaxed | Creases by nature; wash cooler; do not over-dry — it becomes brittle |
| Cotton/poly blends | Easy care, cheap, fast-drying | Crew linen typically; melts/glazes under a hot iron |
| Silk | Fine, delicate | Cool wash or hand-wash, pH-neutral detergent; never chlorine bleach (it yellows and weakens the fibre); low iron, reverse side |
Thread count — and what it actually means
Thread count is the number of threads per square inch (warp + weft). Higher is generally finer and softer, but the number is routinely inflated by counting multi-ply yarns. Fibre quality and weave matter more than the number. Long-staple cotton (Egyptian, Supima) at 300–400 percale often outperforms a nominal 1000-count blend. Know the phrase, but judge the cloth.
Mattress care
- Mattress protector on every bed, always. It is the barrier between a guest incident and a mattress you cannot replace at sea.
- Rotate mattresses on the boat's schedule (commonly monthly, or each turnaround) — head-to-foot, and flip only if the mattress is designed to be flipped (many are not).
- Air the mattress on deep-clean days: strip it, let it breathe, vacuum the surface and check under it for damp — condensation under a mattress on a solid base is a classic mould source.
- Report stains, sagging, damp or odour immediately.
Pillow care
- Down/feather: plump and shake daily; air regularly; wash rarely and only per label; must be thoroughly dry or they mildew from the inside.
- Synthetic/hollowfibre: machine washable; replace when they no longer recover shape.
- Always use pillow protectors under the pillowcase.
- Keep a record of guest preferences: many owners and charter guests specify feather-free, firm, or a particular pillow count. Note it on the cabin sheet.
Onboard Notes
- Linen is stored clean, dry and dark. Damp linen in a locker will mildew within days in a Mediterranean summer.
- Keep sets together and keep the owner's linen physically separated from guest and crew linen. Label the shelves.
- Never write on a laundry label with a marker to identify a set — use the boat's tagging system.
- Rotate stock front-to-back so the same sets are not always worn; log damage and remove tired linen from the guest rotation.