Why do hotels put that cloth across the bed?

Hotel Bed Runners

The cloth strip at the foot of a hotel bed is called a bed runner. It adds color to otherwise plain white bedding, which hotels can wash at high temperatures and bleach. The white bedding also makes dirt easy to spot.

A runner can act as a barrier when guests place luggage on the bed or sit down without removing their shoes. However, unlike the sheets, runners may not be washed between every guest.

Tip: Experienced travelers often remove the runner when they arrive.

Notable item: Hotel bed runner. Locations or speakers: None mentioned.