If you run a hotel, you'll know how frustrating it is when linens get damaged. Towels and bedding can be expensive, and constantly having to replace them can put a big dent in your profits. While a certain amount of wear and tear is inevitable, certain practices may be damaging your linens unnecessarily. By understanding the causes of this damage, you can take steps to prevent it. Here are four common pitfalls to avoid.
- 1. Using the Wrong Wash Cycle
- 2. Mishandling Stains
- 3. Accidental Tearing
- 4. Not Having Enough Sets of Linen
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1. Using the Wrong Wash Cycle
1. Using the Wrong Wash Cycle
Some wash cycles are more aggressive than others, and choosing a harsh cycle can cause linens to age prematurely. Make sure that similar linens are washed together to ensure that the correct cycle is used for the entire load. Also, check the chemicals that you are using to wash your linens and consider switching to a gentler product.
2. Mishandling Stains
Dealing with stains is an unavoidable part of hotel laundry, but they shouldn't be a death sentence for your linens. With careful washing, you should be able to recover the majority of stained items. It is important to catch stains early so that stained linens are not washed with other items. You can also reduce the likelihood of stains by keeping rooms well stocked with make-up removal wipes and shoe polishing cloths to deter guests from misusing towels. A re-wash cycle for stained items is usually carried out at higher temperatures and with added de-stainers.
3. Accidental Tearing
Laundry can be harsh on your linens, and there are certain parts of the process that can come with a particular risk of tearing. Be especially careful when transporting linens on carts or sending them down laundry chutes as there is an increased risk of catching and tearing. Equipment should be regularly checked for burrs. The same goes for stretching linens onto a bed-frame, or drying and ironing them. Rushing these processes can raise your damage rates significantly.
4. Not Having Enough Sets of Linen
The number of items needed for one day's use is known as your par level. If your par level is too low, linens will have to go through laundering cycles more frequently, which can lead to premature ageing. Linens are likely to have a longer lifespan if they are given time to 'rest' between washes. Therefore, having a larger stock of linens in the first place will save you money in the long run as there won't be a need to replace them as frequently. A good rule of thumb is to try and have a minimum three par (three day's worth of linens) on hand at all times.
Your guests deserve the best
Buying high-quality linens is a great investment. Higher quality linens will last much longer, saving you a fortune in the long run. At Superior Linen, we have been providing hotels with the finest linens for over 140 years. We only stock the very best, so you can make your purchase with complete confidence. With great offers on top brands and free delivery on all UK orders over £100, now is the perfect time to stock up on linens that won't let you down. Your guests will thank you.
