Hotel linens can change color and appear worn or damaged after prolonged use or multiple washes. This leads to significant differences in color, appearance, and texture between newly added linens and old ones. Some linens may also develop stains, such as yellow rust spots or black oil stains, due to poor management. Hotels should promptly replace these linens to maintain service quality and prevent financial losses.

Therefore, in addition to regular laundering, hotels need to focus on maintaining and preserving linens to extend their lifespan and reduce the rate of loss. Typically, hotels maintain a linen inventory of 3 to 5 sets, depending on factors like rental demand, laundry room operations, and department budgets. The minimum standard is usually 3 sets, with one set in use in various departments, one set in the laundry room for cleaning, and one set in reserve in the linen warehouse. Linens are not replaced in sets or batches; they are replaced as they wear out.

So, how do hotels calculate the normal lifespan of their linens and determine when to replace them?

NO.1 Lifespan of Linens:

Hotel linens have a predetermined lifespan. To extend this lifespan and reduce the rate of loss, hotel laundry rooms should not only wash the linens but also perform maintenance and preservation. Using linens beyond their intended lifespan can lead to severe wear and tear, which, if continued, will impact the quality of hotel service.

Specific damage to linens includes the following:

100% Cotton Linens:

• Small holes
• Edge and corner ruptures
• Frayed edges
• Thinness leading to easy tearing
• Discoloration
• Reduced softness of towels

Polyester-Cotton Blends:

• Discoloration
• Shedding of cotton fibers
• Loss of elasticity
• Edge and corner ruptures
• Frayed edges

In general, the approximate number of washes for different types of linens are:

• 100% Cotton Bed Sheets and Pillowcases: 130-150 washes
• Polyester-Cotton Blends (65% polyester, 35% cotton): 180-220 washes
• Towels: 100-110 washes
• Tablecloths and Napkins: 120-130 washes

Reasons for Linen Damage:

Damage is often caused by washing-related issues, including:

1. Incorrect Detergent Usage:
   • Adding detergent at the wrong time during the wash cycle
   • Overuse of bleach, particularly chlorine bleach
   • Inappropriate bleach temperature and concentration, leading to discoloration and potential holes
   • Linens coming into contact with corrosive chemicals in cleaning products
2. Inappropriate Mixing of Cleaning Agents:
   • Incorrect use of laundry cleaning agents due to insufficient knowledge, leading to incorrect detergent combinations and improper dosages

Furthermore, machine and human factors may contribute to linen damage, such as:

1. Machine-Related Issues:
   • Washing machine drum with burrs or rough spots causing abrasion during the wash, resulting in frayed edges, pulled threads, and the gradual development of small holes
2. Inadequate Pre-Wash Inspection:
   • Failure to carefully inspect linens before washing, leading to the presence of sharp or hard foreign objects that can cause damage
3. Handling and Transport:
   • Aggressive handling or contact with sharp objects when loading or unloading linens causing tearing or snagging
4. Inappropriate Washing and Drying:
   • Poor load distribution during washing or excessively long spin cycles causing mechanical stress leading to tearing
   • Inadequate washing time and number of cycles causing detergent residue, inadequate rinsing, or incomplete cleaning
   • Failure to neutralize residual alkalis or chlorine
5. Linen Quality and Storage Conditions:
   • Linens must be stored in a dry, well-ventilated environment
   • Warehouse shelving should have smooth edges
   • Efforts should be made to prevent insect or rodent infestations in the linen room

By addressing these issues, hotels can avoid premature linen damage and extend the lifespan of their linens.

NO.3 How to Avoid Linen Damage

1. Proper Detergent Usage:
   • Use detergents correctly, understanding their basic properties and usage instructions.
   • Avoid direct contact of cotton textiles with strong acids or corrosive chemicals.
   • Ensure the correct use of chlorine bleach, including timely removal of excess chlorine with a dechlorination agent and neutralization of residual alkali with a neutralizing agent.
2. Thorough Pre-Wash Inspection:
   • Perform a diligent pre-wash inspection, including sorting linens by type and removing any foreign objects or debris.
3. Regular Machine Inspection:
   • Regularly inspect washing machines to prevent contamination and human-induced damage.
   • Handle the collection and transport of linens with care to prevent secondary contamination and damage.
   • Ensure that the machine load is appropriate (80%-85% full), as overloading or underloading can affect cleaning and cause wear and tear.
   • Before use, inspect the machine drum for sharp or metallic foreign objects.
4. Differentiate Between Old and New Linens:
   • Categorize old and new linens separately.
   • Distinguish between natural wear and tear in old linens and damage that is not considered normal.
   • Adjust the duration of the spin cycle based on the strength of new and old linens.

Another crucial factor that directly impacts linen lifespan is to avoid “fatigue usage.” This means that frequent washing throughout the day accelerates the wear and tear of linens. Linens should be allowed ample rest time, ideally for at least 24 hours. After a wash, allow a one-day rest, using them on alternate days. In doing so, linen lifespan will naturally be prolonged.