Hotel Laundry Operation

and Laundry Flow chart

A lot of unclean linens collect in the many units and departments of any hotel
facility. It's critical to have a steady supply of clean linen on hand so that the
business may run smoothly and efficiently. Linen is an expensive commodity, thus
how it will be washed needed to be carefully considered. People who work with
linen should have a basic understanding of the process. The laundry manager
should have a solid relationship with the housekeeper and linen keeper.

Principle of Hotel laundry

1. Removal of dirt and stain from the linen articles.
2. Restoring linen articles to their original appearance as far as possible.

Qualities of good laundry

1. Careful handling of linen articles when laundering

2. Correct process of use of suitable agent.
3. While materials are kept white, excessive bleach is not used.
4. Proper counting and records maintains to avoid shortage of linen.
5. Sound policies regarding damage or loss property.

Categories of Hotel laundry

Laundry can be divided into two types
On -premises   –     Off premises

laundries which are situated inside the hotel premises known as on premises laundry.

A commercial or off premises laundry refers to the laundering outside the establishment. ie.
given on a contract basis., to the specialize person who are particular in this field.

Advantages of on premises Hotel laundry

1. Time taken for laundering is reduced because transportation is reduced.

2. Linen is readily available especially in the case of emergency requirements.
3. Pilferage reduced.

Disadvantages of on premises laundry

1. Cost of equipment and its maintenance is fairly high.
2. Must be justified by an adequate amount of linen.
3. More staff who are technically qualified and adiquet space is required.

Advantages of off premises Hotel laundry

1. An huge investment behind the purchase of machines and equipments are saved.
2. Salary for staff are saved.
3. Hotel spaces are saved which can be used for other purpose.

Disadvantages of off premises Hotel laundry

1. The hotel have to compromise with the quality of washing.

2. Chances of pilferage is more.
3. During the emergency, fresh linen may not be available.
2. Process of laundering
Details of various process in laundering is explained below
1. Collection and transportation- Collection of linen may be done in the linen room,
if it is off premises, but usually in the laundry itself, if it is on premises. Certain linen
items are collected separately , such as kitchen uniforms, dusters, etc. The linens
are usually packed in the canvas bag called skips for transportation.
2. Arrival- On arrival the lines must be dealt quickly as possible to ensure fast turn
around time for linen. There must be a separate section for guest laundry.
3. Marking – Marking may be temporary or permanent. For guest laundry initials of
the guest as well as room no helps provide a clear identification and helps in correct
billing.
4. Sorting- Sorting is carried out according to the types of fabrics and items, color
and type of soil. Sorting is done to separate those articles that needs dry cleaning
from those that will go through the normal wash process.. Those that need mending
and stain removal must be separated so that separate action will be taken.
5. Weighing- Weighing is carried out to conform to the capacity of the washing
machine, and to avoid of the overloading. Repeated overloading can cause the
machine to breakdown. Underloading will lead to the wastage of detergent and
water.
6. Loading is often done manually or with a certain degree of full or partial
automation.
7. Washing-
The process is designed to perform three basic functions
• Removal of soil dirt
• Suspension of soil
• Discharge of soil from the machine and drain.
8. Rinsing- Once the wash cycle is completed. Rinsing is carried out at least twice.
The purpose of this is to remove the residue of laundry agent and reagent.
9. Hydro-extraction- It is the process of removal of excess water and moisture from
the linen which has been washed.
10. Tumble drying- This process is capable of making the linen absolutely dry , by
 blowing hot air. For articles that are likely to be damaged by heat there is an option
of simple air drying.
11. Finishing- After washing and drying of all the articles needs proper finishing like
folding properly, or hanged in hangers.
12. Folding- Folding can be done in machines hands and in most cases carried out
manually.
13. Airing- Airing is very much needed to protect the linens from mildew.
14. Storage- Storage should be properly done before delivering. Linens should be
allowed to keep in specific period in the store for distribution.
15. Distribution- Now the lines are ready for distribution . The fresh linens are
distributed to various departments through house-keeping.

Lay out of laundry

The layout in terms of positioning machines should be such that there is an easy flow of
traffic. Close attention should be placed on entry and exit, drainage system ventilation etc.
• Doors – These should be large enough to get the equipments, into the room as well as
effectively enter and exit with laundry basket.
• Ceiling- They should be impervious to moisture and have good sound absorption
properties.
• 8 to 10 ft height ceiling is ideal.
• Floors- These are very important for laundry, it should be strong enough to protect it from
were and tear.
• Walls- These should be constructed on the material that are durable, moisture
resistant,and insulating. Windows should be avoided so that the wall space can be used for
strong shelves and bins.
• Electricity- There should be enough light and proper electric connection.
• Water supply- There should be enough water supplies in laundry.

The laundry department has a basic cycle of operation with the

below steps:-

1. Collecting Soiled Linen.

House maid and room boy should strip linens from beds and areas

and put them on to the linen chute or on to the soiled linen carts
stored on each floor pantry. Staff should never use any guest linen
for any cleaning purpose.

The house boys should go for frequent rounds on each floors to

collect the soiled linen from the linen chute or on to each floor
pantry.

Supervisors should make sure that the soiled linens doesn't pileup
on floor pantry which may cause further soil or damage as there are
chances that people may walk on them.

Transport Soiled Linen to Laundry department.

The linens form the Laundry chutes and floor pantry are carried to
the laundry department by trolley. The housemen should make sure
that the laundry items are not dragged on the floor this may further
damage or soil the laundry.

3. Sorting of Linen and Uniforms.

The laundry sorting area of the hotel should be large enough to

buffer one day worth of laundry and these sorting of laundry should
not cause interfere with other laundry activities. Note: SOP for
sorting of uniforms and linens. Sort linen and uniforms according to
their stains, size, type, color etc. 

4. Washing and Dry cleaning.

After the linens and uniforms are sorted properly the laundry staff
collects the batches of laundry and load them to the washers. It is
also a good process to always weigh the laundry items before
loading them to the washers, this will ensure that the washers are
not overloaded and help to run them in the optimum operation
condition.

If required the soiled linens are treated to remove stains before the
washing process. To reduce operational cost nowadays hotels uses
chemicals ( bleaches, detergents, softeners etc.) while washing
process to remove stains instead of treating laundry items
separately before washing.

5. Drying.

After the washing cycle is completed the washed items are dried on
the dryer. The drying times and temperature vary considerable
according to the type type of linen / cloths. 
Also always the drying should be followed by a gradual cool down
process to prevent the hot linens from being damaged or wrinkled
by rapid cooling and healing process.

6. Folding of Linen and Uniforms.

Even though a lot of flooding of linens are now automated, the

hotels still do a lot of folding by hand. While folding the linens the
laundry attendants should also look for any damages occurred to
them while the laundry process.

The folded items are then stored and stacked properly according to
batches. The finished laundry items should latest rest for 24hrs. as
this will increase their life.

Functions of various laundry machines-

The various machines used in the laundry are as follows
1. Washing machine- Those used in hotel laundries are typically a tumble type. The
capacity varies from 7 to 2000 kg. The wash barrels of those used in the hotel industry are
stainless still. The machines are used for washing clothes.
2. Hydro- extractor- These are large centrifuges ranging in capacity from 7 to 70 kg. Clothes
from washer are put into the hydro- extractor to remove about 50 to 75% excess water. The
water is extracted from the wash linen by means of centrifugal force or application of
pressure After extraction the linens are damp but not wet.
3. Dryers- These are the unit of tumble type equipment meant to remove the moisture from
damp. by tumbling them in rotating cylinder through which heated air is passes. They are
use for non iron articles, and towels as these linen nether required pressing.
4. Pressing equipments- Many types of pressing equipments are available for ironing
different articles, such as calender for sheets curtains and tablecloth. , sleeve presses
flatbed presses, and so on.

Laundry agents and aids

Laundry aids are the materials used to improve the laundering result. The important laundry
agents are as follows
1. Water
2. Laundry soap and detergent
3. Bleaches
4. Softener