How to Improve Your Hotel Laundry Operations

Hotels that keep their laundry operations in-house gain greater control over costs, linen quality, and inventory while improving overall guest satisfaction. As the hotel industry continues to consolidate and competition for guests intensifies, many properties are focusing on hotel linen management to fine-tune the guest experience and gain an edge.

Not all property managers recognize the value of an on-premise facility. Those who don’t often fail to realize how a hotel’s laundry solutions directly impact how its linens look, feel, and last. If your laundry operations aren’t enhancing linen quality and longevity, your hotel has room for improvement. Read on to see how — and why — hotels must streamline and standardize linen processing for success.

Why Linens Dictate Hotel Laundry Operations

Sheets, towels, robes, and comforters have a great impact on guest satisfaction. Improving a resort’s linen processing is about more than housekeeping efficiency. It ensures your linen meets guest expectations and long-term business needs.

Resorts and hotels must pay particular attention to linen care for these reasons:

• Sheets, towels, and other linens must be washed, dried, and ironed carefully to maintain cleanliness, a soft hand, and longevity.
• Guest rooms, the restaurant, banquet rooms, the pool, and the spa all rely on high-quality fresh linens. A sufficient inventory of clean supplies is necessary for turnover and fulfillment.
• Soft bed sheets and absorbent, plush towels increase travelers' comfort and improve their opinion of your brand, leading to repeat business.
• A hotel's multi-par inventory of high-quality linens is an expensive capital investment that must be handled properly to ensure a long lifespan.

The question for hotel managers is whether they trust an on-premise laundry or other off-site provider to proces linen to spec, standardize the quality, and control inventory loss.

Is Outsourcing Hotel Laundry a Good Idea?

It’s a good idea for some hotels with limited space or budget to outsource laundry, but for the most part, processing linens in-house provides the control, quality, and turnaround time necessary for smooth hospitality operations. The choice may be different for every property, but the following generally applies.

• It's done on a contractual basis for the short term (during renovations or retooling)
• A reputable commercial linen service nearby is willing to prioritize the hotel's business
• The hotelier doesn't have the capital investment for commercial laundry equipment, labor, or overhead costs
• The laundry machines used in the hotel's facilities are outdated or inefficient, and upgrading isn't a possibility
• Space could be used for revenue-generating activities (additional hotel rooms, spa services, or leased)
• They have facility space to store soiled laundry awaiting pickup and enough inventory on hand to offset laundry service backlogs or delivery delays

An on-premise laundry is a good investment when hotels want to:

• Control how the linen is processed — for example, adding extra rinse cycles for softer bedding
• Extend linen life with tailored laundry processes
• Meet tight turnarounds during busy periods
• Prevent cross-contamination risks
• Reduce on-hand inventory
• Assure eco-minded guests that sustainability efforts (energy-efficient equipment, optimized cycles, lower temp cycles) are implemented
• Ease hotel linen management and keep inventory under one roof
• Avoid recurring outsourcing fees
• Offer premium guest garment washing services
• Protect the business from shrinkage due to lost or damaged linens

Equipment & Features That Benefit On-Premise Laundries

Modern washers and dryers are the backbone of successful in-house laundry operations. A hotel’s on-premise laundry equipment typically includes commercial or industrial washers and dryers, plus finishing equipment. These machines are designed to run nearly constantly and handle large-volume loads efficiently, minimizing waste and labor.

While the equipment is an investment, an on-premise laundry can make operations sustainable by implementing energy-efficient machines and eco-friendly practices that reduce consumption and increase productivity.

It’s not realistic to expect a hotel’s cost management to reach its full potential if its OPL equipment is outdated or lacking modern advancements. Laundry machines used in hotels include Milnor and Chicago Dryer, two top industry top brands known for offering the latest technology. Attendants rely on various equipment features to enhance hotel laundry operations:

• Programmable cycles that allow for custom laundering to protect valuable linens and reduce mistakes
• Water-efficient washer-extractors that reduce drying times, decrease gas costs, and ease processing bottlenecks
• Tailored systems with automated folding and ironing machines that minimize training and labor
• Remote monitoring capabilities for better hotel cost management and linen control
• Automated dosing that prevents errors and ensures sanitary processing
• Moisture sensors that prevent over-drying and protect linen from damage

The Bottom Line: Consult a Commercial Laundry Expert

Even hotel laundry equipment suppliers will agree that not every property needs to build an on-premise laundry, but many can see significant operational improvements by doing so. Despite the high upfront expense of an on-premise laundry room, it provides cost benefits by enhancing linen care, reducing outsourcing fees, and increasing linen availability. Ask an expert to help you when designing a hotel laundry room for cost management and quality control.

An experienced commercial laundry consultant can help analyze your scheduling and processes to determine options for building new, upgrading, or some combination of these approaches.

For on-premise operators, partnering with quality hotel laundry equipment suppliers supports informed decision-making about choosing washers, dryers, and finishing equipment in optimal capacities. A reputable distributor can also provide valuable warranty and service agreements, along with a planned maintenance plan. Plus, they train your team on-site to protect your investment and ensure smooth hotel laundry operations from day one.

Western State Design has been involved in the hospitality industry since 1974 and remains an influential partner for hotels looking for laundry solutions. Some of the world’s best-known hotels have trusted WSD to deliver great results. To see how we can help boost your hotel’s operations, contact our experienced laundry specialists.

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