Laundry and linen services

The linen and laundry services is responsible for the

processing of all requests for laundry services which
includes:

a. guest laundry
b. employees uniforms
c. linen used for banquet functions
 Laundry personnel

Laundry Manager/Supervisor - to direct, lead

monitor and control all activities relating to linen and
laundry services

Valet runner pick up and delivers guest laundry

Sorter / marker sorts, classifies and labels laundry

items

Washer responsible for washing and drying guest

laundry items and linen
 Laundry personnel
Flat Ironer- does the ironing of linen used by the F and B and
Housekeeping Department

Steam Presser performs steam pressing of delicate

materials like wool

Dry cleaner spotter dry cleans and does spot removal

Linen attendant does the recording, storage and issuance

of linen

Seamstress does mending of guest laundry or employees

uniforms
A good laundry facility ensures the following:

- careful handling of linen articles while laundering.

- correct processing and use of a suitable laundry
agent.
- while materials are kept white, excessive bleach
is not used.
- proper counting and records maintained to avoid
shortages of linen.
- speedy operations to meet with operational
requirements.
- policies regarding damages or loss.
Laundry equipments
 Washing machine Dryer
For washing clothes For drying washed items
Spotting table
For removal of spots/stains
Used with spotting chemicals
Hydro extractor
For extracting moisture from
linen
Flatwork ironer
For ironing flat sheets, linen,
pillow case and other flat linens
Flatwork Ironer / Roller Iron / Calender

Is used for flatwork i.e. items like sheets, pillowcases,

tablecloths, serviettes, aprons, sarees, etc. The items
are passed through heated rollers for ironing.

Cabinet Dryer or Drying Room

Is a chamber where low-crease garments are

suspended on hangers and steam or hot air is
circulated through the cabinet
Puffer or Suzie

For coats and articles that do not crease heavily. The

articles are put onto a dummy that is inflated with
steam to remove creases and then with hot air to
remove the moisture created by the steam.

Tunnel Dryer

Clothes are hung on conveyor belts that pass through a

tunnel. Hot air blowing in the tunnel, renders the
articles completely dry by the time they exit. It is a fully
automated process that also transfers the linen to the
next area of activity.
Steam presser
For pressing delicate fabrics like
wool, silk, etc
 Laundry cart Ironing table and iron
Used for delivery of guest
laundry
A commercial or off-premises laundry
refers to laundering activities performed
outside the establishment i.e. given on a contract
basis to specialists in the field

On-site or on premises
laundry, however, refers to laundering activities
carried on within the
establishment by staff employed by the hotel.
Internal/ On premise
laundry
Linen cycle
 Washing
This process is designed to perform three basic functions:
1. removal of soil
2. suspension of soil
3. discharge of the soil from the machine to the drain

In the wash process, the following factors must be considered :

1.Length of cycle :
If the cycle is too short, the linen will not be cleaned.
If the cycle is too long, there will be unnecessary wear and tear
and the clothes may actually become dirtier as a result
of redeposit ion of soil.

2.Temperature of water:
If the temperature of water is too high, it is likely to damage
the linen. If the temperature is inadequate, the chemicals will not
work effectively.
3.Water level :
Incorrect dip levels can alter the concentration of the laundry
agents rendering them ineffective

4.Type and amount of detergent

Too little detergent will result in an incomplete cleaning process.
And too much may remain as a residue after the rinse cycle is
complete

5.Mechanical action:
Is radically affected by overloading or under loading as well as the
speed of the drum
1. Flush - To clean, rinse, or empty with a rapid flow of a liquid,
especially water:

2. Suds - water impregnated with soap or a synthetic

detergent compound and worked up into froth

3. Bleach - refers to a number of chemicals which remove

color, whiten or disinfect, often by oxidation

4. Rinse -to wash lightly with water /

To remove (soap, for example) by washing lightly in water.
5. Sour
This is used only in industrial laundering in the final rinse, to
neutralize any alkaline soap residues that may be present.

6.Soft - A fabric conditioner or softener has surface active

agents like a detergent but they do
not perform the function of cleaning

7. Extract - refers to the process of removing water from the

laundry.
 Control of linen

Linen is a hotel asset and needs to be controlled and this

is one of the main functions of the executive
housekeeper, ensuring the linen stock level is maintained.
When linen stocks reduce this is referred to as
'shrinkage' and can occur due to:

a) Employee misuse
b) Poor treatment, washing and drying methods
c) Misplaced in external laundry
d) Customer or employee theft
 Some methods adopted by hotels to control
shrinkage are given below:

Disciplinary Clear
action standards for
for misuse washing and
Train and drying
educate
employees on
how to use
linen

Purchase Monthly/ mid Good quality

good monthly cleaning
quality linen stock takes chemicals