Effective laundry management is essential in hotel operations, not only to ensure a seamless guest experience but also to control costs, which are significant given that laundry expenses are only surpassed by energy and wages in the hospitality sector*.
Understanding the Three-Set System
Hotels typically employ a three-set system to manage their linens and towels efficiently:
- Set in Rooms: This set comprises all the linens and towels currently in use in guest rooms.
- Set Returned: These are soiled items that have been used and are sent back to the laundry supplier for cleaning.
- Set in Storage: This includes spare items kept in storage to replace used or damaged goods or to replenish supplies as needed.
This system helps hotels maintain continuous operations without running short of necessary linens, ensuring that clean, fresh supplies are always available for guests.
Areas of Potential Additional Costs
Laundry management involves careful monitoring to avoid unnecessary expenses. Key areas where costs can inadvertently increase include:
- Incorrect Deliveries: Errors in deliveries must be tracked to avoid paying for items that were never received. Regular audits of what has been delivered versus what was ordered are crucial.
- Dirty Items Returned: It’s important to account for all items sent for cleaning to ensure accurate billing and to check that all returned items meet the hotel’s standards. Be vigilant when inspecting items upon delivery; if items are not clean, they should be flagged and returned to the supplier. Failing to do so may result in additional charges if items need to be cleaned again.
- Adjusting Levels: Managing the inventory of linens to reflect accurate usage and return levels is essential to prevent overstocking or shortages.
Best Practices in Laundry Management
To optimise operations and control costs, hotels can adopt several best practices:
- Robust Linen Inventory System: Implementing a system to track linen use and storage helps prevent over-ordering or under-utilisation.
- Regular Audits: Conducting regular audits of linen cleanliness and delivery accuracy ensures that hotels only pay for what they receive and use.
- Staff Training: Educating housekeeping staff on proper linen handling, sorting, and storage procedures can reduce losses and misuse.
Leveraging Technology
Incorporating technology can significantly enhance the efficiency of laundry operations. Specialised laundry management software can offer features like:
- Inventory Tracking: Helps manage linen stock precisely to avoid discrepancies in stock levels.
- Supplier Management: Automates order placements and tracks deliveries, ensuring that discrepancies are quickly identified and addressed.
- Energy Efficiency Monitoring: Identifies opportunities to reduce energy consumption during the laundry process, potentially lowering costs.
Popular software solutions such as Laundry Management Software (LMS), LinenMaster, and CleanWash provide these functionalities, enabling hotels to streamline their laundry processes and reduce both operational hassles and costs.
By focusing on meticulous laundry management, hotels can not only improve their operational efficiency but also enhance guest satisfaction through the consistent provision of clean and high-quality linens. This strategic approach to laundry management is essential for maintaining the hotel’s reputation and profitability.
How Capcon’s Services Helps
To further enhance the efficiency of laundry management in hotels, Capcon offers specialised services that assess and refine laundry system processes. We conduct thorough audits of your inventory management practices to ensure that everything from cataloguing to stock levels is accurately maintained, preventing overcharges during external laundry stock takes.
Our approach helps businesses avoid unnecessary costs by ensuring that all linen management procedures – from delivery checks to storage practices – are optimised. This not only safeguards against financial discrepancies but also boosts overall operational effectiveness, keeping your service seamless and cost-effective.
Contact us for more information about how we can help you and your business.
* Source: HospitalityNet.Org – https://www.hospitalitynet.org/explainer/4118020.html
