Classification, selection and quality control indicators of linens

III. Linen Management

(I) Identification and Selection of Linen

Hotel linens are generally categorized into catering linens, guest room linens, and other linens. Linens are not only necessities for guests' daily lives in a hotel, but their quality and their influence on the atmosphere, style, and environment of the room also significantly impact guest comfort and, consequently, their evaluation of the hotel. Furthermore, linens represent a substantial portion of a hotel's investment; therefore, the level of linen management and control directly affects the hotel's cost input and profit generation.

1. Classification of linens

Catering linens: tablecloths, napkins, scented towels, table skirts, chair covers, etc.

Bedding: duvet covers, sheets, pillowcases, etc.

Bathroom linens: face towels, bath towels, floor mats, bathrobes, etc. ("four towels and one garment").

Other linens: curtains, sheer curtains, shower curtains, blankets, quilts, mattress protectors, etc.

2. Selection of linens

When choosing linens, the principle of highlighting unique features within overall harmony should be followed. This means considering both their coordination with the environment and their functional characteristics. Therefore, in addition to factors such as texture and price, attention should also be paid to the unity of linens with local decorations and the overall style of the environment.

(1) Quality Indicators and Parameters for Linen Selection. The quality of duvet covers and pillowcases mainly depends on the following indicators and parameters: ① Fiber Quality. Fabric fibers should be long and uniform. Such yarns have good evenness and high strength, resulting in a smooth surface and advantages such as washability and abrasion resistance. ② Yarn Twist. High twist prevents pilling. ③ Weaving Density. High density, meaning small and uniform gaps between warp and weft yarns, makes the fabric more durable. The fabric density used for bed sheets is generally 288×244 threads/10 square centimeters, while high-end fabrics can exceed 400×400 threads/10 square centimeters. "Warp Yarn Count × Weft Yarn Count" is another standard for linen count density. The higher the warp yarn count, the better the cotton yarn quality. Therefore, when high-end hotels select "80S" high-count, high-density linens, they should distinguish whether 80S refers to warp or weft yarn, as the cost difference can be as high as 5% to 7%. ④ Manufacturing Process. This indicator is mainly reflected in the hem; the hem should be flat and the stitches straight. Generally, the stitch density of sheets and pillowcases should be 16 stitches per 5 centimeters and 28 stitches per 5 centimeters, respectively. ⑤ Fiber texture. Commonly used sheets and pillowcases are made of cotton, synthetic fibers, and blends of cotton and synthetic fibers (commonly known as "blended fabrics"). Cotton sheets and pillowcases are soft, breathable, and absorbent, making them comfortable to use, but they wrinkle easily and are not durable. Synthetic fibers do not have the advantages of cotton, but they are wear-resistant, durable, and washable. Blended fabrics combine the advantages of both, making them a popular choice for hotel linens.

(2) Specifications and parameters for linen selection. ① Duvet cover. The size of the duvet cover is determined by the size of the duvet. Generally, it should be 15-20 cm larger than the shrinkage allowance. If there are frills, they should be removed. ② Bed sheet. The bed sheet should be larger than the mattress, and after deducting the shrinkage allowance, it should be 80-100 cm larger than the mattress. ③ Pillowcase. The width of the pillowcase should be 5-10 cm larger than the pillow core, and the length should be 15-20 cm larger. However, in the actual operation of the hotel, it is not necessary to strictly adhere to these parameters. A compromise between slightly larger and slightly smaller sizes can facilitate operation and linen management.

(3) Quality Indicators and Parameters for Towel Selection. ① Pure Cotton Texture. High-quality towels must be made of 100% pure cotton. Pure cotton towels have good water absorption and pure color. The lighter the single towel, the better the quality of the cotton yarn. ② Number and Length of Loops. If the towel has many long loops, the softness and water absorption will be better. However, if the loops are too long, they are easily snagged. Therefore, the length of the loops is generally 3 mm. ③ Yarn Density. Towels are composed of ground warp yarns, weft yarns, and pile warp yarns. The ground warp yarns and weft yarns interweave to form the ground fabric, while the pile warp yarns interweave with the weft yarns to form loops. Therefore, the denser the weft yarns, the stronger the loops and the less likely they are to snag. ④ Towel Edges. Towel edges are easily worn and frayed. Choose fabrics with wear-resistant edges and corners to synchronize the wear cycle of the towel edges with that of the towel surface. ⑤ Sewing Process. Check that the folds are neat, the seams are straight, and the stitches are even.

(4) Specifications and parameters for towels and linens. ① Hand towels. Mainly used for wiping hands. Sizes include 20cm×20cm, 26cm×26cm, 28cm×28cm, 30cm×30cm, and 33cm×33cm, with a weight of approximately 55 grams. ② Face towels. Mainly used for wiping the face. Sizes include 32cm×76cm, 34cm×78cm, and 32cm×92cm, similar in shape to regular towels, with a weight of approximately 140 grams. ③ Bath towels. Mainly used for drying off after outdoor swimming and for covering the body. Sizes include 51cm×102cm, 56cm×112cm, 61cm×122cm, 68cm×137cm, 76cm×152cm, and 96cm×132cm, with a weight of approximately 600 grams. ④ Floor mats. Mainly used as pads in front of bathtubs or shower rooms in bathrooms for anti-slip and heat retention purposes. Its sizes include 40cm×70cm, 50cm×70cm and 50cm×80cm, and its weight is generally around 350 grams.