Hotels can improve customer satisfaction, lower operational and labor costs, increase sustainability commitment, and reduce operating and labor costs by following these tips when purchasing new linen.
The linen is a key element of a hotel room. From the sheets and pillows to the towels in the bathrooms, it’s something I often notice as a guest. It can affect the hotel’s overall impression if it is stained, worn or has an odd color. According to Metabolic, quality linen can affect customer satisfaction ratings by anywhere from 5-20%.
A study found that a 120-room hotel could spend approximately $65,000 per year on linen laundering. 25 percent of that cost is due to linen. It can be difficult to lower operational costs in the hospitality industry. However, there are many ways that hotels can save. If hotels take care of linen, they can extend its life span.
These tips will help hotels improve customer satisfaction, lower operational and labor costs, increase sustainability commitment, and reduce their cost of purchasing linen.
Use durable linen. One hundred percent organic cotton is stronger and more popular with customers. It can be recycled between 2-4 times per year, which reduces GMG emissions as well as landfill waste. This saves money and the environment.
Do not use linen made from cotton that has been treated with pesticides or insecticides. Hotels should choose organic cotton whenever possible. Organic cotton is also more sustainable.
Source textiles in areas where there is low water stress. They are responsible for 20% of agricultural water usage. Hotels can ensure that linen is responsibly sourced by looking at where it comes from.
You can swap out woven for knitted. However, the knitting process uses up to 15% less energy and can produce softer, more breathable linen customers love.
Make sure linen is bleached with oxygen during manufacturing. This contributes to water pollution, GHG emissions, and environmental pollution. Ozone bleaching is a non-toxic process that produces a bright white color. It also provides guests with an environmentally friendly and safe option.
The first step in prolonging the life of linen is choosing the right textiles. Hotels should also consider these tips when caring for linen:
Implementing low-temperature wash programs. This program can extend the life expectancy of linen by 30 percent or more.
Use the “first time right”, approach to washing linen. Hotels can reduce the frequency of having to wash linen again by using the right wash programs and prespotting techniques. This increases labor productivity and reduces energy and water consumption.
Introduce new textile washing practices and policies to employees and guests. Train employees on how to properly treat linen. Also, inform your guests about the hotel’s environmental policies. Ask them for their cooperation when new washing methods are implemented.
Repurposing linen. Hotels shouldn’t throw out linens that have reached the end of their useful life. Diversey Linens for Life(r), a program that helps hotels create a partnership with local communities, allows them to reuse linen as cleaning rags, pocket linings, and other trims for clothing.
Recycling. Hotels can either recycle used textiles or work with a third-party provider to compost them. This is good for the environment and helps to improve a hotel’s image.
Smart linen care and purchase can make a difference in reducing energy and water bills for hotels.
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