Acknowledgement

We are heartily grateful to our course teacher, Md. Ulfat Hossain, for assigning us to prepare a report on Dealing with laundry is a fact of life for hotel, explaination in context of laundry operation. It was a wonderful subject to work on with. Though there were some methodical and procedural limitations, finally it’s been ready to submit. We remember the friends and officials from whom we got valuable suggestions to make the report done. The following report examines the Housekeeping department’s most vital part laundry operation as a fact for hotel life. Now, we want to submit it to our honorable teacher for his kind observation.

Table of contents

Sl. No. Topic1. Introduction2 Internal laundry3. The laundry or linens category4. Main responsibilities of the laundry operation

i. Recycling of linenii. Removing marks and stains

iii. Security of lineniv. Repairs of linenv. Collection, sorting and counting of linen

vi. Dispatch of linen to external contractorsvii. Issuing of linen to other departments

viii. Stock and inventoryix. Washing, drying, pressing, and storing

5. Laundry Operation Cycle:i. Linen used/soiled ii. Transport to linen room

iii. Counting and sortingiv. Washingv. Drying linen

vi. Pressing and foldingvii. Issuing Linen

viii. Storing linen6. Defining the stages of the wash formula:

i. Flush cycle ii. Break cycle

iii. Suds cycle iv. Bleach cycle v. Rinse cycle

vi. Softener cycle vii. Sour cycle

7. Laundry agents8. Issues to be considered9. Conclusion10. General recommendations

1. Introduction

Dealing with Laundry is a fact of life for hotels. Guestrooms, restaurants, banquets, fitness center and employees all have soiled linens: towels, table cloth, uniforms and other laundry that must be cleaned. Hotels have several choices in how they handle this. They can do the following things:

Use disposable products where possible (paper towel rather than linen, napkins, for example) Rent clean linens from a commercial laundry Buy their own linens from a commercial laundry Buy their own linens and use a commercial laundry Buy their own linens and use a centralized laundry Buy their own linens and use an on premise laundry Use a combination of these alternatives

Linen

Linen is an expensive item, so how it will be laundered requires serious consideration. People involved in handling linen should have some knowledge of the process. Moreover, the Housekeeper and Linen keeper should have a good rapport with the Laundry Manager.

Laundry

Laundry is the other department under the housekeeping department. The Laundry manager needs to report to the Executive Housekeeper. The laundry department needs to manage the linen supply. The linen supply include the towels such as face towel, hand towel and bath mat, bed linen pillow case and bed sheet, bathrobe and F&B linen such as table cloth, place mat and napkins. The laundry department also provides guest laundry service, normally included wet cleaning, dry cleaning and pressing. It is responsible in taking good care of the staff uniform and has good inventory control.

2. Internal laundry

When considering the set up of an internal laundry the following factors would have to be considered: Location Space – what would determine how much space you need Accessibility Lighting and ventilation Staffing Training Equipment Health and safety Drainage Operating cost Business forecast Control

Guest laundry Uniforms Supervision Quality control procedures

3. Laundry or linens category

Linen is the most important recycled inventory item under the executive housekeeper’s responsibility. Next to personnel, linen costs are the highest expense in the housekeeping department.

Fabrics are manufactured from fibers which may be woven, knitted, or bonded together in various ways.

Different fabrics have different properties making them appropriate for use in varying situations

All fabrics are collectively called linen in hospitality jargon, even though the material may be made of fibers other than linen.

Table: There are numerous items that fall within the laundry or linens category including:

Bedrooms Dining Bathrooms Miscellaneous

Bath linens and towels (ranging from 400gm - 800 gm) Bath robes Bed linens Bedspreads Blankets Valances Duvets, duvet covers Mattress covers

Table cloths Table napkins Linen glassware towels Bar towels

Face towelsHand towelsBath towelsBath matsBathrobeShower Curtains

Staff uniforms Cleaning cloths Kitchen towelsCushion coversLoose coversCurtains / drapesBlindsShades

4. Main responsibilities of the laundry operation:

Recycling of linen Removing marks and stains Security of linen Repairs of linen Collection, sorting and counting of linen Dispatch of linen to external contractors Issuing of linen to other departments

Stock and inventory Washing, drying, pressing, and storing

At the washing stage there are particular things that need to be carried out to maintain quality and cost control. When loading, the washing machines should not be too empty too full and the operator should do the following things:

Ensure the correct laundry chemical is used and the right quantity for the load /weight Ensure the wash temperature is correct Ensure colours are not mixed

NOTE: many large machines now a days are computerized and the chemical quantity and washing temperatures are calculated automatically.

5. Laundry Operation CycleHotel laundry is divided into two operations done by two separate groups of workers. Sorting, washing and drying towels is completed by one group of workers. Drying (except for towels) and folding is completed by another group of workers.

Collection

Collection of linen may be done in the Linen Room, if the laundry is off-site but is usually in the laundry itself, if the laundry is on-premises. During collection, all accessories that cannot be washed such as metal items; epaulettes, etc. should be removed at the time of collection. Certain linen items are collected separately. For example, kitchen uniforms or dusters are separately collected, as are butchery aprons and dusters, because they have a specific type of soil. Likewise, in a hospital, linen from the surgical ward would be collected separately. The linen is usually packaged in canvas bags lined with polyvinyl. Eyelets on the rim of the bag facilitate passing a nylon cord through, which can be tightened in order to shut the opening of the bag. In some cases elasticized net bags called ‘skips’ are used to collect linen.

Transportation

Carrying the linen in canvas bags or skips is one means of transportation. Trolleys are most popular for transportation and the collapsible wire cart can be used to transport clean as well as soiled linen. Whatever the type of trolley, the soiled linen should not hang over the edge of the trolley, as it looks unsightly. If planned at the construction stage, an in-built chute is used for transporting linen from the floor pantries. It is preferable to put linen into canvas bags before dropping it down the chute so that wear and tear is reduced. However, this is rarely done, so it must be ensured that the flooring at the base of the chute should be easy to clean.

Washing

In the laundry processing plant, the "sorting and washing" operations are typically manual material handling tasks. These tasks pose the risk for low back pain.

Manual material handling cannot be fully eliminated but it is possible to reduce it by reorganizing the flow of work. For example, instead of sorting towels and linen before loading them into the bins, it would be preferable to load the laundry in the bins directly from the pile under the chute. This would eliminate handling the same laundry twice.

Further improvements of working conditions can be achieved by reducing stressful body movements while handling the laundry. Shortening the laundry chute (pipe) through which laundry is dropped would create more space so that the laundry would not compress against the pipe itself. As a consequence, the sorting of the laundry would require less pulling force. Working in the "sorting and washing" areas requires standing on a concrete floor. Workers should wear shoes that provide good cushioning or they should use proper inserts to lessen the stress on the feet and on the lower back, and use anti-fatigue matting if practical.

This process is designed to perform three basic functions: removal of soil suspension of soil discharge of the soil from the machine to the drain

Figure: Laundry Operation Cycle Chart

Drying linen:

After washing, in most cases, the laundry is dried in large commercial dryers. Again, during this stage quality and financial consideration must be followed, to include the following:

Machine should not be too full or too empty Machine drying temperature should not be too hot or too cold Drying time should be correct for the laundry load, not too short or too long

Pressing and folding:

For linen to be crisp and appear professionally laundered, the next stage is for it to be pressed. Laundries have different ways of doing this to include the following:

Steam cabinets Flatwork ironers Pressing machines Folding machines Rolling equipment

Storing linen

After folding, the linen will be stored. The main linen room will have a stock level for all linen items to ensure that the hotel has sufficient quantity of linen at any one time to accommodate the needs. The linen should rest in store for at least 24 hours before being issued. This helps increase the useful life of linen and makes the linen smoother. The linen room needs adequate ventilation, be humidity free and lockable.

Issuing Linen

Linen is issued from the linen room to housekeeping porters, room attendants and other departments throughout the day. Most linen rooms practice some form of control at this stage, such as employees signing for any linen types and quantities received. The important element is tracking who has taken what linen and to which area.

6. Defining the stages of the wash formula

Flush cycle

The purpose of the flush cycle is to loosen and suspend the soil or organic particles from the fabric. Water levels should be programmed at a high level (12-14 inches) and water temperatures should not exceed 90-110 degrees Fahrenheit. Duration of this operation is a minimum of two minutes.

Break cycle

This cycle follows the flush and precedes the suds cycle. The purpose of this cycle is to remove present soil through the use of alkali. This cycle removes approximately 60% of the soil. It allows detergent to work effectively in the following suds cycle. Water level is at a low level (6-8 inches). Operation time is seven to ten minutes and the temperature of the water is at a minimum of 150-16o degrees Fahrenheit.

Suds cycle

The suds cycle employs a detergent which is boosted with a carryover of alkali from the previous cycle break cycle. This operation removes the remaining soil from the fabric. Water temperatures in this cycle are 150-160 degrees Fahrenheit (preferably 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Low water levels (6-8 inches) and the duration of the cycle is seven - ten minutes).

Bleach cycle

This cycle follows the suds cycle and precedes the rinse cycles. The PH reading is this cycle should be 10.2-10.5 to ensure the best results. The function of this cycle is to remove the remaining stains and/or soils. Water temperatures are programmed at 150-160 degrees Fahrenheit and the water level is low (6-8 inches). The time of the bleach cycle is a minimum of ten minutes.

Rinse cycle

Three rinses at duration of two minutes each are required. Water levels are programmed high (12-14 inches). The first rinse requires water temperatures of a minimum of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Water temperature reduction of 15 degrees Fahrenheit for each of the remaining two rinses is essential to alleviate wrinkles and to control proper cool down. The purpose of this cycle is to reduce alkalinity and bleach from the linen.

Sour cycle

The function of this cycle is to neutralize any residual alkalinity left in the linen and eliminate possible discoloring (yellowing of the linen when it comes in contact with heat). The sour cycle is generally the last cycle before the extraction cycle. The PH reading should be 5.5-6.5 depending on the type of linen. Low water level is required in the cycle and the cycle time is four - five minutes.

Softener cycle

Usually the sour cycle and the softener cycle are combined in one operation. The purpose of the softener cycle is to impart softness to the linen and reduce static electricity. Some fabric softeners are combined in one operation. The purpose of the softener cycle is to impart a softness to the linen and reduce static electricity. Some fabric softeners are combined with a bacteriostat agent. These types are used mainly in processing hospital linen.

7. Laundry agents

Water by itself is ineffective as a cleaning agent, due to a phenomenon known as ‘surface tension’. It will remove water-soluble dirt, but has little effect on oils and grease. The addition of a detergent reduces the surface tension, allowing the water to penetrate, wetting the garment thoroughly so that soil is more accessible.

DetergentSuspending AgentThe role of the suspending agent in cleaning is to hold the dirt in suspension and prevent it from redepositing onto the surface of the article. It plays a crucial role in the laundry agent due to the amount of time that the clothes rotate in the machine while the dirt is in suspension. The suspending agent is carboxyl methyl cellulose.

Sequestering Agent

These act along with the suspending agent to hold dirt in suspension. They assist by holding a greater amount of dirt in suspension thereby reducing the likelihood of redeposition.They also have the additional ability to dissolve lime salts that are responsible for temporary hardness in water. Sodium polyphosphates act as sequestering agents.

pH Scale for laundry agent

1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 147

Other laundering agents

AlkaliAlkalis used in the wash process include1. Washing Soda

2. Sodium Phosphate

3. Sodium Hydroxide

4. Sodium Metasilicate

BleachesThese are used on white articles only. They remove colouring matter by their oxidizing or reducing action. If not in liquid form, they should be dissolved in hot water in order to ensure that no powder residue remains in the washing machine which may affect later loads. The bleaches commonly used in the laundry process are sodium perborate and sodium hypochlorite.

AntichlorsThese are agents used to neutralize the chlorine bleach and are essential particularly in the case of polyesters. The use of chlorinated bleaches has a tendency to leave yellow deposits.

SourThis is used only in industrial laundering in the final rinse, to neutralize any alkaline soap residues that may be present. It brings the pH of the linen articles to a level between 5 and 6.5, which is agreeable to the human skin.and also gets rid of yellow or brown deposits caused by residue alkali. Acetic acid is used as the sour. In cases where there is a high iron content in the water, Oxalic acid is used which serves a dual purpose, by also getting rid of the reddish, iron deposits. If starch is being used, sour should be added 2 minutes before the starch to achieve a pH of 5.0 to 5.5. If a sizing agent is being used, the ideal pH is 7.0 to 8.0 so sour is generally not used.

Fabric conditionerA fabric conditioner or softener has surface active agents like a detergent but they do not perform the function of cleaning. Fabric conditioners are based on cationic surface-active agents, carrying a positive charge and create anti-static properties. A fabric conditioner is never used on loads where starch or sizing will be used.

BlueThis is an optical brightener/ whitener, which is in fact a very fine dye, which gets bleached in the course of time. It has a fluorescent effect by reflecting the UV rays of the sun. The laundry blue in a powder form tends to accumulate in the weave of the fabric and causes it to turn grey.

StarchThis is a stiffening agent used to impart a better appearance to the fabric. The use of starch has declined due to the minimum-iron finishes on fabrics and garments and the reduced use of cotton in favour of man-made fibres. However there are some articles that have a better feel and drape when starched and it is particularly essential for napkin folds. Since polyesters do not have the ability to absorb starch they are stiffened with sizing agents.

8. Issues to be considered

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.

Temperature of waterIf 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.

Water level Incorrect ‘dip’ levels can alter the concentration of the laundry agents rendering them ineffective. In case of a gentle action the water level is usually higher forming a protective envelope to the delicate linen.

Type and amount of detergent and when it will be dispensed in the wash cycleThis is also a crucial factor that affects the quality of wash deciding which laundry agent should be used is dependent on the nature of the fabric being washed. Too little detergent will result in an incomplete cleaning process. And too much may remain as a residue after the rinse cycle is complete. It is important that the laundry agent is introduced into the wash cycle at the appropriate time if it is to have the required action.

Mechanical action:This refers to the centrifugal action brought about by the movement of the drum that causes friction between the linen articles and is radically affected by overloading or underloading as well as the speed of the drum.

Misuse of laundry

Would you use a bath towel to clean the floor? Or clean drinking glasses with a pillow case? If staff know that a duvet cover might typically be worth around tk 5000 or more, or a bed sheet is worth up to tk 3000, staff will understand why the right materials need to be used for the right job.

Share the following guidelines with staff to ensure linen is used for the purpose it was intended:

• Do not use linen other than for its purpose.

• Do not use linen to wedge open a door.

• Report damage and stains to the head housekeeper.

• Keep laundry and cleaning materials separate to avoid contamination.

• Report guest misuse or damage from hair dye, fake tan or shoe polish.

• Report all instances of bad practice and stock abuse to your laundry supplier.

9. Conclusion

From the above discussion it can be said that 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. Sound policies regarding damages or loss.

10. General recommendations

One of the main risk factors for repetitive motion injuries in the laundry is the repetitiveness of the work. Incorporate different tasks to change the repetitive patterns of work. Job rotation and team work are two options that allow workers to vary tasks.

Job rotation requires workers to move between different tasks at fixed or irregular periods of time. Workers in the laundry cannot fully benefit from job rotation because all the tasks are

similar in nature. Still, the feeling of change reduces monotony and slows down the development of fatigue.

In team work, workers form a team and each member of the team shares several different tasks. The whole team is involved in the planning of the work. The team controls all aspects of work. This improves attitude and job satisfaction, which are important factors in the prevention of occupational injuries and diseases.

Reference

1. Housekeeping Management and Organization for Hotels and Institutions by Crete M. Dahl

2. Hotel Housekeeping: Operations and Management by Raghubalan,, Smritee Raghubalan3. Course Materials4. The online journals on housekeeping management5. en.wikipedia.org