Accommodation Operations (HND II)

By

Emmanuel Gamor

The linen Room

It is usually the base of operations for most housekeeping department,

Under the control of a supervisor who is responsible for the issuance of fresh

linen and receiving soiled linen (Not restricted to pure linen).

Amount of linen depends on the size of the facility.

F & B linen

Bed linen

Bath linen

Types of Linen Room

Centralized Linen Room- Like a one stop shop. This is where all

issues concerning linen in the hotel is dealt with.

In this type, linen is distributed from one particular place in the facility (a

Central point).

De-Centralized Linen Room- Unlike the centralized, each floor or block

maintains and controls its own linen activities.

Therefore each block or floor has its own main linen room & controls its

own par stock

Tasks & duties of linen room staff

Collection and transportation of soiled linen

Counting and sorting of soiled linen from other departments

Packing & dispatching of soiled linen for laundry

Receiving and checking fresh clean linen from laundry

Checking & sorting of fresh linen

Storage of linen

Distributing or issuing clean linen to floors & other areas

Stocktaking for linen (record keeping)

Stitching , repairing, & monogramming of all hotel linen

Discarding of linen

Operations of the linen room

The operations in a linen room will differ from one establishment to another establishment

1. Exchange of linen- this operation the linen room involves a number

of activities.

Exchanging soiled linen for clean fresh ones over the counter

Collecting identified, listed and bundled soiled linen from a collection point

to set for needed amount each day

Regular collection of soiled linen from various floors or departments/

Requisition

Supplying or topping up floor stock with fresh clean linen

2. Inspection & dispatch of linen- Linen are to be inspected upon

arrival and before it leaves the linen room.

Count all the linen when they get to the linen room… why?

Place linen on the inspection table and check for

• Tear for repairs

• Stains for removal

• Non affiliated articles

3. Storage of Linen- It is important to store linen well before use

Linen should be arranged by size.

Linen must be kept free from dust.

They should be stored in cup-boards with sliding doors (preferably).

Articles that are not in frequent use (Blankets, special banqueting cloth) should

be always be covered with linen covers.

All linen should be covered with dust sheets to avoid dust and fluff.

Linen should be rotated on ‘first-in’ ‘first-out’ (FIFO) basis..

Heavier linen should be placed on lower shelves

4. Stock-taking and records keeping- A stock register that provides a the

value of linen as an asset.

This is done regularly…..

It helps in the generation of purchase orders (lost items & unusable items).

5. Repairs, Alterations & monogramming

Where needed, damaged or torn items may be mended, and uniforms altered to fit the

employee.

Logo of the establishment is used to identify the linen

Printing

Embroidery

Embossment

Layout of linen room

Location

Space

Entrance

Floors and walls

Lighting & ventilation

Storage

Soiled linen area

Linen exchange counter

Inspection area

Uniform storage area

Guest laundry area

Linen room supervisor desk

Large properties may have separate linen room. A typical layout of a linen room has only one entrance….

When planning the operational are of the linen room there are important things to consider:

A simple layout of linen room

Linen ControlPhases of linen control- linen control is carried out in 4 stages

Routine checking of linen for appearance and hygiene standards.

Quantity control of the daily flow of linen stock/linen exchange procedure

Stocktaking or physical inventory of linen

Proper documentation of control line by the use of the master linen inventory control sheet

There are methods that are used in linen control

Methods of linen control

There are about 4 common methods used

1. Clean for dirty

2. Set amount

3. Topping up

4. Requisition

Assignment

Why do we have to consider linen control?

Linen room in other establishments other than hotel

Hospitals

Colleges / Universities

Prisons

Factories

AssignmentFind out more establishments that can have linen rooms