When managing a team of employees in a Florida hotel, one of the best ways to ensure you stay on top of your hotel operation is to create checklists for the tasks they need to complete. Clean sheets are critical for anyone in the hospitality industry in Florida and show good attention to detail and care for your guests. Proper sheet cleanliness boosts guest satisfaction and your hotel’s reputation. Clean sheets / linens also will ensure that your guests return to your hotel again.
Let’s look at the key items to add to any checklist for your staff to ensure hotel sheets / linens are clean.
Proper Handling of Used Sheets
The first step of the process is to remove used sheets carefully. We recommend wearing gloves or using a clean surface to prevent contamination. Check for visible stains or damage once you remove the sheets before washing to find any stains, tears, or rips. You should always separate linens by type and group sheets by color and fabric to avoid cross-contamination during washing.
Pre-Washing Procedures
To optimize washing settings, group your sheets according to fabric type. If you find any stains when removing sheets, pre-treat them using stain removers or soak sheets for tough stains like oils or blood. Regularly have your team check detergent and washing equipment for issues. Ensure detergent is fresh and washing machines are clean and properly working. Proper repair and maintenance procedures must be implemented if you notice any issues.
Washing Process
Wash sheets at the appropriate water temperature. Hot water is ideal for sanitizing, but stick to warm or cold for gentle cycles. Use high-quality detergent for effective cleaning, and use different detergent types if you have delicate materials that may have unique care instructions. While it can be tempting to do as much laundry as possible at once to save time, avoid overloading the machine. Leave enough space in the washer to allow sheets to move freely and ensure they get cleaned properly.
Drying and Ironing Sheets
Once you clean your sheets, it’s time to move on to the final stage of the washing process. Dry sheets thoroughly and ensure complete dryness before folding to prevent mildew or odor. For hotels that prefer wrinkle-free sheets, iron them at the right temperature. Take the time to train your team on ironing techniques and folding sheets neatly so that you maintain high standards for cleanliness and presentation. This final stage can make a massive difference in the quality of the linen when placed on the bed.
Final Inspection
Once the laundry and drying process is complete, it’s time to inspect the bed sheets before they can be distributed to your housekeeping team and placed in guest rooms. A visual check will ensure sheets are free from stains, wrinkles, and any signs of wear. After that, perform a smell test to ensure your sheets have a fresh, clean scent with no lingering odors. Check for missing items at the end of each laundry load. Verify that all sheets, including flat sheets, fitted sheets, and pillowcases, are accounted for. We recommend keeping an inventory of the number of sheets you have in rotation to know when to order more sheets or linen items for your hotel.
Storage and Handling After Cleaning
If you don’t need the linen you just washed immediately, store it in a clean environment. A dry and clean area will help prevent contamination and keep these sheets away from dirty linen. Use proper storage techniques to stack sheets neatly and label batches to avoid confusion. Always strive to keep your storage areas organized and regularly clean, as well as maintain linen storage areas. Your leadership team should frequently check these storage locations to ensure you follow all procedures correctly.
A systematic checklist for hotel staff can help maintain the cleanliness of sheets and ensure that everyone in your team works to the standard you expect when running an in-house laundry operation. Are you looking to outsource your laundry for your Florida hotel and save your team time and energy? Contact our team at Nexa Laundry for more information about our services. We’ll help you deliver the best experience possible to your hotel guests this year.