The service life of linens is a key factor in cost control.It is also an important guarantee for stable quality.
Relying on massive industry data and professional research, we have sorted out the core factors affecting the life of linens for hotel practitioners.From the perspective of time, the theoretical service life of hotel linens is generally 3-5 years.
However, the actual service life is generally about two and a half years. Behind this broad standard, there are many variables that affect the life of linens.
For example, hotels in popular tourist cities with an occupancy rate of more than 90%, the actual life of linens is often closer to the lower limit due to high frequency of use and washing;
For some high-end boutique hotels，with relatively low passenger flow, the linen use is low. If properly maintained, the life may be close to or even exceed 5 years.
Taking the washing frequency as a measurement indicator, linens of different materials show differences:
Cotton sheets and pillowcases:
natural fiber characteristics, soft touch, good skin-friendliness. But the washability is relatively weak. Under normal washing conditions, the reasonable washing frequency of cotton sheets and pillowcases is 130-150 times.
If it exceeds this range, the linens are prone to fiber breakage, pilling, fading and other problems. It affects the appearance and also reduces the guests’ sleeping experience
Blended (35% cotton) linens:
By blending cotton fibers with chemical fibers. This type of linen retains a certain cotton quality while significantly improving wear resistance and wrinkle resistance. It can be washed 180-220 times and is often used in economy hotels that require high durability. While ensuring cost-effectiveness, it can also maintain good use results.
Towels: Towels frequently come into contact with human grease and stains during use. They also need to withstand greater friction when washed, and they need to be washed about 100-110 times.
When towels become severely hard, lint-shed, and their water absorption drops significantly, even if the theoretical upper limit of washing times has not been reached, they should be replaced to ensure the guest’s experience.
In addition, the life of linens cannot be determined simply by the number of washes. When linens are damaged too much, key parts (such as the four corners of sheets and the edges of towels) are severely worn, color fastness decreases, leading to fading, easy tearing, etc., they should be eliminated decisively even if they have not reached the established number of washes.
This is not only a commitment to service quality, but also a necessary measure to maintain the hotel’s brand image.
A deeper understanding of the lifespan of linens will help hotels formulate reasonable purchasing plans, optimize washing processes, and improve maintenance plans, thereby achieving cost control and improving service quality. We will also conduct in-depth discussions on topics such as the factors affecting the lifespan of linens in the future, so please continue to pay attention.