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Analysis of Ten Steps for Hotel Linen Washing

Hotel linen washing is a crucial task in daily hotel management. Are you familiar with the 10 steps involved in hotel linen washing? Today, I will share with you the steps for hotel linen washing:

1. Check classification

Firstly, sorting and classification should be carried out before washing to ensure targeted cleaning.

Classified by color, different pieces of linen may cause cross-contamination when processed together, and linen of the same type but different colors requires different treatment methods; classified by degree of soiling, there are three categories: heavy soiling, medium soiling, and light soiling; classified by type of soiling, this method is targeted at the specific types of soiling that linen may encounter during use. Special stain removers are generally used to treat these specific types of soiling. If heavy soiling linen is processed together with linen of a similar general soiling level using conventional treatment, it will only result in a large amount of re-washing, causing waste. Classified by texture, items such as pure cotton bedsheets and polyester-cotton bedsheets must be processed separately. Generally, for bedsheets with the same level of soiling, pure cotton requires longer processing time, higher temperature, and a larger proportion of detergent compared to polyester-cotton. Therefore, classifying linen by texture for processing is beneficial for improving productivity and saving costs. Floor towels should be specially separated and washed and dried using a dedicated machine.

2. Stain removal treatment

Stain removal refers to the process of using certain chemicals and proper mechanical action to eliminate stains that cannot be removed through regular washing and dry cleaning. Stain removal work requires a certain level of operational skills and professional knowledge.

3. Rinsing and pre-washing

Utilizing the effects of water and mechanical force, we aim to flush as much water-soluble dirt off the fabric as possible, laying a solid foundation for the main washing process to remove dirt. For medium and heavy dirt, a rinsing step is generally required. Pre-washing is a pre-decontamination process where an appropriate amount of detergent is added. Due to the surface tension of water, water alone cannot fully wet the dirt. For particularly severe dirt, pre-washing is an essential step. Pre-washing can generally be arranged after the rinsing step, or it can directly proceed to the pre-washing process.

4. Main wash

This process utilizes water as the medium, and relies on the chemical action of detergent, the mechanical action of the washing machine, as well as appropriate factors such as wash solution concentration, temperature, and sufficient action time, to create a reasonable washing and decontamination environment, thereby achieving the purpose of decontamination.

5. Bleaching

This process serves as a supplementary step to the main washing and decontamination step, primarily aimed at removing pigment-based stains that cannot be fully removed during the main washing step. In this step, oxidizing bleach (oxygen bleach powder) is mainly used. Therefore, during operation, the water temperature should be strictly controlled at 65°C to 70°C, and the pH value of the washing solution should be maintained between 10.2 and 10.8. At the same time, the dosage should be strictly controlled based on the type of stain and the structure of the fabric.

6. Rinse off

Rinsing is a diffusion process that allows the remaining wash liquid components containing dirt in the fabric to diffuse into the water. During this process, a certain temperature (generally 30°C to 50°C) is applied. The high water level rapidly reduces the concentration of the wash liquid, thus achieving the purpose of cleaning.

7. Water passing and dehydration

Utilizing the centrifugal force generated by the high-speed rotation of the washing machine drum, the moisture content of the fabrics inside the drum is reduced to the greatest extent possible. This process demands high performance from the equipment.

8. Neutralization of excess acid

The detergents commonly used in washing are alkaline. Despite multiple washes, it cannot be guaranteed that no alkaline components remain. The presence of alkaline substances can have a certain impact on the appearance and hand feel of the washed items. By utilizing the neutralization reaction between acid and alkali, these issues can be resolved.

9. Soft

This process is a washable one, and generally, the softening treatment is set according to customer needs and belongs to the post-treatment process, not the decontamination process. Softening treatment can make the fabric feel comfortable to the touch, prevent static electricity from generating, and act as a lubricant inside the fabric, preventing fibers from tightly entangling with each other and falling off.

10. Sizing

The starching step is primarily targeted at tablecloths, napkins, and certain cotton products or mixed fiber fabrics in restaurants. After starching, the surface of the starch-treated fabric becomes crisp and prevents fuzzing. At the same time, a layer of starch film forms on the surface of the starch-treated fabric, which has a certain hindering effect on the penetration of dirt.