November 17, 2020
As cleaning protocols and procedures for hospitality continue to evolve, so do the unforeseen challenges that come as a result. Recently, our technical affairs and hospitality teams have received questions from our hotel partners about a unique type of damage impacting their sheeting and terry. It’s usually straightforward and easy to tell if linen damage is being caused by ripping or overuse. But the holes appearing in some customers’ items have been a different kind of damage than they might otherwise see. The culprit? Chemical damage.
Housekeeping and laundry teams are working diligently to ensure . With that, many are using harsher chemicals on linens more than ever before, at times stronger than necessary.
Here is an example of what we’re seeing from some customers who utilize products with Centium Core Technology® :
Check out other examples of chemical damage to 100% cotton and cotton-poly blend sheets and towels.
As you can see in the photos, only the Centium Core® fibers remain. There are two key reasons as to why this occurs:
Applying the proper amount of stain treatment and laundering the items quickly will minimize the potential for chemical damage. If you’re still having issues treating stains, check out these articles on how to tackle cosmetic stains and our 8-part series on laundering tips.
Aside from modifying your stain treatment procedures, it’s also important to make sure you’re using the correct cleaning supplies for your rooms.
We strongly recommend that housekeepers do not repurpose sheets and towels still within their service-life for cleaning. When a washcloth or other linen product is used to clean, it significantly reduces its useful life. It’s nearly impossible to remove stains from an item soiled from cleaning, then use it again in room.
If you choose to use old terry or sheeting as a rag, we recommend you always dye it a different color to easily distinguish cleaning rags from linens for a guest room. Alternatively, microfiber cleaning cloths offer an excellent addition to your room cleaning tools. Bonus to using microfiber is that you can select a different color for different usages to avoid any potential cross-contamination.
Be careful not to overdo the chemicals utilized on your linens—and make sure you’re washing your linens right away. If you’re still experiencing challenges with damage to your hotel linens, don’t hesitate to reach out to your consultant or our technical affairs team.
Whether due to a stubborn stain, a tear, or discoloration, it is important that your laundry and housekeeping staff know when to replace used linen.
Our top tips to keep your hotel laundry running smoothly despite labor shortages and inexperienced staff.
Successfully removing stains from sheets & towels requires skill, experience, and patience. But with the right strategy, you can save thousands of dollars by recovering stained linen that otherwise would need to be replaced.