Material Planning: Bedding, Linens, and Uniforms

1. Material Planning: Bedding, Linens, and Uniforms

2. Bedding • Bedding encompasses: • Sheets • Pillowcases • Blankets • Pillows • Bedspreads • Dust Ruffles • Comforters • Mattress covers • Duvet covers

3. Sheets • The standard sheet for many years was the T–180, 50/50 cotton/polyester blend • T-180 means that there are 180 threads in a square inch (Ideally, 94 in the warp [lengthwise] and 86 in the weft [horizontally]) • Cotton/polyester are more durable (up to 3 ½ times), dry faster, but are not as soft as 100% cotton sheets • The trend is now toward a higher percentage of cotton fibers in sheets and a higher thread count

4. Sheets • Any claim that an all cotton sheet has more than 350 threads per square inch is probably suspect • Muslin sheets are carded, not combed and are rougher • Percale sheets are combed and are much smoother • Mercerizing sheets increases their strength • Sanforized sheets are preshrunk

5. Sheets • Gray Goods are sheets that do have a finish (mercerized or sanforized) • Torn sheets have no hem • Finished sheets have top and bottom hems • Seconds have imperfections, thus they cost less • Top and bottom hems on most hotel sheets are the same so the sheet is more flexible when making the bed • Now many hotel beds are triple sheeted

6. Sheets • Par levels for sheets is normally 3 ½ (one set in the guestroom, one set on the shelf for tomorrow, one set soiled to be cleaned in the laundry tomorrow, and one/half set new on the shelf to replace damaged sheets) • External laundries often required an extra par • Pillowcases have the same par levels as sheets

7. Blankets • Wool is not often used because of its weight • Ideally a blanket should be lightweight and warm • Nylon, polyester, and acrylic materials are preferred for most blankets • Blankets are either woven, needle punched, or made with an electrostatic process

8. Blankets • Thermal blankets create air pockets making them very warm • Moisture permeable blankets that can help to get rid of body moisture is preferred • All blankets should be fire retardant • Some hotels use electric blankets • Par levels should be at least one par with an additional 10% in southern climates and 2 ½ par in northern climates

9. Bedspreads, Duvets, Comforters and Dust Ruffles • Bedspreads are not as popular today with guests because many hotels do not wash bedspreads very often • There are two main types of bedspreads: • Throw spreads • Tailored spreads • A bedspread may reach the floor, covering the mattress and the box springs, or it may just cover the mattress – these are called “coverlets”

10. Bedspreads, Duvets, Comforters and Dust Ruffles • If coverlets are used then a dust ruffle is added to the bed which covers the box springs • The trend is toward the use of a duvet cover which is nothing more than two sheets sewed together with an opening at one end for a comforter • The duvet cover can be laundered when the guest checks out and the comforter does not get dirty, so it is placed in a clean duvet cover. • A dust ruffle is normally used with a duvet cover. • Shams are pillow covers that match the bedspread or duvet cover

11. Fabrics Materials and Construction • The par level for most bedspreads coverlet, comforters and dust ruffles is usually one par plus 10% • Again the trend is toward duvet covers which are cleaned with every checkout, so the par would be closer to 3 ½ • For comforters goose down is the standard by which all other materials are measured • A well made pillow should be fire retardant, stainproof, waterproof, light, resilient, and have no lumps

12. Mattress Covers • Mattress covers provide a padded layer between the guest and the mattress and protects the mattress from stains • Mattress covers should be changed when the guest checks out • Mattress covers are made from: • Quilted pads • Felt pads (preferred by hotels) • Vinyl (preferred by hospitals)

13. Bath and Table Linens • The average hotel goes through 12 towels per room per year • A towel’s pile warp is 100% cotton, the ground warp is 33% cotton and 67% polyester • The more pile warp, the more absorbent the towel • Towel size is typically one indicator of quality in a hotel

14. Bath and Table Linens • A standard sized towel is 25” x 50” • A standard sized face towel is 16” x 27” • A standard sized wash cloth is 12” x 12” • A standard sized bath mat is 22” x 34” • Par for bath linens is the same as bed linens, 3 ½ or with an off premise laundry, 4 ½

15. Bath and Table Linens • Table linens are also known as napery • Two dominant types of materials used in table cloths and napkins: • Momie cloth (50/50 cotton/poly. blend) • Damask which can be divided into: • Linen damask (superior in appearance and expense) • Cotton damask (needs to be ironed) • Cotton/polyester damask (same advantages as momie, but looks better after washing) • Par levels depends on the number of covers in the restaurant

16. Uniforms • Employee uniforms may be maintained by: • The hotel’s housekeeping/laundry department • An outside laundry service • The employee • Uniforms should allow for freedom of movement • Cotton is best for comfort and polyester is best for wear, so many are cotton/poly. blends

17. Uniforms • Four different housekeeping uniforms are needed: • GRAs (female) • Housekeeping Aide (male) • Supervisor (female) • Supervisor (male) • A par of two for probationary workers and a par of three for full-time employees is needed, an additional two par for future employees and replacements in varying sizes

18. Uniforms • If employees clean their own uniforms, they must be compensated • Skirts should be avoided for GRAs since they have to kneel, bend and stoop frequently • All uniforms need large pockets • Uniforms should be pragmatic and stylish • Shoes should be close toed with low heels and the soles should provide traction