SELECTION OF HOTEL LINEN
WHAT IS LINEN? •A FABRIC WOVEN WITH FIBERS FROM THE FLAX PLANT. •A HIGHQUALITY PAPER MADE OF LINEN FIBER OR WITH A LINEN FINISH. •WHITE GOODS OR CLOTHING MADE WITH LINEN CLOTH. •LINEN IS A COLOR THAT RESEMBLES LINEN.
HOTEL LINEN HOTELS HAVE TO BE SPECIFIC ABOUT LINEN. LINEN RANGE FROM LUXURIOUS TO NORMAL TYPES.
THE LINEN A HOTEL MAY BE CATAGORISED AS FOLLOWING: ROOM LINEN BED SHEETS PILLOW COVERS DUVET COVERS NIGHT SPREADS …. ETC
BATH LINEN BATH TOWELS BATH MATS HAND TOWEL BATH ROBE DINING LINEN TABLE LINEN TABLE NAPKIN HAND TOWELS TABLE SCIRTING TABLE RUNNERS SPACIALITY RESTAURANT REQUIRMENTS
LINEN IS SELECTED ON THE BASIS OF:
COST BUDGE MAINTAINANCE INITIAL COST OF LINEN
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT TYPE OF HOTEL BUDGET HOTEL\ FIVE STAR HOTEL OCCUPANCY LEVEL
LINEN HIRE OR PURCHASE
POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED WHILE SELECTION OF LINEN .TO ACHIEVE THE LONGEST LIFE OUT OF
LINEN,THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS HOTELIERS SHOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION:
SELECTING AND PURCHASING LINEN WITH THE LOWEST COST PER USE,RATHER THAN THE TYPICAL LOWEST COST OVERALL. OTHER CONSIDERATION ARE LAUNDRY CARE,PAR AND SECURITY. The answer to longevity is
multifold, but some of the key elements include having a laundry that is large enough to handle the volume of linens going through it, buying quality laundry equipment and maintaining the equipment on a regular basis. Par levels, or number of sets, should be kept at a minimum of three, unless you send linens to an outside laundry service, in which case you should have a five par.
The chances of 'mysterious disappearances' are greater for linens that aren't used.hotels should assign a linen manager, particularly in larger hotels, to track linens for use, storage and security."Give each housekeeper the amount she needs to do her rooms, and do a cross count to find the problem areas,"
BLENDED FABRICS LAST LONGER AND ARE LESS EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN,THEREBY REDUCING REPLACEMENT COST. LINEN QUALITY ALSO INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION.BUYER SHOULD LOOK FOR LOCKSTITCHED HEMS. COLOR ALSO IS A FACTOR IN SELECTIN LINENS.
HOTEL LINEN RELATED TERMS: PAR STOCK IS THE MINIMUM LINEN REQUIRED TO MEET THE DAILY DEMANDS SO AS TO ENSURE SMOOTH OPERATIONS. PAR STOCK HELPS: •IN EFFICIENT INVESTMENT OF CAPITAL. •PREVENT OVERSTOCKING •PROPER SUPPLY •SIMPLIFY INVENTORY TAKING
INVENTORY IS THE DETAILED LIST OF ALL ITEMS AT A PLACE.
SELECTION OF LINEN: THREAD COUNT TENSILE STRENGTH ABRASION RESISTANCE SHRINKAGE RESISTANCE CREASE RESISTANCE COLOUR FASTNESS WEIGHT OF THE FABRIC ABSORBTION (in case of bath linen) AMOUNT OF DRESSING (amount of starch)
THREAD COUNT THREAD COUNT IS SIMPLY THE NUMBER OR THREADS PER SQUARE INCH OF FABRIC.TO
REALLY UNDERSTAND THREAD COUNT,YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND 2 OTHER IMPORTANT COMPONENTS:
YARN SIZE AND PLY Yarn size refers to thickness of the yarns that are woven together to make fabric. A higher yarn size indicates a finer yarn. Yarn size relates to thread count because when the yarns are very fine, they are actually thinner and thus there will be more of them per square inch, producing a higher thread count product.
The other component is ply single ply vs. 2 ply. Single ply fabric is made from individual yarns, which are woven together. 2 ply fabric is made with yarns that are twisted together and then woven. For example, a single ply 300 thread count will have the same construction as a 2 ply 600 thread count. 2 ply sheets must be made with a very high yarn size, like 100s otherwise it will feel very thick and heavy. The higher the thread count, the softer the fabric feels, but that doesn't necessarily mean the sheets will last longer (and sheets with a higher thread count are usually more expensive).
Recently, many linens manufacturers have touted thread count as the best way to choose a sheet. But others point out that the quality of the fibers and finish are more important to the sheet's comfort and durability. In fact, sheets made of linen, flannel, or jersey have low thread counts due to the type of fabric. A high thread count would eliminate part of the appeal of these sheets. According to consumer reports, cotton and cotton blend sheets with a thread count of 180 to 200 stand up to wear and tear and provide satisfactory comfort.
TENSILE STRENGTH A TEXTILE YARN’S ABILITY TO WITHSTAND STRESS WITHOUT BREAKING.ONCE PAST THE ELASTIC LIMIT, THE MATERIAL WILL NOT RELAX TO ITS INITIAL SHAPE AFTER THE FORCE IS REMOVED. Tensile Strength is ultimate strength of a material subjected to tensile loading. It is the maximum stress developed in a material in a tensile test. It is a function of thread count of the cloth and strength of each ... THE HIGHER THE CLOTH COUNT,THE GREATER THE STRENGTH. The cloths used are cotton, polyester and polyester blends, processed to obtain a suitable coated abrasives backing. These backings have special characteristics as weight, tensile strength and flexibility.
ABRASION RESISTANCE ABRASION RESISTANCE IS THE ABILITY OF A FABRIC TO WITHSTAND SURFACE WEAR DUE TO RUBBING.
PILLING IS THE FORMATION OF FIBER BALLS
ON THE SURFACE OF FABRIC. PILLING OCCURS WHEN LOOSE FIBERS IN THE FABRIC ARE WORKED TO THE FABRIC SURFACE AFTER IT HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO ABRASION. IT IS ABILITY OF A TEXTILES OR SURFACE MATERIAL TO WITHSTAND ABRASION AND FRICTION WITHOUT COLOR CHANGES TO OTHER PHYSICAL PROPERTIES.
SHRINKAGE RESISTANCE WIDTHWISE OR LENGTHWISE CONTRACTION OF A FIBER, YARN OR FABRIC,USUALLY AFTER WETTING AND REDRYING OR ON EXPOSURE TO HIGH TEMPRATURE. THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF SHRINKAGE.PROGRESSIVE SHRINKAGE OCCURS WHEN THE FIBER ITSELF SHRINKS. WOOL FIBER SHRINKS A LITTLE MORE EACH TIME IT IS WASHED,WHICH IS WHY WOOL IS GENERALLY DRY CLEANED.
RELAXATION SHRINKAGE IS WHEN THE FABRIC SHRINKS .IT IS CAUSED BY THE TENSION APPLIED TO YARN AND FABRICS DURING CONSTRUCTION. THE TENSION IS RELEASED WHEN THE FABRIC IS WASHED OR STEAM PRESSED,CAUSING IT TO SHRINK TO ITS NATURAL SIZE.MOST COTTON FABRIC SHRINKAGE OCCUR DURING THE FIRST WASH.
TO AVOID SHRINKAGE: FOLLOW CARE LABEL DIRECTIONS PRECISELY FOR WASHING AND DRYING TEMPRATURE.Avoiding extremely hot washing and drying temperatures will help reduce shrinkage. USE APPROPRIATE DETERGENTS.FOR EXAMPLE WASHING TOWELS WITH MILD DETERGENTS. FABRIC OF SAME NATURE SHOULD BE WASHED TOGETHER.
WRINKLE RESISTANCE IT IS ABILITY OF THE FABRIC TO BOUNCE BACK AFTER IT HAS BEEN TWISTED.CREASE ,OR WRINKLE, RESISTANCE IS FREQUENTLY ACHIEVED BY APPLICATION OF A SYNTHETIC RESIN, SUCH AS MELAMINE OR EPOXY.
During wearing and cleaning, fabrics are temporarily distorted to accommodate the stress of use. If the fabric does not recover its original shape, the results are described as wrinkling. Untreated cotton fibers do not have a permanent memory. The cellulose chains in the fiber move by breaking and reestablishing hydrogen bonds. There are no natural forces to promote the cellulose chains to return to their original configuration. This innovative fabric treatment works by strengthening the molecular "bridges" that connect cellulose molecules in a cotton fiber. The special process stabilizes the hydrogen bridges. This permits the fabric to retain its smooth surface, even after numerous washings. The finish does not alter cotton's durability, color clarity or natural absorbency.
COLOR FASTNESS COLOR OF THE FABRIC DEPENS ON THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: YARN AND PROPERTY OF DYE
CHARACTERISTICS THAT DETERMINE THE COLOR FASTNESS OF A FABRIC: LIGHT AND WEATHER WASHING DRY CLEANING COLD WATER AND SEA WATER RUBBING HOT PRESSING CHEMICAL EFFECT
That property of a pigment or dye, containing the coloring matter, to retain its original hue, especially without fading, running, or changing when washed, cleaned; or stored under normal conditions when exposed to light, heat, or other influences. Color fastness in cloth is measured by a LAUNDER METER In textile dyeing and other industrial processes , FAST COLOURS are those which will satisfactorily resist fading for the useful life of the product in which they are used. In book cloths, the term refers to non fading over long exposure to artificial light, but not to natural light. Also called “lightfast”.
COLORFASTNESS A DYED FABRIC’S ABILITY TO WITHSTAND FADING DUE TO WASHING,EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. The quality of dye used on fabrics plays a huge part in color fastness. Problems often occur in textile usage when a consumer decides to use a fabric which had not been produced to meet certain end uses.
WEIGHT OF THE FABRIC TEXTILE WEIGHT IS MEASURED IN OUNCES PER SQUARE YARD.THIS HELPS TO IDENTIFY THE DENSITY OR THICKNESS OF A FABRIC’S CONSTRUCTION. ABSORBTION Absorbency THE ABILITY OF A FABRIC TO TAKE IN MOISTURE . Absorbency is a very important property for bath linen.
TOWELS Most terry cloth is made with cotton because the absorbent fiber gets stronger when wet and it can be sanitized in very hot water using strong bleach and detergent without harm. Terry cloth is usually made with looped pile because the loops act like very small sponges. Looped pile is also better able to withstand the strain of rubbing, pulling twisting. Loosely twisted loops are softer and more absorbent than tightly twisted loops, which produce a rougher fabric. Long pile is more absorbent than short pile. Terry cloth is most absorbent when it has loops on both sides. Cotton can absorb up to 27 times its own weight in water.
AMOUNT OF DRESSING BY THE AMOUNT OF DRESSING WE MEAN THE AMOUNT OF STARCH. IT BRINGS STIFFNESS. COTTON IS THE ONLY FABRIC WHICH IS STARCHED. IT CAN BE OF ANY COLOR.
FABRIC: FIBER YARN FABRIC SOMETIMES THE FIBERS ARE BLENDED FOR DIFFERENT REASONS: RESISTANCE TO FADING RESUSTANCE TO ABRASION ABSORBANCY CAPABILITY OF BEING DYEDIN DIFFERENT COLOUR SHAPE RETENTION
TYPES OF FABRIC: NATURAL FABRICS: PLANTS:COTTON,LINEN GENERALLY USED AS HOTEL LINEN AND OTHERS COULD BE JUTE,RAMIE.
ANIMALS:SILK,WHICH MIGHT BE USED IN LUXURIUOS ROOM ,AND WOOL.
MINERALS:ASBESTOS NOT USED.
MAN MADE FIBERS: CELLULOSE:RAYON,ACETATE ARE GENERALY BLENDED
SYNTHETIC:POLYESTER,ACRYLIC,
NYLON MAY BE USED.
FABRICS: COTTON – IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT NATURAL FIBER
FOR USE IN TEXTILES WETHER ALONE OR BLENDED WITH OTHER FIBERS. ONE EG. IS COTTON POLYESTER. COTTON GENERALLY WEARS WELL IN HOTEL LINEN(PRINT OR PLAIN).
DRAPABILITY:EXCELLENT HANG, SOFT HAND COLOR FASTNESS:GOOD SUN RESISTANCE: EXCELLENT,DOES NOT SUN ROT ABRASION RESISTANCE:EXCELLENT SAGGING:DOES NOT STRECH,EXCEPT WHEN WET RESILIENCY:POOR,WRINKLES EASILY,VERY ABSORBANT,BURNS
CARE:CAN BE WASHED BUT PROFESSIONAL DRYCLEAN IS RECOMMENDED FOR DRAPERIES.
LINEN:ALMOST ALWAYS IS BLENDED WITH
COTTON,RAYON OR OTHER FIBERS TO IMPROVE WRINKLE RESISTANCE QUALITY.LINEN ARE GOOD IN PLAIN AND CASEMENT FABRIC.
DRAPABILITY:GOOD HANG,BUTNOT AS SOFT AS COTTON
COLOR FASTNESS:GOOD TO POOR SUN RESISTANCE:EXCELLENT,DOES NOT SUN ROT ABRSION RESISTANCE:EXCELLENT SAGGING:STRONG,DOES NOT STRECH RESILIENCY:POOR,DOES WRINKLE CARE:DRY CLEAN
SILK – SILK,THOUGH,VERY RICH LOOKING BUT IS NOT USED MUCH MAINLY OF THE COST AND SUN ROT.LINING IS VERY ESSENTIAL WITH SILK FABRIC.
DRAPABILITY:GOOD HANG,MEDIUM TO SOFT HAND COLOR FASTNESS:GOOD SUN RESISTANCE:POOR,ROTS IN SHORT TIME ABRASION RESISTANCE:GOOD SAGGING:STRONG,DOES NOT SAG RESILIENCY:GOOD CARE:DRY CLEAN
RAYON: THIS STRONG EXPENSIVE FIBERIS THE OLDEST AND MOST WIDELY USED OF ALL MANMADE FIBERS.IT BLENDS WELL WITH MOST OTHER FIBERS ESPECIALLY COTTON ,ACETATE AND LINEN;AND CAN BE DYED IN AN UNLIMITED RANGE OF COLORS.IT IS BLENDED WITH ACETATE AND SOMETIMES COTTON TO MAKE ANTIQUE SATIN.
RAYON DRAPABILITY:GOOD HANG,SOFT HAND COLOR FASTNESS:GOOD TO EXCELLENT(SOLUTION DYED)
SUN RESISTANCE:GOOD,BUT NOT AS GOOD AS COTTON OR LINEN
ABRASION RESISTANCE:GOOD,BUT NOT AS GOOD
AS COTTON OR NYLON SAGGING:POOR,STRETCHES IN LOOSE YARN,BUT ALRIGHT IN TIGHT WOVEN FABRIC RESILIENCY:GOOD,WRINKLES LESS THAN COTTON OR LINEN CARE:DRY CLEAN
ACETATE AN IMPORTANT FIBER FOR DRAPERY FABRICS,OFTEN BLENDED WITH RAYON OR COTTON FOR THE EXCELLENT DYING CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE FIBERS.
DRAPABILITY:GOOD HANG,SOFT HAND COLOR FASTNESS:GOOD(SOLUTION DYED) SUN RESISTANCE:GOOD,NOT AS GOOD AS COTTON OR LINEN
ABRASION RESISTANCE:GOOD,BUT NOT AS GOOD AS
COTTON OR NYLON SAGGING:POOR STRETCHES IN LOOSE YARN,BUT ALRIGHT IN TIGHT WOVEN FABRICS RESILIENCY:GOOD,WRINKLES LESS THAN COTTON OR LINEN CARE:DRY CLEAN
POLYESTER POLYESTER BLENDS WELL WITH COTTON AND RAYON AND HAS GOOD RESISTANCE TO FADING.IT IS ALSO A FIBER WITH EXCELLENT WASH AND WEAR QUALITY,WRINKLE RESISTANCE AS WELL AS STRENGTH AND ABRASION RESISTANCE QUALITY.MOST OF THE SHEERS ARE MADE WITH 100%POLYESTER FIBERS.
DRAPABILITY:EXCELLENT HANG,VERY SOFT HAND COLOR FASTNESS:GOOD TO EXCELLENT SUN RESISTANCE:EXCELLENT ABRASION RESISTANCE:GOOD,SHEERS MUST BE HANDLED WITH CARE.FABRIC CAN BE BRUISED SAGGING:EXCELLENT,DOES NOT SAG RESILIENCY:GOOD TO EXCELLENT,WRINKLE FREE CARE:HAND WASH AND HANG DRY
ACRYLIC TODAY ACRYLIC IS COMING AS S POPULAR BLEND IN CASEMENT FABRICS.IT CREATES BULK WITHOUT WEIGHT,ADDS VERSATILITY TO SURFACE TEXTURING AND CAN BE DYED IN BRILLIANT COLOR.IT ALSO PLEATS WELL AND RETAINS ITS SHAPE.
DRAPABILITY:EXCELLENT,VERY SOFT HAND COLOR FASTNESS:EXCELLENT WHEN SOLUTION DYED
SUN RESISTANCE:EXCELLENT,GOOD AS COTTON AND LINEN
ABRASION RESISTANCE:GOOD SAGGING:VERY GOOD,DOES NOT STRETCH RESILIENCY:VERY GOOD,WRINKLE FREE CARE:DRY CLEAN
NYLON NYLON BLENDS WELL WITH OTHER FIBERS AND IS A
COMPONENT OF MANY FABRICS.IT IS FREQUENTLY USED I BECAUSE OF ITS STRENGTH AND ABRASION RESISTANCE.
DRAPABILITY:GOOD,SOFT TO STIFF HAND,NOT AS SOFT AS POLYESTER
COLOR FASTNESS:GOOD TO EXCELLENT SUN RESISTANCE:POOR ABRASION RESISTANCE:EXCELLENT SAGGING:EXCELLENT,DOES NOT SAG RESILIENCY:EXCELLENT,WRINKLE FREE CARE:DRY CLEAN
WHY IS COTTON USED?
WHY DO SHEETS VARY IN PRICE? •Fiber content, thread count (and of course brand name) help determine the price. •Cotton sheets are soft, absorbent, breathable and offer the most sleeping comfort. •They are generally more expensive than cotton/polyester blends and tend to last longer. • The higher the count, the softer and stronger the fabric, and the finer the quality of the sheet. (Counts usually range from 128 to 310.) •Muslin, a simple weave, is a cotton sheeting fabric with a thread count of fewer than 180. •Percale is a closely woven cotton fabric, usually made with combed yarns with a thread count of 180 or higher.
•Fabric finishes and embellishments can affect cost. Mercerized cotton has been treated with alkalis for a distinctive sheen. •Sanforized cotton has been pre-shrunk; easy-care and wrinkle-resistant finishes are chemical treatments intended to keep sheets looking smoother. • Distinctive details such as hem stitching, piping or eyelet trim are also factors contributing to cost.
CARE OF LINEN Linen must be washed and stored properly to maintain its life. It must be washed according to the specification written on the tag of the particular piece of cloth.for eg:
LINEN STORAGE It must be stored at a place with Construction that eliminates insects. Well ventilated, cool and dry room Away from hot water and steam pipes Protected against chemical fumes, dampness and sunlight Properly designed racks Periodically subject to pest control
BATH LINEN
BED LINEN
TAB LE LI NEN
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