2. PURCHASE OF LINEN:-
• There are three major factors to be considered when purchasing
linen:-
• Quality
• Quantity
• Size
3. Quantity
• The quantity of linen purchased is largely dependent on the following
factors:-
• Size of the establishment
• Standard of the organization (will determine frequency of change)
• Turnover or occupancy
• Laundering facility
4. Quality
• QUALITY OF FIBRE
• :Process of making a fabric:-
• Basic unit of fabric is fibre
• Fibre is spinned to produce yarn
• Yarn is knitted and weaved in loom to produce Fabric
• Spinning- Drawing out and twisting out a fibre into a continuous thread
• Weaving- Forming fabric by interlacing yarns often using loom
• Knitting- Made by looping continuous lengths of yarn
• Finishing- Final process in garment manufacture like mercerization, pressing
5. CLASSIFICATION OF FIBRE BASED ON SOURCE
• Natural:
• Vegetable fibres- Found in cell walls of plants eg. Cotton, linen,jute, ramie, sisal.
• Animal fibres- Derived from insects and mammals. Eg, Wool, Silk etc.
• Mineral fibres- These are mined from certain rocks. Eg. Asbestos( heat resistant
blanket)
• Manmade fibres-
• Synthetic fibres- These are manufactured from petrochemicals. eg.Polyester, Acrylic
etc.
• Regenerated- These are made from substances retrieved from natural sources and
are then converted into fibre form. Eg. Wood pulp is converted into cellulose fibres
like viscose and rayon etc.
• Metallics- These are produced from metals such as Gold, Silver,Aluminium and
obtained by mining and refining. Mesh armor
• Mineral fibres- These manmade fibres are made from substance such as glass or
graphite. Eg. Glass fibre. raincoat
6. CLASSIFICATION OF FIBRES LENGTH WISE
• Staple fibres are shorter in length and measured in inches or centimeter
.All natural fibre except Silk are Staple fibres
• Filament fibres are long and continuous. They are measured in Yards or
meter. Silk is the only natural fibre in Filament form
• The strength of fibre depends upon type of fibre used. The synthetic
fibres(polyester, acrylic) have more strength than natural ones (cotton,
wool). Some fibres are blended to overcome the limitations of natural
fibres. Blended fabrics are made of yarns in which two or more fibres are
mixed while the yarn is spun. Another class of blends is union fabric. In
union fabrics each yarn is of single type of fibre. For example, the warp
yarns may be made of cotton and weft yarns are made of wool. Basically in
most blends, fibres are mixed before spinning, while in union fabrics fibres
are mixed during weaving
7. • THREAD COUNT- The total number of warps(vertical threads) &
wefts(horizontal threads) in 1sq. inch of fabrics. The balance between
warp and weft is also important. The warp count should be higher
than the weft.
• SELVEDGE-- The intersection point of horizontal and vertical thread
and the selvedge should be strong. The longitudinal and visibly
distinct edge of a fabric closed by loops of weft yarns and hence
stronger than rest of fabric.
• TENSILE STRENGTH:- It is determined by the unit of weight it takes to
tear 1 inch X 3 inch of fabric.
8. • FINISH- Also the finishes need to be checked. The fabrics coming directly
from looms without receiving finishes are called Grey goods. A finish is a
treatment imparted to fabrics to improve its qualities. The finishes applied
are Mercerisation(fabric is treated with Caustic Soda which increases
strength and lustre of fabric),Sanforizing(It reduces the shrinkage of cotton)
• SHRINKAGE- Synthetics do not shrink whereas natural fibres shrink by
about 6-8 percent unless they have been sanforized.
• COLOUR-Pattern, texture and color in fabrics can impart character to a
room. At the same time one should not forget the need for ease of
maintenance. Most hotels prefer white linen as they can be safely
laundered without fear of color fading.
• PATTERN AND TEXTURE-A patterned fabric hides more marks. Large
patterns makes a large area look more filled up. The textured patterns
attracts more dust.
9. • FLAME RETARDANCY- Wool is naturally flame retardant. Synthetic fabrics
such as Teklan- which are manufactured to be flame retardant should be
used. Flame retardant fabrics should be used for upholstery, drapery and
carpets.
• THERMAL INSULATION- The warmth of a fabric used for blankets and
duvets is determined by thermal insulation properties measured in units
called “togs”. This must be checked for blankets. The draperies should also
be able to maintain the temperature of a room to some extent.
• LAUNDERING COSTS- Synthetics require lower temperature and shorter
time for laundering than cotton. No iron blends do not require pressing.
• COMFORT- This depends on the feel , texture, softness and weight of the
cloth. Any fabric that comes in contact with the skin must be absorbent.
Cottons have very high absorbency than synthetics.
• REPUTED MANUFCTURERS
10. Size
• Purchasing linen of the correct size is extremely important as wrong
sizes can affect appearance and even hamper operations.
• General checklist for purchase would be-
• Edges and hems are firm and secure
• Colour fastness to light, dry and wet scrubbing, perspiration, washing, bleach,
warm water, stain removers, e.t.c.
• Shrink resistant or shrinkage to be within specified limits. For e.g.5% or 7%.
• Sheets to have similar hems at top and bottom.
• Towels to have soft feel and strong weave to prevent loops being pulled out
even after wash.
• Reliability of the supplier.
11. Stocktaking procedures and records
• Stocktaking is physical verification of linen, it is counting what you
have(ACTUAL OR PHYSICAL STOCK) and comparing it with BOOK STOCK.
• Done at periodic intervals/ at the time of closing of books of accounts.
• Determines shortage and excess amounts of linen, acts as control
measures by highlighting discrepancies.
• It is carried on every three months and are called ‘quarterly inventory’. The
formats used are-
• ROOM LINEN INVENTORY FORM
• LINEN INVENTORY SAMPLE
• MASTER LINEN INVENTORY FORM.
12. PROCEDURE OF STOCKTAKING:-
• The linen inventory is conducted by the Executive Housekeeper and Laundry Manager together.
• Executive housekeeper plans the day of Inventory (day with less occupancy) and departments
concerned are intimated at least one day in advance.
• On the day of inventory all linen movement are halted.
• All linen are counted on the same day in all locations- guest rooms, floor pantry, room attendants
trolleys, soiled linen trolleys, linen room, laundry, extra beds, cots, cribs etc. and the linen count is
entered in the room linen inventory form. Also the actual no. of linen in hand and no. of linen
discarded is taken and put down in the linen inventory statement.
• All the sheets are collected from the floors and then the data is compiled in the Master Inventory
control sheet.
• Once the totals are collected the results of the inventory are compared to the previous inventory
count to determine the losses.
• The completed Master Inventory Control Sheet along with the Linen Discard report is sent to the
hotel GM. The GM after verification sends it to the Accounts department
13. FLOOR DATE FLOOR.
SUPER
ROOM
NO.
BEDSHEET BEDSHEET PILLOWSLIP NIGHT
SPREAD
BATH
TOWEL
HANDTOWEL
101
102
103
TOTAL
STOCK
Pantry
GRAND
TOTAL
SIGNATURE FL.SUPV.
ROOM LINEN INVENTORY FORM
Linen
Item
Rate Actual
Require-
ment
Un-issued
linen in
hand
Previous
month’s
stock in
hand
Presen
t stock
in hand
No. of
condem
ned
pieces
No. of
missing
pieces
Remarks
Signature of Executive Housekeeper-
LINEN INVENTORY STATEMENT
14. PART I DATE: MADE BY:
1 Linen item B/sheet(S) B/sheet(D) Pillowslip Bathtowel
2 Opening stock
3 New received
4 Subtotal(2+3)
5 Recorded discard
6 Total(4+5)
PART II
7 Rooms
8 Pantry
9 Linen room
10 Laundry
11 Trolley
12 Rollaway beds
13 Total(7+8+..+12)
PART III
14 Losses(6-13)
15 Par stock
16 Amount needed(15-13)
17 On order
18 Need to order
(16- 17)
MASTER LINEN INVENTORY CONTROL SHEET
