HOTEL LAUNDRY DEPARTMENT SOPs

Everything needed for a professional hotel laundry.

To ensure consistent, hygienic, safe, and efficient handling, washing, drying, ironing, and delivery of all hotel linen, staff uniforms, and guest laundry while maintaining quality control and minimizing losses.

2. Responsibilities

Laundry Manager

• Oversees daily operations

• Ensures SOP compliance

• Maintains equipment & orders supplies

• Manages staffing and training

Laundry Supervisor

• Allocates workload

• Monitors wash quality

• Ensures safety procedures

• Conducts daily spot-checks

Laundry Attendants

• Sort, wash, dry, press, fold, and issue linen

• Follow stain removal protocols

• Maintain cleanliness in the laundry area

3. Laundry Workflow SOP (General)

Collect Soiled Linen / Guest Laundry

• Use separate trolleys for:

• Guest laundry

• Room linen

• F&B linen

• Staff uniforms

• Never mix categories.

  
  

  SortingSort by:

  • Type (towels, sheets, pillowcases, napkins, uniforms)

  • Color (white, colored)

  • Soil level (light, medium, heavy)

  • Fabric type (cotton, polyester, delicate)

  
  

  Stain Pre-treatment

  • Identify stains (blood, wine, oil, makeup).

  • Apply correct chemical based on stain chart.

  • Allow proper contact time before wash.

  
  

  Washing

  • Follow programmed wash cycles (heavy, light, delicate).

  • Check water level, temperature, chemical dosage.

  • Do not overload the machine.

  
  

  Drying

  • Use correct temperature to avoid linen damage.

  • Shake items before placing into dryer to reduce wrinkles.

  
  

  Ironing / Pressing

  • Use flatwork ironer for sheets, pillowcases.

  • Use steam press for uniforms.

  • Check for tears, stains before pressing.

  
  

  Folding & Packing

  • Fold to hotel standard.

  • Label and store in designated linen shelves.

  • Use FIFO for linen issuance.

  
  

  Distribution

  • Record all issued linen in the Linen Movement Log.

  • Deliver clean linen to floors/outlets on schedule.

4. Guest Laundry SOP

Collection

• Pickup times clearly communicated to guests.

• Attendant must count items in guest’s presence.

• Fill out Guest Laundry List; both sign and keep copies.

Handling

• Treat guest items separately from hotel linen.

• Inspect for valuables (return immediately if found).

• Check fabric labels for washing instructions.

• Delicate items must be washed by hand or gentle cycle.

Washing & Finishing

• Use mild detergents for guest clothing.

• Iron according to fabric type.

• Use tissue liners for silk/wool to prevent shine marks.

Delivery

• Pack items in guest laundry bags.

• Ensure odor-free, stain-free, crisp pressing.

• Deliver within the promised time; obtain guest signature.

5. Linen Handling SOP

Room Linen

• Sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers—washed daily or per occupancy.

• Check for tears; send to repair or condemn.

F&B Linen

• Tablecloths, napkins, kitchen towels.

• Pre-soak heavily stained napkins.

• Bleach white items only in controlled cycles.

Spa/Gym Linen

• Wash separately (high hygiene standard).

• Use antibacterial detergent.

6. Uniform Handling SOP

Collection

• Staff must drop uniforms at designated counters.

• Issue clean uniforms daily based on job role.

Processing

• Wash by department (kitchen, housekeeping, engineering).

• Hand-wash delicate uniforms (front office, concierge).

• Replace missing buttons, repair tears.

Issuing

• Record issuance in Uniform Register.

• FIFO: oldest cleaned uniforms issued first.

7. Stain Removal SOP

Stain Type	Treatment
Blood	Cold water + enzyme cleaner
Oil/Grease	Degreaser + hot wash
Wine/Coffee/Tea	Oxidizing bleach + hot cycle
Makeup/Lipstick	Solvent-based stain remover
Rust	Rust remover (acid-based) – carefully handled

• Never use bleach on colored items.

• Test stain chemicals on hidden fabric area first.

8. Machine Operation SOP

Before Starting

• Check power supply.

• Clean lint traps.

• Ensure drain filters are clear.

• Confirm chemical lines are connected.

During Operation

• Do not overload machines.

• Monitor temperature & cycle times.

• Report abnormal noise or vibration.

After Operation

• Clean machine interior.

• Switch off steam and power.

• Keep doors open to reduce odor/mold.

9. Safety & Hygiene SOP

• Staff must wear PPE (gloves, masks, non-slip shoes).

• Never mix chemicals (especially chlorine & acid).

• Store chemicals in labeled, locked cabinets.

• Keep laundry floor dry to prevent slips.

• Maintain temperature and ventilation.

10. Quality Control SOP

• Random checks on 10% of washed linen daily.

• Reject items with stains, tears, or poor pressing.

• Track linen life cycles.

• Investigate sudden increases in linen damage.

11. Documentation & Logs

The following records must be maintained:

• Daily Production Report

• Guest Laundry Log

• Linen Damage Report

• Stain Treatment Log

• Uniform Issuance Log

• Machine Maintenance Log

• Chemical Consumption Report

• Lost & Found Register

12. Emergency SOPs

• Power failure: stop machines, remove linen immediately.

• Chemical spill: follow MSDS guidelines, evacuate area.

• Equipment breakdown: report to engineering; use backup machines.