Hotel Laundry Cycle
- Sorting: Housekeeping staff "strip" rooms and transport soiled linens to the laundry area. Items are sorted by type (e.g., separating bath towels from bed sheets) and level of soiling to prevent cross-contamination and ensure correct wash settings.
- Pre-Treatment & Washing: Industrial-grade washers (sometimes massive tunnel washers with multiple chambers) use hot water (60–90°C) and powerful commercial detergents.
- Stain Removal: Heavily stained items undergo "spotting" with specialized chemicals before the main wash.
- Souring: A "souring agent" is often added in the final rinse to balance the pH, preventing skin irritation and keeping fabrics soft.
- Extraction: High-speed hydro extractors spin the towels at extreme RPMs to remove up to 90% of the water, significantly reducing drying time.
- Drying: Towels are placed in large-capacity tumble dryers. Unlike sheets, which are ironed, towels are tumbled with heated air to maintain their "fluffy" texture.
- Folding & Storage: Most hotels use automatic folding machines for towels to ensure uniform stacking. Clean linens are often allowed to "rest" for 24 hours before being reissued to help fibers recover.
Secrets for Softness and Whiteness
- Avoid Over-Drying: Hotels pull towels from the dryer while they still have a tiny bit of moisture to prevent fiber damage and stiffness.
- Optical Brighteners: Commercial detergents often include these to make whites appear "whiter than white".
- Stripping: Periodic deep-cleaning washes using vinegar and baking soda are used to remove detergent and body oil buildup that makes towels feel scratchy
