In the current era of refined operation in the hotel industry, the service life of linens is not only a key factor in cost control, but also an important guarantee for stable output of service quality.

From a temporal perspective, the theoretical service life of hotel linens is generally 3-5 years, but the actual usage time is generally about two and a half years. Behind this broad standard, there are many variables that affect the lifespan of linen. For example, in popular tourist city hotels where occupancy rates remain above 90% year-round, the actual lifespan of linens is often closer to the lower limit due to frequent use and washing; However, some boutique hotels that focus on high-end customization and have relatively low foot traffic use fewer linens. If properly maintained, their lifespan may be close to or even exceed 5 years.

Using the number of washings as a quantitative measure, there are significant differences in the use of different materials and purposes of linen

Cotton bed sheets and pillowcases: Due to their natural fiber properties, they have a soft touch and good skin friendliness, but their washing resistance is relatively weak. Under normal washing conditions, the reasonable washing frequency for cotton bed sheets and pillowcases is 130-150 times. If it exceeds this range, the linen is prone to fiber breakage, pilling, fading and other problems, which not only affects its appearance but also reduces the guest's sleep experience.

Blended (35% cotton) linen: By blending cotton fibers with chemical fibers, this type of linen significantly improves wear resistance and wrinkle resistance while retaining a certain degree of cotton comfort. It can be washed up to 180-220 times and is commonly used in economy hotels with high durability requirements. While ensuring cost-effectiveness, it can also maintain good performance.

Towels: Due to frequent contact with human oil and stains during use, and the need to withstand high friction during washing, towels can be washed approximately 100-110 times. When towels become severely stiff, shed hair, and have a significant decrease in water absorption, even if they have not reached the theoretical limit of washing times, replacement should be considered to ensure the customer's experience.

Tablecloth and mouth cloth: This type of cloth is mainly used in catering scenes and is prone to stubborn stains such as oil and alcohol stains, making it difficult to wash. Its washing frequency is around 120-130 times. If there are damages or stains that are difficult to remove, it not only affects the appearance of the dining table, but may also leave a bad impression on guests, and needs to be replaced in a timely manner.

In addition, the determination of the lifespan of linen cannot solely rely on the number of washes or usage time. When the damaged area of the linen is too large, the key parts (such as the corners of the bed sheet and the edges of the towel) are severely worn, the color fastness is reduced, resulting in fading and affecting the appearance, and the fiber strength is reduced and easily torn, even if the predetermined number of washes has not been reached, it should be decisively eliminated. This is not only a commitment to service quality, but also a necessary measure to maintain the hotel's brand image.

Having a deep understanding of the lifespan of linen can help hotels develop scientific and reasonable procurement plans, optimize washing processes, and improve maintenance plans, thereby achieving the dual goals of cost control and service quality improvement.