Fabric Care Tips & Techniques

White bed sheets or towels turning dull yellow is a common problem in hotels and accommodations. The main causes include the following:

Main Causes of Yellowing:

• Sweat and body oil buildup: Accumulates in fabric fibers and reacts with air (oxidation)
• Chemical residue: Detergent or fabric softener not fully rinsed out
• Minerals in wash water: Water with high iron or hardness content can turn fabric an iron-rust yellow
• Improper use of chlorine bleach: Chlorine can react with synthetic fibers, causing yellowing

Solutions and Prevention:

1. Soak fabric with oxygen bleach in warm water at approximately 50-60°C
2. Add extra rinse cycles to thoroughly remove chemical residue
3. Use a water conditioning product to bind minerals and heavy metals before washing

Different fabric types have different fiber structures. Using the right temperature and spin cycle helps extend fabric life:

• 100% Cotton: Heat-resistant, can be washed at 60°C to disinfect, but watch for shrinkage
• T/C (Cotton + Polyester): Dries quickly, resists wrinkles, should be washed at no more than 40-50°C to prevent polyester fiber degradation
• Microfiber: Never use fabric softener, as it clogs the fiber pores and reduces water absorbency

Hotel linen stains come in many types. Pre-spotting before machine washing is essential:

• Makeup/foundation stains: Use a grease-cutting emulsifier to dissolve the stain first
• Blood stains: Must be washed with cold water only — hot water sets the blood protein permanently
• Red wine/coffee stains: Apply oxygen bleach directly to the spot immediately

Musty odor is caused by bacteria growing in moisture. It can be prevented by drying fabric in industrial dryers above 70°C until 100% fully dry before folding, and regularly cleaning the washer drum.

Using too much fabric softener coats towel fibers with silicone, reducing water absorbency. We recommend controlling the dose to the standard amount and periodically washing without softener.

When using a flatwork ironer, feed fabric while it still holds slight moisture (about 15-20%). Moisture combined with high heat and pressure creates a perfectly smooth, straight-seamed finish instantly.

Chlorine: Powerful stain removal and disinfection, but corrodes fibers — for white fabric only
Oxygen: Gentle on fibers, safe for both white and colored fabric, requires warm water to activate

Hotels should maintain a Par Level standard of 3-4 par (1 in the room, 1 in ready stock, 1 being washed, 1 as reserve), allowing fibers to rest for at least 24 hours before being used again.

The tunnel washer (Continuous Batch Washer) is at the heart of professional hotel laundry operations. It washes continuously, with temperature and spin cycles adjustable by fabric type, effectively reducing damage and extending fabric life.

This synthetic fiber is extremely fine. When woven, it creates countless tiny gaps that trap dust and oil and absorb water many times better than ordinary fabric, without leaving lint behind.

Washing at high temperatures effectively kills germs. However, fabric type and material should be considered before choosing a wash temperature, to prevent damage.

Choosing the right fabric for industrial washing is important. Consider properties such as heat resistance, water absorbency, and chemical tolerance, to achieve the best results and extend fabric life.

Deciding whether to wash in-house or outsource to a laundry facility depends on several factors: the volume of linen to be washed, the ability to invest in machinery and staff, and quality and cleanliness requirements. A cost-benefit analysis helps hotels make the right decision.