Approved Miele Partner 2026
Easy Ways Hotels Can Save Money On Laundry Costs
Running a hotel means dealing with mountains of laundry every day. From sheets and pillowcases to towels and tablecloths, the costs can quickly add up. The good news is there are several practical ways to reduce these expenses without compromising on quality.
To name a few, training your staff, doing appropriate laundry loads, and using commercial grade equipment, can make a huge difference.
Let’s look at how you can keep your laundry costs in check while maintaining the high standards your guests expect!
In-House Or Outsource?
Take a good look at whether washing in-house or using an external service works better for your hotel. Add up all your costs – equipment, utilities, staff time, maintenance – and compare them with quotes from laundry services.
Some hotels find a mix of both works best – maybe doing towels in-house but sending sheets to a service. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, so focus on what makes sense for your specific situation.
Start With Your Staff
Your team is your first line of defence against wasteful laundry practices. When staff understand the proper way to handle laundry, you’ll see immediate improvements in efficiency.
Show them exactly how much detergent different loads need – too much isn’t just wasteful, it can actually make your linens wear out faster. Teach them the right water temperatures for various fabrics and how to spot and treat stains before they become permanent.
A well-trained team will help you avoid costly rewashing and extend the life of your textiles.
Get Smart With Your Machines
Your washing machines work hard, so make sure they’re working efficiently. Don’t run them half-empty – aim to fill them to about half to three-quarters full for the best results.
Think of it like filling a car with passengers – you wouldn’t drive back and forth with just one person if you could take four in one trip, right? Keep those lint filters clean and schedule regular maintenance checks.
It’s much cheaper to prevent problems than to fix broken machines or replace them entirely!
Pick The Right Equipment
When it’s time to buy new machines, choose ones that are truly built for hotel use. Commercial-grade equipment might cost more upfront, but it’s designed to handle the heavy workload your hotel demands.
Look for features like shorter wash cycles and energy-saving modes – these will save you money in the long run. Spend more now on quality, and you’ll save money over time.
Make Towel Reuse Easy
Most guests are happy to reuse their towels if you make it easy for them. Put up friendly signs explaining how they can help save water and energy.
Make sure housekeeping actually follows through – there’s nothing more frustrating for an environmentally conscious guest than having their towels replaced when they’ve chosen to reuse them. Some hotels even offer small perks like drink vouchers for guests who participate in green initiatives.
Save On Energy Costs
Small changes in how you use energy can lead to big savings. Consider washing during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower, if your hotel is on a time-of-use tariff.
Keep your hot water at the right temperature – too hot wastes energy, too cool might mean rewashing. By putting these practices in place, you’ll see your laundry costs start to decrease while maintaining the quality your guests expect.
Make Your Hotel’s Laundry Operations More Cost Efficient!
Managing hotel laundry costs needn’t be complicated. By focusing on staff training, proper equipment maintenance, and efficient processes, you can significantly reduce expenses while maintaining quality. Even small changes like adjusting wash temperatures or implementing a towel reuse programme can lead to substantial savings over time.
Need help optimising your hotel’s laundry operations? We understand the unique challenges hotels face. Our team can help you choose the right equipment and develop efficient processes tailored to your needs!
Give us a call on 01268 638060 to discuss how we can help make your hotel’s laundry operations more cost-efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
To work out laundry costs in a hotel, start by calculating the costs of detergent, water, electricity, staff hours, and equipment maintenance. Then, divide these costs by the number of loads or pieces laundered to get a per-unit cost. This way, you’ll have a clear picture of how much each load is costing.
To save money on laundry detergent, measure carefully and use only the recommended amount for each load—using too much can actually wear out linens faster and lead to higher costs. Consider getting an auto dosing system and also buying detergent in bulk, which can reduce costs over time.
Using commercial-grade laundry equipment is beneficial because it’s designed for heavy, frequent use, which helps hotels save on time and energy costs. These machines are more durable, have larger capacities, and often come with energy-saving features that make them more cost-effective in the long run.