466 Hotel Housekeeping: Operations and Management

Absorbents
These are substances suitable for removing grease spots from all fabrics and for the
general cleaning of light-coloured fabrics that are evenly soiled. Some examples of
absorbents are common salt, bran, fuller's earth, powdered magnesia, and French chalk.

THE LAUNDRY PROCESS

The laundry process may be divided into the following main stages:
1. Pre-washing
2. Washing
3. Rinsing
4. Hydro-extraction
5. Finishing
A diagrammatic representation of the entire laundry cycle is presented in Figure 17.8
and a detailed discussion follows.

Pre-washing
The following steps are undertaken at the pre-washing stage.

Collecting and sorting soiled linen The GRAs strip the linen from beds and bath
areas and put them directly into the soiled-linen bag on the room attendant's cart. Linen
should never be piled on the floor where they may get walked on and soiled further
or damaged. F&B linen are also placed in hampers for delivery to the laundry. Stained
linen should be knotted in one corner to help in sorting. Soiled linen should be sent as
soon as possible to the laundry so that stains do not set in. In many hotels, soiled linen
are sent to the linen room for sorting, counting, and recording before being sent to the

laundry. In case an off-site laundry service is used, the soiled linen are marked in the
linen room before being transported.

Transporting soiled linen to the laundry Large hotels have a linen chute that nuns down
the entire height of the building to the laundry's soil and sort area. In other hotels, soiled
linen is usually transported to the laundry on linen carts or in laundry sacks. Linen carts
should be free of protrusions that could snag or tear items.
Sorting The soil and sort area in the laundry should be large enough to store a day's
worth of laundry without slowing down other activities in the laundry. The articles are

sorted out according to the following parameters:

Degree of soiling is the first check. The soiled linen is separated into categories of
stained, unstained, heavily soiled, medium-soiled, and lightly soiled articles.
.The articles are further sorted by colour and fastness of dye.
.They are then further sorted by fibre type.
Linen that need repair are separated and sent to the tailor for mending before

In case the article to be mended is heavily soiled, it is first washed and

washing.
then mended.
. Monogramming of new linen must be carried out before washing in order

control pilferage and help in identification.

 inen and Laundry Operations 467

Stripping and Transportation of C

collecting linen soiled linen

Sorting soiled
linen
Use of linen

Washing
Transfer of linen
to use destination

Extraction

Folding Presssing, ironing. drying

Fig. 17.8 The laundry cycle

Condemned or discarded linen are sorted out and cut down before washing
Light linen' are separated. These are linen that have, after continuous
lost their lustre and become use,
worn out.
They can no
longer be offered to VIPs.
However, being still in good condition and in one
piece (not torn), they may be
468 Hotel Housekeeping: Operations and Management

used for houseguests or for staff members staying in the hotel. These are stocked
and washed separately. These differ from condemned linen in that they are not
torn; however, they are no longer in 'standard' condition.
All fancy accessories and attachments such as buttons, buckles, rings, and so on
are removed from linen to be washed. False collars in curtains must be removed
as well.
All pockets are emptied and all folds checked.

Weighing and loading The articles, once sorted, are weighed while dry. This is neces-
sary as each washing machine has specific loading instructions that have to be followed.
Weighing is also useful for measuring the productivity of the laundry workers.
A modular system of loading is the simplest. Each type of linen article has a known
weight, so these are counted into piles until the appropriate total weight is reached. For
instance, if a bed sheet is known to weigh 500 g and the capacity of each compartment
of the washing machine is 25 kg, then 50 sheets are counted out for each compartment.
Alternatively, bundles of linen can be physically weighed before putting them into the
compart1ments.
Washing
Whatever the type of machine used, for maximum
efficiency, it must be operated accord
ing to the manufacturer"'s instructions. Temperatures, washing times, and processing
chemicals vary according to the types of fabrics being laundered.

Determine the right washing programme

The proper washing programme is indicated by the following parameters:
Duration Heavily soiled linen requires more time than lightly soiled linen. The rate
at which soil is removed is not constant either, and must be taken into account. It is the
highest at the commencement of the wash and gradually becomes less as time passes.
Temperature Generally, the laundry workers should choose the lowest possible tem-
perature to do the job effectively so as to save energy. However, some detergents and
chemicals work properly only in hot water and some types of soils require higher tem-
peratures. Optimal washing temperatures for certain linen articles are giveen in Table 17.4.
This the
Agitation is scrubbing action of the machine. Too little agitation, which is
frequently caused by overloading washers, leads to inadequate washing. Overloading
Table 17.4 Washing temperatures for linen articles

Article Washing Article Washing

temperature temperature
Sheets and pillowcases 95° C Kitchen uniforms and other heavily soiled 95 C
uniforms, dusters, and cleaning cloths
Bath linen 60° C Silk, nylon, and polyester 30° C
Table linen 60° C Shirts and jeans 40°C
Blankets and bedspreads 30°0
Curtains 30° C
 Linen and Laundry Operations 469

lso Causes
unnecessary wear and tear on equipment. Too much agitation, on the QllcC
hand, can
damage fabric.
Chemicals What chemicals will do the best job
will have to be decided.
on
particular types of soils and labric

Hardness of water Hard water contains salts that mix with

soap and some
synthetic
detergents to form a
sticky substance called 'soap curd', which
laundry and makes articles stiff.
is deposited on the
Number of wash cycles Several
shorter washes are better than one long one. More
soil can be removed with
freshly made up suds and clean water than with one solution
in which the soil remains
in suspension and has a chance to re-soil the linen
long wash. during a

Wash cycle
The typical wash cycle consists of nine steps:
Flush (12-3 minutes) This dissolves and dilutes water-soluble salts to reduce the soil
load for the upcoming suds steps. Items are generally flushed at medium temperature
at high water levels.

Break (4-10 minutes) A high alkaline 'break' (soil-removal) product is added. which
may be followed by additional flushes. The break cycle is usually carried out at a medium
temperature and low water ievels.
Suds (5-8 minutes) This is the actual 'wash' cycle in which detergent is added. The
articles are now agitated in hot water at low water levels.

Intermediate rinse/Carryover suds (2-5 minutes) This rinse cycle removes soils and
alkalinity to help the bleach work more effectively later. It rinses linen at the same
temperature as the suds cycle.

Bleach (5-8 minutes) Bleach, if used, is added to hot water at a low water level. Bleach
kills bacteria, whitens fabrics, and removes stains.

Rinse (1/-3 minutes) Two or more rinses at medium temperature and high water
levels are used to remove detergent and soils from the linen.

Intermediate extract (1%-2 minutes) This high-speed spin removes leftover detergent
and soil from the linen, usually after the first rinse step. This cycle should not be used
immediately after a suds step because it could drive soils back into the fabrics. It should
also not be used on no-iron linen.

Sour/Softener/Starch/Sizing (3-5 minutes) Softeners and sours are added to condition

fabrics. This cycle is run at a medium temperature and at low water levels. Starches are
added to stiffen cotton fabrics. Sizing may also replace the sour/softener step.
Final extract (2-12 minutes) A high-speed spin removes most of the moisture from the linen.
The length of the spin depends on the fabric type, extractor capacity, and extractor speed.
470 Hotel Housekeeping: Operations and Management
Rinsing
This is done using hot and cold
water, which are
earlier steps during the last rinse in order to save usually recovered and recycled from
water.

Hydro-extraction
Extraction removes at least 50 per of the water used in the
cent
thereby reduces the weight of the laundry load to a minimum and rinsing process and
creases from
prevents pronounced
setting into the fabrics. It also reduces the drying time.
Finishing
This stage in the laundry cycle consists of the following processes:
Drying Items that are dried after
hydro-extraction generally include towels, washcloths,
and someno-iron linen. Drying items and temperatures
vary considerably for different
types of linen. In every laundry cycle, however, drying should be followed by a cool
down period to prevent the hot linen
being damaged or wrinkled by rapid cooling and
handling. After drying, linen should be immediately removed for folding. If folding is
delayed, wrinkles will set in.
Ironing Sheets, pillowcases, tablecloths, and napkins go directly into flatwork irons.
Towels do not need ironing. They should emerge from the tumble-dryer in a soft and
fluffy state, whereupon they may be folded by hand or machine. Guest clothing and
uniforms are finished on various steam presses.
Folding This can be done by hand or by machine. Whatever the case, washing and dry-
ing items faster than they can be folded leads to unnecessary wrinkling and to re-sorting
being required. Folding personnel must also inspect the linen, putting aside those that
are to be laundered again and rejecting stained, torn, and otherwise unsuitable items.
Folding should be done well away from the stored linen area to avoid re-sorting clean
laundry. This step should also be considered a quality-control step.
Storing After folding, the items are post-sorted and stacked. Post-sorting separates any
odd linen types and sizes in the batch that were missed in the pre-sorting step. There
should be enough storage room for at least one par of linen. Fiished items should be
allowed to 'rest' on shelves for 24 hours after laundering because many types of linen
get damaged more easily after washing. Once the linen are on the shelves, yellowing
and fading can be spotted easily.

Transferring Fresh, laundered linen are usually transferred to their areas of use by carts.

STAIN REMOVAL
A stain is a spot or localized discolouration left on fabric by reaction with or absorption
of a foreign substance. Stain removal or spotcleaning is a skill that demands special
attention, specific techniques, and long experience. The two main factors to be borne
in mind while attempting to remove a stain are:
.The composition and colour ofthe fabric.
. The nature and age of the stain.
 471
Linen and Laundry Operations

General Procedure for Stain Removal

Follow the steps given here for
removing stains from fabric:
1. Identify the stain. 4. Select the procedure to be used.
2. Classify the stain. 5. Proceed step by step to remove
3. Select the reagents to be used. the stain.

Identification of Stains
For removal of known stains, the first step is to identify the stain. This helps in selecting8
the reagents and procedures to be adopted for their removal. Diferent stains show dif-
ferent characteristics. Stains may be identifed based on their colour, texture, or odour.
The of the stain generally gives strong clue
Colour colour ato what the stain is.
as
For instance, a red stain may be due to ink, tomato, lipstick, rouge, nail polish, blood,
or some medicine. A yellow stain may be caused by turmeric, a medicine, gravy, or
mangoes. Blue or black marks may be ink stains.
Texture By touching the surface of the stain, a clue may be obtained. For instance, if
the stain is hard to the touch, it may be egg. A soft stain could be oil, ghee, lipstick, or
any grease-based stain. Sticky stains may be glue or gum, stiffness may be caused by egg
or some other albuminous stain, and paint stains usually have a smooth feel. The visua
texture or appearance of the stain also gives some clue to the kind of stain. Wax and

build up the surface of the fabric. Oils and fats cause translucent stains.
paint stains on

Odour If the surface of the stain is rubbed with the fingers and then the finger and
stain are smelt, it might be helpful in identifying the stain. For instance, egg, perspira-
have characteristic odours.
tion, medicine, food, perfume, and so on

Classification of Stains
single stain may fall into than
Stains may be classified into different groups and
a more

one class.
Animal stains These are caused by animal products such as blood, eggs, milk, meat,
content of these stains, except perspiration and
perspiration, urine, and so on. The major
water should never be used on them as it coagulates
urine, is protein. Therefore
warm

the proteins and sets the stain.

These stains are caused by plant products such as tea, coffee, juices,
Vegetable stains
fruit, grass, tomato, gravy, wine,
and so on. Major components of many of these stains

are cellulose and plant pignments.

some pigmented matter with a grease base. This
Grease These stains are from grease or
class includes stains such as butter, curry, oil, paint, varnish, tar, paraffin, car grease,
solvent or absorbent iS required to remove these stains.
ghee, and so on. A grease
Mineral stains These stains are caused by writing ink, medicines, dye stuffs, rust, and so on.
Metalloid stains An example of this class of stains is iodine tincture
These include stains such as perspiration, urine (fresh), vinegar, and
Acidic stains
medicines containing nitric acid, picric acid, and so on.
472 Hotel Housekeeping: Operations and Management

Basic/alkaline stains Perspiration, urine (old).

Natural dyes and pigments This class includes stains caused
by henna, betel leaf
tobacco, chocolate, coffee, tea, and so on.
Synthetic dyes and pigments This class includes stains from hair dyes, markers, tv
writer ribbons, watercolours, and so on. type
Sugar solutions with colouring matter These stains are caused by jams, jellies, soft
drinks, syrups, and puddings.

Miscellaneous Some stains such as mud, mildew, and scorching do not fall into any
of the aforementioned classes.

Classification of Stain Removers

There are many classes of stain removers. Their classification is given in Table 17.5.

Principles of Stain Removal

These are outlined in Table 17.6.

General instructions and precautions

Ihese are some things to keep in mind for stain removal.

All stains should as far as possible be removed while still fresh. If immediate
treatment of the stain is not possible, it must be removed before the garment is
washed.

Table 17.5 Classification of stain removers

Class Subgroup Examples

Solvents Hydrocarbons Benzene, toluene
Chlorinated hydrocarbons Carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene,
Petroleum-based
perchloroethylene
Petroleum ether, solvent naphtha, kerosene, turpentine
Alcohols, ethers, and ketones Ethyl alcohol, amyl alcohol, amyl acetate, acetone, 8ycerine
Bleaches Oxidizing agents Hydrogen peroxide, sodium perborate, sodium hypochlorite,
potassium permanganate, oxalic acid
Reducing agents Sodium hydrosulphite, sodium thiosulphate, sodium bisulphate
ils/fats Fatty acids Coconut oil, olein, oleic acid
Emulsifiers Anionic Soaps, alkyl aryl sulphonates, fatty acid alcohol sulphonates
Non-ionicC Fatty alcohol and alky! phenol condensates, fatty acid
condensates, fatty amine oxides
Acids Organic 1% oxalic acid, 30% formic acid, 1% acetic acid, white
vinegar, lime, curds, sour milk
Inorganic Dilute hydrochloric acid
Alkalis ****'* '
Ammonium hydroxide (10% liquid ammonia), and 1%
sodium bicarbonate

Enzymes Protease, amylase, lipase Enzyme soaps

Absorbents ********* Talc, cornstarch, French chalk, fuller's earth
 473
Linen and Laundry Operations
Table 17.6 Principles of stain removal

Nature of the stain

Principle of removal
Acidic
Neutrailization with alkali followed by leaching out.
Basic
Neutralization with acid followed by leaching out.
Protein
Digestion with enzyme
protease.
Mineral Oxidation or reduction (bleaching) followed by washing.
Metalloid Reduction with sodium
thiosulphate followed by washing.
Fats and oils
Any one of the following processes:
Saponification.
Absorption by absorbent powder.
Dissolution in solvent.
Grease Any one of the following processes:
Absorption by an absorbent powder.
Dissolution in a solvent.
Emulsification.
Natural dyes and pigments Oxidation (bleaching).
Synthetic dyes and pigments Any one of the following processes:
Reduction followed by oxidation. .Oxidation followed
by reduction.
Acidification followed by reduction. Oxidation in acidic medium.
Sugar solution with colouring matter Solubilization of sugar and reduction of colour.
Miscellaneous Each of these stains requires a special treatment.

Known stains should be treated with specific reagents meant for their removal. If
the nature of the stain is unknown, it should be treated first by the least harmful
method, passing on from one process to the next more active until an etfective
reagent is reached. The sequence mentioned here may be followed:
1. Soak in cold water. 6. Treat with a cold acidic solution.
2. Soak in warm water. 7. Treat with a hot acidic solution.
3. Try to bleach in the open air if 8. Treat with an oxidizing bleach.
time permits. 9. Treat with a reducing bleach.
4. Treat with a cold alkaline solution. 10. In the event of the stain still persisting,
5. Treat with a hot alkaline solution. which is unlikely, repeat steps (4) and (7).
Old stains are difficult to remove and may be soaked in glycerine to soften.
.The nature and texture of the fabric should be borne in mind while selecting the
reagent for stain removal.
The reagent and the fabric should stay in contact with each other for the minimum
time required for effective stain removal.
The reagent botle should be tightly capped after each use.
The room should have good ventilation.
After stain removal, the reagent must be neutralized. An acidic solution is
neutralized with an alkaline one and vice versa. A thorough rinsing with clean
water is essential after each treatment.
Shortcuts should be avoided.
474
-
Hotel Housekeeping: Operations and Management

Classification of stain removal procedures

Stain removal procedures may be classified in the following ways:
By mode of action Stain-removal procedures fall into five
categories according to the
mode of action of the stain-removal agent:
Solvent action Here water or an organic solvent are able to dissolve out the
stain.
Mechanical and emulsifying action This dislodges the stain without
dissolving
it.
Chemical action Where oxidation or reduction reactions render an insoluble stain
colourless and soluble, they can then be washed out of the fabric.

Digestion Here enzyme-containing products are used as pre-soaks or in detergents to

break down the stain into soluble substances that can be leached out.
Absorption Certain powders such as fuller's earth are able to adsorb or absorb grease
and oils.
By method of application According to the method of application of the stain-removal
agent, the process may be classified as follows:
Drop method The stained part of the fabric is stretched over a basin and small drops
of the stain-removal agent are poured on it with a glass rod or dropper.

Dip method The stained area of the fabric is immersed in the stain-remover solution.
This is the ideal method when the stain is large or if there are many spots spread across
the fabric.
Steam method Stains on wool, silk, or any coloured fabric can be removed
by steaming.
The stained area is saturated with steam by spreading the cloth over a basin half-filled with
hot water into which a small amount of the
appropriate removal has been
agent placed.
Sponge method The stain-removal agent is applied on the stained area of the fabric
with a sponge. This is the most frequently used method of stain removal.
Absorption method In the absorption method, the soiled part of the fabric is placed on
a sheet of blotting paper. The absorbent powder is spread on the soiled area, rubbed in
lightly, and allowed to adsorb or absorb the grease. This method can also be carried out
by applying a paste of the absorbent powder, letting it sit, and then scraping off the paste.

Removal of common stains

Removal of stains from cellulosic-fibre fabrics and protein-fibre fabrics differs.
Removal of stains from cellulosic-fibre fabrics A few common stains are discussed
in Table 17.7.

Removal of stains from protein-fibre fabrics The common stains and their treatments
are as follows.
.Fresh betel leaf and blood stains are easily removed from wool and silk with water.
If the stain has remained on the fabric for sometime, it will need to be treated with
a synthetic detergent.
.Lipstick, shoepolish, mascara, and tar stains on
protein fabrics are treated as
mentioned for cellulosic fabrics.
 475
Linen and Laundry Operations
Table 17.7 Removal of common stains from cellulosic fabrics
Stain
Method of removal
Ballpoint ink Rub lightly with cotton swab
soaked in denatured spirit or
ink stain may be soaked in methylated spirit. An ofd balipo
glycerine to soften it and then treated.
Betel leaf (paan) Bleach with 1% potassium
or 1% sodium
permanganate (the fabric turns brown). Then soak in 1% Oxalic acid
bisulphite (till brown colour disappears). Launde
Blood Soak in cold water for about an hour. Then transfer to lukewarm water containing an enzyme
detergent. Soak for 30 minutes. Launder.
or
Soak the stain in acetic acid for about 2
hours. Rub gently. Neutralize with ammonia solution.
Candle wax Scrape off surface wax with a blunt knife. Place the stain between two sheets of tissue paper or
blotting paper and press with warm iron.
Catechu (kattha) Apply a dilute solution of potassium permanganate on the stain. Apply sodium bisulphate and
treat with solvent soap.

Chewing gum Remove surface gum with a blunt knife. Apply ice to the stain. Allow to soak in ice-cold water
for a few minutes. Launder.
Chocolate, cocoa Treat as for blood.
Coffee, tea Pour boiling water over the stain. Apply borax solution and allow to dry. Pour boiling water
Over it. Launder.
Curry (turmeric Apply soap and then bleach in sunlight. When dry, if the stain has not disappeared, wet it and
and oil) put it back in sunlight again.
or
Wash with soap and water. Put in the sun to bleach. Apply borax. Soak in potassium perman-
ganate. Bleach with Javelle water.
Steep the fabric in water. Wash with soap. Treat with ammonia. Treat with acetic acid. Bleach
Dye
with Javelle water if required.
Soak in enzyme detergent or in warm salt solution. Launder.
Egg
Fruit, fruit juice White fabrics may be bleached with sodium hypochlorite. Coloured fabries may be soaked in
warm borax solution. Then launder.
or

for one hour. Rub off the paste. Pour boiling water
Apply starch paste on the stain and leave
over it. Rub borax and salt over
the stain. Pour boiling water over it.
if required. Wash with soap and
Rub French chalk on the stain and brush off. Repeat
warm
Ghee, oil
solvent.
water. If the stain still remains, wash
with a

Launder
Grass Steep in methylated spirit. Bleach if required.
Grease solvent. Launder with hot water.
Dab with swab soaked in a

of glycerine. Launder in hot water.

Gum, glue Steep in hot water containing a few drops
Henna Soak in warm milk for half an hour. Launder
launder apply petrol or carbon tetrachloride. Launder.
Ice cream, milk Rinse through with cold water and
or

remove as much of the ink as possible.

Then treat using one of
Ink(blue and Hold under running water to
lime juice and salt and leave for 30 minutes and launder.
black) the following methods: Apply
or

curd for 30 minutes and launder.

Soak in sour milk or
or

for 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly in dilute borax solution. Launder.

Steep in dilute oxalic acid
(Contd)
476 Hotel Housekeeping: Operations and Management
Table 17.7 Contd

Stain Method of removal

Ink (red) Wash the stain with soap and water. Steep in borax solution.
Treat as for dye stain if it
still remains
lodine For fresh, wet stain, apply starch paste and leave it to absorb
the stain. For a
1% sodium thiosulphate solution. Afterwards, in both dry stain, steep in
cases, launder as usual.
Lipstick Soften the stain by working glycerine
into it. Apply methylated spirit. Launder.
Make-up Sponge with denatured alcohol or petrol or ammonia. Launder in hot water.
(mascara, rouge)
Medicine Steep in warm water. Wash with
soap and water. Steep in oxalic acid. Wash with
tion. Steep in methyl alcohol. Bleach.
borax solu-
Mildew Soak the stain in dilute
potassium permanganate (1% solution) for 15 minutes. Rinse in cold
water once. Dip in warm 1% solution of sodium till the brown colour of the
sium
bisulphite potas-
permanganate disappears. Launder.
or
Brush mildew off the fabric. Wash with
soap and water. Bleach in the sun. Soak in lime juice.
Spread salt over it. If the stain persists, bleach with Javelle water.
Mustard Scrape off excess mustard. Work a little perchloroethylene into stain. Allow to dry. Soak in wa-
ter and vinegar. Flush with water. If stain persists, bleach for 10 minutes in hydrogen peroxide
solution to which a drop of ammonia has been added. Launder.
Mud Allow the garment to dry and dust off as much of the mud as
an alkaline bath (20
possible, then soak the stain in
g/litre of sodium carbonate) for a couple of hours. Launder.
or
Brush off the mud when dry. Wash with
soap and water. If the stain remains, treat it with po-
tassium permanganate and oxalic acid. Bleach with Javelle
water.
Nail polish Place the stain against a clean absorbent towel and dab
with a cotton swab soaked in acetone
or a mixture of acetone and
amyl acetate or a commercial nail polish remover. After a few
dabs, shift the stain to a clean area of the towel.
process cannot be followed for acetate fabrics.
Repeat till the stain disappears. Launder. This
Paint, varnish Follow the same process for nail but
as
polish, as remover, use
turpentine or kerosene or dena-
tured spirit.
Perspiration Soak in 1% oxalic acid for 10 minutes. Rinse
through with water and soak for 10 minutes in
hydrogen peroxide.
Perfume Do not let the stain age. Wash
immediately,
acid or ethyl alcohol helps. Bleach if
preferably in hot water. A weak solution of acetic
required.
Rust A patented
rust remover may be used or the stain
be soaked in cold 1% oxalic acid for
about 15 minutes. Rinse in dilute borax solution may
and then launder.
Sealing wax First use methylated spirit to soften the stain. Then remove
with perchloroethylene. Launder.
Scorch marks Bleach with hydrogen peroxide or with sodium perborate. Launder
or
Wash with water and
soap. Bleach it in sunlight. Rub dry borax over the stain and wash. Steep
in dilute ammonia and
expose to sunlight.
Shoe polish Sponge with liquid detergent. Steep the stain in carbon
is old, soften with tetrachloride or turpentine. If the stain
glycerine first. Bleach if required.
Soot Apply starch paste and launder.
Tar First scrape off surface excess with a blunt knife. Lay on clean cloth and rub with oil and
Launder in hot water. grease
Urine, vomit Treat as perspiration.
or
Apply ethyl alcohol and allow to
evaporate. Then apply chloroform and allow to
evaporate. Launde