HOTEL LINEN OPERATIONS
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT
Participants will sort, fold, and stack bath and bed linens. They will complete an inventory of linens.
Ohio Department of Education Career Field Standards
Hospitality and Tourism Core Body of Knowledge
2.3
2.7
13.1
13.2
13.3
Apply active listening skills.
Communicate with co-workers and supervisors.
Adhere to health and safety regulations.
Follow safety procedures.
Apply sanitation procedures.
Lodging and Travel Services Pathway
37.5
37.8
39.2
39.3
40.1
Create and maintain productivity standards.
Manage inventory.
Process cleaned laundry.
Complete fulfillment responsibilities.
Assess the importance of physical facilities in the guest experience.
ELIGIBILITY
1. Participants are affiliated members of the State and National FCCLA organizations.
2. Participants are enrolled in Lodging and Travel Lodging Pathway
programs where the course of study includes tasks and duties in laundry operations.
Hotel Linen Operations
PURPOSES
1.
To demonstrate sorting and folding bath and bed linens according to industry standards.
2.
To demonstrate stacking folding linens to allow a count to be taken quickly and accurately.
3.
To demonstrate a knowledge of inventory management of bath and bed linens according to
industry standards.
4.
To demonstrate safety and sanitation procedures, good body mechanics, and efficient work
methods in handling bath and bed linens.
5.
To exhibit appropriate grooming, attire, and hygiene acceptable for laundry personnel.
6.
To demonstrate teamwork skills in planning and executing work.
7.
To demonstrate evidence of active listening and effective communication skills while working
as a team.
Hotel Linen Operations-Ohio FCCLA 2010
1
PROCEDURES
1. On the day of the event, register and find assigned room.
2. Report to the assigned room 30 minutes prior to assigned judging time. Participants and their
advisor may briefly see the room set-up prior to competing.
3. During setup, rearrange tables and carts as desired.
4. Participants will begin the event with sanitized hands. Depending on the facilities, the participants
may need to use a hand sanitizing product.
5. Each participant must demonstrate the ability to fold each type of linen.
6. Participants will demonstrate the ability to fold and stack bed and bath linens to hotel and resort
standards. All linens will be neatly stacked in piles of 5 like items (may be bundled or stacked
individually).
7. Teams will respond to 5 questions from the prepared list.
8. Teams will complete an inventory worksheet, demonstrating knowledge of par laundry. For PAR
inventory and room attendant cart inventory, assume that the hotel triple sheets (2 flat and 1 fitted
sheet per bed).
9. Timer will start time when demonstration of folding begins.
TEAM EVENT ( 2 participants )
Hotel Linen Operations-Ohio FCCLA 2010
TIMING FOR EVENT
Preparation/Set-up
Demonstrate Folding Skills
Demonstrate Inventory Knowledge
Questions/Discussion
5 min.
20 min.
10 min.
5 min.
TOTAL TIME FOR EVENT:
40 min.
2
Hotel Linen Operations
RULES
1. Participants are allowed a maximum of 40 minutes for the activity with 5 minutes for preparation
set-up, 20 minutes to complete the introduction and demonstration, 10 minutes to complete an
inventory worksheet, and 5 minutes for participants and evaluators to discuss the performance.
2. Participants are to dress in clothing and shoes appropriate to hotel and resort laundry personnel.
3. Personal hygiene is expected to reflect hotel and resort standards.
SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT
PROVIDED BY PARTICIPANT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
clean uniform
clean shoes
hair restraint
dry hand wash sanitizer
calculator (optional)
pen or pencil
Hotel Linen Operations-Ohio FCCLA 2010
PROVIDED BY RALLY SITE
1. 3 six or eight foot tables (30 in. wide)
2. Linen cart for bath linens with
10 washcloths, 10 hand towels, 10 bath
towels, and 10 bath mats
3. Linen cart for bed linens with
5 full-size fitted sheets, 5 full-size flat
sheets, and 20 standard pillowcases
4. Judge’s table and 3 chairs
3
Hotel Linen Operations
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR HOTEL LINEN OPERATIONS SKILL EVENT REGIONAL
AND STATE LEVELS
To Skill Event Judges: You are encouraged to write positive and constructive comments in the
appropriate column on the rubric. The participants and instructor welcome your comments and use them
to improve the event. Whenever lower performance levels are selected, they need to be justified with
written comments. Thank you for giving your time and expertise for this event.
All participants are to be asked five (5) questions from the following list of twenty. The same five (5)
questions do not have to be given to each participant. Answers by the participant will vary. Use your
judgment as to whether it is close to the answer supplied. Select the appropriate performance level based
on the varying levels in the rubric.
LAUNDRY ATTENDANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What procedures need to be followed to protect you from infectious diseases and blood borne
pathogens?



Wear PPE when handling soiled linens
Be observant in handling linens
Wash hands often
2. How does the laundry attendant’s work affect hotel guests?
It affects:
guest comfort
sleeping environments
dining experiences
decisions to return to property
3. What is repetitive stress injury and how can a laundry attendant protect themselves from it?

Repetitive stress injury is injuring muscles by doing the same motion over and over.

To protect from RSI do the following before beginning shift and at various times during the
shift.
shrug shoulders several times
touch toes several times
make small circles holding arms out, increasing size
of circles
switch tasks at times with another laundry employee
to use various muscles
4. What are three ways that you can protect your health in lifting and moving laundry?






Push carts; don’t pull
Use well-maintained carts with large, low resistance wheels
Hold items close to body
Avoid lifting/reaching above shoulder height
Avoid awkward postures while lifting
Limit the weight of the items to be lifted
Hotel Linen Operations-Ohio FCCLA 2010
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Hotel and Linen Operations
5. What PPE (personal protective equipment) would be needed in the laundry area?






apron or gown
gloves
goggles
masks
closed toe, non-slip shoes
hearing protection in some areas
6. What is contaminated laundry?

Laundry which contains blood borne pathogens, sharps, or other bodily fluids which may
be infectious.
7. What are five components of the laundry cycle?










collecting linens
transporting linens
sorting linens
loading linens
washing linens
finishing linens
drying linens
folding linens
storing linens
transferring linens to use area
8. What is the proper way to stack clean linens?

Clean linens should be stacked with the fold facing out so that they can be easily counted.
9. What does the term par number refer to in laundry operations and what is the standard number
used by most hotels?

The standard quantity of a particular inventory item that must be on hand to support daily
linen needs to outfit all guestrooms at one time. Most lodging operations use 2.5 as par.
10. Why is it important to properly pace washing and drying with linen folding?

Washing and drying items faster than they can be folded leads to unnecessary wrinkling
and re-soiling.
11. How do laundry attendants perform maintenance as part of their daily routines?







submit repair requests
clean lint filters
store laundry items in proper place
keep work tables clean
check floor drains
oil laundry cart wheels
keep floor clear of trash and other items
Hotel Linen Operations-Ohio FCCLA 2010
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Hotel Linen Operations
12. What are three reasons to reject a linen item during inspection?



soiled
stained
otherwise unsuitable
13. What five (5) lodging areas use the most linen?





banquet
restaurants
employee check-in areas
housekeeping closets
recreation area
14. What is the usual procedure in conducting a physical linen inventory?



conducted quarterly, if not monthly
usually involves two people counting all linens
amounts recorded on inventory count sheet
15. What are the three major types of linen?



bed
bath
table
16. What fiber is used in making bath linens and why?

The fiber used in making bath linens is cotton terry cloth due to its excellent absorbency
ability.
17. Why should you clean out the lint trap on the dryer?

The lint trap needs to be cleaned out on a regular basis to prevent fire.
18. Why is the “cool down” cycle important to use when drying linens?

It is important to use the “cool down” cycle when laundering linens to help prevent
wrinkles in the materials and to prevent burning your hands in handling the materials.
19. Why would you use a MSDS sheet?


MSDS means Material Safety Data Sheet.
You would use an MSDS sheet for first aid information for treatment of a chemical injury
from the product.
20. What are three common methods of transporting soiled linens?



linen chutes
hand carrying
carts
Hotel Linen Operations-Ohio FCCLA 2010
6
OHIO FCCLA LODGING EVENT
HOTEL LINEN OPERATIONS RUBRIC
Name of Participants __________________________________________
Region _____________________________________________________
School ____________________________________________________
Sub-Region ________________________________________________
(Regional only!)
Instructions: Check the indicators demonstrated by the student. Circle the score that best describes the level of performance based on the printed indicators of each element. Write
positive, constructive comments whenever points are lowered to help participants identify their strengths and areas for improvement.
SELF INTRODUCTION
 State name
 Maintains eye contact
 Maintains comfortable space between people
 State school
 Uses appropriate indoor voice
 Demonstrates good posture
 State project
 Speaks clearly
 Offers hand and gives firm handshake
Does not attempt self
Attempts introduction and/or
Introduction lacks confidence
Confident, clear self introduction COMMENTS:
Introduction
exhibits 5 or fewer indicators.
and/or exhibits 6-7 indicators.
and/or exhibits 8-9 indicators.
SCORE 0
SCORE
1
2
3
SCORE
4
SCORE
5
PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE/ATTIRE/GROOMING:
 Spotless, pressed uniform according to industry standards
 No jewelry
 Cleans nails, short nail length, and no nail polish
 Uniform appropriately sized to body
 Light makeup or no makeup, if appropriate
 Body is free of odors
 Shoes are clean and safe
 Hair is controlled, clean, and away from face
 Team members’ uniforms match
Appearance, attire, and grooming Appearance, attire, and grooming Professional appearance, attire,
COMMENTS:
need improvement and/or
lack a professional image and/or
and grooming exhibiting all 9
exhibits 3 or fewer indicators.
exhibits 4-8 indicators.
indicators.
SCORE 0 1 2
SCORE 3 4
SCORE 5
** INVENTORY COMPONENT:
 Works with partner to complete inventory sheet
 Assignment is completed within designated time allotment
 Team members effectively communicate during assignment
 The correct value for PAR was used to complete the assignment
 Participants demonstrate active listening skills to obtain and clarify information
 All writing and computation was confined to assignment page
 Knowledge of inventory standards evident in answers
 Team members made accurate computations
Fails to complete assignment.
Attempts assignment.
Assignment is completed. □
Assignment is completed.
COMMENTS:
Lack of industry knowledge.
Answers and computation lacks
Answers reflect some industry
Answers reflect industry
industry knowledge and/or
knowledge and/or exhibits 6-7
knowledge and exhibits all 8
exhibits 3-5 indicators.
indicators.
indicators.
SCORE 0
SCORE 1
2
SCORE 3
4
SCORE
5
SAFETY AND SANITATION:
 When moving or folding clean linen avoid contact
 Keeps clean linen off floor – if falls onto floor notifies evaluator
with body or uniform
 If hands become contaminated by touching hair, face, body, etc., re-sanitize with dry hand sanitizer
 Works with partner to move tables
 Moves equipment safely (doesn’t knock into walls, furniture, other equipment, each other)
Unsafe or unsanitary practices.
Concern with safety and sanitary Safety and sanitary practices
Maintains safe and sanitary
COMMENTS:
issues and/or exhibits 3 or fewer need to be strengthened and/or
conditions during the event
exhibits 4 indicators.
exhibiting all 5 indicators.
indicators.
SCORE 0
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
SCORE 8 9
SCORE 10
Hotel Linen Operations Rubric – Ohio FCCLA – January 15, 2014
Page 1
PAGE TOTAL ______________
HOTEL LINEN OPERATIONS RUBRIC
Name of Participant ___________________________________________
BATHROOM LINENS
TECHNIQUES FOR FOLDING:
 Keeps job station clean as work progresses
 Organizes work area to yield high productivity (avoiding
Unnecessary steps, reaching over partner, stretching over table)
 Each team member demonstrates bathroom linen folding skills
 Stacked linens face the same direction
 Team members avoid “re-do” by folding correctly
School ____________________________________________________
FINAL BATHROOM LINEN DESCRIPTION
 All like items are stacked
 Folded edges of stacks face the judges
 All linens are stacked into groups of 5
 Linens are stacked with edges evenly matched on all four sides
 Stacks are flat/smoothed on the top
 Linens are wrinkle-free
Fails to fold and stack bathroom
Linens.
Bathroom linens are not folded
and stacked suitable for industry
use and/or exhibits 6 or fewer
indicators.
Bathroom linens are folded but
lack professional appearance
and/or exhibits 7-9 indicators.
Bathroom linens are neat and
professional looking and/or
exhibits 10-11 indicators.
SCORE 0
SCORE
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
SCORE 18 19 20 21 22
SCORE
BED LINENS:
TECHNIQUES FOR FOLDING:
 Keeps job station clean as work progresses
 Organizes work area to yield high productivity (avoiding
unnecessary steps, reaching over partner, stretching over table)
 Each team member demonstrates bed linen folding process while
maximizing productivity on first attempt
 Teams members avoid “re-do” by folding correctly
 Stacks are flat/smooth on top
23 24 25
FINAL BED LINEN DESCRIPTION
 All like items are stacked or bundled
 Pillowcases are folded in sets of two
 Folded edges of stacks face the judge
 Linens are wrinkle free
 Linens are stacked with edges evenly matched on all 4 sides
 Stacked linens face the same direction
Fails to fold and stack bed linens.
Bed linens are not folded and
stacked suitable for industry
and/or exhibits 6 or fewer
indicators.
Bed linens are folded but lack
professional appearance and/or
exhibits 7-9 indicators.
Bed linens are neat and
professional looking and/or
exhibits 10-11 indicators.
SCORE 0
SCORE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
SCORE 18 19 20 21 22
SCORE 23 24 25
Page 2
Hotel Linen Operations Rubric – Ohio FCCLA – January 15, 2014
COMMENTS:
COMMENTS:
PAGE TOTAL ______________
HOTEL LINEN OPERATIONS RUBRIC
Name of Participant ___________________________________________
School ____________________________________________________
*** TEAMWORK:
RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS:
Fails to answer questions.
Participants lack teamwork skills
and this prevents them from
working effectively on the job.
Teamwork skills need
improvement; jobs would have
been completed more efficiently
with increased teamwork.
Works effectively as a team
member (organizes work area
before beginning work, respects
other team members) and
communicates clearly, positively,
and pleasantly.
SCORE 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
SCORE
SCORE
Partial answers are given for all
questions and/or answers 3 or
less or answers are unclear or
inaudible.
Answers 4 questions correctly in
a clear, audible voice or answers
questions but demonstrates
limited knowledge.
Provides complete, accurate
answers for all 5 questions in a
clear audible voice.
SCORE 7 8
SCORE
SCORE 0
SCORE
1 2 3 4 5 6
* USE OF TIME AND MOTION MANAGMENT:
 Completes all linen procedures

Stayed within the time limit
Time and motion management
skills need improvement or
detract from the efficiency of the
task or exhibits 2 or fewer
indicators.
SCORE 0
1
2
3
7 8
COMMENTS:
9 10
COMMENTS:
9 10
 Laundry folding/stacking completed in logical sequential order without wasted moves/actions
 Even paced; did not rush
Time and motion management
Efficient and effective time and
COMMENTS:
skills adequate for the event but
motion management skills
increased efficiency will improve performed by team and
productivity and/or exhibits 3
exhibiting all 4 indicators.
indicators.
SCORE 4
SCORE 5
*1 Tiebreaker
** 2nd Tiebreaker
*** 3rd Tiebreaker
For tiebreaker use total score for category
Regional/State Rating
3 STAR Rating
2 STAR Rating
1 STAR Rating
90-100 pts.
70-89 pts.
1-69 pts.
PAGE 1 TOTAL _______________
PAGE 2 TOTAL _______________
PAGE 3 TOTAL _______________
Par Sheet TOTAL_______________
EVENT TOTAL _______________
Page 3
Hotel Linen Operations Rubric – Ohio FCCLA – January 15, 2014
Total (Evaluators please initial after rating) _____________
Verification of total score (please initial) _______________
Room Consultant (Event Chairperson) _________________
Final Verification _________________________________
PAGE TOTAL ______________
HOTEL AND LINEN OPERATIONS
EVENT ASSIGNMENT SHEET
Participant’s Names____________________________________
School ______________________________________________
HOTEL LAUNDRY INVENTORY SHEET
Directions: Complete the assignment below, as a team, and answer the following
questions. Keep your answers and all computations confined to this sheet. You may use
the back if needed. A calculator may be used to complete the assignment. You are being
judged on this assignment. Use your time effectively and hand in to the judges when
complete. You may start as soon as you receive this paper.
Hotel PAR inventory
What is par for the following items? Assume that you are triple sheeting. Calculate
the inventory for a _____ room hotel (all double rooms).(Neatly write your answers
in the chart.)
Par
Inventory
for ____ room
hotel
Flat sheets (2 per bed)
Fitted sheets
Pillow Cases (4 per bed)
Bath Towels (4 per room)
Bath Mats
Washcloths (4 per room)
Hand Towels (4 per room)
Hotel Linen Operations- Ohio FCCLA- August 2010
1
Hotel Linen Operations
Hotel Laundry Inventory Sheet- Continued
Stocking Room Attendant Cart
Each hotel laundry attendant has been asked to help stock a cart with
linens for _______ hotel rooms. Each room has two full-size beds and
needs to have bath linens for four people. How much of each item listed
below will need to be stocked on the linen carts?
Flat sheets (2 per bed)
Fitted sheets
Pillow Cases (4 per bed)
Bath Towels (4 per room)
Bath Mats
Washcloths (4 per room)
Hand Towels (4 per room)
Hotel Linen Operations- Ohio FCCLA- August 2010
2