Table of Contents
Q.1. Define ‘Par’. What are the factors an Executive Housekeeper should keep in mind while establishing par for linen?
PAR STOCK
Par stock is the minimum linen required in housekeeping so as to ensure smooth operations.This is established at the beginning, before the hotels becomes operational, by the linen supervisor. It is also known as Linen Coverage/house set up.Par levels are very important because if par levels are set too low there will be shortage of linen and if the par is set too high it will lead to excessive amount of cash resources tied up in an overstocking of supplies.One par of linen equals the total no. of each type of linen that is needed to outfit all guest rooms one time. One par of linen is also referred as HOUSE SET‑UP.
Things To Be Kept In Mind While Calculating Par Stock
The linen required is calculated on the basis of:‑‑No. of rooms
‑No. of restaurant tables.
‑Occupancy of rooms.
‑Frequency of laundry collection.
Setting par number of linen:‑
1st par is in rooms
2nd par is fresh linen in floor pantries
3rd par is soiled linen from rooms
4th par is stored fresh stock of linen for replacement 5th par is for emergency situations
6th par is in transit if the laundry is outsourced
OR
Draw a neat layout of a linen room and explain the step-by-step activities of linen room.
- Collection and Transportation:‑ Soiled linen should be sent to linen room as soon as possible for dispatch to laundry to avoid misuse if left lying around and will develop stains if left in damp conditions. The linen are transported in canvas bags, trolleys, chutes etc.
- Sorting and Counting:‑Badly stained articles require special attention and hence should be sorted out and sent to laundry separately. Sorting can be carried in four ways according to:‑
‑ Type of fabric
‑ Degree of stains, ‑ Weight of fabric,
‑ Colour.
Counting is done in order to keep a record of the count of linen sent to laundry for washing.
- Packaging:‑ Similar linen are packed in canvas bags or trolleys to prevent damage to the linen article. Those articles that need mending and those heavily stained are segregated and put into separate bags.
- Dispatch:‑The articles are sent to laundry for washing along with a list of no. and names of linen articles
- Receiving deliveries from laundry:‑As soon as the clean linen is delivered by the laundry, the articles are checked (for tear and stains), sorted according to types and counted and noted.
- Checking and Inspection:‑The quantity should be checked to ensure that the amount of washed linen match with the soiled linen count. In terms of quality, it should be checked that stains and dirt is not there, no colour fading is there, no patches are there, it is properly ironed etc.
- Storage‑ The articles are stored in the linen room for at least 24 hours. Care must be taken to see that there is proper circulation of air and the atmosphere is dust free
- Distribution to units :‑The articles are sent to the required areas as per the need. Apart from this other activities of linen room are:‑
- Monogramming:‑The name or logo of the establishment is put onto the linen item for identification and differentiation between hotel linen and guest linen.. The different ways of monogramming are:‑
‑Embroidering,
‑Sewing,
‑Weaving
‑Marking with chisel ink
- Repairs and Stitching:‑In the hotel damaged items are mended by stitching or darning.
- Stock‑taking and Records:‑ Records are entered on a day‑to‑day basis for the exchange of linen between the linen room, laundry and floors/departments. Periodical stocktaking is carried out and the annual stocktaking is recorded in the stock register. Also condemned linen and purchased linen records are maintained.
- Security:‑The linen room supervisor closes the room and the keys are kept with the security officer. It is important that the access of linen room is restricted so as to prevent misuse and pilferage.
Q.2. List the principles of design, as applied to flower arrangement, with a brief description of each.
The basic principles of art are also applicable to the art of flower arrangement. The principles are as follows:‐
Design:‐. All arrangements should have a proper design; that is the structural pattern of the arrangement which determines the shape, size and suitability of the various component parts and their relationship to each other.
Scaling /Proportion:‐Means the size relationship between the component parts of an arrangement, involving a good proportion between plant material, container, size and function.
Balance:‐ It is shown in the way in which materials are grouped in a design and physical as well as visual balance needs to be considered.The components of balance are form(size which creates apparent weight) and colour( Darker color gives an impression of weight).
Rhythm:‐ This is the feeling of motion created by using curved lines.
Proper Use Of Colour:‐ Colours should be used judicially.
Emphasis:‐ Emphasis should be achieved by creating a focal point or centre of interest.
Harmony:‐ In the finished arrangement as a whole, the material used, the container, and accessories should harmonize into one overall framework.
Distinction:‐ This is the most important asset. Either your arrangement has it or not.
Repetition:‐ In color and form is essential for the arrangement to look harmonious but it should not be carried too much. If not followed the arrangement looks incomplete and if overdone it is monotonous and overcrowded.
OR
How will you ensure that the plant material lasts longer in flower arrangement? Conditioning of Plant Material.
Flower arrangers used the term conditioning to refer to the preparation of cut plant materials for a long life, the filling of stems with water and prevention of wilting.
PREPARATION:‐
When to cut:‐Plants should be cut early in the morning or late in evening when rate of transpiration is lowest and flowers are filled with moisture.
How to cut:‐ Using sharp cutting instrument cut diagonally across the stem to have clean, cut providing maximum area for water absorption
Immediate Immersion:‐ Once cut plant material should be immediately immersed in water to prevent wilting
Hardening;‐ Plants should be allowed to stand in water 8″ depth for 6‐ 8 hrs before arrangeent ensuring absorption of water
Cutting under water:‐ Stems should be cut under water to prevent air bubbles forming within stem which causes flowers to wilt,so that maximum water absorption takes place Searing: Stems which emit a milky white sap when cut should either be held over a flame or placed in boiling water for few seconds to prevent the life giving sap from draining off.
Shearing: Excessive leaves should be removed as they give a tangled appearance, increased transpiration, cause decay and unpleasant odour.
Ensure arrangement is placed away from sunlight Ensure water level is adequate and maintained Addition of sugar, ammonia. Camphor, aspirin slows bacterial growth thus prolonging life of flowers
AFTERCARE: The following guidelines for aftercare are:
a)Ensure that the arrangement is placed away from direct sunlight to prevent dehydration.
b)Do not put flowers near a fruit bowl as they emit ethylene gas when ripening which cause wilting of flowers.
c)Prolong the freshness of the arrangement by spraying water from a mister.
d)Change the water of the vase everyday to last the arrangement longer.
e)Listerine, ammonia, charcoal, salt, lemonade, sugar, camphor or aspirin is added in small amounts to the water slows down bacterial growth, thus prolonging the life of flowers.
f)Use clean containers to prevent premature fouling and bacterial growth.
Q.3. Give the sketch of uniform for Housekeeping Supervisor (Female) in a downtown Hotel, mentioning the colour, materials, accessories and cost of uniform.
Any style of saree.
6 metes chiffon = 300
2 meters cotton 200 Footwear 600 total 1200
Q.4. (a) Explain ‘wash cycle’.
Enlist and explain five machines required for setting up a laundry in a large hotel.Calendering machine
1)Calendering machine
Calendering is a finishing process used on cloth, paper, or plastic film. A calender is employed, usually to smooth, coat, or thin a material.
With textiles, fabric is passed under rollers at high temperatures and pressures. Calendering is used on fabrics such as moire to produce its watered effect and also on cambric and some types of sateens.In preparation for calendering, the fabric is folded lengthwise with the front side, or face, inside, and stitched together along the edges. The fabric can be folded together at full width, however this is not done as often as it is more difficult.The fabric is then run through rollers that polish the surface and make the fabric smoother and more lustrous. High temperatures and pressure are used as well. Fabrics that go through the calendering process feel thin, glossy and papery. The wash durability of a calendared finish on thermoplastic fibres like polyester is higher than on cellulosic fibres such as cotton. On blended fabrics such as Polyester/Cotton the durability depends largely on the proportion of synthetic fibre component present as well as the amount and type of finishing additives used and the machinery and process conditions employed.
2)Hydro Extractor
Hydro extractors are machines which are used in textile processing industry. These are mainly centrifuges. The wet material is placed in the extractor, which has a wall of perforated metal, generally stainless steel. the internal drum rotates at high speed thus throwing out the water contained in it. The use of hydro extractor significantly reduces the energy required to dry any material. Hydro Extractors usually work on centrifugal force creating a high Gravitational force enhancing water extraction.Hence the water is separated and the product is obtained in a dry form
3)Dry Cleaning machine
Dry cleaning is any cleaning process for clothing and textiles using a chemical solvent other than water. It is used to clean fabrics that degrade in water, and delicate fabrics that cannot withstand the rough and tumble of a washing machine and clothes dryer. It can eliminate labor-intensive hand washing.Unlike what its name implies, dry cleaning is not actually a ‘dry’ process. Clothes are soaked in a solvent other than water. The solvent used is typically toxic tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene), which the industry calls “perc.” Perc is the most widely used solvent across the world, although new solvents have become more popular in the United States and Europe.The mechanism of dry cleaning can be explained by selective solubility, often known as “like dissolves like” among chemists. Selective solubility refers to the phenomena of how polar solutes dissolve in polar solvents and non-polar solutes only dissolve in non-polar solvents.Dry-cleaning utilizes non-polar solvents so that stains that would normally not dissolve in water, easily dissolve. This eliminates the needs for a high temperature and tumbling, resulting in less damage to delicate fabrics.Non-polar solvents are also good for some fabrics, especially natural fabrics, as the solvent does not interact with any polar groups within the fabric. Water binds to these polar groups which results in the swelling and stretching of proteins within fibers during laundry. Also, the binding of water molecules interferes with weak attractions within the fiber, resulting in the loss of the fiber’s original shape. After the laundry cycle, water molecules will dry off. However, the original shape of the fibers has already been distorted and this commonly results in shrinkage. Non-polar solvents prevent this interaction, protecting more delicate fabrics.
The usage of an effective solvent coupled with mechanical friction from tumbling effectively removes stains.
4)Tumble Dryer
A clothes dryer, tumble dryer, drying machine or dryer is a powered household appliance that is used to remove moisture from a load of clothing and other textiles, usually shortly after they are washed in a washing machine. Clothes may also be dried by natural evaporation and, if available, sunlight, on an outdoor or indoor clothes line or clothes horse.Many dryers consist of a rotating drum called a “tumbler” through which heated air is circulated to evaporate the moisture, while the tumbler is rotated to maintain air space between the articles. Using these machines may cause clothes to shrink or become less soft (due to loss of short soft fibers/lint). A simpler non-rotating machine called a “drying cabinet” may be used for delicate fabrics and other items not suitable for a tumble dryer.Tumbler dryers continuously draw in the cool, dry, ambient air around them and heat it before passing it through the tumbler. The resulting hot, humid air is usually vented outside to make room for more dry air to continue the drying process. This design makes no effort to recycle the heat put into the load, and thus is considered environmentally wasteful. Nevertheless, it is simple and reliable, and therefore has been widely used.
5) Washing Machine
A washing machine (laundry machine, clothes washer, or washer) is a machine used to wash laundry, such as clothing and sheets. The term is mostly applied to machines that use water as opposed to dry cleaning (which uses alternative cleaning fluids, and is performed by specialist businesses) or ultrasonic cleaners. Laundry detergent is frequently used to clean clothes, and is sold in either powdered or liquid form.After the items were washed and rinsed, water had to be removed by twisting. To help reduce this labor, the wringer/mangle machine was developed. As implied by the term “mangle,” these early machines were quite dangerous, especially if powered and not hand-driven. A user’s fingers, hand, arm, or hair could become entangled in the laundry being squeezed, resulting in horrific injuries; unwary bystanders, such as children, could also be caught and hurt. Safer mechanisms were developed over time, and the more hazardous designs were eventually outlawed.The mangle used two rollers under spring tension to squeeze water out of clothing and household linen. Each laundry item would be fed through the wringer separately. The first wringers were hand-cranked, but were eventually included as a powered attachment above the washer tub. The wringer would be swung over the wash tub so that extracted wash water would fall back into the tub to be reused for the next load.
OR
(a) Suggest an ideal layout of laundry for a resort hotel.
(b) Compare the merits and demerits of an OPL against a contract laundry.
Q.5. What do you understand by valet service? Describe the step-by-step procedure of handling guest laundry in a hotel.
Valet service a cleaning service, in which your clothes are collected for cleaning, from your house or hotel, and returned to you.In hotels its common to keep laundry bag along with rate sheet. If the guest wants to get the linens laundered , firstly he has to go through the rate sheet, along with the terms and conditions. Then he has to fill it up . The room maids or valet takes the laundry bag which contains dirty linens to the laundry department. The linen keeper or the concerned person in the laundry enters the particular into the laundry register for keeping the records.
- Collection and transportation– guest linen are collected and transported to the
- Arrival- On arrival the lines must be dealt quickly as possible to ensure fast turn around time for linen. There must be a separate section for guest laundry.
- Marking – Marking may be temporary or permanent. For guest laundry initials of the guest as well as room no helps provide a clear identification and helps in correct billing
- Sorting- Sorting is carried out according to the types of fabrics and items, color and type of soil. Sorting is done to separate those articles that needs dry cleaning from those that will go through the normal wash process.. Those that need mending and stain removal must be separated so that separate action will be taken.
- Weighing– Weighing is carried out to conform to the capacity of the washing machine, and to avoid of the overloading. Repeated overloading can cause the machine to breakdown. Underloading will lead to the wastage of detergent and water.
- Loading is often done manually or with a certain degree of full or partial automation
- Washing- The process is designed to perform three basic functions
- Removal of soil dirt
- Suspension of soil
- Discharge of soil from the machine and drain.
- Rinsing- Once the wash cycle is completed. Rinsing is carried out at least twice. The purpose of this is to remove the residue of laundry agent and reagent.
- Hydro-extraction- It is the process of removal of excess water and moisture from the linen which has been washed.
- Tumble drying- This process is capable of making the linen absolutely dry , by blowing hot air. For articles that are likely to be damaged by heat there is an option of simple air drying.
- Finishing- After washing and drying of all the articles needs proper finishing like folding properly, or hanged in hangers.
- Folding- Folding can be done in machines hands and in most cases carried out
- Airing- Airing is very much needed to protect the linens from mildew.
- Storage- Storage should be properly done before delivering. Linens should be allowed to keep in specific period in the store for distribution.
- Distribution– Now the lines are ready for distribution. The fresh linens are distributed to the guests.When the linen or clothes of the guest have been cleaned it has been delivered to the guest room and the guest has to sign the bill which has been handed to the front office for making of master bills.
Q.6. Write short notes (any two):
(a) Linen hire
Hiring linen is uncommon in India, but many hotels in other parts of the world do not purchase linen, and prefer to hire laundered linen from a hiring company. Linen hire companies supply clean linen to hotels on a hire basis. Thus it is a contract with a company which rents and launders linen. The system has both advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
- Initial purchase investment is eliminated.
- No laundering of linen is necessary.
- Less storage space.
- Less staff which means fewer salaries to pay.
- No need to order linen so purchase function is eliminated.
- No repairing of linen by the hotel.
- It is ideal for spasmodic trade such as seasonal hotels, by avoiding capital expenditure and the need to store seldom used linen.
- Linen hire charges may be no greater than the combined depreciation and laundering costs.
(b) Factors affecting indoor plant growth
The basic elements that a plant needs for growth are:
- Air temperature
- Light
- Water
- Humidity
- Repotting
- Food
- Pruning
- Disease and Pest Control
Plants however differ in the quality and quantity of these needs that they must have in order to grow successfully.
(C) Dry cleaning
Dry cleaning is the method used for cleaning delicate textiles. It uses the principle that most of the dirt is held to the fabric by grease, when grease is removed the dirt is removed along with it.The dry cleaning solvents used are:
1.Perchloroethylene(PERK)
- Trichlorotrifluoroethane
ADVANTAGES:
i)No shrinkage is there
ii)No color bleeding
iii)Stains are easily removed.
(D) Sewing room
The sewing room is essentially a part of linen room operations and may be located in the linen or uniform room or serve both these areas. Due to the high cost of labour, very little actual sewing is done in this section of the linen room, but a great deal of machining is carried out. A well-run sewing room can definitely be an economy for a large organization. Monogramming may be a function of the sewing room. Certainly, mending and alterations are done here. This preserving of linen and creative use of condemned articles can contribute greatly to saving costs. Activities of the sewing room
- Machine marking or monogramming on the article, the name of the organization and the department and the date it was put into circulation.
- Frayed parts and tears frequently occur in towels, table and bed linen and these are repaired by machine darning.
Q.7. What are the various purchase specifications to be kept in mind while choosing linen for a five star hotel?
Cost of buying and maintenance: Laundering cost comes next to labour cost. Synthetics require lesser temperature and shorter programs for laundering when compared to cotton. “No iron blends” do not require ironing.
Durability of the fabric: The life expectancy of the fabric should be substantial. This can be achieved by keeping the following in mind:
Thread count: It is the measure of number of warps and wefts per square inch of a fabric. Warp is the thread stretched longitudinally along the length of the loom. Weft is the thread stretched across the width of the loom and is interwoven into the wrap. They are also called the filling. In a high thread count the shrinkage is considerably reduced and the fabric is comparatively finer and is more durable. Note – fabrics must not only retain their appearance throughout their life but also must be serviceable, easy to maintain and long lasting.
Tensile strength: It is defined as the number of pounds of pressure that a strip of fabric measuring 3” in length and 1” in width can withstand under controlled conditions of humidity and temperature before it breaks. A higher tensile strength therefore implies more stability.
Amount of dressing: It is the starch applied to a material. Even loosely woven material gives the appearance of being firm when starched. To test the amount of starch keep fabric on dark surface and rub it with both hands. The starch will fall like flakes. Higher the amount of flakes poorer the fabric.
Elasticity and Resilience/ Crease resistance: Elasticity of fibre is the ability to come back to its original length after tension is removed. Resilience is ability of fibre to provide crease resistance. Resiliency of fibre is its ability to resist compression. Both elasticity and resiliency will provide some sort of crease resistance to a fabric.
Abrasive resistance: It is the resistance of the fabric to surface wear and tear and it can be measured by the number of rubs that a particular fabric can take before weakening.
Shrinkage resistance: It is how much the particular fabric shrinks after the first/ second wash the shrinkage resistance should be high for all the fabrics. The preferable shrinkage should be 1-2 % and in cotton 5 %.
Colour: The following points should be taken care of: 1. bleeding of colour – When colour runs on coming in contact with water or chemicals. 2… Cracking- When colour runs onto a surface due to friction. In both the cases problem arises due to usage of non-fast colours/dyes or due to improper methods of dyeing. Fabrics dyed at the yarn stage (VAT Stayed) are definitely more colour fast than one dyed at the fabric stage. Dyed natural fibres will fade after several washings. Fabrics must be checked for dye stability. Colour fast fabrics must be used which do not fade away on exposure to sunlight/chemicals and whose colours do not bleed/run or crack .* Dark colour fabrics show dust and light colour fabrics show dust and stains easily. These will be less apparent in a medium toned fabric. * Colours chosen must be easily available when replacements are required. * In hotels and hospitals normally white coloured bed linen is used a give better appearance of cleanliness and as easy to maintain and sterilize.
Method of construction: The fabric can be knitted, woven or bonded. A woven fabric is most durable and most common. The method of construction, the type of surface, appearance and fall of the fabric are to be considered while selecting the fabric. The closer the weave lesser will be the shrinkage. The weave must be balanced one example 96/94. 96/70 is an unbalanced weave and it shows that is a loose weave.
Weight of the fabric: Lighter the fabric. Easier to handle and takes less time to dry. This is particularly true for bed and table linen as these are handled and worked frequently. For soft furnishings, heavier fabric is preferred as they are better in durability, texture and fall. The weight of the fabric may be expressed in ounces / yard or pound / yard. Example Bed linen is 36 ounces / yard.
Width of the fabric: 4 standard widths i.e. 1 meter (36”) 1.3 meter (48”) 1.5 meter (54”) and 1.6 meter (60”) are widely used out of which 48” is the most commonly used.
Thermal properties: Whether the fabric is cool/ warm, the criteria are taken in mind depending upon the area and purpose of use. It also gives an indication of the laundering temperature.
Flames retardency: Wool is a naturally flame retardant. Synthetic fibres which are made flame retardant are available. They can be used for drapery, upholstery and carpets.
Resistance to pests: Mildew is a type of fungus that causes stains especially on cotton and linen. Moth larvae on the other hand eat into the cloth so cloth should be resistant to these pests.
Q.8. Explain the following terms:
(a) Hoppers
A container for a loose bulk material such as grain, rock, or rubbish, typically one that tapers downward and is able to discharge its contents at the bottom. Usually a funnel-shaped receptacle for delivering material.A hopper is a large cone-shaped device into which substances such as grain, coal, or animal food can be put and from which they can be released when required.
(b) Ikebana
Ikebana is the Japanese art of making flower arrangements. The word ‘Ikebana’ means “to make alive flowers. It is more than simply putting flowers in a container. It is a disciplined art form in which the arrangement is a living thing where nature and humanity are brought together. It is steeped in the philosophy of developing a closeness with nature. The first rules of ‘Ikebana’ were laid down in Japan more than a thousand years ago. After 1930’s rules and guidelines were formulated for amateur florists following which the first flower arranging experts make their appearance on the scene professionally.Now, this art is used in hotels, offices and in hospitals on an everyday basis. Even at homes and venues of festivities on auspicious occasions. Flower arrangements grace tabletops, window sills, corners, fireplaces, bannisters and so on to suit the occasion.
(c) MSDS
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document that contains information on the potential health effects of exposure to chemicals, or other potentially dangerous substances, and on safe working procedures when handling chemical products. It is an essential starting point for the development of a complete health and safety program. It contains hazard evaluations on the use, storage, handling and emergency procedures related to that material. The MSDS contains much more information about the material than the label and it is prepared by the supplier. It is intended to tell what the hazards of the product are, how to use the product safely, what to expect if the recommendations are not followed, what to do if accidents occur, how to recognize symptoms of overexposure, and what to do if such incidents occur.
(d) Mercerization
Mercerization is a process applied to cotton and sometimes to cotton blends to increase lustre (thus also enhancing appearance), to improve strength, and to improve their affinity for dyes. The process, which may be applied at the yarn or fabric stage, involves immersion under tension in a caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) solution, which is later neutralized in acid. The treatment produces permanent swelling of the fibre.
(e) Linen Chute
A vertical shaft in a building down which dirty clothes and linens can be dropped, to land in a laundry area on a lower floor.A sloping channel or slide for conveying soiled linen from the upper floors to the laundry usually situated on the ground floor or in the basement.A passage in the form of a tunnel for sending soiled linen from the floor pantries of all floors to a central place near the laundry, from where it can be collected by the laundry staff.
Q.9. (I) State True or False:
- No. of warp and weft yarns per square inch is called twists. False
- Ikebana means ‘making flowers live’.True
- Self-service laundries are called ozone. False
- Ink stains are removed by acetone. True
- Another term for floral foam is kenzen. True
(II) Draw the following formats (any two):
(i) Room linen exchange form
(ii) Uniform issue slip
(iii) Linen discard record
Q.10. Write step-by-step procedure of removing the following stains:
(i) Chewing gum on carpet.
1. Place a few ice cubes in a ziplock bag and place on top of the chewing gum.This will harden the gum making it easier to remove. Leave for approximately 5 minutes;
2. Remove ice, and using a metal spoon or blunt butter knife scrape off the hardened gum;
3. Sponge the area where the gum was with a clean white cloth.
(ii) Nail polish on hand towel.
Use an eye dropper or cotton swab to apply a few drops of acetone to a small area of the stain.
1. Have a clean, white cloth or paper towel ready to blot immediately.
2. Keep repeating the steps until no more stain is visible or can be removed.
(iii) Rust marks on maintenance uniform.
1. Steep in oxalic acid solution and rinse with dilute borax solution
2. Steep in solution of salt and lemon.
(iv) Tea on tea cozy.
1. Steep in boiling water containing soda or borax or both; or apply glycerine and put into hot soda water
2. Bleach with javelle water.
3. Bleach with sodium perborate.
(v) Lipstick on napkin.
1. Steep in methylated spirit.
2. Soften with glycerin, leave for some time. Wash with soap water.