Table of Contents
Q.1. Draw the flow process chart of industrial laundry with a brief explanation of each stage.
Collection & Transportation
Collection of linen may be done in the Linen Room, if the laundry is off-site but is usually in the laundry itself, if the laundry is on-premises. During collection, all accessories that
cannot be washed such as metal items; etc. should be removed at the time of collection.Certain linen items are collected separately. For example, kitchen uniforms or dusters are separately collected, as are butchery aprons and dusters, because they have a specific type of soil. Likewise, in a hospital, linen from the surgical ward would be collected separately. The linen is usually packaged in canvas bags lined with polyvinyl.Eyelets on the rim of the bag facilitate passing a nylon cord through, which can be tightened in order to shut the opening of the bag. In some cases elasticized net bags called ‘skips’ are used to collect linen. Carrying the linen in canvas bags or skips is one means of transportation. Trolleys are most popular for transportation and the collapsible wire cart can be used to transport clean as well as soiled linen. Whatever the type of trolley, the soiled linen should not hang over the edge of the trolley, as it looks unsightly.
If planned at the construction stage, an in-built chute is used for transporting linen from the floor pantries. It is preferable to put linen into canvas bags before dropping it down the chute so that wear and tear is reduced. However, this is rarely done, so it must be ensured that the flooring at the base of the chute should be easy to clean.The best collection system will vary from one operation to another but the increase of soil must be eliminated in order to prevent incurring unnecessary expenses.
Arrival
On arrival, linen must be dealt with as quickly as possible. There must be a separate section for guest laundry that is usually handled by the most experienced staff.
Processing linen for laundering as quickly as possible is necessary:
– to ensure that linen items are available as and when required.
– to avoid transfer of stains and prevent stains from becoming permanent.
– so that it does not provide a breeding ground for bacteria and pests.
– to prevent the formation of mildew on damp articles particularly bath linen.
– to avoid the possibility of linen getting misplaced or lost.
Sorting
In hospitals, the infection risk necessitates the need for using gloves when sorting outlinen. Gloves may also be used when handling hotel linen. Sorting is carried out according to the type of fabric and item, colour as well as the degree and type of soil. Sorting is done to separate those articles that need dry cleaning from those that will go through the normal wash process. Those that need mending or stain removal will be separated so that they can be dealt with accordingly. Also, different articles take a different wash process in terms of temperature of water, type of laundering agent, length of wash cycle, whether hydro- extraction should be done and if so, the length of the hydro-extraction cycle.It takes less effort to pre-sort linen than to post-sort washed linen which is 50% heavier in weight due to water retention. Post-sorting is often essential in healthcare processes.
Marking
Marking may be temporary (guest laundry) or permanent (monogramming of hotel linen).It is the temporary marking that is carried out at this stage. Most good establishments have a marking machine that attaches a heat sealed tape in an inconspicuous place.The tag has scope for six characters and is intended to indicate the initials of the guest as well as the room number. It provides a clear identification and correct billing, and although it does not come off in the normal wash process, it can be peeled off if so desired.
Weighing
Is carried out to conform to the capacity of the washing machine:(Overloading) There is no or low centrifugal action because the linen articles are too tightly packed in the drum. Resultingly, there is inadequate friction and the deeply imbedded soil is not removed so the wash process is ineffective. Certain synthetics develop creases as a result of overloading that are difficult to get rid of in the subsequent ironing process. Repeated overloading can cause the machine to breakdown.(Underloading) In this case, there is centrifugal action but inadequate friction because the linen articles are too far apart There is a good deal of wastage in terms of time,labour, laundry agents, water and power. Many modern machines have sensors that can
gauge not only the load but also the length of cycle, temperature of water, water level,the type and amount of laundry agent and when it will be dispensed in the wash cycle.This is highly beneficial in the conservation of water and energy as well as reducing wear and tear on the linen articles.
Loading
Is often done manually or with a certain degree of automation. Shovel type cranes are used for lifting and depositing linen, thereby providing complete automation by eliminating the need for handling by operators. Alternatively, weighed linen in bags is transported along a track and directed to the opening of the washer extractor with the help of a nylon cord. A lock in the lower half of the bag is released, dropping the soiled linen into the washer extractor. Machines that tilt, provide ease in both loading as well as unloading. Machines may be top loading, front loading or side loading.
Washing
This process is designed to perform three basic functions:
1. Removal of soil
2. Suspension of soil
3. Discharge of the soil from the machine to the drain
In the wash process, the following factors must be considered :
Length of cycle :If the cycle is too short, the linen will not be cleaned. If the cycle is too long, there will be unnecessary wear and tear and the clothes may actually become dirtier as a result of redeposition of soil.
Temperature of water:If the temperature of water is too high, it is likely to damage the linen. If the temperature is inadequate, the chemicals will not work effectively.
Water level :Incorrect ‘dip’ levels can alter the concentration of the laundry agents rendering them ineffective. In case of a gentle action the water level is usually higher forming a protective envelope to the delicate linen.
Type and amount of detergent and when it will be dispensed in the wash cycle:This is also a crucial factor that affects the quality of wash Deciding which laundry agent should be used is dependent on the nature of the fabric being washed. Too little detergent will result in an incomplete cleaning process. And too much may remain as a residue after the rinse cycle is complete. It is important that the laundry agent is introduced into the wash cycle at the appropriate time if it is to have the required action.
Mechanical action:This refers to the centrifugal action brought about by the movement of the drum that causes friction between the linen articles and is radically affected by overloading or underloading as well as the speed of the drum. Modern machinery often operates on sensors, which are capable of gauging each of these requirements for a specific load.
OR Give the floor plan of an on-premise laundry in a five star deluxe hotel along with equipment and traffic lanes.
Q.2. Explain briefly the activities in a linen room during a normal working day of a hotel. Enlist two registers with their formats used in the linen room of a large hotel.
THE ACTIVITIES OF THE LINEN ROOM :-
Collection and Transportation: This is facilitated through chutes, canvas bags, trolleys, collapsible wire carts, skips.. It is an essential activity when laundry services are on contract. Guest laundry may also be collected, and billing and marking undertaken, should the laundry be off-premises.
Sorting and Counting: Sorting is carried out primarily to make counting possible as well as for streamlining laundry procedures. Linen is counted in order to make a record so that issuing to
departments may be accurate and it is possible to tally the exchange of linen between the linen room and the laundry and a basis for billing exists.
Packaging: Linen is packed in canvas bags to prevent damage to the linen articles. Those articles that need mending and those, which are heavily stained, may be segregated and put into separate canvas bags. The use of colour coding in this respect is useful.
Despatch: This obviously refers to the off-premises laundry. The time for despatch is usually anytime between 1300 hrs and 1600 hrs so that servicing of rooms is over by then and
guest laundry will have been collected. It is possible that soiled linen from the F&B outlets will also have been collected.
Deliveries: Clean linen is delivered in the morning hours and evening deliveries are usually for guest laundry.
Checking and Inspection: Checking the quantity to ensure that the amount of laundered linen tallies with the amount of soiled linen articles sent. Inspection of the quality of wash i.e. stains and dirt removed, no damages, no loss of shape or colour, no blue streaks or patches from the optical brightener, properly ironed. It is also possible that articles belonging to other hotels have been inadvertently delivered, so checking for this is essential.
Storage: The amount of space to be allocated for storage depends on the size and type of operation and the linen coverage.When designing the storage space for linen it is necessary to consider the type of shelves required, the method of storage as well as hygiene and safety factors.
Distribution to units: This is generally done on a clean-for-dirty basis. Some hotels use other systems of exchange such as topping up or a fixed issue based on expected occupancy. Still others may use a package system. Linen may be colour-coded for convenience. Whatever the system, it must be practical and serve the purpose of control. In some hotels specific timings are fixed for issue of linen.
Monogramming: The name or logo of the establishment is put onto the linen item for identification. The supplier may do this or the establishment, by embroidering, printing or embossing either directly on the fabric or on labels which are attached to the linen article. In special cases,the logo/name may actually be incorporated in the weave by the manufacturer. To judge the life span of an article, the date that it was first put into circulation may also be indicated on the article.
Repairs and Alteration: Damaged items are mended by stitching or darning. Alteration of uniforms is usual and condemned linen is converted into useful items called cut-downs/ makeovers. It is important to maintain a record of the condemned articles and the makeovers, so that they can be adjusted in the stock records.
Stock-taking and Records: Many records are entered on a day-to-day basis for the exchange of linen between the linen room, laundry and floors/departments. Purchase records are essential and records of condemned linen and makeovers are usually maintained. Periodical stocktaking is carried out and the annual stocktaking is recorded in the stock register, thereby providing the value of linen as an asset.
Security: It is important that the access to the linen room is restricted so as to prevent misuse and pilferage. Also linen is prone to fire breakouts so precautionary measures are taken to prevent this and the linen room is strictly a non-smoking area.
Hours Of Operation
This varies from one organization to another but is usually from 7a.m. to 7 p.m. or atleast for 10 hours in the day. When locked, the keys are kept with the Security or the Resident Manager or the Housekeeper. In the event of an urgent requirement of linen during the night, the Duty Manager or the Night Houseperson may remove items from an emergency store or from the main Linen Room and leave a note with details of what has been removed.
OR What are all activities carried out in a sewing room of a 5-star category hotel?Enlist ten small tools and equipment found in a well set sewing room of a hotel.
Activities carried out in a sewing room:
• Machine marking or monogramming may be carried out in the sewing room and when marking linen, it is usual to mark on the right hand side of the article, the name of the organization and the department and the date it was put into circulation. The latter shows the wearing quality of the article and helps to estimate the lifespan of the article.
• Frayed parts and tears frequently occur in towels, table and bed linen and these are repaired by machine darning. Patching, repairing flaps of pillowcases and torn pockets are among the common sewing tasks. Ideally, mending should be carried out before laundering, but dealing with soiled or wet articles is unpleasant, so mending is usually done on laundered linen.
• Straight-forward , ordinary machining is done for hems on sheets or towels. New items which require straight stitching like bed sheets and tablecloths, may be made.
• Creating makeovers and cut-downs involving the innovative use of discarded linen.
• Stitching of buttons, hooks etc and the mending and alteration of uniforms.
Equipments in sewing room
2/3 sewing machines, manual or motor preferably with a foot treadle which leaves hands free for darning; thread release on looper for tension control so as to enable stitching to be carried out on fabrics of varied thickness; different runner attachments to facilitate zigzag stitching, edging, mending and darning.
- A sewing kit containing
- A sharp scissors
- A snippet scissors
- Threads of various colours
- Buttons of different types
- Plain pins, sewing needles and machine needles
- A ripper
- Spare bobbins
- Machine oil and machine repair kit
- Tailor’s chalk and pencil
- Ruler and measuring tape
- A heavy/steam iron with an ironing board and a power point in the vicinity
Above all, good lighting is essential to facilitate the sewing functions without eye strain.
Q.3. (a) How will you use discarded dining hall linen?
(b) Explain each stage of wash cycle.
There are nine stage of a typical wash cycle:
Flush– This dissolves and dilutes the 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– A high alkaline solution is added to remove soil along with additional flush. It is usually carried out in medium temperature.
Suds– detergent is added. The articles are n ow agitated in hot water at low water levels.
Intermediate rinse/ carryover suds– 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.
Bleach– Added in cold water at low water levels. It kills bacteria, whitens fabric and removes stain.
Rinse– 2 or more rinses are required at a medium temperature and high water levels to remove detergents and soils from the linen.
Intermediate extract– The high speed spin removes the leftover detergents and soils from the linen. It should not be used on ironed linen.
Sour/softener/starch/sizing– used for conditioning fabrics. Runs at medium temperature at low water levels. Starch is added to stiffen cotton fabric.
Final extract– a high speed spin removes most of the moisture from the linen. The length of the spin depends upon the fabric type, extractor capacity and extractor speed.
Q.4. Explain the principles of flower arrangement.
OR What are indoor plants? Explain selection and care procedures for indoor plants.
Q.5. Write short notes on any two:
(a) Care and conditioning of fresh flowers
Care and maintenance of fresh flowers
•Keep fresh flowers away from drafts and extreme temperatures, which can quickly dry out the flowers and cause wilting.
•If your flowers came in plastic, remove this as soon as possible.
•Do not place your arrangement near fruit or in the path of cigarette smoke. The ethylene gas is detrimental to many flower types.
•Avoid placing flower arrangements in window sills and other areas with full sun where flowers can wilt due to over heating. Most flowers will last longer under cool conditions
•Keep your vase filled with water. All flower and foliage stems should be submerged.
• Flowers stay fresher, longer when they can get a drink!If your flowers came in a basket or other container with foam, add fresh water every day.
•Immediately remove dead or wilting leaves and stems from fresh flower arrangements.
•Watch your water. When it gets cloudy it’s time to change it out.
•Change The Water In Your Flower Arrangement
•Remove any dead or dying flowers from the arrangement.
•After carefully removing the good flowers, clean the vase thoroughly with soapy water to remove any bacteria that could cause the fresh flowers to deteriorate even quicker. Be sure to rinse thoroughly.
•Replace the water and mix in the flower preservative provided by your florist, according to the instructions on the packet.
•For best results, cut stems with a sharp knife at an angle about one to two inches from the bottom. This allows them to better absorb water.
• Do not use scissors to cut your flowers because they can crush the stems and prevent water absorption.
•Place loose stems or wrapped bouquets of fresh flowers in your water mixture as soon as possible.
(b) Storage of uniforms.
Fresh uniforms received from the laundry by the linen room are stored according to the department and designation of the staff. Each uniform should bear the department’s name, the employee’s designation, and a serial no. on the collar of the shirt or other garment. The storage area should be properly aired. The humidity of the room should be
less than 20 %. In many hotels, staff members are not allowed to take their uniforms outside the hotel. Instead, the employees are provided with lockers to keep their
uniforms at the end of the shift.
(c) Selection of bath linen.
•Requires to be gentle on the skin, with a high degree of absorbency and lint-free.
•Linen or cotton are the fibres from which the towels are made. The weave may be a Dobby weave which is used to make a fabric called Huckaback, that is often used for face towels and sometimes hand towels. •Bath towels are invariably made from Turkish towelling using a pile weave known as the Terry weave.
•The loops of the towels should be at least 1/8” high for good absorbency. When selecting Turkish towels hold them against the light out find out how close the basic weave is.
•Coloured and patterned towels may be selected for public areas like the swimming pool,health club or beauty parlour, largely for identification.
• White towels are preferred to coloured ones.
Q.6. How will you take care of the following laundry problems? Give reasons and solutions.
(a) Lint
Cause
Improper stains
Tissue in pocket
Solution
Dry items & pat mashing or transparent type, rewash and use fabric softener in last
rinse. Chock pockets before laundering.
(b) Colour Fading
Cause
Unstable dye
Wash temp too hot
Improper use of bleach poured on fabrics
Solution
Test for colour fastness before washing
Use cooler water, oxygen bleach, if necessary dilute bleach.
(c) Bluing
Cause
Blue colour in detergent, optical brightener or fabric softener
Solution
For detergent stain: soak item in solution of vinegar and water (1:4). Rewash.
(d) Yellowing
Cause
Insufficient detergent
Wash cycle temp. Is low
Use of chlorine
Bleach on woollen or silk
Solution
Increase detergent and add bleach
Increase temp
Yellowed items can’t be restored to avoid chlorine bleach.
(e) Wrinkling
Cause
Wrong wash cycle
Over drying
Washer/ Dry overload
Solution
Use correct wash cycle
Remove dried clothes from dryer immediately
Don’t overload
Q.7. Explain in brief (any ten):
(a) Monogramming
(b) Cut down
(c) Fabric softener
(d) Linen chute
(e) Soap curd
(f) Bonsai
(g) Moribana
(h) Ikebana
(i) Hogarth
(j) Secateurs
(k) Fillers
(l) Ukibana
Q.8. Give one relevant reason of the following:
(a) Linen room should be situated near the service elevator.
A linen room should be situated near the service elevator for the ease of accessibility, transportation and to prevent pilferages.
(b) What are the benefits of conducting physical inventories?
Benefits of physical inventory –
- Help the management to check the pilferages taken place.
- Help the staff to know the actual inventory against the book inventory
- Help the management to decide whether or not to give orders for the stock
- Help the management to know the actual value of inventory
(c) White cottons are starched.
White Cotton is starched in order to improve its quality, since starching gives the product
gloss and litter resistance to water.
(d) It is necessary to air articles which have been dry-cleaned before folding them.
To allow the odour of organic chemicals to escape.
(e) Linen should be marked before laundering.
Linen should be marked before laundering for the easy identification of guest laundry.
Q.9. How would you remove the following stains from the fabric?
(a) Nail polish
White Cotton and Linen- Apply amyl acetate and rub
(b) Lipstick
White Cotton and Linen- 1. Steep in methylated spirit.
2. Soften with glycerin, leave for some time. Wash with soap water.
Synthetics-Steep in kerosene / turpentine and wash with soap water
(c) Ink (blue)
White Cotton and Linen-1. Rub the stain with cut tomato, then salt and wash. Repeat till stain goes off.
2. Soak the stain immediately in curd and wash with soap.
3. Apply salt and lime juice. Leave to dry and then wash.Coloured Cotton, silk and wool-Same Synthetics-Same
(d) Paint
Scrape and steep in turpentine. Any resulting colour stain should be washed Out.Strip if necessary. Varnish and lacquer paint will dissolve in Methylated spirit.(Paint stains are easily removed when wet.)
(e) Grease
Use of organic solvent. These dissolve grease and require care because they are inflammable and harmful if inhaled. Generally, it does not harm any fibers or dyes. When using, an absorbent cloth should be placed underneath and work from the outside of the stain inwards.E.g.:- inflammable-Carbon tetrachloride (Ccl4), Perchloroethylene (PERK),trichloroethylene
Q.10. Give the sketch of a uniform of a door man in a 5-star hotel following a heritage theme. Mention the colour, materials and accessories to be used for the said uniform.
Royal darban dress
White and gold
Black and silver
Blue black
Shirt 300-400 depending on size
Pant / pajama 3 meters 90*3= 280
Jacket 5 meters 480
Jutti 400
Total 1500( pagdi)