Best Practices for Laundry Scheduling and Turnover Management for Linen Services

For linen service beginners or Airbnb hosts, efficient laundry scheduling and turnover management is key to keeping linens fresh, clean, and guest-ready. Poor planning can lead to last-minute stress, missed deadlines, and unhappy guests. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you stay organised and professional.

1. Plan Your Laundry Schedule

• Daily vs. Weekly Loads:

  • Daily washing works well for high-turnover properties.

  • Weekly loads may be sufficient for low-turnover rentals or long-stay guests.

• Peak Season Planning:

  • Identify high-demand periods (summer holidays, bank holidays, local events).

  • Schedule extra laundry loads in advance to avoid shortages.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a calendar or scheduling app to map out laundry days and linen rotations.

2. Sort and Prioritise

• Sort by Type: Sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, and towels should be washed in separate loads.

• Sort by Soil Level: Heavy soil (stains, dirt) vs. light soil (used but clean) ensures effective cleaning and prevents cross-contamination.

• Set Priorities: Fresh linens for immediate turnovers should be processed first.

3. Maintain Turnover Efficiency

• Use Linen Sets: Keep sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers together for quick room setup.

• Batch Deliveries: Organise linen delivery based on property check-ins/outs.

• Track Inventory: Maintain an up-to-date record of linens to prevent shortages.

💡 Pro Tip: Label linen carts or storage shelves by property or room to save time during turnovers.

4. Staff Training and Workflow

• Train staff to fold and iron consistently.

• Assign responsibilities: one person handles washing, another ironing/folding, and another delivery/collection.

• Encourage staff to inspect linens for stains or damage before delivery.

5. Implement Time-Saving Tools

• Industrial Washers & Dryers: Handle larger volumes quickly and maintain hygiene standards.

• Steamers & Pressing Tables: Speed up ironing and finishing.

• Folding Boards & Linen Racks: Keep items organised and reduce handling time.

6. Monitor and Adjust

• Track laundry times, staff performance, and turnover success.

• Adjust schedules based on seasonal demand or property bookings.

• Regularly review workflows to find efficiency improvements.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep a digital log or spreadsheet of all linen movements — delivery dates, pick-ups, and replacements — for easy tracking.

7. Benefits of Proper Scheduling

• Reduces stress during high-turnover periods.

• Minimises missing or damaged linens.

• Ensures linens are always fresh, hygienic, and ready for guests.

• Boosts professionalism and guest satisfaction.