B & B owner to effectively change the sheets or towels
I’ve seen several different approaches to towel/sheet reuse programs by lodging properties. I’ll list them here in order of my least- to most- favorite:
None at all, unless controlled by a proactive guest
Let guests put a card or tent on their bed if they want their sheets changed, and have them leave their towels on the floor when they want their towels changed
Tell guests you change sheets every three days (or whatever number you decide is appropriate)
Have guests hang a card on the outside of their guestroom door when they want to have their sheets and towels changed
The reason I most like the last option is multifold. People tend to follow the path of least resistance and effort. Since it takes extra effort to make a request, your guests are less likely to make a request for changing sheets. Housekeepers can more efficiently tackle their work by taking a quick inventory of how many door hangars there are, grab only as many sheets and towels as they will need each day, and get to it.
The option of deciding how often you are going to change sheets is also viable, though you may end up deciding to change sheets more often than many of your guests would request. Of course, you would allow your guests to request a more frequent change, but the policy is clear for the guests and housekeepers. This option might even be more efficient for housekeepers because their daily work list will be able to tell them which rooms need fresh sheets, letting them skip the step of tallying door hangars.
Why is a towel/sheet reuse program a money saver? In addition to the obvious reasons of saving water, electricity, and cleaning supplies, it also saves wear and tear on the sheets and towels, as well as labor. My research has shown a range of savings after implementing a towel/sheet reuse program, $1 – $1.50/guestroom/day being them most common average savings reported. If you have a 7 guestroom inn, you will save between $2555.00 – $3832.50 annually ($1.00 x 7 x 365 and $1.50 x 7 x 365. Note: the average reflects the actual savings but spread out through each day of the year).
The savings that are not reflected in these numbers is the increased longevity of your sheets and towels. How many sheets do you start with? Your start-up budget dictates some of that, but at the very least, you want to buy one and a half sheets per bed. This many sheets lets you get through most days without having to rush to get sheets laundered for housekeeping. Ideally, you’ll have at least two sets of sheets per bed. If your beds are king-size and you buy 220 thread count sheets, you’ll spend at least $100 per set. Let me stress though, that the higher the sheet quality, the longer they’ll last, making them a better investment than inexpensive sheets.
If sheets last two years with the traditional approach to daily laundry, anticipate them lasting twice as long with an environmentally friendly approach to laundry. So rather than spending $700/year on average for sheets in a seven guest room inn, you’ll spend $350/year. Towels will give you a similar savings. Tallying your savings from your towel/sheet reuse program, you will save $3250.00 – $4,532.50. You’ll also save your own time from shopping for sheets and towels as often. Think of the things you can do with a little extra time and money!
Starting a new business is risky enough. Running an established business requires care and Conservative. Your B & B in mind and cost savings strategies and plans that reduce the risk please.
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