Articles

When guests visit your hotel, you want them to leave with a lasting impression. Right from the time they arrive at the hotel to the time they reach their rooms, they need to experience the “wow” factor.

The “wow” factor is easy to achieve depending on how you present the little intimate details. This includes how you make beds, vacuum, clean bathrooms, and other tiny details.

One of the tiny details that have a big impact on satisfaction is the folding of the guests’ towels. The way you present their towels can create an instant feeling of luxury or neglect.

In many of the best hotels, staff learn to display towels in different attractive shapes and sizes. The end result is a work of art by the hoteliers which adds a touch of class and elegance.

So, how do you fold your hotel towels and leave a lasting impression? Here are nine different ways to make your guests’ towels bring a smile to their faces:

Towel Origami

Image source origami.lovetoknow.com

Decorative towel folding is a unique form of art. You can fold towels in various ways to create all sorts of beautiful shapes.

Towel origami is good for impressing guests in the hotel or giving towels as a gift. The interesting bit is that anyone can learn towel origami.

There are a variety of origami forms including boats, pinwheels, and hearts. Tips on making and folding origami towels are accessible here.

Pocket and Fan Hanging Towel

The Pocket and Fan towel fold involves folding a towel lengthwise and crosswise. The idea is to form a pocket at the bottom of the towel. This is the side facing the guest. This fold is best on a hand towel.

After that, shape a washcloth in the form of a fan and tuck it into the pocket. You can also make a handtowel with washcloth roll.

Fold the washcloth like an accordion. Then fold it in half and open the folded cloth in the form of a seashell shape. Place the shell you make on the folded hand towel and open it on a diagonal. This will give an inviting touch to your powder room.

Animal Towel Art

Image source creditcardcompare.com.au

Guests’ children get excited by very simple things like animal towel art. You can fold towels into shapes like butterflies, elephants, and bunnies. Not only is Animal Towel Art interesting - anyone can do it.

The various animals' can even have accessories. This can be things like orchids and local flowers to add style. It’s such an easy way to increase the guests’ satisfaction. Towel animals are really easy to make. Try it today in your establishment and see for yourself.

Romantic Towel Swans

The Romantic Swan Fold is a bath towel folding design often on cruise ships or in resort hotels. It takes only one minute to do the fold and it’s ideal for adding colour to a honeymoon suite.

To make the swans, fold the bath towel in a diagonal manner from both ends, then curl into an S-shape. Next, the fan-style fold makes the washcloth into elegant wings. Repeat the exact process with the second towel to form the second swan.

Position the two so that they rest beak-to-beak and create a heart-shape with their necks.

This is towel origami that you can easily use for your own bathroom at home.

Spa Towel Roll

If you offer massages and facials at your hotels, you need towels for guests. Keep in mind that guests’ expectations at hotel spas are high. Spa towel rolls aim to create an attractive towel basket in the bathroom.

To make the Spa Towel Roll, start by folding a bath towel once over, width-wise. If the towel is large, you’ll repeat this fold. After that, roll up the towel, ensuring it is tight and even. When you roll your towels, place them in a decorative basket, and add more towels of various sizes.

Your decorative basket of fresh linen will take you less than a minute per towel to arrange. This one can be an everyday task. In fact, it even takes less time than ordinary towel folding.

Simple things like spa towels displays are a highlight in an individual’s spa experience. Despite being a quick and easy fold, a spa towel roll still provides the elegance guests look for in spas.

Trifold For Stacked Towels

Consider folding bath and hand towels in your hotel into tri-folds. This gives your hotel a neat, and orderly look all the time.

To achieve this, fold your bath and hand towels into thirds on the vertical side. Do the same on the horizontal side. You can follow the Towel Tri-fold Stack illustration here.

The folds make sure that the edges of the towel are invisible and not sticking out on the sides. The neat rolls and tucks ensure your towels maintain a fluffy and rounded appealing look.

Towel Cake

Image source craftcue.com

Imagine the look on your guests’ faces when they find a cake made of towels on their bed. Towel cakes are ideal for all sorts of occasions, including bridal shower favours, baby shower gifts, and as decorations in honeymoon suites.

To create a beautiful fluffy cake, you will need two large bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths. Place the towels horizontally on a flat surface, and then fold them lengthwise.

Start with one end and roll up the towel. Repeat for all the towels. To secure the towels, you can use pins or tie satin ribbons. Put the large towel rolls down first, add the second layer of hand towel rolls, and finish with the washcloth rolls at the top.

To complete the fold, add some rose petals on the top. Some hoteliers use lace, ribbons, and pearl sprays to complete the decoration on the cake. Check out this handy Towel Cake How-To guide.

Towel Couch

Image source craftcue.com

The towel couch is simple to make and is perfect for hotel rooms. You can use them to add small welcome notes for guests, toiletries and other small items in a creative way.

You can achieve this fold with three large towels. Fold the towels in half and roll them tightly. Place two towel rolls next to each other and the third one at the back.

Keep soaps and other toiletries on the towel rolls placed side-by-side. You can get a tutorial on the Towel Couch fold here.

Towel Rose

You can fold towels that come in different colours to make beautiful roses. The roses amplify the romantic atmosphere of any room. To make a rose towel, you will need colourful towels and faux stems or leaves.

Place a towel horizontally on a flat surface and fold it up on the long side. Next, fold one corner of the towel down, and from this side, roll the towel once towards the centre. Here is how to fold an Origami Towel Rose.

Twist the leftover part of the towel once. Roll over this twisted section until there is no more towel to roll. Tuck in the last part into the fold reproduced from twisting.

Repeat the process for three more flowers. After that, add decoration with pretty pink pins to hold the roses together. To make leaves, use small hand towels or artificial leaves.

NB: The fabric of the towels you use will affect the folds. If it is thin and falls apart easily starch and iron it prior to use for perfect results. Or even better, use high-quality towels and bath linen from a good supplier.

Your Choice of Towels Affects The Folds

Regardless of how you fold the towel, the “wow” factor really comes down to the quality of the bath linen. Which is why high-end hotels and resorts always use high-end bath linen.

Towels that are consistently the softest, thickest, fluffiest and exude luxury. Exactly like the high-end luxury towels, Australian Linen Supply provides the best hotels in Australia.

ALS is the go-to brand in the Australian linen market. They provide high-quality bed and bath linen, including quilts (duvets), pillow and mattress protectors, bathrobes and cabinet towel rolls.

Visit Australian Linen Supply online today and browse high-quality, affordable linen for every occasion. Your hotel guests will feel like they are in the very lap of luxury.

Photo courtesy from Freepik by lifeforstock

Correct table setting is one of the responsibilities that come with owning a restaurant. You and your waiters will be setting many (many!) tables throughout the day, every day.

But do you know how to set a restaurant table correctly? It could be a:

• Breakfast table setting
• Casual table setting
• Formal table setting
• Buffet table setting
• Pizzeria table setting, etc.

When you set your restaurant table, there are details you need to pay close attention to. For example, knife and fork placement, dining etiquette, use of perfect food and beverage linen, and the overall presentation of your restaurant table.

Remember, a correctly and beautifully set table makes your customers feel extra special. They will enjoy their meal more in an exquisitely beautiful setting.

Let’s now take a closer look at how to set each of the tables we mentioned.

Ready. Set. Let’s learn place settings!

Breakfast Table Setting

Australian scientists say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And it’s no surprise, right? Growing up your mum most likely insisted that you shouldn’t skip your breakfast.

And for good reasons;

• Breakfast breaks your overnight fast
• Breakfast kick starts your metabolism
• Breakfast refuels your glycogen (energy) stores
• Breakfast provides you with the energy to keep you going throughout the day

And if you believe the early rising bakers, Australians love breakfast. So you better learn how to set the perfect breakfast table.

Keep reading...

The breakfast table setting can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. It all depends on your preferences. But, here are the basics:

• Set a plate and a bowl on top of the charger plate for cereals and meals like eggs and toast.
• Lay out your silverware including butter knife, small spoon, and fork on the right-hand side of the table.
• Place the required drinkware according to your menu; glasses for water and juice drinks. And mugs for coffee, hot chocolate or tea. You may also need a pitcher.
• Set a table napkin at each place setting. You can either place the table napkin on top of the plate or on the left side of the plate or underneath the fork.

And one more thing:

As you prepare and serve your breakfast, make good use of freshly laundered tea towels. Your tea towels should be absorbent, lint-free, and durable.

Here are some tea towels that tick all these boxes. Check them out.

Cotton Glass Cloth	Herringbone Dorset Cleaning Cloth
Kitchen Tea Towel	Striped Tea Towel

Casual Table Setting

Sometimes your restaurant guests may prefer a casual setting for their lunch or dinner. To achieve an informal feel that your guest will enjoy, do the following:

• Set creative centrepieces
• Come up with a casual and inviting theme
• Use food and beverage linen that match your theme
• Serve interactive foods
• Fine china and silverware is not necessary (preserve that for formal table setting)

Here’s a table showing the correct informal place setting

Image source from nicoleoneil.com

Takeaways:

• Only set out the glassware, tableware, and flatware that will be used according to your menu.

For example: if you will serve only red wine, don’t include the white wine glass in your place setting. Not serving soup? Leave out the soup bowl and spoon.

• Place salt and pepper shakers within easy reach. Preferably at the centre of the table.
• Use the choicest table linen. That means lint-free, stainless clean, and perfectly ironed. Take a look at these suggested table cloths and replicate:

Round Table Cloth

Table Overlay

Square Table Cloth

Formal Table Setting

Remember all the fine china and silverware that you couldn’t use at the informal lunch or dinner? Well, this is the right time to bring out your finest.

All silverware, drinkware, flatware, and linen you use should be of the highest quality. That means;

• Stain and wrinkle-free linen
• Spotless sparkling glasses
• Polished forks and spoons
• The finest plates and bowls
• Gorgeous centrepieces

This elegant event will also most likely have you prepare more than three meal courses.

As you set the formal table, pay attention to details and symmetry of your serveware.

With that in mind, let’s see where each serveware goes. And while at it, pay attention to details and symmetry.

Formal Place Setting

Takeaway:

To really impress your guests, you can come up with novel ways of folding your table napkins. For example, in this video, you will learn the following napkin folding techniques:

• Diamond
• Arrow
• French
• Pyramid
• Bishop’s hat
• Goblet
• Candle
• Napkin ring
• Envelope
• Fan

And there’s more…

Buffet Table Setting

You can skip the formal and informal table setting options when you want your guests to serve themselves. That way, each of your customers can serve the right amount of food according to their preference. This helps prevent food wastage.

Let’s now take a closer look at the steps you need to follow to set a great buffet table.

1. Place the Buffet Table at an Ideal Location

Location, location, location. Remember how you had to choose the most ideal location when setting up your establishment?

The same concept applies when doing a buffet table setting. So…

• Have the buffet table easily accessible by everyone and with a good flow
• The buffet table’s start point and end point should be obvious to all
• Create alternate destinations within the room so that people can drift towards them and leave space for others to serve

You will find these buffet table setting cloths useful

• Trestle Polyester cloth
• Sun polyester box-pleat table skirting
• Sun polyester dress and fitted cloth

2. Arrange Everything in the Right Order

Setting a buffet table requires prior planning. You don’t just place everything haphazardly on the table. Instead, there’s a logical order;

• Have multiple stacks of plates at the first serving point, i.e., where the line starts.
• Place spoons, knives, forks, cups and the like at the end of the table. Better still, place them on the specific tables where your customers will be sitting.
• Arrange the foods strategically. Place plentiful or cheaper foods towards the first serving point and the scarce expensive foods towards the end of the table. Also, set cold foods first and warm foods towards the end.
• Add labels on all the food at the buffet table. It makes it easier for people to find what they like and move through the buffet more efficiently.

3. Create Several Access Points

With various access points, your customers can easily access everything they need without any hassle - just the way it should be.

Here are some clever ideas:

• Put small plates and the appetiser set up at the beginning and end of the table.
• Put plenty of cups and plates within immediate reach.
• Stagger two, three or more packs of table napkins throughout the table.
• Make the napkins easy to grab by arranging them so their corners are separated.

This video shows you how to get your napkins just right.

4. Remember the Final Touches

It’s the little things that add up to an amazing buffet table. Here are some pointers:

• Leave ample space for your guests to rest their food and drinks
• Place a litter bin or two where they can be easily accessible
• Add accents to make your buffet table more memorable; floral arrangements, patterned fruits, etc.

Pizzeria Table Setting

Image source from Pixabay by StockSnap

Pizza is simply irresistible and loved by so many people across Australia.

Did you know that there are more than 4,000 Australian businesses in the pizza industry?

According to Hospitality Magazine, Australia, in 2016 pizza and takeaway restaurants in Australia reported industry revenue of $3.7 billion. And $269.7 million in profits - revenue that’s expected to grow.

But to get a slice of the pizza profits, you need to impress your customers with the correct table setting. So, here’s what you will need:

• A plate
• A fork
• A spoon
• A glass
• A table napkin

Next, set your pizza table using these pointers:

• Place the fork and napkin on the left side of the plate
• Place the spoon and knife on the right side of the plate
• Place the glass on the right upper corner of the plate above the fork

You now have a pizzeria table. As simple as that!

But before we wrap up, we’ll give you the best pizza marketing ideas to help you stay ahead of your competition and sell some more pizza.

• Take professional photos of your pizza and use them on your promotions, social media, website, menu, and fliers, etc.
• Offer pizza by the slice for walk-in customers who don’t want to purchase a whole box of pizza. Promote your offer with a sign outside your pizza shop.
• Engage your customers on their devices; text messaging, mobile apps, push notification, mobile-friendly website, etc.
• Support local fundraisers and offer sponsorships.
• Make good quality pizza consistently and offer top-notch customer service to encourage repeat visits.

Let’s Wrap Up

By now, you already know the correct table setting for your breakfast table, casual table, formal table, buffet table, and pizzeria table.

Over to you to impress your customers with impeccable restaurant table settings.

And for all your high-quality but affordable food and beverage linen, check out Australian Linen Supply.

Photo courtesy from pexels.com by Life Of Pix

Table setting is an art. And your café should be associated with the most artfully executed place settings.

Many health enthusiasts may say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But that won’t stop your customers from coming to your café at all hours, whether its for afternoon tea, lunch or even dinner, depending on your opening hours.

For you, that means more and more table setting throughout the day - every day.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you learned a few easy ways of setting delightful café tables?

Keep reading and we’ll show you the correct table settings for breakfast, afternoon tea, lunch, and dinner.

How Do You Set a Café Table for Breakfast?

As your customers troop to your café each morning, they have one mission in mind - to indulge in a delicious breakfast.

And chances are, they are famished - having had their last meal the previous night. And hungry customers will enjoy their yummy breakfast even more on beautifully laid breakfast tables.

Here’s how to make it happen...

What You Will Need for Breakfast Place Setting

Condiments: jams, honey, lemon slices, butter, salt and pepper

Plates: dinner plate on the table, cereal plate on the buffet, salad plate on the buffet

Cutlery: knife and fork, dessert spoon, butter spreader, teaspoon, extra cereal spoons for the buffet, service tongs for the buffet

Glasses: water tumblers, juice glass, extra water, and juice glasses for buffet, coffee cup and saucer

Table linen: table cloths, place mats, and table runner of choice. Plus, coloured napkins of your choice

Sample these:

White Square Tablecloth	Black Square Tablecloth
Ivory Square Tablecloth	Blue Square Tablecloth

Breakfast Table Setting Decoration

A breakfast table plainly laid with cutlery won’t look as amazing as a table that’s decorated.

• Go for a light and fresh theme when decorating
• Use bright coloured table linen
• Ensure that the table linen colours coordinate
• Don’t overcrowd the table
• Place suitable centrepieces; floral arrangements, fruits, etc.

How Do You Set a Café Table for Afternoon Tea?

To celebrate the fabulous Mary Quant exhibition at Victoria & Albert Museum - The Pelham have created a fun and vibrant 60's Afternoon Tea
> https://t.co/T7vimy15Dn pic.twitter.com/Rb14YAJvgg

— AfternoonTea.co.uk (@AfternoonTeaUK) June 2, 2019

Traditional afternoon tea is mostly associated with the English. But that doesn’t mean you can’t serve afternoon tea (AKA tea reception or soiree) in Australia. Ideally, afternoon tea is served between two and five o'clock.

Most of your customers will come for afternoon tea because they are celebrating a special event such as a birthday, pre-wedding, baby shower, etc. Others may prefer afternoon tea to stave off hunger before dinner.

Setting the table for afternoon tea is easy. Here’s how:

What Should a Tea Set Include?

We’re about to list the items that you will need to set a delightful afternoon tea table at your café. But don’t let this list limit you. If there are other items you would love to include (inspired by personal experience), don’t shy away from laying them on the table.

With that in mind, here’s what a tea set should include:

Distinct courses

• Choices of tea
• Tea or finger sandwiches (served first)
• Scones (served second)
• Pastries (served last)

Table setting requirements

• The perfect table cloth: white, off-white, lacy, or appliqued
• Small creamers and sugar bowls conveniently placed around the table
• Serveware: teapots, teacups, teaspoons, saucers, snack plates, etc.
• Table napkins: durable and versatile
• Floral centrepieces: short enough for guests to see each other across the table
• Pitcher of hot water,
• Sliced lemons on a plate

Teal Towels Are a Must-Have

To impress your customers, you need to make good tasting afternoon tea. And serve it in style. So far, so good. You know how to set your café tables for afternoon tea.

But hang on a minute...

There is something else that you can’t afford to overlook - tea towels.

But don’t go for mediocre tea towels. Instead, get commercial grade tea towels that are absorbent and durable and look classy.

Here are some suitable suggestions:

Cotton Glass Cloth	Herringbone Dorset Cleaning Cloth
Kitchen Tea Towel	Striped Tea Towel

How to do Table Settings for Lunch and Dinner

Setting a table for lunch or dinner shouldn’t be a daunting task. Not after you read how to do it right, the easy way.

First off, you need to decide between a formal table setting or an informal table setting.

Let’s take a closer look at these two table setting options to help you decide.

Formal Table Setting

This table setting option is also known as fine dining. Here, you have to use the finest of everything you present;

• Antique silverware
• Higher quality glassware
• Ornate centrepieces
• Fine cloth napkins
• Top quality tablecloth, etc.

How to Set a Formal Lunch or Dinner Café Table

The most important thing to master is the cutlery placement. Keep reading to learn where to place each piece of your table setting cutlery.

Formal Place Setting

As you can see, lunch and dinner require that you use assorted spoons, knives, and forks - it can get confusing. But, the image below will help you understand how each one of them looks.

Take a look:

Image source tutorialspoint.com

Before we go on to the informal table setting section, you need to keep in mind some helpful tips:

• Don’t forget the table napkins
• Knife blades should always face the plate
• Table manners - the server should clear every dish after each course
• Don’t serve up any utensils that won’t be used
• Have everything available on the table - your guests shouldn’t have to request anything during their meals
• Red and white wine each have their specific glasses throughout the lunch or dinner
• Knife and fork etiquette - place them in the order the guest will use them, starting from the outside
• Ensure that all salad dishes arrive at the table on a salad plate - the server should place them on top of the dinner plate

How to Set a Table for Informal Lunch or Dinner

To set a delightful informal table (also known as casual table setting), you need to get creative. Read on for tips to help you decorate your café tables as desired:

• Make your own menu holder
• Get creative with your centrepieces
• Purchase tablecloths and ornaments that match your theme
• Be the fun and welcoming restaurant that serves interactive foods
• Establish a restaurant, lunch or dinner feel with a casual, inviting theme
• No need to use fine china and silverware but ensure your table looks attractive

With table decorations sorted, next, you need cutlery suitable for informal dining.

Here’s your list:

• Dinner plate: The first item to be set on the table
• Two forks: Placed on the left side of the plate. Large fork for the main course and small fork for first course or salad
• Large knife: Placed immediate to the right of the plate, the sharp edge facing inwards
• Spoons: place them to the right of the knife and in the order that they will be used 
• Glasses: place them at the top right of the dinner plate above knives and spoons
• Table napkin: Fold and place it in a napkin ring or;
• Place it to the left of the forks
• Fold and place it into a glass
• Place it under forks
• Place it at the centre of the dinner table

Check out this video to learn creative ways of folding your table napkins.

Before We Wrap Up: Important Tips to Remember

So far, you’ve learned how to set a table for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Congratulations. You’re probably already a step ahead of your competitors.

But hang on...

Is there anything else you can do to make your guests happy dinners?

The answer is YES. And here are the things you should keep in mind:

• Ladies are always served first
• Don’t engage in informal conversations with guests
• During formal functions, employees should only use employee entrances and exits
• Do not eat, drink, or chew gum in front of the guests
• Exhibit proper posture at all times: don’t slouch, fold arms, or place your hands in your pockets while in service
• Your uniforms should be pressed to remove wrinkles, they should be stain free, and spotlessly clean
• When removing plates from the table, start from the right of the guest (it’s an industry standard)
• When serving multiple courses, clear empty glasses and plates prior to the arrival of the next course
• When serving wine hold the wine glass by the stem, never by the bowl
• Always use a cloth napkin when pouring wine - to wipe the excess drips from the mouth of the bottle
• Always make sure tablecloths are free of wrinkles and stains. Their seams should face down. Allow the same amount of overhang on each side of the table.
• When setting the table, hold glasses by the stem and cutlery from the middle to minimise the appearance of fingerprints

Conclusion

Now table setting is child’s play to you, right? Go ahead and impress your customers. Let them wine and dine on the prettiest most delightful cafe tables.

For food and beverage linen; tea towels, table napkins, tablecloths, and more, head over to Australian Linen Supply now.

You’ll love their superior quality and pocket-friendly prices. Get in touch today.

Photo courtesy from unsplash.com by Jason Leung

Perfect and successful event planning is achievable. An event's success is measurable when the guests are comfortable. This can only happen when there is a well-thought-out plan.

A good seating plan makes things easier because:

• It gives caterers an easier time when serving meals.
• It ensures all tables get filled and enables hosts to figure out where guests will sit.
• It prevents confusion at the entrance. When guests arrive at the venue, they can locate their seat with ease.

So, how do you create a seating arrangement plan like a pro? Below are six easy tips to achieve your goal:

Tip 1: Have an idea of the venue space

Which kind of event are you hosting? What venue do you have in mind? How many people do you intend to host? What are the venue restrictions? Answering these questions will enable you to narrow down venue choices.

Always double-check the capacity of the venue you choose. Take into account the size and shape of the tables and table linen available.

It also enables you to know the kind of event set-up you need to use. While setting up ensure that the confirmed guests can fit in the selected venue.

Avoid seating guests too close to each other. They need to have space to move around and not feel claustrophobic.

The venue needs to be spacious enough for your event. This prevents overcrowding and enables guests to enjoy the event. You do not want guests to step on each other's toes while dancing.

Decide if the venue is big enough for the event you would like to hold well ahead of the day. Trying to change the venue close to the event is a lot harder and more expensive.

A good seating plan gives an opportunity for a timely event venue change if needed. It also gives you the freedom to play around with various set-up options.

Tip 2: Send timely invites to guests

Have a proper well-organised event invitation list. Once you have a list, send guests timely invitations for them to plan and RSVP.

Start working on your seating plan arrangements as soon as the invites are out. You can then double check the arrangement as the RSVPs start coming in.

This avoids the hassle of doing the seating plan in a hurry. It also gives you peace of mind when everything runs according to plan.

Tip 3: Do not do the seating plan by hand

To work like a pro, avoid writing out a seating plan by hand. It is tiresome and may cause confusion as handwriting may be hard to read.

Instead, create a seating plan online. There are many online tools that help to make a seating chart. Sites like AllSeated, seating planner and hitched are just a few options at your disposal.

These tools are great because they have easy-to-use drag and drop seating options. You can make changes as many times as possible until you are happy.

Some sites also have a list of venues. If the venue you like is on the list, it could even show a virtual floor plan. Every little detail can help with stress-free planning and reduce indecision.

Once done creating the seating chart, you can prepare a foamboard. Guests can use it to locate their seats on arrival.

You can also sketch tables on a poster and place guest names. In planning stages, you can even put names against table numbers using post-its. These can help you move names around until comfortable.

Bonus tip: Show guests on the chart where to find services like the dancefloor or band, restrooms, the buffet, and the bar.

Tip 4: Take care of every guest’s needs

To host a successful event, take care of the needs of every guest. Seating plans are more helpful when you pre-empt issues and accommodate guests.

The guests have various needs requiring attention. For successful planning, it’s important to at least consider and plan for the different needs of all guests.

Some important things to remember:

• Keep the closest family seated near or next to the wedding party.
• Seat the much older or elderly guests where they have ease of access to exits and aisles.
• Seat children or mums with children away from the blaring sounds of the speakers. This applies to elderly guests, too.
• Ensure the venue caters for guests that have physical challenges. Leave extra space for guests with wheelchairs.

Tip 5: Place the right people together

Guests appreciate sitting near people they are familiar with or they know. A great way to achieve this is to group guests by relationship. The groups could include:

• Family members
• High school friends
• College friends
• Work friends and colleagues
• Colleagues grouped according to workplace
• Ages, interests, and backgrounds

The idea is to accommodate everyone and ensure that they enjoy themselves. You can mix it up and add a variety of new faces to each table.

This is good especially when there are new guests who do not know many people. This will enable them to get to know people and be able to enjoy being at the event.

Bear in mind some people are naturally introverted so use your knowledge of people’s personalities to match them with like-minded table companions.

Avoid seating people who you suspect do not see eye-to-eye. To get it right, work with close family members for inside knowledge.

Depending on the event; whether a wedding, conference, party, funeral or Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The family can help when the seating arrangement needs a change.

Tip 6: Plan for safety and emergencies

When creating an event seating arrangement plan, ensure it factors in safety regulations. For example, what is the largest capacity of the venue and are the exits easy to find and accessible?

Avoid blocking exits and know escape routes. Take note of all emergency equipment and exits.

Depending on your venue, there may be extra regulations that you need to be aware of. Make enquiries from the manager of the venue you would like or even the owner.

This enables you to know venue-specific guidelines.

Final Tip: Do a final check on your seating arrangement plan

A lot can change between an RSVP and the date of your event. Confirmed guests may pull out at the last minute and interfere with your seating plan.

To avoid confusion, keep in frequent touch with your guests. This will enable you to know of any changes in advance and accommodate them.

One week prior to the event, make final checks using emails and social media to confirm all guests. This prevents last minute surprises and completes the seating plan like a pro.

A pro ensures everyone has a seat and tries to accommodate everyone's needs as much as possible. Beyond this, let the guests have fun.

Double check the venue and ensure good quality food and beverage linen is available. If not, work with linen from a quality supplier like Australian Linen Services.

Photo courtesy from unsplash.com by Sweet Ice Cream Wedding

Although you may have invested in high-quality hotel sheets, how you take care of them makes a big difference.

With proper care, your hotel sheets will always look as good as new. And they will last longer - value for your investment.

Keep reading to learn how to take care of hotel sheets.

Invest in High-Quality Hotel Sheets

Think you’ve invested in high-quality hotel sheets for your accommodation property?

Let’s check whether your hotel sheets meet the criteria:

• Are they specifically designed for the hospitality industry?
• Are they crispier, heavier, and thicker compared to retail bed sheets?
• Do they comprise of a thicker thread count and fabric weave that can withstand frequent use and regular washing?
• Are they made from superior fabric that feels extremely luxurious, soft, smooth, and crisp?

If your bed sheets do not meet the above criteria, then you need to invest in high-quality hotel sheets.

Once you have right sheets; built for commercial use, then taking care of them is much easier.

Let’s help you buy hotel quality sheets before we proceed to learn how to take care of them, okay?

Where to Buy Hotel Quality sheets in Australia?

The best place to get your hotel quality sheets is from commercial linen suppliers. You don’t have to walk from store to store comparing bed sheets. That’s the hard way. Instead, buy your hotel sheets online. And to make your search easier, use these phrases on your favourite search engine:

• Hotel linen suppliers
• Wholesale linen suppliers
• Linen wholesalers Australia
• Hotel quality linen Australia
• Motel linen for sale
• Hotel linen supplier Australia
• Commercial linen suppliers

That is one easy way to buy your hotel quality sheets in Australia. But, there is still an easier way.

Head over to Australian Linen Supply.

At pocket-friendly prices, you’ll get amazing hotel sheets along with:

• Accommodation linen
• Food and beverage linen
• Day spa linen

Pillows & Pillowcases

Quilt Doonas

Bed Sheets

Mattress Protectors

Blankets, Bath towels, etc.

 

Keep on Hand the Right Amount of Linen

Picture this: you get a huge number of check-ins. But on checking your inventory, you realise that you have run short of clean bed linen. How would you feel?

You see, with the right amount of linen, you are able to:

• Save on costs associated with labour
• Protect your hotel sheets from frequent launder and use
• Ensure that your guestrooms are always ready by check-in time

You should have the right bedding in place including:

• Pillowcases
• Bottom sheet
• A second sheet
• Blankets/duvet
• Top sheet/bed cover
• Bed runner/bed cushions

The other points to keep in mind are:

• Preferably, use the triple sheet approach; it is clean
• Change sheets and pillowcases with each full room clean
• Have a maximum of two to three days’ worth of sheets in storage
• Consider the washing up time and have some reserved linen for unforeseen circumstances

Train Your Housekeeping Staff

It is a no brainer - your housekeeping staff will be the ones mostly handling your hotel sheets. If they don’t have full training on how to handle hotel sheets, then you are in for unpleasant surprises. Mishandled sheets won’t serve you as desired.

The solution is to train them fully. Your housekeeping team should be well acquitted with:

• The right washing cycle to use
• The ideal method to use to dry the hotel sheets
• The right ironing temperature to use
• When to use a cold or hot wash or in between
• When to use or avoid bleach, etc.

Provide Cosmetic Cleaning Cloths to Your Guests

Have cosmetic cleaning cloths readily available in your guestrooms. The guests who check-in to your rooms can use them to wipe off the face and eye makeup before going to sleep.

Otherwise, when they sleep with makeup on, it may rub onto and stain your hotel quality cotton sheets, polycotton sheets, silk sheets, etc.

Besides staining your freshly laundered hotel sheets, sleeping with applied make up can lead to: 

• Broken eyelashes
• Eye infections
• Eye irritation
• Eyelid eczema
• Chapped lips
• Uneven skin tone
• Dry skin
• Acne
• Wrinkles

See how prudent it is to provide your guests with cosmetic cleaning cloths?

Triple-check for Stains

A stain is a difficult to remove discolouration that’s brought about by contact with a foreign substance. There are many types of stains including makeup, coffee, tea, fruit juice, blood, etc.

A triple checking system will help you catch nasty stains early enough. And deal with them as required. Therefore, have your housekeeping staff:

• Check for stains as they pull the sheets from the bed
• Check for stains again before the sheets go into the wash
• Check for stains again before the sheets go into the dryer

Moreover, they can follow these stain removal general rules and guidelines:

• Identify the stain
• Deal with the stain the soonest possible
• Remove excess staining material immediately
• First test the stain removal agent on an inconspicuous place
• Avoid using hot water on an unknown stain
• Use simple methods before resorting to the use of chemicals
• Use milder agents before using stronger ones
• Repeated mild applications are better than one strong one application
• Always ensure that the stain removing agent has been neutralised or washed away

Wash Your Hotel Sheets Using Soft Water

By all means, avoid using hard water to launder your hotel sheets. Hard water contains minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and manganese. Large amounts of these minerals in your water makes it harder.

Hard water;

• Doesn’t mix well with the detergent nor lather well
• Leaves your clothes with unsightly scum
• Makes your sheets feel stiff, unclean, and prone to attracting more dirt
• May cause skin irritation for guests with sensitive skin
• May cause premature fading on dark coloured sheets
• May weaken and tear your sheets fibre leading to costly replacements

Still, you may have no other option than to use hard water. In that case, you can follow the below guideline on how to do laundry using hard water.

But the best option is to wash your hotel sheets using soft water - it has low levels of metal traces. Any advantages of going this route? Read on.

With soft water, you will:

• Purchase less soap - soft water has greater washing power
• Your sheets will last longer and remain brighter
• Your laundry appliances will last longer because there will be no mineral deposits
• Your plumbing will last longer - no build ups on pipes

Use Energy Efficient Commercial Laundry Equipment

Think about your commercial laundry equipment. Are they energy efficient? Or, they are slowly but surely washing your money down the drain load after load?

Look, it is not enough to have your laundry equipment working well. Behind the scenes, they could be causing you excess labour, gas, and electricity.

So here’s what you can do:

• Buy energy star qualified equipment; the certification program sets energy efficiency standards that products have to meet in order to obtain a given number of stars
• Conduct a professional energy audit of your commercial property to get an overview of the amount of energy your property uses
• Install a laundry ozone system will save time, water, electricity and natural gas as well as reduce chemicals and wastewater. Watch the video below to understand the laundry ozone system better.

Store Your Hotel Sheets Properly

You’ve nailed laundering your hotel sheets. They are fresh and clean. Now, you need to store them properly. How you store your sheets will determine how fresh and clean they feel when a guest uses the one or two weeks down the line.

Read these helpful tips and know how to store your hotel sheets properly.

• Store your sheets in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place. This step will protect your sheets against developing malodours. They’ll also be safe from dust and mildew build up
• Fill up your storage area with the freshest bed sheets at the back and the older sheets towards the front. This will prevent some sheets from sitting in storage for too long - and losing their fresh appeal
• Don't pack your sheets tightly together. Let them breathe
• Leave it to the professionals. Sometimes you may just want fresh sheets delivered to your establishment every so often. A rental service can help you eradicate the headache of laundering and storing your hotel linens.

Let’s Wrap Up

You now know how to take care of your hotel sheets, right? So go ahead and practice what you’ve learned today. And you will always welcome your guests to the freshest, crispiest, and cleanest hotel sheets ever!

Need to replenish your inventory with more hotel sheets? Head over to Australian Linen Supply. You’ll get unmatched hotel quality sheets and more!

 

 

 

Photo Courtesy: 

Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay
Housekeeping Organisation Chart from Setupmyhotel.com 
How to do laundry infographic from TheScrubba