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Linen logistics: the item that decides the cleaning window — and the rating

The calculation regularly overlooks it and the rating reliably punishes it. Between departure and arrival there are often five hours.

What are linen logistics in short-term letting?

Linen logistics is the organisation of bed linen, towels and kitchen textiles between two stays: washing, drying, providing, storing. It decides whether a same-day changeover is possible. The basic choice is a washing machine in the flat or an external laundry — the first saves logistics, the second saves time in the cleaning window.

The time window is the real constraint

Check-out at 11, check-in at 3 or 4. In those four to five hours the flat has to be cleaned, inspected and made up again. Washing and drying do not fit inside that — at least not in the same pass.

From which follows the basic rule: at least two complete sets per bed and bathroom, better three. One is in use, one is ready, one is in the wash. Anyone counting on two has no buffer when something is delayed, and on a same-day changeover delay is the normal case.

Own machine or external laundry

A machine in the flat saves logistics: nothing has to be collected or delivered. But it occupies time in the cleaning window and ties the cleaner to the property for as long as the machine runs.

An external laundry delivers prepared sets and takes the used ones away. That needs lead time, somewhere in the flat to store them, and a reliable rhythm. With several properties in one quarter it is clearly superior — one route instead of five machines.

With a single property it depends on the flat: if there is a cupboard for three sets and a machine that can run during the cleaning, the in-house solution works well. Without the storage, the laundry becomes the better choice, even when it looks dearer on paper.

Frequently asked questions

How many sets of bed linen do I need?
At least two per bed, better three: one in use, one ready, one in the wash. Two sets work as long as nothing goes wrong — and on a same-day changeover something regularly does. The same applies to towels, where consumption per guest is higher than expected.
Is an external laundry worth it?
With several properties in one quarter, clearly — one route replaces several machines and frees up the cleaning window. With a single property it depends on storage: anyone who can store three sets and has a machine that runs during the cleaning is cheaper off in-house.
Why does linen show up in the rating?
Because it falls under the cleanliness subcategory, and that is the category with the most deductions. A guest notices a mark on a sheet immediately and writes it down. Unlike location or amenities it is entirely solvable by organisation — which makes it the category where a deduction stings most.

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