The Holiday Rush: Laundry Tips for Busy Hotels in LA

It's the week before Christmas. Your hotel lobby is packed with families heading to Disneyland, business travelers closing year-end deals, and a housekeeping team working overtime. Behind the scenes? A mountain of linens that keeps growing. 

Sound familiar? 

During the holidays, every room turnover matters and every fresh towel counts. Laundry can quickly become the bottleneck that slows everything down. But it doesn't have to be! 

Below are the strategies that will help you handle the holiday surge while keeping your guests happy and your team sane. 

1. Forecast volume before demand peaks 

Start by reviewing your booking calendar well ahead of peak periods. Many guests reserve weeks or months in advance, especially during holidays and special events. Use historical data to estimate your linen turnover, so you can place advance orders with your hotel laundry provider. That buffer helps prevent last-minute panic when occupancy jumps. 

2. Prioritize hotel laundry service express turnaround windows 

When room changeovers accelerate, fast laundry turnaround becomes essential. Ask your laundry partner for express or priority options they already offer. M & F Laundry emphasizes rapid turnaround and accurate packing for client performance and guest satisfaction. Insist on clear delivery windows and confirm that your laundry vendor can meet those windows during the peak. 

3. Track quality every batch 

Even under stress, quality cannot slip. Take a random sampling of cleaned linens and check for issues like stains, fading, or weak seams. Communicate immediately with your laundry service about any defects. Because M & F Laundry certifies that each item leaving their facility meets high standards, you get accountability built in. 

4. Maintain buffer inventory 

Carry a reserve of essential linens and towels to cover sudden needs or delays. Industry standards recommend maintaining a 3-par level for hotels with on-site laundry, meaning three complete sets of linens per room: one clean in the guest room, one being laundered, and one resting on shelves ready for use.  

Hotels using external laundry services should maintain 4-5 par levels to account for transit times and potential delays. With Los Angeles hotel occupancy reaching 72.5% in 2024 and holiday season occupancy historically exceeding 70%, having buffer stock gives you breathing room while your laundry service catches up during peak periods. 

5. Use digital tracking & real-time updates 

Ask your laundry provider for status reports: when a load is received, when it's processed, and when it leaves. That visibility helps you adjust room assignments or manage staffing accordingly. Reliable tracking also helps prevent misplaced items or delivery delays. 

6. Communicate with your staff and guests 

Train housekeeping and front-desk staff to flag linen shortages or damaged items immediately. When damage or stains occur mid-stay, have a backup supply ready. Inform guests if certain items must be delayed (for example, thick comforters) and offer alternatives. Good transparency helps manage expectations during the holiday strain. 

Keep Your Hotel Laundry Service Flowing Smoothly This Holiday Season 

Busy weeks don't have to mean chaos behind the scenes. With M & F Laundry handling your linens, your team can focus on guests while we take care of the details. Our laundry specialists have spent over 50 years helping hotels and vacation rentals stay ready for every check-in and checkout. 

Every item we return is carefully cleaned, pressed, and packed so it's ready for immediate use. That consistency helps your staff stay organized and keeps your guests comfortable, no matter how full the schedule gets. 

If you want reliable hotel laundry service support during the holidays and beyond, reach out to M & F Laundry. We'll help you keep your operations steady and your rooms guest-ready all season long.