News | SWS GROUP

The Ultimate Guide to Linen Service

Written by SWS Group | Jul 9, 2020 4:00:04 AM

The goal of a restaurant health inspection is to ensure the health and safety of your guests. A health inspector will pay meticulous attention to how you store, thaw and cook your food and that all the storage, kitchen and dining areas are kept clean.

Tablecloths and napkins — two staples at restaurants, country clubs and event centres. Not only to do they keep your tables clean, but they also create an appealing and upscale atmosphere that keeps customers coming back time and time again.

Some restaurants and clubs purchase their linens and launder them weekly or sometimes daily. Others use linen rental service like what we provide at Cleantex.

This guide focuses on linen service and features everything you need to know to make a confident decision for your restaurant.

What is Linen Service?

Let’s start by saying what linen rental service is not. It's not tablecloths and napkins for one-off events like graduation parties and weddings. Instead, it's weekly cleaning and delivery service for places like restaurants and country clubs that need to keep a stock of clean linens every week.

Your restaurant will have a specific day and time for deliveries, so you never have to worry about having enough tablecloths and napkins. You’ll also have a consistent route service representative who can help you with any needs you might have.

How Does Linen Service Work?

Unlike floor mat and uniform rental, linen service can vary from company to company. Some companies don’t have weekly minimums and will only deliver tablecloths and napkins when they are requested. Others provide a specific amount of linens each week, but customers can add more if they need them for an event or run out. Here are some necessary steps associated with linen service.

  • An expert will assess your needs and create a linen program that’s right for you
  • Clean tablecloths and napkins are dropped off weekly at a set day and time
  • Dirty linens and washed and pressed at a laundry facility
  • Linens are hand inspected to remove ripped or damaged items

We always tell new customers to start with more napkins and tablecloths than they think they need. This way, they don't run out, and the number can always be decreased once our team and the customer figure out precisely what they need.

Why Does My Restaurant Need Linen Service?

Create an Elegant Atmosphere

Clean, pressed tablecloths and napkins on each table are an easy way to enhance your customer's dining experience. They set your restaurant above the rest and keep customers coming back time and time again.

Save Time and Money

Purchasing and laundering your linens takes both time and money away from restaurant owners' true passion – serving great food to their customers. Letting a company like Cleantex handle your tablecloths and napkins for you allows you to focus on the things that matter most.

Always Stocked

Rest easy knowing you’ll never run out of tablecloths or napkins at your restaurant. And if you need more before your delivery day, you can always call your service representative to restock early or add more linen to your service.

Save the Environment

Reusable linens are much better for the environment than single-use paper napkins. And our laundering processes are designed to save water and minimise environmental impact as much as possible.

What Types of Tablecloths and Napkins are Available?

We offer white, ivory and black tablecloths in the sizes listed below. The tablecloths are laundered at our HACCP compliant facility and pressed, so they always look good on your tables. We offer various sizes. 

Our cloth napkins are available in a wide variety of colours sure to fit your aesthetic. We offer solid coloured napkins and striped bistro napkins for a trendier look.

Who Should I Partner with for Linen Service?

It all depends on your needs. If you run an event centre and you only need linens a few times per year, you might consider a partner that specialises in party supplies like linens, tables, chairs, tents, etc. However, if your restaurant, country club or event centre needs to keep tablecloths and napkins in stock because you put them on the tables daily, you should partner with a company like

It all depends on your needs. If you run an event centre and you only need linens a few times per year, you might consider a partner that specialises in party supplies like linens, tables, chairs, tents, etc. However, if your restaurant, country club or event centre needs to keep tablecloths and napkins in stock because you put them on the tables daily, you should partner with a company like Cleantex.

Other Things to Consider

There are a few different factors to consider when choosing a linen service partner.

  • Product quality
  • Service quality
  • Company reputation
  • Recommendations and reviews
  • Proximity

Conclusion

Linen service is designed to make your job easier while keeping your restaurant looking nice through lunch and dinner. Once you decide which type of linens you want and how many you need to be stocked each week, be sure to partner with a company that has your best interests in mind.

Have more questions or want to learn how our linen service works?