If you own a vacation home on Cape Cod, you may be looking for ways to make your rental property more appealing to guests. One option worth considering is a linen service. By providing fresh bedding and towels for each guest, you can create a resort-like experience that will make your property stand out from the competition. Plus, linen service is a great way to ensure that your guests always have clean sheets and towels.
I have some advice if you’re thinking about adding linen service to your vacation rental property. I’ll discuss the benefits of using a professional linen service provider, as well as tips for choosing the right one.
What is a linen service, and what does it include?
A linen wardrobe, which typically includes sheets and towels, is a standard part of a linen service. By providing your guests with clean sheets and towels for each night they stay at your property, you can make their vacation as comfortable as possible.
A laundry basket or hamper is also often offered as part of the standard service so that guests don’t need to keep track of dirty laundry. If you’d like, you can increase your linen service to include dishes and cooking supplies.
The benefits of using a linen service for your rental property
One of the most time-consuming parts of owning a rental property is ensuring that everything is clean and in working order, from appliances to fixtures. Even if you have a housekeeper or cleaning service come in every week, there are still some items that need to be shampooed regularly—the living room carpet, bathroom tile, bedroom sheets. With a linen service, all of this is taken care of for you and your tenants.
Liberty Siqueira works with homeowners and realtors to create healthy and comfortable living environments by providing high-quality linens professionally cleaned by our team of experts. From the time we arrive at the home, we see it as our job to create a healthy, safe, and relaxing environment for your tenants.
How to choose the right linen service for you
It should go without saying that there are several things to consider before taking this step:
– How important is it to have a consistent appearance in your property?
– How important is it to maintain good relationships with your guests?
– Does the quality of their product or service justify a price increase?
– Does the service provide any type of incentive for loyalty (i.e., discounts, “first dibs” on out-of-stock items, etc.)?
Suppose you can honestly answer these questions and still conclude that a change would benefit your company’s fiscal health. In that case, this next step might be an excellent option for you. However, if you find yourself answering “no” to most or all of these questions, then switching suppliers isn’t going to help you save money unless you’re willing to sacrifice quality and consistency.
Things to keep in mind when choosing a linen service
“There’s nothing like the smell of fresh, clean bedsheets,” says Chantae de Bie. “A good quality set will keep its shape and color for years.” Here are some things to remember when choosing a linen service:
1) Quality – Look for high thread count, all cotton materials; 200 or more is considered top quality (with 500+ exceptional); flannel should be 100% cotton; Egyptian cotton is always the finest, but it can cost more so if your budget is tight look for an all-cotton variety. The weave makes a difference, too – percale is smooth with a matte finish while sateen has a softer, silkier finish.
2) Color and pattern – Linen care is easy: white or light colors look crisp and fresh and become softer with each laundering; colors will darken slightly with repeated washings; stripes, plaids, and checks can be tricky—they should match throughout the set, but some patterns may not line up ideally after washing, so avoid anything too busy. You might want to get a stain-resistant treatment such as Scotchgard.
3) Brand and price – There are significant differences in linen services: a deluxe, top travel-brand service will be high quality; package deals that include towels and sheets can offer value; most bedding is billed by the piece (such as $50 for one flat sheet and two pillowcases), so look at total costs. “You get what you pay for,” says de Bie. “But there is such thing as getting too much of a good thing when it comes to luxury linens.” She suggests making sure the retailer carries return policies, so if your family’s sleeping style changes or your tastes in decor change, you can swap out pieces without the hassle and no added cost. A reputable company with an online presence will have a simple return policy, so always read the fine print before you buy.
4) Guarantees and service – De Bie recommends buying from companies that recognize their high-end products need special handling. “These businesses provide guarantees to protect your investment,” she says. “Look for a good warranty, whether it’s from the company or from your credit card issuer.”
5) Linen care – For easy care, there are lightweight, breathable 100% cotton linens that do not wrinkle easily but will show stains more readily. The heaviest weight is usually preferable because it has a neater, crisper appearance and lasts longer during laundering. Higher thread counts hold colors better, too –the weave tends to stay true with 100% cotton.
How to save money on your linen service bill
The best way to save money with a linen service is simple: Don’t use their service exclusively! This might sound counter-intuitive at first, but there is a method to my madness.
When a laundry company senses they have found “a good thing,” they will often lock the client into long-term contracts to increase their chances of being the exclusive provider of their services. To prevent this from happening, you need to have a plan.
Liberty Siqueira provides seasonal service. This allows us to line up other options while sourcing replacement linen items at comparable or better prices than the current provider. Once we’ve lined up alternative sources, contact the service you are using now and notify them that your arrangement will be terminated at month three (assuming they are interested in continuing your business). There might be an early termination fee involved, but it’s worth it if you’re saving money on your bill!
Suppose you need a linen service to provide all your tablecloths. In that case, a service might charge for those tablecloths based on actual usage (we’ll show you how much each one costs per pound) as well as a delivery fee (if applicable).
Tips for maintaining your linens in a rental property
Wash all linens before moving them into the apartment. Use the highest water level on your washing machine during this process and hot water to eliminate as much dirt and trouble (i.e., stains) as possible. Also, use chlorine bleach or oxygen bleach alternatives instead of color-safe bleach on whites—it will get rid of rust rings more effectively than any other type of bleach alternative. Remember to read product labels carefully; some chlorine bleach alternatives will not whiten whites or get rid of rust rings. Some oxygen bleaches only remove certain types of stains.
Always use chlorine bleach (or its equivalent) on white linens and colored wash clothes/cloths as needed. In addition, some stain removers are helpful here as well—just be sure to spot test first before having a laundry day with your entire load!
Make sure all towels have been washed before you move them in as well; this is so they do not bring any dirt from their last location into your new place. If possible, it is ideal to have the towels laundered at a facility that uses super hot water because this will kill most germs that may have had a chance to grow on them.
Thanks for reading! We hope this post has helped you understand what a linen service is and the benefits of using one. If you need a linen service for your rental property, I can be reached at rob@libertysiqueira.com, or call me at 339-221-4702. I would be happy to help!