Wholesale

To keep operations running smoothly, specifically in hospitality based businesses, it’s essential to maintain a balanced stock of sheets, towels, and other linens. A concept known as “par level” is a practical tool for tracking and managing this inventory. This guide will explain what par level is, why it’s important, and how to calculate the ideal par level for your property’s laundry needs.

Why Is Par Level Important?

Laundering linens is a constant task in hospitality, and managing the flow of clean and used linens can be challenging. Insufficient linen stock is a common issue, causing delays for housekeeping as they wait for fresh linens, which can impact the guest experience. Establishing a sufficient par level helps ensure that you always have the right amount of linens available to keep rooms well-stocked and operations efficient.

What Is Par Level?

Par level, short for Periodic Automatic Replacement, is a method of calculating the minimum inventory of linens that should be on hand to prevent shortages. A single “par” represents one full set of linens needed for each guest room, typically including:

• 1 sheet set and duvet or comforter per bed
• 4 pillows with covers per bed
• 1 mattress protector per bed
• 4 bath towels, 4 hand towels, and 4 washcloths per room

Having a 1-par level means only stocking a single set of these items for each room, which is rarely sufficient because it allows no buffer between check-out and check-in.

What’s the Standard Par Level for Hotels?

Most hospitality properties find that maintaining a 3-par level strikes a good balance. With 3-par, each room has three full sets of linens: one in use in the room, one in the laundry, and one in storage, ready for use. This ensures a steady cycle and prevents service interruptions.

However, not every item may need to follow the 3-par standard. For linens that don’t require daily replacement, like mattress protectors and pillows, a 1.25-par level is often adequate, providing a safety buffer without occupying excessive storage.

Properties that rely on off-site laundry services may need to raise their par level to account for linens in transit, usually increasing from 3-par to 4-par.

By following these guidelines, One Well Textiles customers can ensure they maintain a well-stocked inventory that supports seamless operations, ultimately contributing to a positive guest experience.