01What "a set" means
A set = the flat sheet, duvet cover and pillowcases in use on one bed at the same time. Duvet and pillow inserts aren't laundered daily, so they don't count toward sets; usually one per bed, with a few spares.
02Why at least 3 sets
- one on the bed;
- one being washed, dried and ironed in the laundry;
- one in the store room, ready for room changes.
With outsourced laundry, it usually takes 1–3 days from pickup to return, so another set is tied up in transit and at the laundry. You need 4 sets or more.
03Choose the number of sets for your situation
| Situation | Recommended sets |
|---|---|
| In-house laundry, same-day return | 3 sets / bed |
| Outsourced laundry, back in 1–2 days | 4 sets / bed |
| Long outsourced laundry turnaround, or occupancy above 80% year-round | 5 sets / bed |
| Upscale hotels with daily changes and turndown service | 5+ sets / bed |
Laundry volume rises in peak season or during large events; you can top up temporarily on top of the usual sets rather than buying a peak-season quantity for the whole year.
04Calculating purchase quantities
Purchase quantity = beds × pieces in use per bed × sets, plus 10%–20% for a new opening.
For example, 100 king rooms, 2 pillows per bed, 4 sets:
| Item | Calculation | Purchase quantity (incl. 10% spare) |
|---|---|---|
| Flat Sheet | 100 × 1 × 4 = 400 pcs | 440 pcs |
| Duvet Cover | 100 × 1 × 4 = 400 pcs | 440 pcs |
| Pillowcase | 100 × 2 × 4 = 800 pcs | 880 pcs |
With twin rooms, calculate each bed size separately, for example 1.8 m and 1.2 m beds.
05How to size flat sheets
A flat sheet has to be bigger than the mattress to wrap the edges and tuck underneath. The usual formula:
Flat sheet width = mattress width + 2 × mattress thickness + 50 cm; flat sheet length = mattress length + 2 × mattress thickness + 40 cm.
For example, a standard 1.8 × 2.0 m mattress 20 cm thick: width 180 + 40 + 50 = 270 cm, length 200 + 40 + 40 = 280 cm, so the flat sheet is about 270 × 280 cm. The thicker the mattress, the bigger the sheet. Please give both mattress size and thickness when you inquire.
06Common mistakes
- Buying only one or two sets per room, which runs out at the first laundry run after opening.
- Counting twin rooms by room, so half the beds are missed.
- Keeping no spares, so stained or damaged bedding has no replacement.
- Giving only the mattress size for flat sheets, not the thickness, so they don't cover the corners on arrival.
07How to word your inquiry
How to word your inquiry
1.8 × 2.0 m mattresses, 20 cm thick, 100 beds in total. Flat sheets 270 × 280 cm, 100% cotton 60s × 40s sateen, white, 4 rotation sets plus 10% spare, 440 pieces in total; duvet covers and pillowcases in the same fabric, quantities calculated the same way.