Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Laundry Attendant

Laundry machine

A Laundry Attendant is a professional who plays a vital role in ensuring clean and well-maintained linens, uniforms, and garments in various establishments such as hotels, resorts, hospitals, and laundromats. They are responsible for processing, cleaning, and organizing laundry items. In this blog post, we will explore the main responsibilities and the essential hard and soft skills required for Laundry Attendants.

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Main Responsibilities of a Laundry Attendant

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Laundry Attendant:

Abide by

Abide by all company safety and hygiene regulations.

Act

Act with integrity and respect.

Add

Add detergent, bleach, and other cleaning agents as needed.

Adhere to

  • Adhere strictly to rules regarding health and safety and be aware of any company-related practices.

  • Adhere to established laundry procedures and quality standards.

Adjust

Adjust to doing the same thing over and over.

Answer

  • Answer client questions with detailed and accurate information.

  • Answer phones and provide information to clients.

  • Answer telephone calls from guests requiring cleaning or pressing services.

Apply

Apply identification labels to all personal clothing and linens.

Approach

Approach all encounters with guests and employees in a friendly service-oriented manner.

Assist in

  • Assist and attends to the needs of the residents as required.

  • Assist guests with their sewing / tailoring needs.

  • Assist in daily linen count for monthly inventories.

  • Assist in processing the linen and terry used throughout the resort.

  • Assist in the Housekeeping, Laundry Valet, and Laundry areas as needed.

  • Assist in training new laundry staff members.

  • Assist Pick-up with loading of closets when necessary.

  • Assist Room Attendants with seasonal cleaning procedures.

  • Assist with guest issues, being professional and maintaining a hospitable caring attitude.

  • Assist with other rooms division activities as assigned.

  • Assist with the tracking and recording of laundry operations and productivity.

Assure

Assure the look and fit of Employee Uniforms meet exacting standards.

Attend

Attend meetings as required by management.

Check

  • Check and clean lint traps daily on all equipment.

  • Check stocking levels of all laundry supplies and replace as needed.

Clean

  • Clean and maintain all public areas as well as assists all departments in hotel cleanliness.

  • Clean and restock housekeeping carts daily.

  • Clean dryer filter daily and maintain all equipment as trained.

  • Clean laundry equipment, tubs, floors and laundry area.

  • Clean laundry machinery and laundry area.

  • Clean laundry room, sorting and soiled linen tubs.

  • Clean vacant rooms and prepare suites for new move-ins as instructed by ESM or their designate.

Collaborate with

Collaborate with other laundry staff to ensure efficient workflow.

Collect

  • Collect, sort, transport laundry at the beginning of each shift.

  • Collect soiled linens and personal laundry from user areas.

Communicate

  • Communicate effectively and follow directions (with the customers, co-workers and management).

  • Communicate effectively with guests, co-workers, and supervisors.

  • Communicate professionally with guests and co-workers.

Complete

Complete sales transactions for clients.

Count

Count the items and give guest a completed receipt.

Create

  • Create bed linen bundles in order to efficiently prepare storage shelves and housekeeping carts.

  • Create sewn pieces for use in operating departments.

Deliver

Deliver clothing to guest at time desired.

Describe

Describe the minimum qualifications needed to complete the job responsibilities.

Display

Display a positive and professional attitude while performing duties.

Dispose

Dispose of used guest amenities and trash.

Distribute

Distribute linen and residents' personal clothing to user areas.

Empty

Empty the laundry chute and prepare loads for washer.

Ensure

  • Ensure all appliances are present and in working order.

  • Ensure all dryers are cleaned at least three times per day.

  • Ensure all items are cared for and inspected according to standards.

  • Ensure an adequate supply of clean linens for housekeeping staff on each shift.

  • Ensure by example that the Belmond Hotels philosophy is known.

  • Ensure cleanliness of equipment.

  • Ensure necessary chemicals are added in the correct quantities prior to wash cycles.

Feed

Feed washed linens into ironer.

Fold

  • Fold and place item in appropriate storage bin.

  • Fold clean terry and linen followed by stocking shelves and storage rooms.

  • Fold items using technique as outlined in brand standards or by management.

  • Fold linens / towels and stock linen carts as required.

  • Fold clean linens and stores as appropriate.

  • Fold Laundry and makes sure Housekeeping is stocked and ready to go the next day.

  • Fold, stack, and package clean laundry items for delivery or storage.

Follow

  • Follow company policies and procedures.

  • Follow detailed instructions.

  • Follow hotel grooming and dress standards.

  • Follow infection control protocols when handling soiled linens.

  • Follow laundry procedures in the company systematic fashion.

  • Follow proper handling and disposal procedures for hazardous materials.

Follow-up

Follow-up to ensure guest satisfaction.

Foster

Foster a shared responsibility for the well-being of our staff, guests, and community.

Fulfill

Fulfill and verify orders.

Handle

  • Handle and store cleaning chemicals safely.

  • Handle customer inquiries, requests, and complaints in a professional manner.

Help

Help customers dropping off and picking up laundry orders.

Helpful

Helpful with guest service orientation.

Identify

Identify stained or damaged items, and determine whether to re launder, spot treat, or discard.

Inform

Inform supervisor of malfunctioning equipment.

Inspect

  • Inspect finished laundry items for quality control purposes.

  • Inspect laundry items for stains, damage, or repair needs.

  • Inspect orders and make sure they are correct.

  • Inspect rooms / public areas for safety hazards.

  • Inspect all laundry and linens and records all damaged or stained items.

  • Inspect and repairs bedspreads, drapes, linens, and other textiles used in the hotel.

Keep

  • Keep appropriate inventory of Employee Uniform pieces assuring the par levels are met.

  • Keep facility clean and organized daily.

  • Keep laundry carts clean and free of debris.

  • Keep the laundry area clean, organized, and free from hazards.

  • Keep track of lost or damaged laundry items and report to the supervisor.

Lift

Lift and carry bags of laundry and dry cleaning.

Load

  • Load and unload washer and dryer.

  • Load and unload washing machines, dryers, and other laundry equipment.

  • Load articles into washer and adds specified amount of detergent, soap, or other cleaning.

Log

Log the request and goes to Guest Room to pick up the clothing that needs service.

Lubricate

Lubricate machines, using grease gun and oil can.

Maintain

  • Maintain a clean and organized work area.

  • Maintain a clean, safe environment in the residence.

  • Maintain a good working relationship with all Departments.

  • Maintain cleanliness and organization of laundry area, removes trash or recycling.

  • Maintain cleanliness of surfaces and all equipment.

  • Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with care.

  • Maintain constant supply of clean linens for the hotel.

  • Maintain inventory of laundry supplies and request replenishment when needed.

  • Maintain knowledge of hotel features / services, outlets, hours of operation, etc..

  • Maintain laundry area in a clean and orderly manner.

  • Maintain, replenish, and stock storage room and housekeeping carts.

  • Maintain the highest level of employee / guest relations.

  • Maintain the laundry and appropriate facilities in a clean and orderly manner.

  • Maintain work and storage areas in a clean, safe and sanitary manner.

Make

Make beds, fold terry, clean bathrooms, remove trash, dirty linens, and room service items.

Mark

Mark guest clothing for identification.

Measure

Measure new employees for uniforms.

Monitor

  • Monitor and adjust machine settings for optimal wash and dry cycles.

  • Monitor own work to ensure quality.

Observe

  • Observe operation of machines and report any malfunctioning to the ESM.

  • Observe and adhere to all policies and procedures, work standards and safety regulations.

  • Observe standards for the department in image, appearance, and grooming.

Operate

  • Operate and maintain folding & ironer equipment while following safety procedures.

  • Operate and maintain washer, dryer, dry cleaning machine, steam tunnel, presser and iron.

  • Operate garment-finishing equipment such as steamers or pressers.

  • Operate iron as per standard and ensure that it is shut off at the end of day.

  • Operate laundry machinery and equipment following safety protocols.

  • Operate motorized cleaning equipment.

  • Operate or use faulty equipment.

  • Operate washer, dryer, sheet folder, towel folder and ironer.

  • Operate washers and dryers according to recommended capacity and other manufacturers' guidelines.

  • Operate washers, dryers, folding & ironer equipment while following safety procedures.

Perform

  • Perform all stages of laundry operations including washing, drying, and folding linens and towels.

  • Perform any other duties as requested by management.

  • Perform any other duties as requested by supervisor.

  • Perform a variety of laundering activities such as labeling, cleaning, folding, organizing, etc..

  • Perform duties in occupied rooms and late check-out rooms when needed.

  • Perform laundry duties within a nursing home such as.

  • Perform minor mending and ironing services as necessary.

  • Perform minor repairs or sewing tasks on damaged garments.

  • Perform regular maintenance and cleaning of laundry equipment.

Place

Place folded product on appropriate rack.

Practice

Practice emergency procedures in compliance with hotel / company standards.

Prepare

  • Prepare rooms for guest arrivals and special set-ups as defined from supervisor and / or front desk.

  • Prepare unoccupied rooms for turndown for arriving guests.

Pre-sort

Pre-sort and separate linen by classification.

Pre-treat

Pre-treat stains and perform spot cleaning as necessary.

Protect

Protect equipment and make sure there are no inadequacies.

Provide

  • Provide a professional image at all times through appearance and dress.

  • Provide excellent guest service in an efficient, courteous professional manner.

  • Provide exceptional customer service by addressing concerns promptly.

  • Provide personal laundry services for residents in accordance with established work routines.

  • Provide services and interacts with residents and resident family members in a professional manner.

React

React and assist in hotel emergency situations as needed.

Receive

  • Receive and sort soiled linens and terry.

  • Receive orders from clients and enter into computer.

  • Receive soiled linens by bag, cart or chute from the floors.

  • Receive, unload and store incoming inventory items accordingly.

Remove

  • Remove all garbage and recyclable items and place in the appropriate bins inside the service area.

  • Remove and sort dirty linens and towels from laundry carts.

  • Remove laundry from dryers and fold immediately to prevent wrinkling.

  • Remove Room Service trays, dishes and carts to service landings.

  • Remove used towels and replaces them with clean ones from the Linen Closet.

Repair

  • Repair deficiencies in uniforms.

  • Repair textiles throughout the hotel as needed.

Replace

  • Replace dirty linens and terry items with clean items.

  • Replace guest amenities and supplies in rooms.

  • Replace with clean linens.

Replenish

Replenish guest room supplies and amenities.

Report

  • Report any damages or repairs and maintenance needed to Housekeeping.

  • Report any equipment malfunctions or safety issues to the supervisor.

  • Report any items found in check-out units to Security and Housekeeping.

  • Report any problems or deficiencies to manager.

  • Report or correct any hazardous conditions observed immediately.

  • Report potentially unsafe conditions.

Respond to

  • Respond quickly to guest requests in a friendly manner.

  • Respond to all guest and departmental requests promptly.

  • Respond to guest requests as needed.

  • Respond to guest service issues in a timely, friendly and efficient manner.

Restock

Restock used amenities such as shampoo, lotions, cotton balls, stationery and pens.

Retrieve

  • Retrieve and sort linen and terry for processing.

  • Retrieve folded linens and stack or hang clean linens as appropriate.

Separate

Separate laundry that requires mending or special stain removal.

Shake

  • Shake out and separate all linen.

  • Shake wet sheets, table linens and napkins prior to ironing in order to spread them out.

Shall

Shall strive to provide exceptional service to both internal and external guests at all times.

Sort

  • Sort and distribute clean laundry items to the appropriate departments or clients.

  • Sort and separate laundry items based on color, fabric type, and washing requirements.

  • Sort dried articles according to identification number or type.

  • Sort all articles by kind, color and degree of soil.

  • Sort and wash linens such as sheets, towels, table clothes, and napkins.

  • Sort clean towels, rugs and robes.

  • Sort out stained or torn linen.

  • Sort stained or torn linen.

  • Sort used linens into appropriate categories for washing.

  • Sort, wash, dry, fold and return clean clothing to resident rooms.

Stay updated on

Stay updated on industry trends, techniques, and best practices.

Stock

Stock linen supply room with clean linens for use for next day.

Strive

Strive to continuously improve.

Support

Support Leading Quality Assurance.

Sweep

Sweep and mop laundry floors storing all linens off the floor.

Tag

  • Tag and package dry clean orders.

  • Tag and package laundry orders.

Tailors

Tailors uniform to employee's measurements.

Take

Take the initiative to greet guests in a friendly and warm manner.

Treat

Treat stained linen when applicable and salvageable.

Understand

Understand operation of washing machines and dryers.

Use

  • Use chemicals and equipment properly.

  • Use towel folder and manual folding for bath towels, washcloths, rugs and robes.

Utilize

Utilize the freedom to go beyond to take initiative to resolve guest complaints and create loyalty.

Verify

Verify good operating condition of equipment.

Wash

  • Wash and dry all dirty linens towels rags etc. as directed by management.

  • Wash and dry laundry using correct formula for each wash load.

Work

  • Work harmoniously and professionally with co-workers and supervisors.

  • Work in a housekeeping or laundry team an asset.

  • Work safely to reduce the risk of injury to self, co-workers, and residents.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Laundry Attendant:

  1. Operation of commercial laundry equipment (washing machines, dryers, etc.).

  2. Sorting and organizing laundry items efficiently.

  3. Knowledge of different fabric types and their care requirements.

  4. Proper handling and usage of cleaning agents, detergents, and bleaches.

  5. Ironing, pressing, and folding techniques.

  6. Spot cleaning and stain removal methods.

  7. Basic sewing and garment repair skills.

  8. Familiarity with garment-finishing equipment (steamers, pressers, etc.).

  9. Inventory management and supply replenishment.

  10. Understanding of safety protocols and equipment maintenance.

  11. Time management and multitasking abilities.

  12. Basic record-keeping and documentation skills.

  13. Quality control and attention to detail.

  14. Understanding of infection control protocols.

  15. Knowledge of garment care symbols and labels.

  16. Troubleshooting and minor equipment repairs.

  17. Knowledge of environmental and sustainability practices in laundry operations.

  18. Basic math skills for measurement and detergent dosage calculations.

  19. Familiarity with laundry software or computerized systems.

  20. Ability to adapt to new laundry technologies and equipment.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Laundry Attendant:

  1. Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

  2. Time management and organizational skills.

  3. Physical stamina and ability to lift heavy laundry loads.

  4. Teamwork and collaboration with other laundry staff.

  5. Effective communication and listening skills.

  6. Flexibility and adaptability to changing work demands.

  7. Problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

  8. Customer service orientation and interpersonal skills.

  9. Professionalism and maintaining a positive attitude.

  10. Strong work ethic and reliability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a Laundry Attendant plays a vital role in maintaining cleanliness and ensuring the availability of clean linens and garments. Their responsibilities encompass various tasks related to sorting, washing, drying, ironing, folding, and organizing laundry items. To excel in this role, Laundry Attendants require a combination of technical skills such as operating laundry equipment and understanding fabric care, as well as essential soft skills like attention to detail, time management, and effective communication.

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