During the summer, laundry operations at hotels, rural accommodations, vacation rentals and campgrounds work differently than they do in winter. Occupancy increases, guest turnover accelerates, bed and bath linens need to be replaced more frequently, and several seasonal problems become much more common: sunscreen residue, sand, chlorine, humidity, odors and premature textile wear.
At first glance, it may seem that summer simply means doing more laundry. In reality, the season requires businesses to review their processes, products, cycle times and routines. Keeping sheets and towels clean, soft, white and in good condition depends on more than the washing machine. It requires professional management of the entire laundry process.
This guide explains how the treatment of sheets and towels changes during the summer, which mistakes should be avoided and what measures can help maintain textile quality during the busiest months of the year.
Why laundry operations change during the summer
Peak season does not only increase the volume of laundry. It also changes the type of soil, frequency of use and speed at which linens must become available again.
During the summer, hotels and vacation accommodations often experience:
- Higher guest turnover
- More frequent changes of sheets and towels
- Increased use of pool and beach towels
- Sunscreen and cosmetic residue
- Higher humidity levels
- Contact with sand, chlorine and saltwater residue
- A greater risk of odors when drying or storage is inadequate
- More demanding turnaround times
During the winter, laundry operations usually follow a more predictable schedule and deal with more consistent types of soil. In summer, textiles are exposed to much more intensive use and more difficult stains. Maintaining exactly the same process throughout the year may therefore produce poor results.
What changes for sheets and bedding during the summer?
Bedding, especially white bedding, is one of the areas where seasonal changes are most noticeable. Although sheets may appear to become less dirty than in winter, summer introduces other factors that strongly affect their care.
More sweat and body moisture
Higher nighttime temperatures cause guests to perspire more. This increases the amount of organic soil on sheets, pillowcases and mattress protectors and can lead to unpleasant odors if washing or drying is insufficient.
Sunscreen and cosmetic residue
One of the most common summer problems is the transfer of sunscreen onto sheets and pillowcases. These stains may not be immediately visible, but they can become yellow or orange during washing, particularly on white textiles.
More frequent washing
Peak season means more arrivals, more departures and less time between guests. Laundry processes must move faster, but accelerating them without proper control can affect washing performance, rinsing and the final finish.
Greater importance of whiteness and presentation
In hospitality settings, white bedding is strongly associated with cleanliness. During the summer, when occupancy is at its highest and guest reviews become especially important, visual presentation is essential.
Dull-looking sheets, residual stains or a lack of freshness can directly affect the guest’s perception of the establishment.
What changes for sheets and bedding during the summer?
Bedding, especially white bedding, is one of the areas where seasonal changes are most noticeable. Although sheets may appear to become less dirty than in winter, summer introduces other factors that strongly affect their care.
More sweat and body moisture
Higher nighttime temperatures cause guests to perspire more. This increases the amount of organic soil on sheets, pillowcases and mattress protectors and can lead to unpleasant odors if washing or drying is insufficient.
Sunscreen and cosmetic residue
One of the most common summer problems is the transfer of sunscreen onto sheets and pillowcases. These stains may not be immediately visible, but they can become yellow or orange during washing, particularly on white textiles.
More frequent washing
Peak season means more arrivals, more departures and less time between guests. Laundry processes must move faster, but accelerating them without proper control can affect washing performance, rinsing and the final finish.
Greater importance of whiteness and presentation
In hospitality settings, white bedding is strongly associated with cleanliness. During the summer, when occupancy is at its highest and guest reviews become especially important, visual presentation is essential.
Dull-looking sheets, residual stains or a lack of freshness can directly affect the guest’s perception of the establishment.
What changes for towels and bathroom textiles?
Towels are probably the textiles most affected by summer conditions. In many properties, both the number of towels used and the intensity of their use increase.
More frequent and demanding use
During the summer, towels are not only used after showers. Guests also use them at pools, beaches, spas and for outdoor activities. As a result, they accumulate more moisture, sunscreen, sand, chlorine and body soil.
Sunscreen residue
Sunscreen stains on towels are one of the most common laundry issues during the summer.
In addition to their greasy components, some sunscreen filters can react with minerals in the water and leave yellow or orange marks. These stains may become difficult to remove if they are not treated correctly.
Loss of softness and absorbency
Excess residue, inadequate rinsing or the incorrect use of laundry products can cause towels to lose softness, absorbency and loft. Guests notice these changes immediately.
Risk of musty odors
As laundry volume increases, mistakes in drying and storage become more likely. A towel stored with residual moisture can quickly develop an unpleasant odor, particularly in warm environments.
Main challenges for professional laundry operations in summer
Summer laundry operations do not only face a higher workload. They also have more critical points that require careful control.
1. Increased laundry volume
The main operational challenge during peak season is the greater number of textiles in circulation and the reduced time available to wash, dry, inspect and return them to use.
2. Seasonal stains
Sunscreen, after-sun products, waterproof makeup, chlorine, sand, saltwater residue and body creams are much more common during summer than in winter.
3. Less room for error
During periods of high occupancy, an item that leaves the laundry with residual soil or an unpleasant odor does not only create extra work. It can affect linen availability, room turnover and the guest experience.
4. Textile preservation
If washing frequency increases without adapting the process, textiles may deteriorate more quickly. Common consequences include loss of whiteness, rougher fibers, wear, shrinkage and a shorter service life.
Main challenges for professional laundry operations in summer
Summer laundry operations do not only face a higher workload. They also have more critical points that require careful control.
1. Increased laundry volume
The main operational challenge during peak season is the greater number of textiles in circulation and the reduced time available to wash, dry, inspect and return them to use.
2. Seasonal stains
Sunscreen, after-sun products, waterproof makeup, chlorine, sand, saltwater residue and body creams are much more common during summer than in winter.
3. Less room for error
During periods of high occupancy, an item that leaves the laundry with residual soil or an unpleasant odor does not only create extra work. It can affect linen availability, room turnover and the guest experience.
4. Textile preservation
If washing frequency increases without adapting the process, textiles may deteriorate more quickly. Common consequences include loss of whiteness, rougher fibers, wear, shrinkage and a shorter service life.
How to adapt the washing process during the summer
Responding effectively to peak-season demand does not necessarily mean using stronger washing processes. It means washing more efficiently and with greater control.
1. Sort textiles correctly
Proper sorting becomes even more important during the summer.
Towels heavily affected by sunscreen, chlorine or other residue should not be mixed with lightly soiled bedding. Heavily stained items should also be separated from textiles that only require regular maintenance washing.
Sort laundry according to:
- Textile type
- Color
- Soil level
- Presence of specific stains
- Intended use, such as bedding, bathroom, pool or kitchen
Correct sorting makes it easier to select the appropriate program, temperature and laundry products.
2. Pre-treat difficult stains
Not every stain will disappear during a standard wash cycle. During the summer, pay particular attention to:
- Sunscreen
- Makeup
- Greasy residue
- Yellow marks
- Orange stains
- Localized soil on collars, pillowcases and contact areas
Without proper pre-treatment, these stains can remain after repeated washing and eventually become fixed in the fabric.
3. Control product dosage
During busy periods, one of the most common mistakes is assuming that more product will provide better cleaning.
Overdosing can leave residue, reduce rinsing performance, affect softness and accelerate textile wear.
Dosage should be adjusted according to the textile type, soil level and water hardness. Effective cleaning depends on both the product and the overall control of the washing process.
4. Avoid overloading the machines
When laundry volume is high, filling machines beyond their recommended capacity may seem like an easy way to save time. In reality, overloading is one of the problems that most seriously affects washing performance.
Textiles need enough space to move correctly inside the drum. Overloading reduces mechanical action, makes washing and rinsing less effective and increases the risk of residual soil or unpleasant odors.
5. Dry textiles completely before storage
Drying is especially important during the summer. Although warmer conditions may accelerate some processes, residual moisture remains one of the main risks for bedding and towels.
Storing textiles before they are completely dry can cause:
- Unpleasant odors
- A stale or closed smell
- Mold growth
- The need to wash items again
- A poorer guest experience
How to treat sunscreen stains during the summer
Sunscreen stains are one of the most specific problems affecting summer laundry operations.
In hotels and vacation accommodations, they frequently appear on:
- Sheets
- Pillowcases
- White towels
- Bathrobes
- Pool textiles
- Bedding used in vacation rentals
These stains often contain a greasy component, but they may also develop yellow or orange discoloration that does not always respond well to a conventional wash cycle.
When sunscreen stains appear repeatedly or affect a large volume of textiles, it is advisable to use a solution designed specifically for this problem instead of treating them as ordinary grease stains.
Por eso, cuando las manchas son recurrentes o afectan a un volumen importante de textiles, conviene utilizar soluciones específicas para este problema y no tratarlas como si fueran solo una mancha grasa más.
How to treat sunscreen stains during the summer
Sunscreen stains are one of the most specific problems affecting summer laundry operations.
In hotels and vacation accommodations, they frequently appear on:
- Sheets
- Pillowcases
- White towels
- Bathrobes
- Pool textiles
- Bedding used in vacation rentals
These stains often contain a greasy component, but they may also develop yellow or orange discoloration that does not always respond well to a conventional wash cycle.
When sunscreen stains appear repeatedly or affect a large volume of textiles, it is advisable to use a solution designed specifically for this problem instead of treating them as ordinary grease stains.
Ansol as support for summer laundry operations
A specialized product can improve the treatment of the most common summer stains.
Ansol is formulated by Proeco Químicas to remove sunscreen stains from textiles, making it a useful addition to laundry processes where this problem occurs regularly.
It can be particularly useful for:
- Hotels
- Rural accommodations
- Vacation rentals
- Professional laundries
- Campgrounds
- Facilities with swimming pools or spas
The goal is not to use more product, but to use the correct product when the stain requires it and as part of a properly controlled laundry process.
How to maintain textile quality during peak season
During the summer, the objective should not simply be to process more laundry. It should be to maintain consistent quality standards.
Recommended measures include:
- Reviewing laundry procedures before peak season begins
- Adjusting washing programs and product dosage
- Planning sufficient replacement stock for sheets and towels
- Training laundry and housekeeping staff
- Identifying difficult stains as early as possible
- Monitoring drying and storage conditions
- Regularly inspecting the condition of textiles
The perceived quality of an accommodation depends heavily on these details. A rough or unpleasant-smelling towel, or a sheet with residual marks, can influence the guest’s opinion more than many other aspects of the service.
How to maintain textile quality during peak season
During the summer, the objective should not simply be to process more laundry. It should be to maintain consistent quality standards.
Recommended measures include:
- Reviewing laundry procedures before peak season begins
- Adjusting washing programs and product dosage
- Planning sufficient replacement stock for sheets and towels
- Training laundry and housekeeping staff
- Identifying difficult stains as early as possible
- Monitoring drying and storage conditions
- Regularly inspecting the condition of textiles
The perceived quality of an accommodation depends heavily on these details. A rough or unpleasant-smelling towel, or a sheet with residual marks, can influence the guest’s opinion more than many other aspects of the service.
Conclusion
Professional laundry operations do not work the same way in summer as they do in winter. The volume changes, the types of stains change, turnaround times become shorter and guest expectations increase.
During the summer, sheets and towels in hotels, rural accommodations, vacation rentals and other hospitality establishments experience much more intensive use.
It is therefore essential to adapt washing procedures, control drying, prevent odors, treat seasonal stains correctly and maintain consistent textile quality.
The goal is not simply to wash more. It is to wash better, using processes designed for a season in which every detail matters.
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