Par Levels for Linens: How Many Sets Do You Really Need?

Right-size your linen inventory and give your housekeeping team breathing room.

Introduction: Why Linen Par Levels Matter

Linens are one of the biggest recurring costs in hospitality. Stock too few, and your team scrambles; stock too many, and you tie up cash and storage. The sweet spot comes from par levels—how many sets you need on hand to support operations smoothly without overspending.

This guide goes beyond a simple equation. We’ll combine the math with operations design—SKU choices, laundry cycles, and housekeeping workflow—so you land on a par plan that actually works day to day.

What Is a Par Level?

A par level is the minimum inventory needed to run your operation reliably, factoring in laundry turnaround and a safety buffer.

Formula (linens):
Par Level = (Daily Average Use × Days in Laundry Cycle) + Safety Stock

Example: If you use 300 bath towels per day, have a 2-day laundry cycle, and keep 1 day of safety stock:
300 × 2 + 300 = 900 towels on hand.

Want a refresher on reorder math? We walk through the logic step-by-step in our article on bathroom supply reorder points.
See: /blog/reorder-points-bathroom-supplies/

Why Too-Low Pars Backfire

Cutting inventory can look thrifty on paper—but hidden costs stack up fast:

• Emergency outsourcing at higher per-piece rates when laundry slips.
• Housekeeping delays while teams hunt for clean stock.
• Shorter lifespan as the same pieces are washed more often.

In practice, understocking usually costs more than maintaining a stable par.

Why Too-High Pars Waste Money

On the flip side, overstocking creates its own drag:

• Capital tied up in shelves of sheets and towels that sit idle.
• Bigger storage footprint and more sorting complexity.
• Higher shrink (loss/misplacement) simply because you carry more.

Aim for enough to be calm—not so much that it clutters rooms and budgets.

Design First, Numbers Second

The common mistake is jumping straight to the calculator. Start with program design so the math reflects reality.

Consolidate SKUs
Can a single bath towel standard cover bath/pool/spa where brand standards allow? Fewer SKUs simplify housekeeping, reduce training errors, and unlock better bulk pricing.

Standardize sizes
Uniform sheet and pillow specs (where room types allow) reduce sorting time and purchasing complexity.

Choose finish and color strategically
White cotton is the workhorse for most hotels: it tolerates hotter washes and oxidizing agents (e.g., chlorine or oxygen bleach systems when compatible with your fabric and laundry chemistry), which keeps towels looking “new” longer and simplifies stain removal. If you opt for colors or heavy embroidery, ensure your laundry process supports them—otherwise you’ll raise care costs and shorten lifespan.

Industry Benchmarks (Where Most Properties Land)

While your final number should be data-driven, these norms help you pressure-test your plan:

• 3-Par System (most common)
  1 set in rooms • 1 set in laundry • 1 set ready in storage
• 4-Par System (higher resilience)
  Adds buffer for peaks, delays, and group blocks
• 2-Par System (lean, higher risk)
  Works for very small properties or same-day laundry—fragile if anything slips

For most hotels, 3–4 pars per category is the sweet spot.

Calculate Pars by Category (Don’t Use a Single Blanket Number)

Different linens behave differently in the wild:

• Sheets — High frequency use; faster wear.
• Bath Towels — Multiple touches per day; guests expect spares.
• Hand Towels / Washcloths — High turnover, higher shrink risk.
• Pool/Beach Towels — Seasonal spikes; plan for loss.
• Specialty (robes, spa sheets, banquet cloths) — Lower daily use but mission-critical when needed.

Pro tip: Set separate pars for each category. Then total them for purchasing.

Too many types and combinations of towels is a housekeeping staff’s worst nightmare.

Laundry Cycles: The Variable That Moves Everything

• On-site laundry often allows 3 pars (same-day or next-day turns).
• Off-site laundry adds transit/processing; many properties carry 4 pars.
• Hybrid (e.g., basics on-site, specialty outsourced) → mix pars by category.

If you’ve ever felt “we’re always one cart short,” your laundry cycle time is probably the culprit.

Control Shrink and Extend Lifespan

• Label intelligently (woven labels or RFID where budget allows) to track loss by area.
• Housekeeping SOPs for immediate pull of stained/damaged items into a reclaim process.
• Chemistry + temps tuned to fabric spec; overdosing or too-hot dries destroys towel loops and sheet hand.

Small, boring details = big, durable savings.

Sustainability that Actually Lowers Cost

• Right par = fewer rush washes, less energy/water, longer lifespan.
• Guest choice (skip daily changes) reduces loads and labor.
• SKU consolidation cuts packaging and shipments.

When you communicate the “why” to guests and staff, compliance—and savings—go up.

Step-by-Step: Build Your Linen Par Plan

1. Measure actual use for each category for at least 2 solid weeks (by room type if possible).
2. Set your laundry cycle days (be honest; include real delays and vendor variability).
3. Pick safety stock (start at 0.5–1.0 day; increase for seasonality or groups).
4. Run the formula per category, then compare against 3–4 par benchmarks.
5. Pilot and adjust for a month. Track shortages, rushes, and overages; refine.
6. Lock SKUs and reorder points; schedule quarterly mini-audits to adjust seasonally.

Try the Math (Inline Calculator)

If you want readers to experiment on-page before they buy the sheet, keep this block:

Worked Example (Bath Towels)

• Daily average use: 300
• Laundry cycle: 2 days
• Safety stock: 1 day

Par = (300 × 2) + (300 × 1) = 900 towels.

Run the same math for sheets, hand towels, washcloths, pool towels, and robes—then total by category for purchasing.

Closing Thoughts (and a Handy Tool)

Par levels aren’t just a formula—they’re a design decision. Get the SKUs and laundry assumptions right, then apply the math and tune seasonally. The payoff: calmer housekeeping shifts, fewer “we’re out” scrambles, and less cash gathering dust on shelves.

👉 CTA: Ready to calculate your exact numbers by room type and season?
Download the Linen Par Level Calculator (Excel) — a simple, low-cost sheet that does the math for each linen category, handles peak/low season toggles, and prints a clean purchasing summary.