Hotel linen inventory: par per bed and where it goes missing

By mise · Updated September 29, 2026

Quick answer: hotel linen is managed by par: how many sets of each item exist per bed or room. A par of 3 to 4 is standard (one on the bed, one in the laundry, one in the linen room, one spare). Count the linen room monthly, compare with par and with what the laundry sent back, and record discards (stained, torn, missing) with a reason.

Sheets and towels have no barcode and never show up on a monthly invoice, which is why they disappear without anyone noticing.

Linen par levels

Item	Recommended par	Why
Sheets and pillowcases	3–4 per bed	Bed, laundry, linen room (+ spare)
Bath and hand towels	4 per guest	More changes, more losses
Bath mats	3 per room	Wear out fast
Duvet and mattress protector	2 per bed	Washed less often

Example count

40 rooms, par 3 for queen sheet sets: there should be 120. The count finds 62 in the linen room, 40 on beds and 4 at the laundry = 106. 14 sets missing (≈ $28 each = $392). The outside laundry returned fewer pieces than it received in three batches: that is the conversation to have.

Hotel linen inventory sheet

Columns: item, size, par, linen room, rooms, laundry (sent − returned), discards this month (reason) and total. Count on the same day each month and along the same route: linen room, floors, laundry.

Lifespan and replacement

Cotton sheets last 150–200 washes; towels 100–150. At around 30 washes a year per piece, plan to replace 15–25% of linen a year, and buy before high season, not during it.

With mise

Each linen item is added once by name and counted by location: linen room, floors and laundry. Par levels warn when the linen room drops below par, and discards are recorded with a reason.

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Keep reading Inventory shrinkage: meaning, formula and how to reduce it Hotel inventory management: every department in one place Housekeeping inventory: linen, amenities and supplies Par stock in hotels: meaning, formula and examples All guides

Frequently asked questions

What is linen par in a hotel?

The number of complete sets per bed. Par 3 means one on the bed, one in the laundry and one on the shelf.

How do you track linen with an outside laundry?

Log what goes out and what comes back per batch, piece by piece. The running difference is the laundry's loss.

How often should hotel linen be counted?

A full count monthly, plus a quick linen-room check weekly in high season.