Hotel Linen Replacement Cost Calculator

Linen replacement is a routine hotel operating cost driven by wash cycles and shrinkage.

Number of keys

Par level (sets / room)

Cost per set (sheets + towels)

Annual shrinkage + wear %

Annual replacement budget

$8,415

Total inventory value

$38,250

Per-key annual

$56.10

How the math works

Inventory = keys × par × set cost. Annual replacement = inventory × shrinkage %.

150 × 3 × $85 = $38,250 × 22% = $8,415 annual replacement = $56/key.

How to Use

Enter number of keys.
Enter par level (sets per room).
Enter cost per linen set.
Enter shrinkage + wear %.
Read annual replacement budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Par level?

Typical hotel par: 3 sets per room (one on bed, one in laundry/turn, one in storage). Luxury: 4-5 par (higher turn, more capacity). Economy: 2.5-3 par (tighter). Towels: 4-5 par (higher loss rate). Some hotels run 4 sheet par + 5 towel par. Inventory replacement at 20-35% annually typical for towels, 15-25% for sheets. Pools/spa towels: 40-60% loss rate, planned for.

Cost per linen set?

Sheets: $12-30/set (flat, fitted, pillow cases, duvet cover). Queen/King: higher end. Thread count drives cost (200-400 TC mid-range, 400-800 TC luxury). Towels: $8-25/set (bath, hand, washcloth). Pool towels: $4-10. Amenity upgrades (bathrobes, spa sheets): $30-100/unit. Bulk purchase from hospitality supply cuts cost 30-50% vs retail.

What drives loss?

(1) Guest theft: 5-15% of new inventory lost to guests/year (towels > sheets). (2) Laundry wash cycle damage (50-150 washes before retirement). (3) Bleach/iron wear. (4) Stains beyond recovery. (5) Outsourced laundry loss rate often 20-30% vs 10-15% in-house. Hotels with RFID-tagged linens reduce loss 30-50%. Premium brands enforce stricter quality standards = higher turnover.

Budget line item?

Linen replacement budgeted as room supplies expense, $15-35/occupied room for full-service, $8-18 for limited-service. Annual: $8-25/key for limited, $25-60/key full-service, $60-120/key luxury. Tracked monthly. Spike in replacement spending signals: new housekeeping hires, laundry vendor change, guest demographic shift, inadequate storage. Inventory count quarterly minimum.