Safeguard Bedding and Eliminate Bedbugs

November 22, 2011

Prevention is the keybedbugs

Bedbug infestation is on the rise and though treatment costs can run into the thousands, the reputation of your hotel is on the line. If you’ve already experienced bedbug infestations, you know how expensive it is to eradicate them.

Fully encasing mattresses and box springs is the best, most cost effective method to prevent bedbug infestation. bedbug preventionCertified bedbug encasements protect your guests and they protect your investment.

Regularly treat mattresses and frames with bedbug killer. Concentrate on the tufts, folds, and edges of the mattress where bedbugs hide. And don’t forget to spray baseboards, molding, and floorboards—all favorite hiding places.

Already have a problem?

Save your bedding! Encasements are a cost-effective solution when used on already compromised mattresses and box springs because they trap bedbugs and prevent migration to other areas.

Need to dispose of a mattress or box spring?

Use American Hotel Registry brand disposal bags to prevent the spread of bedbugs and keep your property safe and clean during the disposal process.

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Keeping Crowds Under Control

November 13, 2011

crowd control postsA crowd control barrier is nothing more than a device for controlling traffic. Portable crowd control posts function as visual barriers and guidance systems. They are easy to configure, reconfigure, relocate, and store away when not needed. Posts should have wide, heavyweight bases for stability. However, like other portable objects, posts can topple over if used improperly.

Portable posts with ropes or retractable belts are not intended to bekeeping crowds under control pulled, pushed, leaned on, or sat upon. Most people understand this safety issue, but very young children, for example, may not. If not properly supervised, they may play with a rope, belt, or post, causing it to topple over and perhaps cause accidental injury.

If your property hosts many guests with very young children who may not be properly supervised, you may wish to choose an alternative guidance system.

Some alternatives include:crowd control posts

  1. Horizontal Tubes, Beams, and Panels: Unlike posts, these cannot be pulled over with direct downward pressure.
  2. Removable Posts: These slide into sockets that are permanently mounted in the floor. They can be easily removed and stored as situations demand. They are most appropriate for areas with established traffic patterns.
  3. Fixed Posts and Railings: Permanently affixed to the floor, these cannot be moved. They are also best used in areas with established traffic patterns.

 

Note that both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Uniform Federal Accessibilities Standards (UFAS) regulations (ADA/UFAS 4.4.1) regarding “protruding objects” require the use of compliant stanchions or railings, in which the lowest tape, rope, or rail must not exceed a height of 27″ from the floor when measured 12″ or more away from the vertical post surface. This is to ensure that visually impaired people who employ a cane or guide animal can detect the protruding object without a collision.

Source: Lawrence Metal Products, Inc.

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The Dirt on Entrance Mats

October 24, 2011

hotel entrance mattingOver three-quarters of the dust, dirt, and contaminants in a building come through the door on people’s feet, damaging carpets, floors, and adding to the cost of maintenance. It’s been estimated that one square yard of carpet can accumulate a pound or more of dirt in just a week. In most buildings, the cost of maintaining the floors is the single largest cost of cleaning. Removing a single pound of dirt from a building can cost more than $600! An effective matting program not only helps protect the occupants of a building but also protects your bottom line.

The key issue with mats is their performance life. A high-performance mat made with a permanent bi-level construction can have a performance life of many years. Mats without a rubber-reinforced permanent bi-level construction have a 90- to 180-day performance life. To function effectively, low performance mats need to be replaced more frequently, increasing cost and causing disposal issues.

A key criteria in the LEED® program (a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings and a registered trademark of the US Green Building Council) is the control of contaminants entering a building. LEED credits may be achieved by specifying and using the proper matting systems inside and outside of all entryways. It is also important to use proper matting between adjoining areas in a property.

Four Things An Entrance Mat Should Do:

  1. Stop Soil and Water at the Door. Surprisingly, not all mats are designed to do this. Look for mats that provide a combination of scraping and wiping to stop the maximum amount of contaminants.
  2. Store Soil and Water for Removal. Look for mats that are designed for maximum storage of soil and water and their easy removal when the mat is cleaned.
  3. Minimize Tracking of Soil and Water. Mats with a permanent rubber reinforced, bi-level construction provide an upper surface for walking and a lower area to store soil and water for later removal.
  4. Provide a Safe Surface. Slip-resistant mats minimize movement on the floor under traffic. Look for mats with a “water dam” border that contains moisture below the traffic level to help prevent slip and fall incidents. Rubber-backed mats provide better slip resistance than low performance, vinyl-backed mats.

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Source: The Andersen Company

50% cotton/50% polyester blend

October 10, 2011

50/50 cotton/polyester blendYou can have the best of both worlds! Use 50/50 blended table linens to get the high quality image of 100% cotton, and save money, too. The 50/50 fabric blend has many advantages over 100% cotton linens:

  • Lower initial costs. Blended linens cost up to 30% less than 100% cotton.
  • Lower laundry costs. Blended linens hold less moisture, so they dry almost twice as fast as cotton.
  • Less equipment cleaning. Blended linens produce half the amount of lint, so there’s less downtime and a smaller impact on the environment.
  • Energy savings. Blended linens need to be pressed at a much lower temperature than cotton, which lowers energy use, saving energy costs.
  • Lower replacement costs. Blended products last 30% to 50% longer than 100% cotton.

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American Hotel Registry White Momie Cloth Table Linens Permalux White Momie Cloth Table Linens

Tablesetting Guide

September 23, 2011

 

This handy reference guide features five of the most common table settings found in restaurants. Use these guides to help you plan your dinnerware, glassware, and flatware orders. Your Foodservice representative will help you with hints on using additional specialty items.

BreakfastBreakfast

Dinnerware: 2 Bread & Butter Plates, Cup, Saucer
Glassware: Water Glass, Juice Glass
Flatware: Dinner Fork, Dinner Knife, Teaspoon

LunchLunch

Dinnerware: Bread & Butter Plate, Luncheon Plate
Glassware: Water Glass, Wine Glass
Flatware: Salad Fork, Dinner Fork, Dessert or Dinner Knife, Teaspoon

DinnerDinner

Dinnerware: Bread & Butter Plate, Salad Plate, Dinner Plate
Glassware: Water Goblet, Wine Glass
Flatware: Salad Fork, Dinner Fork, Dinner Knife, Teaspoon, Butter Knife

Formal DinnerFormal Dinner

Dinnerware: Bread & Butter Plate, 2 Salad Plates, Service Plate, Cup, Saucer
Glassware: Water Goblet, Champagne Flute, Wine Glass
Flatware: Salad Fork, Dinner Fork, Dinner Knife, Oval Bowl/Dessert/ Dinner Spoon, Teaspoon, Butter Knife

Banquet or BrunchBanquet or Brunch

Dinnerware: Bread & Butter Plate, Salad Plate, Dinner Plate, Cup, Saucer
Glassware: Water Glass or Water Goblet, Wine Glass
Flatware: Salad Fork, Dinner Fork, Dinner Knife, Teaspoon
    

 

 

 

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Care Instructions for 100% Polyester Bedding

September 13, 2011

Washing Instructions:

  • Wash in warm water, never exceeding 120° F
  • Use mild detergent, no bleach/chlorine, no fabric softeners
  • Do not overload or under-load machine
  • Do not mix with other textiles

Drying Instructions:

  • Tumble dry at lowest heat setting
  • Never exceed 120° F
  • Do not mix with other textiles
  • Do not use fabric softeners
  • Do not overload or under-load machine
  • Remove from dryer immediately to avoid wrinkling
  • For best results, remove while slightly damp
  • For fabric other than polyester, special cleaning instructions may apply

Note: Regularly check all laundry machinery and housekeeping carts for sharp edges (burrs). All burrs should be filed smooth. Fabricator’s warranty does not cover snagging. Always test one item as instructed above. If results are unsatisfactory, discontinue laundering. Fabricator will only be responsible for the single test item.

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