Six steps to smarter housekeeping for boutique hotels

Running a boutique hotel comes with a unique set of operational challenges. With smaller teams and tighter resources than larger chains, hotels must still deliver spotless rooms, crisp linens, and sparkling tableware while keeping costs under control.

To help hoteliers meet these challenges, Ela Hedges, Business Development Manager GB and IE at Miele Professional is advising them on how to take a 360° approach to housekeeping, integrating laundry, dishwashing, cleaning, and maintenance to improve efficiency and support sustainability.

1. Focus on laundry control

In-house laundries are becoming increasingly popular among boutique hotels. In fact, research conducted by Miele Professional last year found that 92 per cent of hospitality professionals believe having control over laundry cleanliness directly impacts the overall customer experience.

On-premise laundries allow teams to manage linens directly, improving room turnaround times, maintaining hygiene standards, and reducing the risk of lost items. Hotels are advised to:

• Review laundry processes to identify inefficiencies.
• Consider managing delicate items on-site rather than outsourcing, reducing the risk of lost linens.
• Optimise water and energy usage to control costs and support sustainability goals.

Modern commercial washers and dryers, such as Miele’s Benchmark range, are designed to handle different fabrics and load sizes efficiently, allowing faster cycles with reduced water and energy use while maintaining hygiene.

2. Consider wet cleaning for delicate textiles

Guest garments and staff uniforms often require specialised care. WetCare, a water-based cleaning system, provides a gentler, more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional dry cleaning. Hoteliers should:

• Evaluate items suitable for water-based cleaning, such as silk, wool, and leather.
• Check wastewater compatibility to ensure environmentally responsible practices.
• Integrate wet cleaning into in-house laundry routines where space and resources allow.

WetCare systems clean delicate fabrics on-site using a water-based method, reducing reliance on harsh chemicals.

3. Streamline dishwashing processes

Boutique kitchens can be stretched during busy periods, and traditional domestic dishwashers may struggle to keep up. Hoteliers are advised to:

• Ensure correct stacking of dishes to maximise cleaning efficiency.
• Use intuitive workflows, auto-dosing, and monitoring where possible to reduce errors and conserve water and energy.
• Monitor performance regularly to avoid downtime and maintain hygiene standards.

Miele’s MasterLine dishwashers, for instance, can run multiple cycles a day with full disinfection, keeping glassware and crockery hygienically clean even during busy periods.

4. Prioritise sustainability

Guests increasingly value hotels that take meaningful steps behind the scenes. Hotels can:

• Optimise water, energy, and detergent use in laundry and dishwashing processes.
• Maintain equipment to extend longevity and reduce operational disruptions.
• Align operational decisions with sustainability goals to enhance the guest experience.

Energy and resource-efficient laundry and dishwashing machines reduce water, energy, and detergent usage while maintaining hygiene standards, supporting both operational efficiency and sustainability goals.

5. Implement digital oversight

Small teams can benefit from real-time monitoring of laundry and dishwashing equipment. Boutique hotels should:

• Track machine availability and cycle progress.
• Set up alerts to address faults quickly.
• Use data to plan maintenance and optimise operations without increasing staff workload.

6. Keeping equipment reliable and efficient

Equipment reliability is critical for boutique hotels, particularly those in remote or exclusive locations. Small teams often cover multiple roles, meaning any equipment downtime can have a direct impact on guest experience and operational efficiency. Hoteliers are advised to:

• Schedule regular maintenance checks to keep machines running at optimal performance.
• Monitor usage patterns to anticipate wear and prevent unexpected downtime.
• Ensure access to qualified service technicians who can provide timely repairs and spare parts.
• Keep records of service and maintenance activities to track equipment lifespan and plan replacements efficiently.

Regular maintenance ensures commercial laundry and dishwashing equipment continues to perform efficiently over the long term, protecting both investment and operational workflow.

Download the Boutique Hotel Guide here.