How to Calculate Your Weekly Linen Needs Like a Pro
Featuring insights from the experts at Balfurd Linen (https://www.balfurdlinenservice.com/Blog-Item-Calculate-your-linen-needs-like-a-pro/)
If you’re not thinking about linen usage every day — we get it. But at MyLinenService.com, we work with providers who do. And when it comes to making sure you’re ordering the right amount of linen — not too much, not too little — a little knowledge goes a long way.
That’s why we’re sharing this helpful breakdown from Balfurd Linen, one of our trusted service partners. With more than 90 years in the industry, they’ve perfected the art of calculating weekly linen needs for restaurants and hospitality businesses of all sizes.
Whether you’re just getting started or reevaluating your inventory, here’s how to estimate your linen needs like a pro:
👨🍳 Aprons
This one’s easy. Just count how many kitchen shifts you have per week.
Formula:# of Kitchen Shifts per Week = # of Aprons Needed
Running 50 shifts each week? You’ll need 50 aprons.
🍽 Napkins
Use your average guest count per week, and then add a 5% buffer to account for fluctuations or busy weekends. That way, you can avoid unexpected re-delivery fees.
Formula:Average Weekly Guests x 1.05 = Weekly Napkin Need
🕯 Table Linens
Same approach as napkins: track your average table turnover each week and add 5%.
Formula:Average Weekly Table Turns x 1.05 = Weekly Table Linen Need
Planning a holiday or event? Add more in advance to avoid shortages.
🔥 Kitchen Towels
Each cook typically uses 3–4 towels per shift to stay safe, clean, and efficient.
Formula:# of Cook Shifts per Week x 4 = Weekly Kitchen Towels
🍸 Bar Towels
Bar towels go fast — and dirty ones shouldn’t stay in use. Plan on 5–6 per bartender per shift to keep the bar area clean and presentable.
Formula:# of Bartender Shifts per Week x 6 = Weekly Bar Towels
If your team uses towels to wipe tables between guests, be sure to include those in your total as well.
🚪 Floor Mats
Not every business factors in mats — but they should. Mats are essential for:
- Customer safety (especially in rain/snow seasons)
- Slip prevention
- Reducing staff fatigue in work areas
Add mats to entrances, walkways, and anywhere employees stand for long periods (like prep lines, host stands, or bars).
💡 Why This Matters
When you have the right amount of product each week:
- You reduce waste and avoid over-ordering
- You eliminate stress from last-minute deliveries
- You keep your operations running smoothly
Need Help Estimating?
Not sure where to start — or want an expert to review your current usage? That’s where we come in.
At MyLinenService.com, we connect restaurants and businesses with trusted linen providers like Balfurd Linen, who know how to help you size your inventory and avoid unnecessary costs.
About MyLinenService.com:
We help restaurants, healthcare providers, and local businesses across the U.S. find reliable, fairly priced linen rental services. Our mission is to take the guesswork out of linen service — by matching you with local providers who get it right the first time.
Special thanks to balfurdlinenservice.com
