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Jens Mariën Selection® tablecloths.

To evaluate the use of synthetic tablecloths and napkins in the hospitality industry, it is important to compare different properties, such as durability, ease of care, colour retention, and cost-effectiveness compared to natural materials such as linen and refined cotton.

Summary:

A new production method of synthetic tablecloths and napkins creates a supple and lightweight fabric that is durable, easy to care for, and cost-effective compared to linen and cotton. It offers advantages such as colour retention, water-repellence, and energy savings in laundry.

1. Durability and abrasion resistance:

Synthetic yarns are known for their high durability and strength compared to natural fibres such as linen and cotton. This means that after 3.5 years of intensive use (frequent washing and mangling), these tablecloths and napkins show less wear than their linen and cotton counterparts. Natural materials such as linen and cotton are more susceptible to fibre breakage and wear with frequent use and washing, especially at high temperatures and in commercial environments (Sisman et al., 2013).

2. Colour retention and ease of care:

Synthetic or Performance is also known for its excellent colour retention, even after multiple washes at lower temperatures. This is a major advantage over linen, which can fade and lose its colour over time, especially when washed with bleach or at high temperatures. Moreover, some synthetic fibres are water-repellent, meaning they are less likely to absorb stains, helping to maintain a clean and fresh look after long-term use. Linen and cotton often require more intensive washing procedures to remove stains, which can weaken and fade the fabric (Gao et al., 2018).

3. Suppleness and weight:

The new production method under development by Jens Mariën, in which fibres are spun finer and the weight is reduced to 260g/m², results in a more supple and lighter tablecloth. This is attractive for catering establishments that value textiles that are not only functional but also offer a pleasant texture. In addition, lighter sheets can reduce laundry costs as they weigh less per unit, leading to savings in washing and drying per kilo of fabric.

4. Cost efficiency and energy savings:

Performance tablecloths and napkins that can be washed at lower temperatures and do not need to be dried in a tumble dryer produce significant energy savings. This not only lowers operational costs for hospitality businesses, but also extends the life of the fabric through less thermal stress during maintenance. In contrast, linen and cotton often need to be washed at higher temperatures and are more susceptible to shrinkage and damage if dried incorrectly (Singh & Kaur, 2019).

Conclusion:

The new production method we describe uses finer spun fibres, which reduces the weight of the fabric from about 500 g/m² to 260 g/m². This process, which required precise collaboration between spinning and weaving, aims to create fabrics similar to linen tablecloths, despite synthetic being naturally heavier. The result is a supple and lightweight tablecloth that is attractive to catering establishments seeking textiles that are both functional and comfortable to the touch.

Performance tablecloths offer significant savings in laundry service as they can be cold washed, without spinning and drying, and then easily ironed with a mangle. Although linen and cotton have a classic look, acrylic fabrics offer significant advantages for commercial use, including durability, cost-effectiveness, breathability, antibacterial and antistatic properties, UV resistance and excellent colour-fastness. Moreover, acrylic fabrics effectively repel water and stains such as oil, sauces and wine, making them ideal for intensive use in the hospitality industry. Acrylic tablecloths and napkins are therefore a smart, durable choice for restaurant textiles.

Impact of inflation on hospitality industry:

Inflation in 2024 puts hospitality entrepreneurs under pressure from rising costs. Falling profit margins, reduced customer numbers, and a rise in bankruptcies, resulting in innovation and creativity becoming increasingly important. Classic tablecloths and napkins, which require intensive washing and drying cycles (washing to 90°, dry swishing and drying, followed by ironing rolls), face fixed monthly costs. Performance tablecloths too, but those suffice with washing up to 40°, with no dry swishing or drying and ironing roll suffices. They offer an energy-efficient alternative to the conventional system. This can save +25% on annual washing costs. For hotels and restaurants, switching to these innovative textile options can help reduce costs, especially as linen is a fixed monthly expense. In this context, hotels typically have greater price by calculation power than restaurants and cafés, for example, which rely more heavily on price-sensitive local customers. However, inflation is forcing all hospitality operators to make more efficient and sustainable choices, and opting for less energy-intensive tablecloths and napkins will be a step in the right direction.