As cleanliness is the greatest form of luxury in a hotel, the founder of the company, George Tsoukalas answers how AGC Laundry is leading the way by providing industrial cleaning services to boutique hotels.
In which way did the idea for AGC Laundry come about? Did your experience from the hotels you manage play a role?
The company that founded AGC owns and manages boutique hotels in the historic centre of Athens, providing a very high level of service. Because we were not satisfied with our laundry and the level of quality and professionalism in the laundry industry, we decided to establish a laundry company worthy of the quality that we want the guests of our own hotels to ultimately enjoy.
In you opinion, is there anything particularly important in the route that a hotel’s clothing takes from receipt to delivery?
Throughout the entire process from receipt to delivery, adherence to strict standards guarantees the quality of service is the key to our good work.
Timely collection in certified bags that are separate for unclean and clean clothing, with a staff that respects the customers, closed cars, careful sorting to avoid any confusion of the accommodation’s linen, use of the necessary quantity and quality of detergents, appropriate water temperature and, finally, good working conditions.
What is the biggest challenge for you in this “closed” service market?
To be the first choice of the best accommodation spots in Athens.
Why would a hotel group or airbnb choose you, specifically?
For our professional behaviour, quality and responsibility.
How do you ensure a prolonged lifetime of clothing? Is there a key for proper management by the big hotels?
The use of quality detergents and fabric softeners, correct washing temperature and qualified staff who work closely with hotel staff.
How important is the clothing for a tourist accommodation?
Tourist accommodations offer sleeping, bathing and everything that accompanies these. So they should offer new clean sheets and soft fluffy towels, as well.
As a customer, what is the ideal scenario for you in terms of the sleep and bath experience in a hotel?
The feeling of cleanliness and the sense of newness.
In what way can guests check if their sheets are perfectly clean? Is there a secret you would like to share with us?
With good observation in bright light.
Have the standards become strict since the Covid-19 era?
The standards have become stricter and this is positive, because hygiene is a very important asset. After all, the obligation to follow the protocols does not end with the end of the pandemic, especially for laundries that wash hospital equipment as well.
The company evolving in five years…
There is definitely room for market expansion, in accordance with the continued growth of tourist accommodation.
