OSHKOSH, Wis. — When hunting for new laundry equipment, be sure you fully investigate programmability and performance. Not all washers, dryers and ironing systems are created equal.
Before you invest, determine how today’s equipment technology might benefit your laundry now and into the future. Read on for my checklist of equipment musts.
WASHERS
Performance: A soft-mount washer offers simple installation and relocation, in addition to high extract speeds reaching up to 400 G-force. Soft-mount washers remove more moisture from every load, reduce dry time and improve laundry productivity. They also cut the natural gas used to operate dryers. You’ll process more laundry in less time, using less labor and utilities.
Adaptability: Washers must be able to work in concert with chemicals, ozone or UV disinfection systems, especially given the world’s current COVID-19 pandemic. If you plan to meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, washers must be programmable by temperature to hit and hold 160 F.
Choose a washer that’s adaptable to work with an auxiliary electric heat kit. That auxiliary kit can heat the water to very high temperatures for sustained periods without upgrading your hot water system.
DRYERS
Programmability: Dryers must offer programmability for moisture sensing in order to extend linen life. The lint left in the dryer are linens deteriorating. So, the less time linens spend in the dryer, the better.
A moisture-sensing system automatically dries linen to a percentage of moisture, exposing them to as little time in the dryer as possible. Anti-wrinkle and reversing programmability are also nice features.
IRONERS
Programmability & Performance: There are a variety of ironers on the market to meet various needs. The programmability needs are dictated by a laundry’s ironing demand and the markets they serve.
Adaptability: Look for ironers that offer retro-fit options like feeders, folders and stackers. That way, you can add them later as your business grows and/or goes after new markets.
Return-to-Feed Ironers: A basic, return-to-feed ironer must offer the ability to automatically change the speed of the roll based on the moisture content of the linen. This AutoSpeed feature allows one-pass ironing without dryer preconditioning, boosting production.
Return-to-Feed Ironers with Integrated Primary Fold-Only Function: These ironers reduce labor time by automatically performing the primary fold. Operators finish the fold and stack by hand.
All-in-One Ironing System: If your laundry is at 180 pounds of laundry production, look into finishing automation with a single-station spreader feeder, integrated primary/crossfold folder, and stacker. The folds must be programmable based on item type for precision in folds and stacks.
You can configure folds in the laundry room for improved efficiency down the line. For example, you can fit more stacks on a cart or shelf, as well as make it easier on the other end for people to make a bed.
In the end, equipment flexibility determines whether or not your laundry can meet customer, governmental and environmental demands of today and tomorrow.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].