Top three green initiatives for your laundry
For years, “green” was the term de jour when it came to…well, pretty much everything from hotels and long-term care facilities to your operations at home. Does it still matter? Quite simply, while the term may not be as visible in advertising, there’s no doubt we are all focused on it. Below are the top three green initiatives that matter in the laundry room and deliver benefits to your operations.
- Reduce water use. Obviously, conserving water is good for our world. In the laundry, going green with washer-extractors that cut water use bring multiple benefits: first they reduce utilities (operating costs); second, by using less water, fill times are shortened, which shortens cycle times, which can increase throughput or reduce staff hours/overtime.
- High G-Force. The most efficient way of removing water from wash loads is by spinning them at a high G-Force. So, investing in ultra-high extraction machines of 400 G-Force (vs. 100 or 200 G-Force) will curb dry times and help reduce energy consumption.
- End over-drying. Over-drying, that is drying loads past the point of the optimal moisture percentage, is, unfortunately, a pretty common occurrence in on-premises laundries. Opting for green technology that measures moisture levels (accurately) and stops drying at the preset level saves utilities and time. The added benefit is it reduces wear on linens (all that dryer-generated lint is coming from the loads). As a result, properties may not replace linens as often (saving significant dollars).
- BONUS TIP. Select the correct cycle. Not all loads are created equal. If your staff is sorting by specific item and soil level, they should be using the prescribed cycles for those items. Bottom line, wrong cycles bring a cost to your operation. For instance, if staff washes a light soil load using a cycle programed for heavy, the operation is wasting water (through unnecessary pre-washes, rinses, and extra washes) chemicals, and time. User-friendly controls and laundry management technology can help curb this operational misstep and keep your laundry green.
