Why G-Force Laundry Matters in On-Premises Laundry Equipment

We’re used to hearing about racecar drivers and fighter jet pilots experiencing “Gs” or G-Force. So, what is it? And how does it relate to laundry?  

G-Force is simply the increased force of gravity we feel, due to acceleration. Fighter jet pilots can experience up to 9Gs, or nine times the force of gravity. A NASCAR driver may experience roughly 3Gs in corners of high-bank superspeedways.  

What does all this G-Force talk have to do with your laundry operation? 

But what does this G-Force talk mean for your on-premises laundry equipment? The faster you spin loads in the washer-extractor, the higher the G-Force laundry, and the more water is removed. This increased extraction means less drying time is needed. For example: Sheets or pillowcases spun in washer-extractor at 350+ G-Force can often go directly to the ironer for finishing or need only minimal conditioning time in the tumble dryer.  

The higher the G-Force, the better, when it comes to moisture removal. Although, benefits diminish or plateau around 400+. Spinning a higher G-Force any longer than a few minutes produces minimal advantages. However, there’s a notable difference between a laundry operating at 180 G-Force compared to one with 300+. Increased efficiency comes from reduced drying times, which means lower gas consumption and higher throughput—benefits that help minimize overtime for employees. For hotels, long-term care facilities, athletic venues and others using on-premises laundry equipment, achieving high G-Force is essential to keeping loads moving efficiently and costs down.

Of course, there are exceptions. In fire service, PPE is made of highly technical fibers and spinning it at ultra-high G-Forces can damage and weaken its protective qualities. For this reason, bunker gear shouldn’t be spun out at more than 100Gs. 

Likewise in sports, jerseys and uniforms made from technical fibers may also benefit from lower G-Forces to avoid damage. Therefore, working with suppliers to ensure your laundry uses the appropriate wash cycles and spin speeds is crucial. 
Programmable controls are a central ingredient to giving your laundry operations the flexibility to tailor cycles and spin speeds to match each material’s unique needs. To see the UniMac® range of washer-extractor options available, be sure to click here.