We’ve all heard or said it at least once: “I want it faster and cheaper”. But when it comes to quality, consistency and overall outcomes in the commercial laundry industry, is it really possible?
Throughout history, laundering linen has not changed as much as we might think. The laundry characteristics we recognise today came about after the Industrial Revolution, and the wash process, procedures and basic parameters are still the same today. Advancements in machinery, linen and chemical technology mean that washing, rinsing and extraction aren’t as labour-intensive as they once were, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that these processes are faster and cheaper.
Can I make the laundering process faster and cheaper?
Referencing “Sinners Circle”, a core knowledge for every commercial laundry expert at JayChem, the four factors of cleaning remain:
Mechanical Action
Chemical Action
Temperature
Time
These factors are intertwined and cannot be changed without impacting results. If we want something faster, we adjust the time quadrant. If we want it cheaper, we may reduce the chemicals and perhaps the temperature. Every change in one area demands adjustments in another to maintain the desired level of cleanliness. If the circle is not 100% complete, the items won’t be 100% clean.
In the past decade, every industry has made a concerted effort to improve their environmental footprint, and the laundry industry is no different. These improvements should be applauded. However, merely cutting back on water or installing solar panels isn’t the only solution. Without clear and precise rework, rewash and reclaim protocols, all the environmental improvements mean little. Items lingering on the “Laundry Carousel” only increase laundering costs. Clear procedures for reject linen are crucial.
Streamlining processes and procedures to boost efficiency
A frequently overlooked aspect of Dr. Sinner’s philosophy focuses on process and procedure. The old saying, “The left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing,” often applies here. At JayChem, we enjoy talking to floor staff to improve their understanding of processes and procedures, especially around rewash or reject linen. We often find that it’s like a game of “secret message”, where each staff member has understood the procedure slightly differently
Helping sites to refine these processes, such as ensuring that rejected linen goes in the correct direction to be treated or condemned, is just one of the areas our Technical Specialists love to get involved in. All too often, you go through a load of rejected linen only to find that 40% should have been condemned. Even if we reclaim or rewash it, the item will not be going back out to a customer. Sending items back to be washed time and time again, without understanding that without the correct treatment they won’t come clean, is only undoing all the good work that has been done in other areas of the laundry to improve efficiency and reduce costs
In summary, when you demand faster and cheaper results, remember the delicate balance that must be maintained to achieve these goals without compromising quality and consistency. Cheaper and faster may be achievable, but only with the right processes and procedures in place.
By Brad Carruthers.