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Month: October 2023

George Barclay

If you thought there was only one type of detergent to use in your commercial laundry, think again. There’s actually a substantial range of cleaners, treatments and conditioners available, each suited to its own unique applications.

So, what are the main types of commercial laundry detergent? Which products are used for what? And is it safe to use a combination of chemicals in a single wash cycle?

We’ll talk you through the different commercial laundry detergents on offer and how they can be used.

Commercial laundry detergent

Bio detergent

Commercial bio (biological) detergent contains enzymes which break down stains and dirt on garments and linen, making it a highly effective stain-remover when used in regular wash cycles. Bio detergent is particularly good for absorbing fat, grease and oil, so is perfect for use in commercial laundries where food stains are relatively common.

One of the key benefits of using bio detergent in a commercial laundry vs other cleaners is that you’ll enjoy the same stain-busting benefit even at lower temperatures and on shorter cycles – perfect if you’re looking to improve efficiency and manage energy overheads.

Non-bio detergent

Non-biological (non-bio) commercial laundry detergent is essentially the same as bio detergent without the powerful cleaning enzymes. This means it may be safer to use for some clothing and bed linens, particularly where people have sensitive skin or allergies, as biological detergent can cause mild skin reactions.

While non-bio detergent is a go-to commercial laundry cleaner for many organisations – particularly care homes and other social care facilities – it does have its drawbacks. For instance, to achieve the same stain-removing performance of bio detergent, it’s necessary to use much higher temperatures, which can impact efficiency and consumption.

Destainer

There are occasions in commercial laundries when garments and linens are too heavily soiled to rely on bio and non-bio detergents alone. In these instances, a destainer may be required to cut through stains and achieve the required level of cleanliness and hygiene.

Destainers contain specially formulated compounds that lift stains and absorb dirt and oil present in heavily soiled laundry. These detergent treatments are particularly useful in settings where there is a high volume of soiled clothing or linens.

Emulsifiers

Emulsifiers are a form of commercial laundry stain remover that emulsify mineral oils, fat and grease – stains which can prove difficult to remove using detergent and standard destainers alone. They’re ideal for laundry facilities in commercial kitchens, wherein items like aprons, uniforms, tea towels and cloths can become stained with fat, grease and oil.

Fabric conditioner

We’re sure you’re familiar with fabric conditioner. This is a laundry additive that helps to soften and nourish the fibres in garments, linens and towels, improving their appearance and longevity.

Of course, one of the other benefits of using commercial fabric conditioners is the fragrance they impart. They also increase the speed of drying, protect against colour fading and have additional protection against bobbling.

OTEX detergent

OTEX biological liquid laundry detergent has been specifically developed to work in coordination with the JLA OTEX ozone disinfection system. It removes stains and maintains linen quality and colour during the cool wash cycles in which OTEX works best.

OTEX is considered the gold standard in laundry disinfection, trusted by hospitals, care homes and other social care organisations. Our unique ozone laundry system kills harmful germs and micro-organisms in every wash cycle, with innovative OTEX washers combining with our specially formulated detergent to maintain optimal laundry hygiene standards wash after wash.

Keen to learn more about the different types of detergents and laundry treatments available for commercial use? Our commercial laundry and chemical cleaning pages has you covered. Or if you have a specific question, call our experts on 0808 239 2982.

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George Barclay

With decarbonisation a growing priority, many of our customers are considering electric alternatives to gas-powered appliances in their laundry rooms. But how do the latest generation of electric commercial dryers actually stack up?

As we continue to look at the most efficient investments for your business, we’ve tested the energy-saving credentials of a JLA SMART electric commercial tumble dryer against a popular gas dryer.

What is JLA's SMART dryer technology?

Along with features designed to optimise heat exchange, JLA’s SMART commercial tumble dryers are specially programmed to know exactly how long it will take a load to dry. This helps to shorten cycle times while minimising electricity waste, which in turn helps to reduce carbon emissions.

Comparing SMART to standard: our methodology

We tested a JLA 35 SMART touch electric dryer against a standard JLA D40 gas tumble dryer, commonly used across the care sector. To simulate real-world conditions, we ran both dryers for five hours – equivalent to 6.6 loads, or an average day’s use. We also used towels instead of lighter linens to help produce more realistic, informative results than similar tests carried out elsewhere.

Key results from our testing

Using example costs of 0.499 p/kwh for electricity, and 0.24989 p/kwh for gas, we came to the following results.

Time and energy savings
Versus the D40 gas dryer, the JLA 35 SMART touch electric dryer took a full 20 minutes less per cycle to dry a load, and consumed 1.2 kWh (11%) less energy per cycle than its gas counterpart – a powerful demonstration of its eco-friendly credentials.

A noticeable difference in cost
Based on our testing, a JLA SMART electric dryer costs £4.89 per cycle, while the gas dryer costs £2.75 per cycle, a difference of £2.14. For a full day’s use (6.6 loads), the electric dryer costs £40.36 more than the gas dryer. This means that, over the course of a year, using this electric dryer will cost £14,730 more than its gas equivalent.

Weighing environmental benefits versus costs

With results from our tests scaled up, the JLA 35 SMART electric dryer would deliver an annual reduction of 4,951.83 kg in CO2 emissions, versus our D40 gas dryer, making it a far more eco-friendly investment. So, if your biggest priority is to reduce carbon emissions from your laundry room (and enjoy the extra benefits of reduced drying times), it’s clear that going electric will help.

However, it’s vital to weigh a reduced environmental impact against an increase in annual electricity bills – not least because the higher operating costs of an electric dryer may present a challenge for budgeting.

For expert advice on the best option for your commercial laundry equipment, simply get in touch today.

ESH tumble dryer savings
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George Barclay

An efficient, methodical and thorough laundry process is critical in a hotel setting. Not only do guest-facing flatworks like sheets, towels and robes need to be laundered to a high standard, but there is a whole range of other factors to consider – from infection control to the cleanliness of items used by hotel staff (uniforms, tea towels, and cleaning sundries to name but a few).

Hotel laundry

If you’re a hotel manager seeking to improve on-site laundry services, this guide may be able to help. We’ve gone back to basics, giving you a complete overview of the processes and considerations that hoteliers need to be aware of when it comes to laundry.

Which garments require regular laundering in hotels?

Even in the smallest boutique hotels, the amount of day-to-day laundering required can come as a surprise. There’s a whole variety of fabrics, garments and flatworks to get through, so hotels will require a robust commercial laundry setup that can cope with high-volume loads.

For the sake of clarity, here’s a complete look at all the items that come through a hotel laundry’s doors on a near-daily basis:

  • Flatwork: This includes sheets, pillows, linen, bedding, tablecloths, napkins and tea towels.
  • Terry fabrics: Including towels, bath mats, dressing gowns, robes and spa-related accessories.
  • Personal clothing: From guest attire to staff uniforms, clothing forms a significant part of the laundry load for many hotels.
  • Cleaning sundries: Cloths, rags, dusters, towels, and mop heads must all be laundered regularly to ensure that the highest levels of cleanliness and hygiene are adhered to at all times.

Things to consider when managing a hotel laundry

Given the unique requirements and challenges associated with hotel laundries, it’s vital that managers consider all elements when planning, budgeting for, and managing laundry facilities day to day. So, what should they account for?

Here’s an overview of the key considerations hotel laundry managers need to be aware of…

  • Hotel location, size, type and rating: Laundry facilities are dictated by a hotel’s size, type, location and rating. For instance, a four-star establishment near the coast will have significantly different laundry requirements than an affordable, inner-city hostel. As such, laundry managers should carry out a full requirements assessment to ensure they allocate enough staff and resources to the type of laundry their property needs.
  • Contamination and infection control: With a considerable turnover of guests and visitors, hygiene and infection control are of the essence in hotel laundry facilities. Much like in care homes and hospitals, it’s essential that contaminated items are kept entirely separate from freshly laundered items, whilst ‘Dirty’ and ‘clean’ laundry zones are vital to ensuring this.
  • Building layout: The location, size and shape of the laundry room has an influence on which commercial or industrial washing machines, tumble dryers and professional irons are installed. Larger laundry rooms may have the luxury of bigger equipment and an optimal layout for operatives, whilst smaller sized laundry facilities may opt for space-saving or stackable laundry equipment.
  • Transportation and processing: Dirty garments and fabrics must be transported to the laundry facility as quickly as possible so as to avoid contamination, uphold hygiene standards, and maintain peak levels of service and a positive guest experience. Consider the processes involved along with the timings and routes, so that staff can transport items to the laundry with minimal disruption.

We hope this guide has shone a light on the basic processes and considerations associated with hotel laundry facilities. If you’re interested in hotel-ready professional laundry appliances, take a look at our complete range of commercial laundry equipment.

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Fire risk assessments ensure compliance with the fire safety strategy you need to look after your people and protect your assets. But if you don’t bring in specialists to carry out your assessments, you could leave yourself exposed to serious problems. 

In this post, we highlight the drawbacks of using inexperienced people, and why it’s important to find right expertise.

Fire risk assessment

Specific and detailed assessments are key

For a commercial fire risk assessment to be accurate every building or setting will need its unique hazards to be considered. One of the biggest challenges of using inexperienced people to carry out a fire risk assessment is that they’re more likely to miss site-specific issues or be risk adverse. As an example, a care home’s assessment will think about the vulnerable nature of residents living there, while a factory may need to consider flammable raw materials. Overlooking these details could lead to poor fire safety measures, additional costs or even put people in danger.

Consulting with stakeholders really matters

A big part of a fire risk assessment is engaging with the people who are most likely to be affected by any new fire safety measures. A thorough assessment may include conversations with staff members in various roles , as their experience will provide useful insights on potential hazards. Avoiding stakeholder consultation could lead to incomplete assessments that don’t fully address the concerns of the people involved.

It's vital to identify all hazards and risks

Without a deep understanding of fire safety regulations, it’s possible that an unqualified person could miss some of the things that might cause or contribute to a fire or making escaping harder. An inexperienced assessor might not even be able to identify the people who would be affected if a fire broke out, which will undermine the effectiveness of the assessment and its recommendations.

You’ll need the right control measures in place

A fire risk assessment is only the first step to a safer building – you’ll need to follow it up by implementing its advice. Here, again, a lack of experience could mean the wrong control measures are introduced. Or, worse, your hazards and risks go unaddressed, putting your people and assets at risk. With a professional assessment, you’ll know you’re getting the right guidance.

Seek out specialist expertise

Given the challenging nature of a fire risk assessment, it always makes sense to rely on people who have a good knowledge of fire safety regulations, building codes, and best practices.

At JLA, we provide accurate assessments that are always tailored to your environment, spotting potential hazards before we recommend the right control measures. This way, we can help to protect people and property. For more details, please contact our experts.

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We are proud to announce that TFS Facilities Services Ltd and ICS Electrical Contractors have joined the JLA Group. This strategic acquisition strengthens our commitment to delivering exceptional services within our fire and building services division.
George Barclay

There’s plenty to consider when purchasing a commercial or industrial tumble dryer, from operating temperature and energy rating to whether it’s a vented, condenser or heat pump model. But most important of all, perhaps, is the size of the appliance itself, with different dryer capacities available depending on your requirements.

Safe Tumble Dryer

Generally speaking, professional tumble dryers are divided into two camps based on things like capacity, power and functionality. That includes standard commercial dryers with a medium-to-large capacity size, and industrial dryers capable of handling the maximum loads.

In this post, we’re taking a look at typical commercial and industrial dryer sizes, so you can get a feel for the type of appliance that may be best suited to your organisation.

Commercial tumble dryers

Commercial tumble dryers typically have a capacity between 7kg and 20kg and usually run up to eight cycles per day, although larger models with capacities up to 37kg are also available.

They are ideal for use in care homes, housing associations, schools, hair salons and sports clubs where a commercial tumble dryer is required yet is at a manageable size.

Multiple machines can be used to increase capacity, including stacked dryer models, which double the available capacity whilst utilising the same floor surface area.

Industrial tumble dryers

Often include special features like large doors for efficient loading and unloading, three-phase motors for reliability, large lint filters.

Take a look at the heavy-duty, industrial tumble dryer range from JLA below…

Why does the size of a commercial tumble dryer matter?

Selecting the commercial dryer that’s the perfect fit for your organisation’s on-premises laundry is essential in ensuring you attain maximum efficiency and performance from the appliance. Too large and you risk taking up unnecessary space and wasting resources, while choosing a dryer that’s too small could mean that you’re not able to keep pace with demand.

What’s more, remember that commercial dryers of any size have additional requirements. For instance, vented commercial dryers will typically need to be positioned near an external wall, while condenser-style appliances require a consistent flow of cool air, so may not be suitable to be crammed in a small space.

We hope this guide sheds light on typical commercial dryer sizes, and gives you some food for thought when it comes to your next machine. Remember, if you need any help selecting commercial laundry equipment for your needs, the JLA team is a phone call away. Get in touch on 0808 239 7578 to find out more.

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George Barclay

If your business has the space, personnel and resources to manage an on-premises laundry, this is considered a far better option than outsourcing to a third-party service.

But what exactly are the benefits of having a laundry on-site? And is it really as efficient or cost-effective as relying on external providers?

In this post, we’re taking a look at some of the key advantages that an on-premises laundry can bring, so you can decide if it’s the right direction for your business.

Commercial laundry facility

First things first – what is an on-premises laundry?

As the term suggests, an on-premises laundry is when an organisation has a laundry facility at its premises, including commercial washing machines and tumble dryers required to launder garments without outsourcing any stage to third parties. Many businesses may choose to integrate an on-site laundry into their day-to-day operations, from hotels and care

What are the benefits of an on-premises laundry?

So long as you have the space and resources, integrating a laundry facility onto your premises can bring a whole range of benefits, including…

1. Cost-effective and no surprise fees

With no need to worry about unexpected service charges and price hikes, an on-premises laundry can offer greater cost-effectiveness and ease of budgeting. Even when taking into account additional staffing and energy costs, many JLA customers have made savings from bringing the entire laundry process on-premises.

2. Carbon footprint

The emissions from transporting dirty and clean laundry to the commercial laundry facility could be significant over time. Many companies who are seeking to reduce their carbon footprint in the supply chain are looking at bringing laundry in-house as a more sustainable solution.

3. Better quality control

For organisations with strict hygiene, infection control and operating standards, setting up an on-premises laundry can improve the quality control process. In situations where there may be concerns about the quality of laundry processed by the outsourcing partner, this should be an important consideration.

4. Quicker turnaround times

Utilising commercial laundries can often be a long process from storage of dirty laundry, collection by truck, washing and drying in the commercial laundry, delivery and storage of clean laundry. Taking full control of the process can reduce the time taken to process laundry, which could even reduce the total volume of garments, uniforms and linens required.

5. Better for smaller volumes

Some commercial laundries have minimum order volumes, which may be unsuitable for smaller and medium-sized businesses. To counteract MOV, some companies are required to store dirty laundry until it reaches a certain threshold, which is not best practice for hygiene standards.

6. Stability in rural locations

In some parts of the UK and Ireland, commercial laundry businesses are no longer operating in rural communities due to the cost of transportation and logistics. This has particularly affected hotels and care homes in rural areas in Ireland, which are no longer able to outsource their laundry. On-premises laundry would resolve these issues and provide stability for businesses and organisations in rural areas.


7. No capital outlay

One of the main objections to in-house laundry has been the capital outlay required to set up and maintain the equipment. With JLA Total Care, you pay nothing upfront and get free installation with 24/7 emergency support, all for a simple monthly fee.

Keen to learn more about the process of bringing a commercial laundry in-house? Our expert Q&A on the topic should shed a little light.

We hope this resource has shone a light on some of the key advantages that can come from bringing your commercial laundry in-house. If you require assistance in setting up a laundry room on your premises, the experts at JLA are here to help. Find out more about our commercial laundry solutions or call us today on 0808 239 7813.

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George Barclay

George Barclay

Laundry Expert

Head of Installations George joined JLA as an apprentice service engineer in 2011. With years of experience in plumbing, engineering, electrical and mechanical engineering, he oversees the delivery of safe, compliant installations.

George is Gas qualified for both laundry and COMCAT 1, 2, 3, 5, and holds IOSH Managing Safety and 17th edition accreditation.

Read George's full profile
Mark Bone headshot

Mark Bone

Fire safety expert

With an extensive technical background, Mark advises customers with his wealth of fire safety and security knowledge. His experience spans technical, commercial, customer service and operational roles delivering a well-rounded service for JLA clients.

Read Mark's full profile

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