Awareness of the hazards associated with mould and damp in housing association properties has grown in recent years, especially after the introduction of Awaab’s Law, which now holds social landlords to much higher standards. But while associations are investing in powerful dehumidifiers and room sanitisers to tackle these problems with speed and care, preventative measures can’t be overlooked.
Here are the benefits of using compact commercial tumble dryers to manage one of the most common causes of damp – wet clothes.
Dryers to manage humidity, moisture and mould
Hanging up wet clothes inside releases a large amount of moisture into the surrounding air, which increases the humidity of a home. And when people use radiators to help dry these clothes faster – particularly the colder months – the process is only accelerated, with moisture evaporating faster and warmer air condensing on colder surfaces, like windows, to form water droplets.
Without proper ventilation or time to dry, this excess moisture will eventually create an environment where mould and mildew thrive, leading to visible patches on ceilings, walls, windows, doors and furniture, and a heightened risk of allergies, respiratory problems and other health issues for residents.
A tumble dryer keeps all that moisture contained, reducing the chances of damp and mould forming in the first place, and better protecting your residents.
This will not only help your association stay compliant with Awaab’s Law, but is likely to lead to an increase in tenant satisfaction scores, which also protect your organisation’s reputation and funding.
What are the other advantages of using a tumble dryer?
Resident satisfaction
Residents will appreciate getting a reliable tumble dryer with minimal effort and are likely to report improved satisfaction with a property, which is becoming an increasing priority for housing associations. The following reasons outline additional benefits of why tumble dryers can increase resident satisfaction.
Convenience
Compared to manually hanging wet clothes throughout a home, which clutters up space and prolongs drying times, compact commercial tumble dryers offer residents a space-saving, easy-to-use laundry solution.
Speed
Even the most compact commercial tumble dryers will dry clothes much faster than traditional air drying, allowing residents to wash and dry something in the same day – a big help for families, and especially those with younger kids. This will feel especially welcome in cold winter months, when it can often take a few days to fully dry an item of clothing.
A higher quality finish
Through rotation and heat, tumble dryers reduce wrinkles in clothes by loosening fibres. This not only cuts down the amount of ironing you’ll need to do, but also stops clothing from coming out of the wash with an unpleasant, uncomfortable ‘crispy’ finish – instead leaving residents’ items feeling soft, fresh and fluffy.
Less bacteria
Clothing left on airers or line-drying outside can absorb bacteria and allergens. On a hot drying cycle, though, a commercial tumble dryer is likely kill any bacteria left on garments after the washing process.
Cost-effectiveness
There can be a reluctance to install tumble dryers as a preventative measure for cost reasons. But the reality is that remedial work to address damp and mould problems can be prove a lot more expensive in the long run, with the costs of professional deep cleaning, dehumidifiers, sanitisers and other equipment adding up.
JLA Mini Pro (7kg and 9kg)
JLA Mini Pro tumble dryers represent a robust, reliable and space-saving solution for housing organisations looking to help prevent damp and mould, and proactively look after residents. Available in both 7kg and 9kg capacities, these compact units are ideal for housing because they easily fit under counters, and won’t take up extra space. And because they’re so intuitive to use, everyone will be able to take advantage.
To explore more proactive solutions for beating mould and staying compliant, contact our team today.
For more advice and tips on the Housing sector, visit our dedicated page.
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