COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY Caring for care homes
Gemma Christie, Business Account Manager at Miele Professional, reveals how commercial laundry equipment supports care home hygiene.
In care homes, laundry acts as a frontline defence against infection and is vital to resident comfort. With cleanliness directly impacting health and wellbeing, every sheet, towel and uniform carries a responsibility. For operators, the question is not whether laundry matters, but how to manage it effectively and consistently.
Why commercial laundry matters
Care homes face unique pressures. Laundry volumes are high, fabrics vary from robust cottons to delicate blends, and hygiene standards are non-negotiable. Domestic machines, often chosen for their lower upfront cost, struggle to cope with this level of demand. They are not designed for continuous use or for the rigorous disinfection cycles required to meet care sector regulations. Breakdowns become frequent, repairs costly and the risk of compromised hygiene grows.
Commercial laundry equipment is built for this environment. Machines are engineered to handle heavy loads day after day, delivering consistent results without sacrificing fabric care. Programmes can be tailored to meet infection control protocols, including thermal and chemo-thermal disinfection, ensuring pathogens are eliminated and compliance is maintained.
Protecting fabrics and dignity
Laundry in care homes is not limited to bed linen and towels. Residents’ personal garments often include delicate fabrics that require careful handling, and damage or shrinkage can affect comfort and dignity. Commercial machines offer advanced drum designs and precise temperature control to protect fibres while achieving thorough cleaning.
This balance of hygiene and gentleness is difficult to achieve with domestic appliances, whereas the flexibility commercial machines provide can play a vital role in maintaining the dignity and individuality of residents.
Cost and sustainability
Energy costs continue to rise and water consumption is under scrutiny. Laundry equipment can be a hidden drain on resources if not chosen wisely. While commercial machines involve a higher initial investment, they deliver long-term savings through durability and efficiency. They use less water and energy per cycle, and their reliability reduces downtime and repair bills. For care homes operating on tight budgets, these savings are significant.
Sustainability is also a growing priority. Modern commercial systems incorporate technologies that minimise environmental impact without compromising performance.
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Choosing equipment that supports both financial and environmental goals is increasingly becoming an essential for future-proofing operations.
Built to last
Care facilities need machines that can cope with constant use without compromising performance. Commercial- grade washers and dryers are engineered for durability, which means fewer breakdowns and lower repair costs over time. For example, Miele Professional equipment is tested to 30,000 operating hours, giving operators confidence in its longevity.
It is also important to review warranty terms and confirm that local service support is available, as this can make a significant difference when issues arise. A proactive maintenance plan is equally vital, helping to prevent unexpected downtime and ensuring laundry operations run smoothly for years to come.
A trusted solution
Brands such as Miele Professional have developed machines specifically for the care sector, combining hygiene assurance with fabric protection and energy efficiency. Features like thermal disinfection programmes and patented drum technology demonstrate how commercial equipment can meet the sector’s complex needs without having to compromise.
Laundry is a critical service in care homes, underpinning infection control, resident comfort and operational resilience. Relying on domestic machines may seem economical at first, but the hidden costs and risks soon outweigh any savings. Investing in commercial laundry equipment is an investment in safety, reliability and peace of mind.
Find out more about Miele Professional’s solutions for care homes at our website.
www.miele.co.uk/p/
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