Laundry
should be auditable at any time – clean in both its process and its paper trail.
The real cost of using domestic machines It is easy to see why some care homes have historically opted for domestic washers and dryers. They are familiar, lower cost upfront, and easy to source. But in practice, they are a false economy. Domestic models cannot consistently
achieve or maintain disinfection temperatures. They lack sluice cycles to pre- treat heavily soiled items. They do not have WRAS-approved backflow protection, so they fall short on compliance. And they are not built to run multiple cycles a day, every day, under the pressures of a professional environment. Consequently, they suffer a much faster breakdown of key components such as heating elements. Downtime due to this is seldom worth the aggravation. These machines fail more frequently,
their warranties are invalidated within commercial settings, maintenance costs rise, and the risk to residents increases. When inspectors ask whether you can evidence a validated disinfection process, a domestic model will noy be able to provide the data. The message is simple: if your setting
involves vulnerable people and infection risk, domestic laundry machines are not fit for purpose.
What to look for when choosing laundry equipment When it comes to upgrading or specifying a new laundry system, it helps to ask a few key questions. Is the equipment WRAS Category 5 approved? Does it have sluice and thermal disinfection programmes built in? Is there a solution available that enables cycles to be logged for inspection? Beyond compliance, is the capacity
suited to your laundry volumes? Is the installation configured to keep ‘dirty’ and ‘clean’ processes separate? And what about support – do you have access to same-day engineering, spare parts and preventive maintenance?
Moving beyond compliance: the broader benefits Once the regulatory boxes are ticked, care homes can start to appreciate the wider value of a professional laundry system. Modern commercial machines are
remarkably energy – and water – efficient, reducing utility bills and supporting sustainability targets. With fewer breakdowns and faster cycles, staff spend less time firefighting and more time focusing on residents. Cleaner, properly finished linens also
enhance dignity and comfort – small details that mean a lot in a care environment. And from a management perspective, having confidence in your laundry process removes a major source of stress. In many ways, a well-designed laundry
room is a microcosm of good care itself: clean, safe, well organised, and run with pride.
A practical path forward For homes looking to review or upgrade their laundry, the best place to start is with an audit. What equipment are you using? How old is it? Is it WRAS Category 5 compliant? Is it up to current regulatory standards? Once you have a clear picture, you can
work with a specialist such as ourselves to design a compliant, efficient setup. From there, regular maintenance and ongoing staff training will keep you inspection-ready year-round. It is not about making big changes
overnight. It is about building a system that evolves with your home – one that protects residents, supports staff, and stands up to scrutiny.
Looking ahead: the future of laundry in care Laundry technology is evolving fast. Machines are becoming smarter, with connectivity offering real-time cycle logs, predictive maintenance alerts, and energy usage tracking. Sustainability is rising up the agenda, too, with equipment now designed for longer lifespans and lower consumption. Regulation will continue to tighten,
digitalisation will improve within commercial laundry and, consequently, care homes will likely be expected to show more evidence and data in audits. That is why forward-thinking operators are investing now – to stay ahead rather than play catch- up later. As we see it, the future of care-home
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laundry lies in integration: infection control, sustainability, efficiency, and compliance all working hand in hand.
Laundry as care, not cost It is easy to see laundry as a cost centre, a box to tick, or a backroom task. But in reality, it is a cornerstone of good care. When laundry runs smoothly, hygiene improves, staff are happier, residents are safer, and inspections go better. We have seen time and again how a well-
designed, fully supported laundry system transforms operations. It brings order, reliability and reassurance to one of the most essential, yet often unseen, aspects of care- home life. So perhaps it is time to look again at that
hum of machines in the corner. It is not just laundry – it is part of the care itself.n
Hannah Forbes
Hannah Forbes is a third-generation leader in the Forbes family business, bringing over fifteen years of experience in shaping brand strategy, sector communications and stakeholder engagement. As director of marketing and brand strategy, she plays a key role in communicating the operational, regulatory, and ESG standards that underpin safe and compliant service delivery, including critical support functions such as laundry provision. Her expertise spans media and communications, ESG strategy, corporate branding, digital marketing, and partnership development. Hannah is committed to clear, purposeful storytelling that helps clients demonstrate compliance, build trust, and showcase the vital role of high- quality support services in delivering exceptional care.
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