Laundry
or water cooling, meaning they can be installed almost anywhere. A small footprint and ultra-quiet 56dB operation further boost the product’s ‘plug & play’ capabilities, making them an ideal fit for a care home’s OPL.
Owing to the longstanding misconception that heat pump dryers are far slower than conventional alternatives, it is understandable to think this might be too good to be true. While this may have once been the case, the industry’s latest innovations have since rendered this statement false.
Overcoming pressing inefficiencies After drying, it is time for ironing. Opting for a large flatwork ironer is more or less a given for any high throughput care home laundry, yet it is essential to consider whether a front or rear delivery configuration is required. Front delivery is suited to OPL where space is at a premium, as it allows the ironer to be mounted against the wall. Here, laundry is both fed into and delivered from the ironer from the same side, enabling operation from a single member of staff. In a setting where floor space is ample, laundry managers are encouraged to configure their ironer for rear delivery. Here, wet linen is fed into one side and delivered on the reverse, allowing for a more productive workflow. The disadvantage here is that the ironer requires clearance on both sides, alongside a minimum of two members of staff to operate. The productivity gains available to a well-staffed operation, however, may prove invaluable. As with barrier washers, care homes should opt to specify ironers that are ergonomically designed to minimise strain on staff members.
Of course, hygiene remains a top priority here. For most standard ironers, the nature of the linen fibre, residual moisture, wash program used, and thickness of fabric all have a part to play in the ironing process with linen that is still moist and presents a risk of transmitting infection. With laundry washed, dried, and
pressed, the only remaining task is the sorting process, using the same tagging system as before. Fresh linen should be transported to the necessary location and stored in an elevated linen cupboard to prevent dust contamination until use.
Selecting smart solutions A final point of consideration for any laundry manager is adding an element of connectivity. Our Certus Management
July 2024
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
Information System (CMIS), for example, allows up to 30 machines to be incorporated into a network and connected to a PC. Benefits include the ability to access a helicopter view of the operation, with vital information such as running hours, idle time, consumption figures and machine usage all accessible at the touch of a button. This helps to spot potential inefficiencies
before they pose a risk of disruption to the entire operation. Users can access error alerts alongside a list of recommended actions and a record of maintenance intervals and the most recent service. Arguably most important to the care home environment, CMIS is an important source of process validation, offering proof of receipt and full logs of all wash cycles to trace outbreaks of infection.
From here, understanding servicing
requirement is all that remains to run an efficient OPL. Low-level maintenance checks should be completed daily, or weekly at a minimum. This includes checking safety devices, seals, and looking thoroughly for leaks on washing machines. For dryers, lint filters should be cleaned regularly in between cycles. To keep machines in good working order, laundry managers should address any warning messages or faults. Professional servicing is recommended at least once a year for washers and dryers, and four times a year for ironers. Here, taking out a comprehensive servicing agreement with the original manufacturer can provide peace of mind by allowing appliances to be regularly maintained and swiftly repaired should breakdown strike.
The future of efficient laundry management Managing the laundry demands of a care home estate may seem like an unenviable
prospect, but there are several credible paths to streamlining workflow. Here, the latest technologies may provide a major boost to laundry managers, providing a near-failsafe approach to hygiene, while offering multiple benefits in the form of staff wellbeing, efficiency, and productivity. Perhaps it might not be too good to be true after all?
n
Mick Christian
Mick joined Electrolux in 1987, quickly becoming the designated laundry engineer for the East Midlands. Today, he works with the UK & Ireland laundry sales team, conducting product demonstrations and training for sales partners and customers at Electrolux Professional’s Center of Excellence in Luton. Mick is also responsible for the company’s health & safety and compliance. In his time at the company, he has worked with countless laundry managers and training operatives to develop washing and drying programmes, alongside offering expertise on laundry cycle management and maintaining equipment.
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