Housekeeping Services: Launder
Articles & Fabrics
TVET Health Care Support Services
Unit: Launder Articles and Fabrics
Prepared for classroom teaching and
student handouts (Kenya, TVET)
Learning Outcome
• By the end of this lesson students should be
able to launder articles and fabrics: identify
equipment and materials, perform pre-
laundry activities, conduct laundry
procedures, use checklists, and finish items
correctly.
Laundry Equipment and Materials
• Washing machines (domestic and industrial)
• Dryers and hydro-extractors/spinners
• Boilers and hot water systems
• Irons, steam irons, pressing machines and
flatwork ironers
• Sorting tables, laundry trolleys, carts and
storage racks
• Consumables: detergents, bleaches, softeners,
stain removers, disinfectants
Pre-Laundry Activities
• Collection and segregation using color-coded
bags
• Sorting by colour, fabric type and degree of
soiling
• Inspection for stains, tears, missing buttons
and foreign objects
• Stain treatment and pre-soaking where
necessary
• Weighing loads and selecting correct wash
programme
Laundry Procedures (Practical
Steps)
• Receive and record soiled linen in laundry
register
• Sort and prepare loads according to
instructions
• Load machine correctly (do not overload) and
add detergents/disinfectants
• Select appropriate wash temperature and
cycle
• Rinse thoroughly and use hydro-extractor or
dryers
Laundry Checklist (Quality Control)
• Was collection and segregation correct?
• Were stains identified and pre-treated?
• Was correct chemical/detergent used and
measured?
• Was machine load appropriate (not
overloaded)?
• Were temperatures and cycles chosen
correctly?
• Were items properly rinsed and fully dried?
Finishing Equipment
• Flatwork ironer / calender for sheets and large
linen
• Steam irons and pressing machines for
garments
• Folding tables, hangers, and clips
• Spot finishing tools (sizing, steamers)
• Packaging materials and storage racks
Finishing Procedures (Steps)
• Check dryness and fabric care label before
finishing
• Press or iron using correct heat settings for
fabric type
• Fold neatly using standard hospital/facility
folds for sheets and garments
• Hang items that crease easily and protect from
dust
• Inspect for final quality: stains, damage or
missing items
Finishing Checklist (Final QA)
• Are all items clean, dry and pressed correctly?
• Are there any damages, burns or stains
remaining?
• Are garments and linen folded/hung to
standard?
• Is packaging clean and labeled correctly?
• Has distribution been recorded and
scheduled?
Infection Control & Safety in
Laundry
• Use PPE: gloves, aprons, closed shoes
• Color-code bags to separate infectious linen
• Use appropriate disinfectants and follow
contact times
• Avoid manual handling of heavily soiled items
where possible
• Ensure good ventilation and regular machine
maintenance
Assessment & Practical Tasks
• Demonstration: correctly sort, treat and load a
wash cycle
• Practical: operate ironer/steamer and fold
linen to hospital standard
• Written: complete a laundry and finishing
checklist
• Oral: explain chemical choices and
temperature selection
Summary & Key Points
• Proper sorting and pre-treatment prevent
damage and cross-contamination
• Correct machine use, dosages and
temperatures ensure hygiene and fabric care
• Finishing and checklists maintain quality and
traceability
• Safety and infection control are paramount in
healthcare laundry

Housekeeping_Laundry_Lesson.power point p

  • 1.
    Housekeeping Services: Launder Articles& Fabrics TVET Health Care Support Services Unit: Launder Articles and Fabrics Prepared for classroom teaching and student handouts (Kenya, TVET)
  • 2.
    Learning Outcome • Bythe end of this lesson students should be able to launder articles and fabrics: identify equipment and materials, perform pre- laundry activities, conduct laundry procedures, use checklists, and finish items correctly.
  • 3.
    Laundry Equipment andMaterials • Washing machines (domestic and industrial) • Dryers and hydro-extractors/spinners • Boilers and hot water systems • Irons, steam irons, pressing machines and flatwork ironers • Sorting tables, laundry trolleys, carts and storage racks • Consumables: detergents, bleaches, softeners, stain removers, disinfectants
  • 4.
    Pre-Laundry Activities • Collectionand segregation using color-coded bags • Sorting by colour, fabric type and degree of soiling • Inspection for stains, tears, missing buttons and foreign objects • Stain treatment and pre-soaking where necessary • Weighing loads and selecting correct wash programme
  • 5.
    Laundry Procedures (Practical Steps) •Receive and record soiled linen in laundry register • Sort and prepare loads according to instructions • Load machine correctly (do not overload) and add detergents/disinfectants • Select appropriate wash temperature and cycle • Rinse thoroughly and use hydro-extractor or dryers
  • 6.
    Laundry Checklist (QualityControl) • Was collection and segregation correct? • Were stains identified and pre-treated? • Was correct chemical/detergent used and measured? • Was machine load appropriate (not overloaded)? • Were temperatures and cycles chosen correctly? • Were items properly rinsed and fully dried?
  • 7.
    Finishing Equipment • Flatworkironer / calender for sheets and large linen • Steam irons and pressing machines for garments • Folding tables, hangers, and clips • Spot finishing tools (sizing, steamers) • Packaging materials and storage racks
  • 8.
    Finishing Procedures (Steps) •Check dryness and fabric care label before finishing • Press or iron using correct heat settings for fabric type • Fold neatly using standard hospital/facility folds for sheets and garments • Hang items that crease easily and protect from dust • Inspect for final quality: stains, damage or missing items
  • 9.
    Finishing Checklist (FinalQA) • Are all items clean, dry and pressed correctly? • Are there any damages, burns or stains remaining? • Are garments and linen folded/hung to standard? • Is packaging clean and labeled correctly? • Has distribution been recorded and scheduled?
  • 10.
    Infection Control &Safety in Laundry • Use PPE: gloves, aprons, closed shoes • Color-code bags to separate infectious linen • Use appropriate disinfectants and follow contact times • Avoid manual handling of heavily soiled items where possible • Ensure good ventilation and regular machine maintenance
  • 11.
    Assessment & PracticalTasks • Demonstration: correctly sort, treat and load a wash cycle • Practical: operate ironer/steamer and fold linen to hospital standard • Written: complete a laundry and finishing checklist • Oral: explain chemical choices and temperature selection
  • 12.
    Summary & KeyPoints • Proper sorting and pre-treatment prevent damage and cross-contamination • Correct machine use, dosages and temperatures ensure hygiene and fabric care • Finishing and checklists maintain quality and traceability • Safety and infection control are paramount in healthcare laundry

Editor's Notes

  • #2 Explain the single measurable learning outcome: 'Launder articles and fabrics'. Tell students this will cover practical skills and quality checks used in healthcare laundry. Emphasize infection control, fabric care and documentation.
  • #3 Describe each equipment: capacity differences between domestic and industrial machines, purpose of hydro-extractors (spin to reduce drying time), and safety features. Discuss types of detergents (enzyme-based, non-ionic) and safe handling of chemicals. Mention PPE: gloves and aprons during handling.
  • #4 Explain the importance of segregation to avoid cross-contamination and colour run. Show examples of how to test fabric care labels. Demonstrate common stain treatments (protein stains, oil-based, tannin). Stress never to mix sharps or sharp objects in linen and to check pockets. Discuss measuring detergents to manufacturer guidelines.
  • #5 Provide step-by-step demonstration: how to use machine controls, temperature selection (hot water for infected linen, warm for general), appropriate use of bleach and disinfectants. Explain rinsing cycles and importance of removing detergent residues which can irritate skin. Talk about energy-saving practices and care of delicate fabrics.
  • #6 Show a sample checklist template for staff to tick. Explain how checklists improve consistency and accountability. Encourage trainees to maintain records for traceability, especially for linen from infectious wards.
  • #7 Discuss how flatwork ironers speed up finishing for high-volume items and the correct temperature/pressure settings. Demonstrate steam use for stubborn creases and the need for ergonomic posture to avoid strain during repetitive ironing tasks.
  • #8 Teach standard folding methods (hospital corners for bedsheets), and how to mark items for specific wards or clients. Emphasize final inspection – anything substandard should be reprocessed.
  • #9 Provide a printable finishing checklist and explain how to sign and date it. Discuss responsibility for rework and escalation if equipment fails or recurring stains occur.
  • #10 Highlight infection risks from linen and correct PPE usage. Outline procedures for handling blood and body fluid contaminated linen (segregation, higher temperature wash, and appropriate disinfectant). Stress reporting of sharps or needle-stick incidents.
  • #11 Detail assessment methods: observation during practical tasks, written checklists, oral Q&A and a portfolio of evidence showing repeated competence. Suggest rubrics for pass/fail criteria.
  • #12 Wrap up with practical tips, reiterate key safety points and encourage good record keeping. Invite students to ask questions and demonstrate tasks.