2. CONTENT
• TYPES OF LAUNDRY
• FLOW PROCESS OF INDUSTRIAL LAUNDERING
• STAGES IN WASH CYCLE
3. TYPES OF LAUNDRY:-
• ON PREMISES/ON-SITE/IN-HOUSE LAUNDRY(OPL)
• The laundry which is situated in the hotel
• Laundering activities are carried by staff employed by the hotel
• COMMERCIAL/ OFF- SITE/ CONTRACTED LAUNDRY:-
• In these the laundering activities are performed outside the establishment
• Given on a contract basis to specialists in the field.
• The contract specifies the laundering costs and other costs.
• Usually the soiled linen are laundered and delivered back in 24-48 hrs.
• LAUNDROMATS-
• A self-service laundry facility where clothes are washed and dried
4. ADVANTAGES OF ON PREMISES LAUNDRY:-
• ADVANTAGES:-
• Time taken for laundering is reduced because transportation is eliminated.
• Linen is readily available especially in the case of emergency.
• Control over the wash process and the laundry agents used making the
wear and tear on linen comparatively much lesser.
• Pilferage is reduced.
• The par stock required is reduced.
• Revenue is earned from guest laundry.
• Helps to render quality service to the guests.
5. DISADVANTAGES OF ON PREMISES LAUNDRY:-
• DISADVANTAGES:-
• Initial cost of equipment and its maintenance is fairly high.
• Related expenses like water tax, energy costs are high.
• More staff who are technically qualified are required -
• High labor costs
6. ADVANTAGES OF COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY:-
• ADVANTAGES:-
• No heavy investments on capital.
• Labor costs saved
• Solution for space constraints
• Little technical expertise required.
7. DISADVANTAGES OF COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY
• DISADVANTAGES:-
• Control over standards reduced
• Delays of delivery and collection
• Higher par stock to be maintained
• May result in loss during transportation
8. THE LAUNDRY CYCLE:-
• (I)PREWASHING:-
• Collecting soiled linen – GRAs strip linen from rooms and put them directly into the hamper bags(soiled linen
bag).Soiled linen should be sent to laundry as soon as possible so that stain does not set in. Items should never be
piled on the floor where they can be walked on and soiled or damaged further. In some hotels soiled linen is sent to
linen room for sorting, counting and marking and then sent to laundry for washing.
• Transporting soiled linen to the laundry – Large hotels have linen chutes that runs in a channel to transport soiled
linen from floor pantries to laundry. They can also be carried in laundry carts/trolleys/skip(elastic net bags for
transporting laundry)
• Sorting – The on – premises laundry should contain a sorting area large enough to store a day’s worth of laundry.
Here soiled linen is sorted. Generally linen is sorted by :-
• Degree of soiling
• Type of fabric
• Size
• Colour
9. • Weighing:- Linen should be weighed in dry stage before they are put into the washer.
This is necessary as each washing machine has specific loading instructions that have to
be followed and also to measure the output of laundry.
• (If Over-loaded):-
• There is no or low centrifugal action because the linen articles are too tightly packed in
the drum. Resultantly, there is inadequate friction and the deeply imbedded soil is not
removed so the wash process is ineffective. Certain synthetics develop creases as a result
of overloading that are difficult to get rid of in the subsequent ironing process. Repeated
overloading can cause the machine to breakdown.
• (If Under-loaded):-
• In this case, there is centrifugal action but inadequate friction because the linen articles
are too far apart. There is wastage in terms of time, labor, laundry agents, water and
power.
• Loading:-For optimum loading, the machine should be loaded up to 80% of it’s capacity.
10. • (II)WASHING:-
• The proper washing program is indicated by following factors:-
• Length of cycle:-
• If the cycle is too short, the linen will not be cleaned. If the cycle is too
long, there will be unnecessary wear and tear and the clothes may actually
become dirtier as a result of re-deposition of soil.
• Temperature of water:-
• If the temperature of water is too high, it is likely to damage the linen. If
the temperature is inadequate, the chemicals will not work effectively.
• Water level :
• Incorrect ‘dip’ (water level) can alter the concentration of the laundry
agents rendering them ineffective. In case of a gentle action the water level
is usually higher forming a protective envelope to the delicate linen.
11. • Type and amount of detergent and when it will be dispensed in the wash cycle:-
• This is also a crucial factor that affects the quality of wash. Deciding which
laundry agent should be used is dependent on the nature of the fabric being
washed.
• Too little detergent will result in an incomplete cleaning process. And too much
may remain as a residue after the rinse cycle is complete.
• It is important that the laundry agent is introduced into the wash cycle at the
appropriate time if it is to have the required action.
• Mechanical action:-
• This refers to the centrifugal action brought about by the movement of the drum
that causes friction between the linen articles and is radically affected by
overloading or under loading as well as the speed of the drum.
• In addition to the correct handling of linen during the laundry procedures, correct
balance of these four factors (TACT)-Temperature, Time, Agitation, Chemical is
required for maximum laundering efficiency
12. • (III)AFTER WASHING:-
• Rinsing:- Once the wash cycle is completed, rinsing becomes essential.
Rinsing is washing linen in clean water.
• It is carried out at least twice and the purpose of this stage is to:
• Remove residue of laundry agents, which might show as patches on the
linen after ironing or irritate the skin.
• Remove suspended dirt, which remains in the carry over liquor in the load
at the end of the wash.
• Lower the temperature of the wash load by using a cold water rinse or
alternatively reducing the temperature of water in consecutive rinses.
• Hydro-Extraction –The removal of excess moisture through centrifugal
action and is equivalent to wringing clothes in hand-washing. The compact
mass of hydro-extracted clothes is referred to as ‘cheese’.
13. • (IV)FINISHING:-
• This gives linen a crisp, wrinkle free appearance. It may require only drying (for non-iron fabrics)
or may include ironing.it can be done in following ways:-
• Tumble-Drying – Items that are dried after hydro- extraction are towels, blankets, bed spreads
etc. This process makes the linen completely dry by blowing hot air ranging between 40º C to
60ºC onto the articles as they are slowly circulated in the rotating drum. The time taken is approx.
30 mins. depending on whether the article is to be completely or partially dried..
• Ironing – Bed sheets, pillowcases, tablecloths, etc, can go directly to flatwork irons in a slightly
damp condition. Uniforms are generally pressed in special ironing equipment.
• Folding – After finishing all items are folded. Folding personnel must also inspect linen,
segregating those that are to be reused and rejecting stained, torn or otherwise unsuitable items.
This should be done away from the soiled linen area to avoid resoiling.
• Storing – There should be enough storage room for at least one par. Finished items should be
allowed to ‘rest’ on shelves for 24 hours.
• Transferring linen to use areas –Laundry Trolleys used for transfer of linen should be cleaned at
least once daily. Separate carts should be used for soiled and clean linen to avoid accidental
soiling.
14. STAGES IN THE WASH CYCLE
• It consists of nine steps:-
• Flush or Pre-wash: (1.5-3mins): -Soiled linen is soaked in water. This
process dissolves and dilutes water-soluble soils to reduce the soil
load. It is done at a low temperature and high water level.
• Break: (4-10mins, optional): - A high alkaline break (heavy soil
removal) product is added at medium temperature and low water
level.
• Suds: (5-8mins): - Detergent is added to hot water and low water
level. Then articles are agitated for removal of dirt.
15. • Intermediate rinse/Carryover suds: (2-5mins): - This rinse cycle
removes soil and alkalinity to help bleach work more effectively.
• Bleach: (5-8mins, optional): - Bleach is added to hot water, to medium
water level. Bleach kills bacteria, whitens fabrics and removes stains.
It also weakens the fabric and hence enough water should be present.
• Rinse: (1.5-3mins): - Two or more rinses at medium temperature and
high water level are used to remove the detergent and bleach.
16. • Intermediate Extract: (1.5-2mins, optional): - This high-speed spin
removes detergent and soil from linen. It should not be used on no-
iron linen.
• Sour/ Softener/ Starching (3-5mins): - Softeners and sours are added
to condition fabrics, at medium temperature and low water level.
Sours are added for all types of fabrics in order to get the water pH to
6.5-7.and starches are added to stiffen cotton fabrics.
• Final Extract: (2-12mins): - a high spin removes most of the moisture
from the linen.
