LAUNDRY
In any residential
establishment, a lot of dirty linen accumulates in the various units and
departments. It is essential to ensure a continuous supply of linen, which is
well laundered, so that operations can be carried out smoothly and efficiently.
Linen is an expensive item, so how it will be laundered requires serious
consideration. People involved in handling linen should have some knowledge of
the process. Moreover, the Housekeeper and Linenkeeper should have a good
rapport with the Laundry Manager. Although it is essential that good quality
linen be purchased, the life of the linen depends on the care of linen in use
and the treatment it gets at the laundry.
A good laundry facility
ensures the following:
1. Careful handling of
linen articles while laundering.
2. Correct processing and
use of a suitable laundry agent.
3. While materials are kept
white, excessive bleach is not used.
4. Proper counting and
records maintained to avoid shortages of linen.
5. Speedy operations to
meet with operational requirements.
6. Sound policies regarding
damages or loss.
COMMERCIAL OR OFF-PREMISES
LAUNDRY
A commercial or
off-premises laundry refers to laundering activities performed outside the
establishment i.e. given on a contract basis to specialists in the field. In a
rare circumstance, the laundry is contracted and on-premises. An on-site or
on-premises laundry, however, refers to laundering activities carried on within
the establishment by staff employed by the hotel.
ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES OF AN ON-PREMISES LAUNDRY
Advantages
• Time taken for laundering
is reduced because transportation is eliminated.
• Linen is readily
available especially in the case of emergency requirements.
• 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.
Disadvantages
• Cost of equipment and its
maintenance is fairly high.
• Related expenses like
printing of forms, employee taxes, water taxes, energy costs and insurance are
high.
• More staff that is
technically qualified and adequate space is required.
• Must be justified by an
adequate amount of linen.
PRINCIPLES OF LAUNDERING
1. Removal of dirt and
stains from the linen articles
2. Restoring linen articles
to their original appearance as far as possible.
FLOW PROCESS CHART FOR
INDUSTRIAL LAUNDERING
1) COLLECTION &
TRANSPORTATION
Collection of linen may be
done in the Linen Room, if the laundry is off-site but is usually in the
laundry itself, if the laundry is on-premises. During collection, all
accessories that cannot be washed such as metal items; epaulettes, etc. should
be removed at the time of collection. Certain linen items are collected
separately. For example, kitchen uniforms or dusters are separately collected,
as are butchery aprons and dusters, because they have a specific type of soil.
Likewise, in a hospital, linen from the surgical ward would be collected
separately. The linen is usually packaged in canvas bags lined with polyvinyl.
Eyelets on the rim of the bag facilitate passing a nylon cord through, which
can be tightened in order to shut the opening of the bag. In some cases
elasticized net bags called ‘skips’ are used to collect linen. Carrying the
linen in canvas bags or skips is one means of transportation. Trolleys are most
popular for transportation and the collapsible wire cart can be used to
transport clean as well as soiled linen. Whatever the type of trolley, the
soiled linen should not hang over the edge of the trolley, as it looks
unsightly. If planned at the construction stage, an in-built chute is used for
transporting linen from the floor pantries. It is preferable to put linen into
canvas bags before dropping it down the chute so that wear and tear is reduced.
However, this is rarely done, so it must be ensured that the flooring at the
base of the chute should be easy to clean. The best collection system will vary
from one operation to another but the increase of soil must be eliminated in
order to prevent incurring unnecessary expenses.
2) ARRIVAL
On arrival, linen must be
dealt with as quickly as possible. There must be a separate section for guest
laundry that is usually handled by the most experienced staff.
Processing linen for
laundering as quickly as possible is necessary:
1. To ensure that linen
items are available as and when required.
2. To avoid transfer of
stains and prevent stains from becoming permanent.
3. So that it does not
provide a breeding ground for bacteria and pests.
4. To prevent the formation
of mildew on damp articles particularly bath linen.
5. To avoid the possibility
of linen getting misplaced or lost.
3) SORTING
In hospitals, the infection
risk necessitates the need for using gloves when sorting out linen. Gloves may
also be used when handling hotel linen. Sorting is carried out according to the
type of fabric and item, colour as well as the degree and type of soil. Sorting
is done to separate those articles that need dry cleaning from those that will
go through the normal wash process. Those that need mending or stain removal
will be separated so that they can be dealt with accordingly. Also, different
articles take a different wash process in terms of temperature of water, type
of laundering agent, length of wash cycle, whether hydro- extraction should be
done and if so, the length of the hydro-extraction cycle.
It takes less effort to
pre-sort linen than to post-sort washed linen which is 50% heavier in weight
due to water retention. Post-sorting is often essential in healthcare
processes.
4) MARKING
Marking may be temporary
(guest laundry) or permanent (monogramming of hotel linen). It is the temporary
marking that is carried out at this stage. Most good establishments have a
marking machine that attaches a heat sealed tape in an inconspicuous place. The
tag has scope for six characters and is intended to indicate the initials of
the guest as well as the room number. It provides a clear identification and
correct billing, and although it does not come off in the normal wash process,
it can be peeled off if so desired.
5) WEIGHING
Is carried out to conform
to the capacity of the washing machine.
(Overloading)
There is no or low
centrifugal action because the linen articles are too tightly packed in the
drum. Resultingly, 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.
(Under loading)
In this case, there is
centrifugal action but inadequate friction because the linen articles are too
far apart. There is a good deal of wastage in terms of time, labour, laundry
agents, water and power.
Many modern machines have
sensors that can gauge not only the load but also the length of cycle,
temperature of water, water level, the type and amount of laundry agent and
when it will be dispensed in the wash cycle. This is highly beneficial in the
conservation of water and energy as well as reducing wear and tear on the linen
articles.
6) LOADING
Is often done manually or
with a certain degree of automation. Where handling is taboo, a fully automated
system exists. Shovel type cranes are used for lifting and depositing linen,
thereby providing complete automation by eliminating the need for handling by
operators. Alternatively, weighed linen in bags is transported along a track
and directed to the opening of the washer extractor with the help of a nylon
cord. A lock in the lower half of the bag is released, dropping the soiled
linen into the washer extractor. Machines that tilt, provide ease in both
loading as well as unloading. Machines may be top loading, front loading or
side loading.
7) WASHING
This process is designed to
perform three basic functions:
1. Removal of soil
2. Suspension of soil
3. Discharge of the soil
from the machine to the drain
In the wash process, the
following factors must be considered:
1. 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 redeposition of soil.
2. 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.
3. Water level :
Incorrect ‘dip’ levels 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.
4. 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.
5.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 underloading as well
as the speed of the drum. Modern machinery often operates on sensors, which are
capable of gauging each of these requirements for a specific load.
8) RINSING
Once the wash cycle is
completed, rinsing becomes essential. Rinsing is carried out at
least twice and the purpose
of this stage is to:
1. Remove residue of
laundry agents, which might show as patches on the linen after
ironing or irritate the
skin.
2. Remove suspended dirt,
which remains in the carry over liquor in the load at the
end of the wash.
3. Lower the temperature of
the wash load by using a cold water rinse or alternatively
reducing the temperature of
water in consecutive rinses. A running rinse with an open drain is more
effective but a larger volume of water is utilized.
9) HYDRO-EXTRACTION
Is the removal of excess
moisture through centrifugal action and is equivalent to wringing in
handwashing.The absorbency of the fabric affects the length of the cycle (6 to
8 mins.) and the residue of moisture (10% to 30 %) Draining must precede
hydro-extraction and hydro-extraction must precede tumbledrying. Some articles
cannot be hydro-extracted so there is a pumping action to draw out the water
from the linen load. Too short an extraction time will increase the
drying time and may hinder
the proper operation of finishing equipment. The most efficient extraction for
cottons takes place at temperatures higher than 38º C but lower than 55º C so
that they are not too hot to handle. Polyesters and blends should be extracted
at a temperature below 38º C to prevent wrinkling. The compact mass of
hydro-extracted clothes is referred to as ‘cheese’.
10) UNLOADING
Transferring washed linen
from the hydro-extractor to the Tumble Dryer is a difficult task because of the
added weight of moisture. Articles may be manually removed and put into
trolleys. Tilting and dumping machines reduce the physical effort of manual unloading.
A laundry cart can be positioned under the door and a push button operated to
rotate the cylinder and empty its contents. Alternatively, the machine can
unload onto a conveyor belt that will transport the linen to the next set of
operations.
11) TUMBLE DRYING
This process is capable of
rendering the linen completely dry by blowing hot air ranging between 40º C to
60º C onto the articles as they are slowly circulated in the rotating drum. For
articles that are susceptible to damage by heat, there is the option of simply
airing by circulating air at room temperature. To avoid wrinkles and the risk
of spontaneous combustion, many dryers have a cool-down cycle at predetermined
intervals. The process of tumble-drying creates a good deal of wear and tear on
the fabric as particles of lint come off the fabric in the drying process. The
time taken is approx. 30 mins. depending on whether the article is to be
completely or partially dried.
12) FINISHING
For those articles that
require a pressed finish, ironing and pressing are usual, but there are also
other finishing equipment. Articles like blankets, towels, candlewick
bedspreads, hosiery, etc. that do not require a pressed finish are only
tumble-dried.
13) FOLDING
Can be done by machine but
in most cases is carried out completely manually or at least the finishing
folds are done manually. The use of a folding stand helps minimize this
otherwise very labour-intensive operation. Manual folding makes it possible to
achieve the desired fold as well as ensure quality control. Employees in this
area are the one ones who ‘reject’ stained linen and are a good source for
ascertaining what types and quantities of stains commonly occur. This is an
important stage in the processing of laundered linen as it can be the
‘bottleneck’ in an otherwise efficient laundry operation. Correct folding is
important to the appearance of the article and makes it convenient to store and
use.
14) AIRING
This is essential prior to
storage, especially if the articles are to be stored in closed shelves. It
ensures that any moisture that is likely to cause mildew will be got rid of.
15) STORAGE
Should be properly done in
a well–designed storage space. Linen should be allowed a rest period to recuperate
before it is used again. The life span of linen is greatly increased if proper
rotation of stock is carried out, thereby ensuring a ‘rest period’ between
uses. As a general rule, at any given time, approximately 50% of the total
linen inventory should be on the shelves, 25% in use and 25% in processing. The
storage area must be isolated from the soiled linen and kept clean
TRANSFER
The linen is issued to the
unit/department for use. Since transfer of clean linen is usually done by linen
trolleys, it is important to keep the trolleys clean.
USE
The linen is utilized for
the necessary function intended and the cycle begins all over again.
WASH CYCLE
A complete wash cycle is
composed of various stages and the time taken is approx. 40 to 50 minutes. It
has been proven that quick wash cycles using large volume of water broken down
into the following sequence is most effective.
Flush › Suds › Bleach ›
Rinse › Sour & Soft › Extract
Additional Stages in the
Wash Cycle:
These are essential where
there is a specific type of soiled or the articles are heavily soiled:
Soak › Break › Carryover
Suds (Intermediate Rinse) › Intermediate Extract › Starch (Sizing)
EQUIPMENTS USED IN LAUNDERY
1) WASHING MACHINE:
A washing machine, or
washer, is a machine designed to clean laundry, such as clothing, towels and
sheets. The term is mostly applied only to machines that use water as the
primary cleaning solution, as opposed to dry cleaning (which uses alternative
cleaning fluids, and is generally performed by specialist businesses) or even
ultrasonic cleaners.
All washing machines work
by using mechanical energy, thermal energy, and chemical action. Mechanical
energy is imparted to the clothes load by the rotation of the agitator in top
loaders, or by the tumbling action of the drum in front loaders. Thermal energy
is
supplied by the temperature
of the wash bath.
2) TUNNEL WASHERS:
These are also called batch
washers or continuous washers and are in effect a series of inter-connected
washers. Each ‘bath’ is in a different cylinder and the load moves from one
cylinder to the next. Computerized systems automatically adjust the time,
temperature and chemicals to be used, so that each batch receives the required
treatment. Machines may be top transfer or bottom transfer. Tunnel washers have
distinct advantages in that they are
timesaving, thereby
reducing staff requirement. There are also significant energy and water
savings. Tunnel washers can also be hooked up to an extractor and subsequently
with conveyors to the dryer.
3) TUMBLE DRYER
Dryers are machines that
dry laundry by tumbling it slowly in a perforated drum exposed to hot air
ranging from 40ºC to 60ºC in low capacity dryers and going right upto 85ºC in
an industrial dryer. There are programmes for delicate articles with low or no
heat. Dryers may operate on gas, electricity or steam. For speedy drying and
less wrinkling the volume of the dryer should be 25% more than the
washer-extractor. Most dryers have a microprocessor computer control system.
Although suitable drying times are usually recommended for
specific fabrics, some
dryers have sensors hooked onto their microprocessors so that they can gauge
the moisture in the load and cut the dryer off automatically the moment the
laundry is dry. A lint screen traps the lint particles and must be cleaned regularly.
The
length of the drying cycle
is dependent on the absorbency of the fabric and the residual moisture. Modern
dryers are equipped with high tech features such as signal lights,
self-cleaning lint screens, reverse cylinder drums as well as energy-saving
devices like extra insulation and heat reclaimers.
4) FINISHING EQUIPMENTS
For those articles that
require a pressed finish there are many finishing equipment. Some of the more
frequently used equipment are listed below:
A) Flatwork Ironer / Roller
Iron / Calendar: Is used for flatwork i.e. items like sheets, pillowcases,
tablecloths, serviettes, aprons, sarees, etc. The items are passed through
heated rollers for ironing.
B) Press: Press is used for
fine pressing of Flat Linen like Table covers, Pillow covers, Napkins, Kitchen
linen, Staff uniforms. They are special presses to perform specific functions
and operation can be on electricity or steam.
5) Puffer or Suzie:
For coats and articles that
do not crease heavily. The articles are put onto a dummy that is inflated with
steam to remove creases and then with hot air to remove the moisture created by
the steam.
6) Tunnel Dryer:
Clothes are hung on
conveyor belts that pass through a tunnel. Hot air blowing in the tunnel,
renders the articles completely dry by the time they exit. It is a fully
automated process that also transfers the linen to the next area of activity.
7) Cabinet Dryer or Drying
Room:
Is a chamber where
low-crease garments are suspended on hangers and steam or hot air is circulated
through the cabinet.
LAYOUT OF A LAUNDRY
When planning the layout of
a laundry, consider the work flow and wherever possible ensure that the plan
does not hinder the smooth flow of operations. To reduce turnaround time
between loads, ease of loading and unloading, equipments must be arranged
properly, taking into
account ease of each operation.
When positioning laundry
equipment, the following must be considered:
1. Entrances and exits
2. Support columns and
beams
3. Space between adjacent
machines and adequate space between the back of the machine and the wall which
is essential to facilitate servicing and repair.
4. Power points for
electrical supply and the required voltage (gas and steam may also be used)
5. Water supply at the rate
of about 10 gallons per Kg of linen approx.
6. Preventing the
occurrence of ‘water hammer’ from hotwater supply water heating is through
solar energy.
7. Water softening
8. To removal of iron,
manganese and sulphur to eliminate staining and enhance action of the
detergents
9. Installation of proper
drainage system
10. Installation of drain
to control discharge rate
11. A separate section to
deal with guest laundry / valet service.
12. Local code for
restrictions / permit requirements.
13. Energy and water
conservation and safety factors consideration
14. Selection of equipment
to suit the premises and projections.
15. Area must accommodate
the total number of staff working at the busiest times
As technology strives to
automate every face of hotel operations, computerized laundry systems are
getting popular.
LAUNDRY AGENTS
Water by itself is
ineffective as a cleaning agent, due to a phenomenon known as ‘surface
tension’. It although removes water-soluble dirt, it has little effect on oils
and grease. Addition of a detergent allows the water to penetrate, wetting the
garment thoroughly so that soil is more accessible and its easy removal.
1) DETERGENTS
Classification of
detergents:
a) Synthetic / active
detergent
b) Built-soap detergent
c) Enzyme-action detergent.
2) SUSPENDING AGENT
The role of the suspending
agent in cleaning is to hold the dirt in suspension and prevent it from
redepositing onto the surface of the clothing. The suspending agent is carboxyl
methyl cellulose.
3) SEQUESTERING AGENT
These act along with the
suspending agents to hold dirt in suspension. They assist by holding a greater
amount of dirt in suspension thereby reducing the likelihood of redeposition.
They also have the additional ability to dissolve lime salts that are
responsible for temporary
hardness in water. Sodium polyphosphates are used as sequestering agents.
4) PH SCALE FOR LAUNDRY
AGENTS
This is a scale used to
determine the pH of sud in the washing so that it may be possible to adjust the
pH of the sud with the use of chemicals to maximize cleaning efficiency.
5) OTHER LAUNDERING AGENTS
a) Alkali: Alkalis used in
the wash process include: Washing soda,Sodium phosphate, Sodium hydroxide,
Sodium metasilicate etc. The role of the alkali in the wash process:
b) Bleaches: These are used
on white articles only. They remove colouring matter by their oxidizing or
reducing action. If not in liquid form, they should be dissolved in hot water
andadded. The bleaches commonly used in the laundry process are sodium
perborate and sodium hypochlorite.
c) Antichlors: These are
agents used to neutralize the residual chlorine in the bleach, particularly in
the case of polyesters. The use of chlorinated bleaches has a tendency to leave
yellow deposits on the clothing.
d) Sour: This is used only
in industrial laundering in the final rinse, to neutralize any alkaline soap
residues that may be present. It brings the pH to the acidic range between 5
and 6.5, which is agreeable to the human skin and also gets rid of yellow or
brown hue caused by alkali residue. Acetic acid is used as the sour. In case
where there is a high iron content in the water, Oxalic acid is used to get rid
of the reddish, iron deposits. If starch is being used, sour should be added
only two minutes before the starch to achieve a pH of 5.0 to a sizing agent is
being used, the ideal pH is 7.0 to 8.0, so sour is generally not used.
e) Optical Brightener /
Whitener: This is an optical brightener / whitener, which is in fact a very
fine blue coloured liquid dye, which gets bleached in the course of time. It
has a
fluorescent effect by
reflecting the UV rays of the sun. The laundry blue in a powder form is
undesirable since it tends to accumulate in the weave of the fabric and causes
it to turn grey.
f) Starch: This is a
stiffening agent used to impart a better crease and appearance to the fabric.
The use of starch has declined due to the minimum-iron finishes on fabrics and
garments and the reduced
use of cotton in favour of manmade fibres. However there are some articles that
have a better feel and drape when starched and it is particularly
essential for napkin folds.
Since polyesters do not have the ability to absorb starch they are stiffened
with sizing agents.
g) Fabric Conditioner and
their Role in Laundering: A fabric conditioner or softener has surface active
agents like a detergent but they do not perform the function of cleaning.
Fabric conditioners are based on cationic surface-active agents, carrying a
positive charge and creates anti-static properties. A fabric conditioner is
never used on loads where starch or sizing will be used.
DRY CLEANING
This is a process by which
textiles are cleaned using a solvent other than water. This solvent is usually
an organic liquid that acts first to remove the layer of grease which bonds
most grease particles to the surface and then to carry this dirt away. The
solvents
commonly used are:
1) Per-chloro-ethylene
2)
Tri-chloro-tri-fluoro-ethane
The solvent after dry
cleaning is removed first by centrifugal action followed by evaporation. The
solvent being expensive is filtered off and recycled. Darker coloured articles
are dry-cleaned after the lighter coloured ones. All articles require to be
aired after the dry-cleaning process. Where Per-chloro-ethylene is not
suitable, a system called Aquatex (from Iowa Techniques) is used. It involves
the use of bio-degradable chemicals and water and a controlled stage-by-stage
drying temperature that restores the article to its original condition. As
technology vendors strive to automate every face of operations, computerized
laundry systems have been in use since the mid-eighties. Some hotels are
experimenting with Windows based laundry software and ozone washing. G.A. Braun
has developed a cutting edge, interactive PC video-conferencing product called
Serview that enables qualified technicians to provide customer and support
service through contemporary two-way high speed audio and video conferencing.
Ozone is a powerful oxidizer and ozone washing is an energy efficient system
that can cut laundry costs by 50%. Ozone washing became popular in the US in
the mid-eighties. It is carried out by mass injecting ozone into the laundry
system via the cold water lines. The resulting ozonated water facilitates the
breakdown of insoluble dirts leading to a whole host of benefits. Ozone
washing, the brainchild of GuestCare Inc., cuts detergent use by 60%. It
reduces the need for hot water and can cut energy costs by 80%. Little hot
water, reduced chemicals and shorter wash cycles greatly extends the life of
linen.
GUEST LAUNDRY
Among the many amenities
provided by a hotel, one of them is laundry service for the guest. It is an
amenity which is essential in resort hotels where guests are long-staying and
prefer to travel light. Even if a full-fledged laundry service is not available,
at least some
facility for ironing is
required as clothes get crumpled in packing. It is a source of revenue in
hotels and may serve as a means of preventing the guests from washing clothes
and hanging them out to dry in hotel guest rooms. Laundry service, including
dry cleaning may be normal (ordinary) or urgent (express). The time gap between
the collection and delivery is dependent on whether the laundry is on-premises
or off-premises.
LAUNDRY PROCEDURES
The following are the steps
involved in laundry:
Step 1: Sort the dirty
clothes, into separate piles for whites, bright colors and darks. If whites are
mixed with colors in the wash, the colors may bleed onto and ruin whites. Also
separate clothes that tend
to produce lint (towels, sweatshirts, chenille and flannel) from clothes that
tend to attract lint (corduroy, velvets and permanent-press clothes).
Step 2: Close zippers to
prevent snagging, and empty pockets.
Step 3: Pre-treat heavy
stains with laundry detergent or stain remover, heeding instructions on the
product label.
Step 4: Measure out the
right amount of laundry soap according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Step 5: Pour the soap into
your washer or its detergent dispenser. Add liquid fabric softener, according
to product instructions.
Step 6: Choose the water
temperature for the wash cycle: hot, warm or cold; use cold rinse cycle for any
load. Consult the labels on clothes, washing machine's instruction manual or
the detergent container for recommendations on washing temperature.
Step 7: Start the washer,
add and allow the detergent to dissolve in the water before adding clothes.
Adjust the water level to the size of load.
Step 8: If needed to add
bleach, allow the machine to run for a few minutes to mix the detergent and
water, and then add about a cup of bleach to the washer or the bleach
dispenser.
Step 9: Add the clothes,
close the lid and let the machine run. Washing takes approximately 45 minutes.
Step 10: Put the clothes
(and an anti-static sheet, if desired) in the dryer after the wash is complete.
Hang delicates (such as bras and certain sweaters) to air dry on a clothing
rack or hanger.
Step 11: Remove lint from
the dryer's lint tray.
Step 12: Select the correct
drying temperature for the laundry load: low for delicate, medium for most
fabrics and high for cotton. When in doubt, low or medium is the safest bet.
Step 13: Close and turn on
the dryer. Expect the drying cycle to take an hour or more for a full load.
Step 14: Once the clothes
are completely dry, remove them from the dryer or drying rack and fold and
store.
Comments
Post a Comment