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What laundry solutions are available to housing associations?
Understanding housing association laundry requirements
Regulatory compliance and safety standards
As durable as commercial equipment is, it still has a lifespan and will require replacement at some stage. Whilst commercial machines typically last between 10 to 15 years, or around 30,000 operating hours, their lifespan is dependent on factors like usage frequency, maintenance, and build quality. Your servicing and maintenance engineer can generally provide guidance on when your machine is reaching the end of its life and will need replacing, but these timescales should be factored into your planning.
Regular compliance checks include:
- Gas safety monitoring – reviewing gas servicing schedules and following up on any overdue inspections.
- Electrical safety – monthly review of outstanding electrical inspections and completion of any required remedial works.
Associations can also ensure the good maintenance and safety of laundry equipment by following manufacturers’ maintenance requirements and undertaking regular cleaning schedules that tackle the cleaning of surfaces, lint filters, and other routine checks.
Budget and operational considerations
Whilst the set-up of these facilities can be costly, the maintenance must also be considered. Equipment that is not fit for purpose can require a heavy maintenance and repair schedule, causing inconvenience to residents and costs to the association. Where tumble dryers are not properly maintained, they pose a fire risk, which is not only a danger to residents but also a potentially significant expense to housing associations.
Space optimisation in multi-residential settings
Layout is key to optimising space in housing association laundry facilities without compromising safety or accessibility. Space-saving stackable equipment can be helpful, as can high-efficiency machines, which speed up throughput. Unmanned facilities can benefit from online or app-based booking and payment systems to manage the flow of users. The alternative is to use a fully managed laundry solution that’s hassle-free, like WASHCO’s WASHPOINT solution. WASHPOINT makes laundry provision simple for housing associations and adds value to end-users with: contactless payments, easy-to-use machines and outstanding results.
Commercial laundry equipment options
The benefits of commercial washers and dryers (speed, energy efficiency, features, robustness). Commercial machines offer several key benefits over their domestic counterparts, including increased efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Designed for heavy-duty use, they are more durable, have longer lifespans and reduced maintenance and running costs due to lower water and energy consumption.
Commercial washing machines achieve greater water and energy efficiency through features like high-spin speeds, automatic load sensing, optimised wash cycles, and more robust plumbing. These technologies minimise water and energy consumption while maximising cleaning effectiveness and minimising drying time. Their robust plumbing and faster fill times make for quicker and more efficient filling and heating, reducing overall cycle times, whilst more efficient spin cycles reduce drying time by extracting more water. Detergent auto-dosing systems provide sustainability and efficiency, and some commercial machines also incorporate thermal disinfection, which sanitises laundry at lower temperatures, saving energy while ensuring hygiene.
Commercial dryers dry faster, reduce waiting time and increase throughput by using features like high-speed extraction and efficient heating systems. They are engineered to meet sustainability goals by being more energy efficient, using high-efficiency motors, heat recovery systems and advanced controls to minimise energy waste.
Accessible equipment
Accessibility needs can vary hugely, and the specific needs of your residents should be considered, but general considerations should include:
- User-friendly controls that use iconography to overcome language barriers
- Large print instructions with diagrams which can be provided in several languages to aid those to whom English is not their first language
- Front-loading
- Use of plinths to raise machine door height to more accessible levels and comply with DDA requirements
- Appropriate payment mechanisms
Service and maintenance considerations
Emergency repair services
When your equipment fails, it can be a costly inconvenience and one likely to cause issues with residents. It’s really important to have the support of an emergency repair service to cover this eventuality, as timely repair is essential to meeting your obligations to residents. Given that residents of housing association facilities can be subject to safeguarding, it’s really important that any engineers you have on site are not only highly qualified and trained across a wide range of brands, but that they are also DBS checked. WASHCO engineers are directly employed, GAS safe, fully uniformed and enhanced DBS checked for this very reason. They also carry the widest range of spares on their van for every eventuality.
Preventative maintenance programs
Programs of regular routine maintenance help to ensure that laundry facilities continue to run with minimal issues. WASHCO provides a full range of services from fully comprehensive packages to annual maintenance checks or fixed cost options.
With the WASHCONNECT system, maintenance is even easier: the system automatically notifies users when a machine requires servicing, helping to prevent unexpected breakdowns and ensuring equipment remains in optimal condition at all times. This proactive approach reduces downtime, protects residents, and supports compliance with safety regulations.
Equipment lifespan and replacement planning
As durable as commercial equipment is, it still has a lifespan and will require replacement at some stage. Whilst commercial machines typically last between 10 to 15 years, or around 30,000 operating hours, their lifespan is dependent on factors like usage frequency, maintenance, and build quality. Your servicing and maintenance engineer can generally provide guidance on when your machine is reaching the end of its life and will need replacing, but these timescales should be factored into your planning.
Cost models and financing options
Total cost of ownership analysis
The total cost of ownership of commercial laundry equipment encompasses the initial purchase price, installation, operating costs such as energy and water consumption (detergent where provided), maintenance, repairs (labour and parts), downtime, and the lifespan of the equipment. All of these factors need to be considered to accurately assess the long-term value and profitability of the investment. Weighing up the options to purchase outright or rent is also a key consideration.
Case studies: successful housing association laundry implementations
WASHCO is the chosen laundry partner for Saffron Housing Trust, providing high-performance, compact machines across their social housing sites on an all-inclusive rental basis. Having previously bought machines outright from another supplier, they found the ongoing costs of repairs and maintenance weren’t an economically viable solution for the organisation as it grew. They now benefit from WASHCO’s all-inclusive package, which provides machines, servicing and maintenance (including 7-day repair cover, parts, labour and gas safety checks) for a simple, affordable monthly payment.
WASHCO conducted site surveys at each of its 20+ locations and identified the adaptations needed for the 50+ machines and buildings to fit the electrical requirements of each laundry room. Due to the compact nature of their facilities, Miele Professional’s Little Giants have been selected. With a minimal footprint of just 1m², they are stackable, boast an A+++ energy efficiency rating, short cycle times and can wash large volumes of laundry.
Abigail Smith, Wellbeing & Partnerships Assistant at Saffron Housing, said: “WASHCO have been brilliant in their support of our transition to machine rental across our social housing sites. The comprehensive package means we don’t have to worry about a thing, knowing that our laundry equipment is in safe hands should there ever be a problem. The level of service has been second to none and will undoubtedly improve our laundry operations going forward.”
How WASHCO supports you
Consultation and needs assessment
WASHCO provides a range of laundry solutions, supporting facilities from sheltered housing to large self-service managed laundry solutions. As with Saffron Housing Trust, WASHCO is happy to provide a thorough consultation and needs assessment. We can consult on upgrade and replacement programs and support with the design of your facility.
Installation and setup services
WASHCO is happy to coordinate the timely installation of commercial laundry equipment. Our team of specially trained installation technicians and GAS Safe engineers ensure that every installation is carried out with the highest standards of safety and efficiency. With minimal disruption to your business, we ensure that your laundry operations run smoothly from day one.
Ongoing maintenance and support
From fully comprehensive packages to annual maintenance checks or fixed cost options, WASHCO ensures that your maintenance and repairs are in the safe hands of our nationwide team of highly qualified and trained GAS safe and DBS checked engineers. Whether you prefer on-demand callouts or the security of our breakdown and service contracts, we’ll deliver a cost-effective solution that suits you and your business.
Book your laundry consultation with WASHCO today
Book your laundry consultation with WASHCO today by calling 08000 546 546 or emailing info@washco.co.uk and speak to our friendly team of experts who’ll be happy to help.