Resources
To get the best from your commercial washing machine, you also need to use the right laundry chemicals and detergents. It can be complicated to work out what is best for your laundry so we’ve put together this handy guide.
Common question on types of detergent
There are some questions that every commercial laundry needs to know, and although they become known over time, WASHCO aims to share their expertise so you know you’re getting accurate information, every time.
What is the difference between biological and non-biological?
Biological detergents contain enzymes that boost cleaning performance, working effectively at low temperatures (30°C – 50°C). Non-biological detergents contain powerful cleaning agents that ensure your washing comes out clean and fresh but without enzymes.
Surfactants are key to both biological and non-biological detergents. A major component of laundry detergent they break up stains and suspend the dirt in the water to be washed away when your washing machine drains. This action of the surfactant keeps your linen fresh and clean as this prevents the dirt be re-deposited on the linen causing the greying over time.
Detergents often also contain OBAs, or Optical Brightening Agents or Additives. These agents increase the perceived whiteness and brightness of laundry.
Do you need to use a fabric softener?
Yes! Machine washing can stress your laundry textiles. Fabric softener lightly conditions each fibre, helping them remain smooth and maintain their natural elasticity. It can also help prevent static and reduce creasing, making ironing a much quicker job. Look out for encapsulated fragrance technology which ensures some of the fragrance remains on the fibres, only releasing the long-lasting scent when the linen is touched.
What are the types of de-stainers?
There are several options to choose from depending on your requirements.
For stubborn stains on laundry that can be washed at hotter temperatures (50°C and above), there is the option of a hydrogen peroxide-oxygen-based liquid de-stainer, which can safely remove stubborn stains such as tea, coffee, and bodily fluids. This is especially important for the removal of sun creams and tanning lotions within the commercial laundry process.
If your linens can only be washed at lower temperatures (20°C —40°C), make sure you use a low-temperature de-stainer designed for these temperatures and suitable for all types of fabric.
For stubborn stains, look for de-stainers designed for pre-soaking or for use in your washing machine’s drum.
The third option is sodium hypochlorite. This product is a chlorine-based bleach and works at temperatures up to 60C and on white work only. This product is effective at removing heavy set stains (curry, colouring etc) first time, saving the need for pre-soaking and or rewash.
What is a laundry emulsifier?
An emulsifier is essential when laundering linens heavily soiled with grease, fat or oils from environments such as kitchens and spas or from around shirt collars and cuffs.
The product allows oil and water to mix, lifting the substances from the laundry before washing them away. Laundry emulsifiers work at certain temperatures and are safe for coloured fabrics, as they do not cause any bleaching.
Used both as a main wash, they are an essential part of any laundry operation where oily residue is common.
When should you use starch?
Starch is ideal for laundering chef whites, table linens or other flatwork and should be used to create a professional and polished finish. The most common starch is used within the machine drum, known as liquid laundry starch, which gets deep into the fibres of your fabric for a crisp finish, however, it cannot be used on delicate fabrics such as wool or silk.
Using starch also makes ironing easier, helping to reduce turnaround time and the amount of time irons and presses will be needed.
Why use an alkali wash boost?
Ideal for use in commercial laundry only, alkali wash removes severe spoilage, such as blood, urine, stains, and ingrained dirt, by increasing the pH of the wash solution in your washing machine to maximise the performance of your cleaning chemicals.
How much detergent should be used for commercial laundry?
How much detergent you should use depends on the size of your machine and the laundry load.
With commercial washing machines, auto dosing is a recommended feature to have on your machines as this will calculate the exact amount you need, as well as measuring the water required to effectively clean the laundry.
Not only does auto-dosing take the stress out of measuring precisely what you’ll need in a busy working environment where efficiency is key, but it reduces waste and also helps to bring costs down by using only what is necessary, preventing excess water, detergent and time being used unnecessarily.
Best commercial laundry detergents
The best products are those that get the job done properly, provide exemplary results and are readily available for repurchasing. There are many different brands available, but it’s important to check what they offer and ensure you speak to one of the team members to get firsthand advice on what you will need.
WASHCHEMICAL are the range of detergents from WASHCO that provide best-in-class results and include a whole range of necessary products in the collection for laundry rooms of any size. Efficiently delivering clean, infection-free laundry is about more than having the right machines. It’s also about having the detergents and chemicals perfectly set up to work with your laundry equipment. At WASHCO, our team of experts can help you figure out the best combination to ensure your laundry provision is optimised.
From low-temperature de-stainers, to bio and non-bio detergents, you’re sure to find what you need from WASHCHEMICALS. Download our brochure or get in touch with our team for further advice.
We use the SEKO LS100 System as shown below.
