Professional premises

On premises laundries (OPL) can range from a couple of washers, dryers and an iron and ironing board shoe-horned into a nook at a small care home to a large professional operation in a major hotel. And plenty in between. For the most part they will use washer extractors of varying sizes although some of the larger ones may invest in a compact tunnel washer. What they all have in common is the need to keep running costs as low as possible and turn out a satisfactory product.

OPL washers should never, ever be domestic machines. That can never be over-emphasised. It is not only important in terms of performance and longevity, but also to guarantee hygiene.

For a professional result, Domus believes that investing in efficient OPL laundry machinery can save thousands of pounds a year and is offering a wide range of features to enhance the efficiency of its industrial washing machines, ensuring optimal use of water and chemicals in each washing cycle, as well as minimising energy consumption.

And there is a wide range of Domus to choose between: from an 8kg heavy professional machines up to a 120kg washer, all with the same TOUCH II control, connectivity and matching the tumble dryers (also from 8kg to 80kg) and same microprocessor, TOUCH II.

Sometimes, when renewing or expanding laundry machinery, we only consider the purchase price, but what we should focus on is the consumption of this machine, says Domus’ Gemma Colomer.

“If we imagine an iceberg representing the total cost of an industrial washing machine throughout its lifespan, we can say that the visible part, the smaller part, would be the purchase price, while the submerged part, the part we don’t see and often ignore or are unaware of, would be where all the consumption during its lifespan is reflected (water, chemicals, energy…).

“At Domus, we focus on the invisible part of the iceberg, the most important aspect and the one that can truly help you save money. We work on resource optimisation throughout the machinery’s life cycle, with the aim of reducing consumption and, therefore, overall costs.

Across the range, as standard, Domus offers:

• The highest G-factor in the market, claims Domus – the higher the G-factor, the greater the water extraction and the lower the residual moisture in the clothes, resulting in lower energy costs during subsequent drying cycles.
• An easy-to-use and entirely programmable microprocessor, the TOUCH II, with a 7” touch screen, with free connectivity for remote management of the washing machines.
• The possibility of configuring up to three levels of water and product savings, based on the introduced load.
• Automatic adjustment of water and detergent consumption, after manually entering the weight of the loaded clothes into the programmer, to optimise consumption in incomplete loads.
• Automatic adjustment of water, detergent, and energy consumption based on the estimated load by the washing machine, based on water absorption.

A standard washing programme consumes less than 8.2 litres of water per kg and cycle, making Domus washing machines offer the lowest consumption, ensuring washing quality, says the company.

Domus also adds that IoT connection is easy and also free, standard on all ranges of industrial washing machines. All high and low-speed Domus washers come equipped with standard DomusConnect, which gives remote access from a mobile or laptop to all the data needed to analyse and control machinery and manage your business. All machines come with Ethernet connection and it possible to add more optional features and accessories to increase efficiency:

Industrial washers with the Touch II system and double drain can be connected to the Ecotank water recovery tank or the new Ecotank XL, which provides water recovery achieving significant water and energy savings.

Automatic adjustment of water and detergent consumption, as well as energy savings, according to the weight of the laundry is automatically calculated by the washer through four weighing sensors on the legs of the washer.

“Our washers, when installed with an ECOTANK water recovery tank, and with the option of weighing sensors on the feet become the most efficient washers on the market as no other manufacturer can offer the water recovery tanks,” says Colomer. Check out the video on https://youtu.be/ vBmrmDXFT2w

Meanwhile, CLMTexfinity has launched the S.wash e 100/120kg series which, the company says, has been designed to redefine laundry operations in various sectors. The S.wash e has, it says, an exceptional build quality with SUS304 stainless steel used for both inner and outer drums. This material choice ensures long-lasting durability and prevents rusting, thereby eliminating any potential washing quality accidents due to corrosion.

The series features a meticulously crafted linen feeding port. The junction between the inner and outer drums is designed with a 270-degree crimping mouth. This design not only enhances the smoothness and strength of the machine but also minimizes the gap, effectively reducing linen damage.

Emphasising user comfort and machine stability, the S.wash e incorporates a down suspended shock absorption design. This includes inner and outer double-layer seat springs, rubber shock absorption springs, and four damping shock absorbers. This sophisticated design achieves an ultra-low vibration level with a shock absorption rate of up to 98%, making it suitable for use on any floor without a ground base.

The control system integrated into the S.wash e series allows for an array of automatic functions including water addition, pre-wash, main wash, rinsing, and neutralisation. With 30 washing programmes and five common automatic options, the system offers versatility and ease of use.

Safety is paramount in the S.wash e design, says the company. The large stainless steel loading door, coupled with electronic door locks controlled by a computer program, ensures the door only opens post high-speed extraction, significantly reducing the risk of accidents.

The intelligent weighing system is a highlight, automatically adjusting water and detergent intake based on linen weight, which results in significant savings in water, electricity, steam, and detergent costs, while maintaining consistent washing quality.

User-friendly features include the tilting unloading design, with a forward tilt of 15 degrees, facilitates easier and smoother linen discharge, reducing labor intensity.

The series boasts impressive technical specifications, including a 400G extraction capacity, while the large-diameter water inlet and optional double drainage system further shorten washing times, enhancing overall efficiency.

At Girbau, the company has its eye firmly on healthcare OPL, notably Smart Controls for that sector. Girbau’s Sapphire remote-control software combines disinfection monitoring with an advanced yet easy to use cloud-based laundry management system using Girbau’s highly efficient, programmable washers and dryers.

Designed specifically to give OPL operators easy, flexible and versatile control, Sapphire allows organisations to ensure verified disinfection of linen and has been designed for small and large establishments alike from care and nursing homes to hotels, veterinary and animal care establishments. In healthcare settings, Sapphire can be used configure washers to operate and record the use of thermal disinfection programs to meet (HTM) 01-04 requirements for laundry decontamination.

“While laundry outsourcing costs continue to climb, a Girbau on-premise laundry offers more control over how laundry is processed handled and cleaned with assured infection control and significant cost savings,” says Jeremy Challis, sales director at Girbau UK.

Sapphire helps on premise laundry operators to manage their business, analysing data, compiling production reports and doing anything remotely, in real time, from any device. The software has a smart-alerts system that sends the owner an SMS text or email when there is any irregularity in how machines are working. Problems are solved quickly and effectively, optimising time and providing information and data to inform future operational decisions.

Sapphire also allows users to monitor, manage and configure their on-premise laundry in combination with Girbau’s proven HS series washers and ED dryers.

Getting down to detail on the HS washer range, Girbau says the washers are designed to lower water and energy consumption while boosting productivity, Girbau HS washers feature automatic chemical dosing, high-speed spinning, unmatched durability and a high degree of programmability. Their high spin speed achieves a market-leading centrifugal spin force of up to 400G throughout the spin cycle to leave laundry with residual moisture levels of less than 50%, offering significant energy and cost savings in the subsequent drying process. Machine capacities range from 9 to 120kg, with the most popular OPL machines being the HS- 6008, HS-6013 and HS-6017.

For healthcare, food processing and other laundry applications where hygiene is paramount, Girbau UK also now offers the Girbau BW range of barrier washers. Dirty linen is loaded through the front door and the clean linen is unloaded from the back. The linen circulates forward at all times, avoiding any risk of contaminating clean linen. Capacities of models in the Girbau BW Series range from 16kg for the BW160 upwards to 230kg.

With a G-factor of 350 and a maximum spin speed of up to 900 rpm, Girbau BW washers ensure a very low level of residual moisture for reduced drying cycles and thus lower laundry energy costs. Sturdy, robust and long lasting, all parts in contact with the bath are manufactured in stainless steel. Larger models from the BW630 upwards have a stainless-steel chassis as standard, which can also be specified as an option on smaller washers.

To ensure maximum operator safety, an automatic system prevents the doors from being opened while the washing process is running. A buzzer notifies the operator that the washing cycle has ended and an indicator light on the front notifies when the machine is ready to be reloaded.

For hotel OPL offering drycleaning to clients, wetcleaning could be a way to keep things in-house. Although not technically drycleaning as the solvent in this case is water, according to Jeremy Challis, sales director, Girbau UK: “There is a growing desire to offer customers more sustainable cleaning options and wetcleaning offers better quality cleaning of water-soluble stains and odours. This is definitely a factor helping to drive wider adoption of wetcleaning in the UK.”

Girbau’s highly programmable HS Series INTELI washers and premium ED Series dryers have a full range of wetcleaning and laundry programmes, so the same machines can be used both for wetcleaning and general laundry. Unique to Girbau, the Care Touch drum on both washers and dryers features recessed vents and a highly polished surface, which protects and preserves delicate wet cleaning fabrics and ensures a longer lifetime for everyday linens.

Other important features of these wetcleaning-ready machines include the HS washers’ Aquafall water wheel effect, which gets water moving without agitating linen and Aquamixer’s precise automatic water temperature control.

Craig Jones of Cheshire-based Hartford drycleaners recently installed an HS-6017 washer and ED 460 dryer from Girbau UK as the business introduced a wetcleaning service. The new equipment has helped Hartford to move through work more quickly and efficiently, with very positive feedback from customers on the quality, feel and freshness of their wetcleaned garments.

“I am delighted with the switch from dry- to wetcleaning,” says Craig. “All items are cleaned, dried and need very little finishing, they also smell and feel fantastic. I just wish I had made the move to wet cleaning sooner. I’m looking forward to a cleaner future for my business.”

Miele recently introduced a new line of washers and dryers to its Benchmark range, designed to provide significant reductions in overheads such as water and energy, and time, compared to its predecessor. Washing machines from this model series will now be available with a load capacity of 9kg – 11kg, accompanied by dryers with matching load sizes, offering users the convenience and programme diversity of the larger machines which have been available since 2021.

Its high laundry throughput combined with its unique features meet the highest demands posed by modern day laundry care; providing the perfect solution for all industries including care and nursing homes, hospitals, and clinics.

With sustainable efficiency at its core, the Performance machines have a 50% lower energy consumption, 14% lower water consumption and a 9% shorter cycle time compared to previous machines in the same size range which Miele sold as Octoplus models. The Performance Plus machines have a a 45% lower energy consumption, 18% lower water consumption and a 15% shorter cycle time.

Washing consumption values are as low as 7.2 litres per kg of laundry for the Performance and Performance Plus, achieved through functions such as the EcoSpeed drum rhythm, helping businesses save around 1 litre of water per kg of load. Users can also expect short cycle times for maximum efficiency. A 11kg laundry load, for example, can be thoroughly washed and left with only 48% residual moisture in 49 minutes. This means up to 11,250 more towels can be washed per working year in the PWM 509 than in its predecessor, the PW 5082. Over the same period, water consumption is reduced by approximately 20,000 litres.

To ensure laundry managers can meet the most demanding challenges, innovative technology is instilled throughout each model, including powerful, frequencycontrolled asynchronous motors which promise smooth cycles at high speeds as well as Miele’s patented honeycomb drum 2.0 for optimum laundry care.

Programmes can be adapted to individual user and business requirements. The Performance Plus has more than 90 wash programmes in channel-specific packages and the Performance line features 38 programmes tailored to the specific needs of clients, whereby most of the features were previously the preserve of flagship models. These include cycles for bedding and curtains and a programme package for care and nursing homes and hospitals. These ensure top-class cleaning results combined with the effective use of resources. Thermal and chemo-thermal disinfection programmes are also available to ensure hygiene compliance, preventing the spread of infection.

Miele M Touch Pro controls have been installed, making the Benchmark washers easy to use. This includes a full colour touch screen display that is clearly structured, with 31 languages options available. The washing machines are also linked to Miele MOVE, an integrated platform solution designed to bring efficiencies to the commercial laundry processes of its customers; providing more control over locations, utilisation, performance data and troubleshooting processes.

Simon Venni, head of sales at Miele Professional, commented on the launch saying: “At Miele Professional, our ethos of ‘Immer Besser’ means we strive to continuously do better in everything we do. Adding the 9-11kg washers and dryers into our Benchmark series provide more choice for businesses whilst supporting reductions in their overheads which is crucial during the cost-of-living crisis and in a time of inflation.” The latest generation of Benchmark washers are built to last for 30,000 operating hours.

Check out Miele’s Hotel OPL centre supplement in the December 2023 edition of LCN. https://content.yudu.com/ web/442ay/0A444i9/LCN1223-Pros/html/ index.html?origin=reader

At the same time, Miele Professional has announced the reopening of its Test Wash Facility experience centre, providing businesses with the opportunity to try out its commercial laundry machines before investing. Located at Miele’s headquarters in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, the facility has had a complete redevelopment to enable a full working showroom to demonstrate the capabilities of the professional equipment across both lab, medical and dental and hospitality and care markets.

The redevelopment saw the entire centre stripped out to make way for updated models. Simon Venni, sales director at Miele Professional says: “We know for any business, purchasing commercial machines can be a big investment; especially in a time where collectively, we are becoming more cautious about costs. Thanks to the redevelopment of our Test Wash Facility, businesses can now come and try out our commercial machines in person before purchasing. This enables us to demonstrate that they are making the best investment for their business; as Miele machines are built to last for thousands of hours while continuing to deliver excellent results.”

The Test Wash Facility experience centre will now allow a broad range of businesses to test a variety of Miele’s commercial machines across a range of sectors.

Venner added: “We also hope the reopening of the centre will challenge standards within the commercial equipment industry. There is an expectation that regardless of where professional machines come from, they will deliver great results. Here at the experience centre, we encourage businesses to try and test our professional machines, so they can see the results for themselves.”