Florida has just hosted the BIG event for the North American textile care industry – after three years absence, The Clean Show was back, running across 23-26 August inclusive in Orlando. Organiser Messe Frankfurt, which stages the show as part of its Texcare portfolio, presented visitors with an expanded show floor, more international exhibitors than ever, dynamic education led by top North America industry associations and introduced the Innovation Awards, all spotlighting the trends, standards, and innovations defining the future of textile care.
Organised by Texcare’s partnering associations in North America, namely the Association for Linen Management (ALM), CLA, formerly Coin Laundry Association, Drycleaning & Laundry Institute International (DLI), Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA) and TRSA, the Association for Linen, Uniform and Facility Services Industry. Between them they used The Clean Show 2025 to deliver a robust education programme totting up to more than 30 hours of free sessions. Providing content covering today’s top trends, new industry standards, proven business strategies, and breakthrough innovations, attendees were able to choose expert-led classes across all sectors of textile care – from commercial laundering and drycleaning to hospitality, healthcare and beyond.
Meanwhile, Messe Frankfurt had amassed an impressive increase in firsttime exhibitors and representation from a growing number of international companies.
Beyond the exhibits and education, The Clean Show 2025 created many opportunities to connect, collaborate, and unwind. Attendees could mingle with their peers and make new business connections at the daily and well-attended Happy Hour bars located across the show floor.
Adding a fun, competitive edge to the networking experience, Textile Care Trivia invited participants to test their industry knowledge, learn something new and enjoy some lighthearted competition. These lively, informal moments made The Clean Show as much about building relationships as it was about discovering the latest in textile care.
TRSA played a prominent role at The Clean Show, With nearly 400 exhibitors from over 18 countries – including a record-setting 32 first-time participants, the event underscored the strength and innovation of the linen, uniform and facility services industry North America, said TRSA. The Association kicked off its Clean Show presence by co-hosting the Welcome Reception with CSCNetwork welcoming more than 500 industry executives for an evening of networking, Cuban cuisine, festive drinks, and flamenco entertainment.
Launch of three major TRSA programmes
TRSA also unveiled three impactful new initiatives aimed at strengthening industry standards, workforce development, and community engagement. The Responsible Supplier Assurance Program (RSAP) developed by the TRSA Supplier Partner Council, offers industrywide recognition for suppliers committed to ethical practices, sustainability, and supply chain integrity through a unified TRSA-administered survey. TRSA also launched the RSR Quick Start Training Program in collaboration with Performance Matters – a self-paced onboarding course for route service representatives featuring 52 video lessons, hands-on training, and a focus on safety, customer service, and ethics. Lastly, TRSA announced the TRSA Foundation Day of Giving Campaign, a fundraising effort to support its nonprofit foundation, TRERT, with a goal of raising $20,000 by November 19 to fund education, research, and workforce development across the industry.
TRSA members win Clean Show Innovation Awards
A major highlight of the show was the debut of the Clean Show Innovation Awards, recognising groundbreaking technologies and applications. TRSA members were among the winners:
- Ecolab Inc. – Best New Technology for Sustainability
- Girbau – Best New Technology for Automation
- Hybridworks Textile Solutions – Best New Technology for Sustainability
- Zucchetti Centro Sistemi – Best New Application
“The growth of The Clean Show reflects the vitality of the industry and the value this event delivers,” said Greg Jira, group show director, Messe Frankfurt Inc.
On the floor, committing to The Clean Show 2025 has been a positive experience for Domus. “This year’s Clean Show was well attended and we got a lot of interest and quality visits. Clean Show 2025 was a good opportunity to meet international distributors from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania…even though most of the visitors were from the USA and Latin America,” pointed out Domus export director Eduard Colomer.
“On one hand, there were more distributors visiting the booth to look for alternative equipment brands due to acquisitions in the marketplace. On the other hand, we also met with many current laundromat owners wanting to open additional stores, in part due to advances in technology, like the DomusConnect platform on the operational side and in payment systems such as the contactless Domus Laundry Kiosk,” explained Domus’ US marketing director, Dawn Nagle.
“Visitors were very interested in our full range of products and the Domus ‘Clean & Go’ store concept on the selfservice side. There was also great interest in DomusConnect, our web-platform that enables remote business management, as you can watch in this video: https://youtu.be/DHMTQSUDgXU?si=O2ri2u_VWz0QVLJ2 .”
Danube, meanwhile, reported that its range of products and solutions were extremely well received by a global crowd at The Clean Show recently from selfservice solutions and machines for small businesses to advanced equipment for OPL and industrial laundries.
Its barrier washers for clean room laundries provoked a deal of interest as did Danube’s IoT technology which allows Danube machines to connect online, gathering key data to improve washing and drying.
Catherine Gouneau, marketing and communications manager at Danube told LCNi: “According to our sales representatives on the stand, the show was a success, with interesting visits from prospective customers from South America and Oceania, as well as dealers from Asia and India.
“Many American end-users were also attracted by products that are not yet available in the USA market (barrier washers and bigger flatwork ironers) and also stopped by our stand to find out more, which has reinforced Onnera’s image for its global capabilities. The IoT demonstrations were also very popular.”
Chicago Dryer Company (CDC) managed to have one of the busiest booths at the Clean Show, according to Biko, which partners with CDC and has developed AI and robotics for CDC systems seen at the show.
According to Markus Kobel of Biko: “A combination of known, reliable technology and leading-edge AI-powered future proof systems attracted a lot of satisfied customers and new visitors. Some of the showcased machines have been developed by Biko Engineering AG in Switzerland. It was a very satisfying and successful show.
“We could see that a lot of laundries are starting to think about their processes in general and are looking in more detail at how robots and AI can help them to improve their efficiency.
“The sales teams of CDC as well as from Biko Switzerland and Biko UK are happy to explore together the possibilities for your future projects,” concluded Kobel.
New to the market from Milnor was the new MRF28032 rotary drum filter which dramatically reduces lint and hair redeposition on linen processed in tunnel washers. Its mesh filtration system continuously cleans the wash liquor, removing a significant amount of particulate from the bath liquor before the solution is returned to the machine.
Also new was the Milnor MWS-Series aseptic barrier washer-extractors range from 60-200 lb (26-90 kg) capacity.
Milnor has expanded its PulseFlow tunnel washer capacities, including a 92036 185 lb (85 kg) tunnel, 92042 220 lb (100 kg) tunnel and 92048 260 lb (120 kg) tunnel. Additionally, the company announced its new matching 56 bar Single Stage Press, which can accommodate up to 185, 220 and 260 lb batches.
The company also showcased a wide variety of classic Milnor machines, including a 76039 3-model PulseFlow Technology tunnel washer section, MilRail monorail display, 64064TG1 Pass Through Dryer, MPL640 Single Stage Press, MWT18X4 rigid-mount washer-extractor, 30022VRJ rigid-mount washer-extractor, M758V dryer, 36026V5Z rigid-mount washer-extractor, 42026V6Z rigidmount washer-extractor, and 42032X7R suspended washer-extractor.
After a hectic four days in Orlando, Kannegiesser looked back on a very successful Clean Show 2025. With the largest booth at the exhibition and the launch of the interactive Smart Laundry Quest, the company attracted strong visitor numbers and created momentum for many new projects.
“Many customers and partners took the opportunity to experience how our technology, software, robotics and service connect into a complete solution,” says Tina Kannegiesser, CEO of the Kannegiesser Group. “The Smart Laundry Quest brought this to life in a way that was memorable and fun.”
Visitors were particularly drawn to Kannegiesser’s advances in automation. “The fully automatic Dry Work Line with the RFT towel feeding robot was a real highlight for many of our guests,” explained Michael Harre, CSO of the Kannegiesser Group. “It shows how robotics can take over repetitive manual tasks, improve throughput and open new possibilities for laundries in the United States and worldwide.”
The strength of Kannegiesser’s complete package also became clear in Orlando, said the company. “Visitors were excited not only about our machines but about the full scope of what we offer, including digital tools, training, service and spare parts,” said Phil Hart, CEO of Kannegiesser North America. “This underlines that Kannegiesser is more than a manufacturer. We are a long-term partner that customers can rely on for every part of their operation.”
Over the four days of the show, hundreds of visitors completed the Smart Laundry Quest, collecting chips in six themed zones that showcased the variety of Kannegiesser’s portfolio, from highefficiency washing and finishing equipment to logistics, automation and digitalisation. Those who completed the Quest unlocked exclusive rewards and gained a hands-on view of how Kannegiesser is changing the game of laundry automation.
Girbau was pleased to be recognised with an Honourable Mention at the Clean Show 2025 Innovation Awards for Sortech, its automation solution for smart garment sorting. This recognition is a tribute to the company’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and efficiency in industrial laundries. Sortech provides a clear improvement in productivity and operational continuity by enabling fast and accurate garment sorting, reducing the physical workload of operators, and optimising energy consumption, said Girbau.
“This recognition reflects Girbau’s commitment to transforming the industry through solutions that improve the experience of workers and the competitiveness of our clients. Sortech is another step toward a safer, more efficient, and sustainable future,” said Mercè Girbau, CEO and managing director of Girbau.
According to Nicolas Gostony of Jensen , over four inspiring days ensconced at Booth #901, Jensen presented 13 innovations “and had the privilege of connecting with so many passionate industry professionals”.
“Together, we exchanged ideas, explored opportunities, and shaped the conversation about the future of laundry automation,” he says.
“We are proud to have showcased solutions that advance laundry operations while promoting smarter and greener practices. The positive feedback and enthusiasm we received encourage us to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”
Innovation highlights for Jensen included Inwatec’s fully automated soiled side sorting with the latest generation of robotic sort with Thor, Heimdal, and Odin handling garments and flatwork with unmatched precision, safety, and efficiency which the comany says is now proven in over 170 installations worldwide.
The upgraded RailExplorer 5.0 material handling software for transporting linen offers an intuitive new user interface while keeping the powerful controls and customisation that laundry operators value. It provides real-time tracking, improved dashboards, and production optimisation for both soiled and clean sides of the laundry.
Jensen’s UniQ tunnel washer features the industry’s shortest transfer times, says the company, thereby cutting costs significantly. Additionally, Jensen claims water extraction press ExQ and XR dryer deliver top performance with impressive time and energy savings.
New to North America is the Express Pro Cornerless Feeder which Jensen says is the only cornerless feeder processing sheets and table linen in two lanes – doubling capacity per operator while delivering topquality finishing with just four operators.
The Jensen Butterfly Classic towel folder gets a performance boost with FleX crossfold and fast air-folding which Jensen claims enables unmatched productivity and a fast ROI.
Also new to North America were the Classic and Silverline folders. They are high-speed, space-saving folders with inline stackers and flexible folding for mixed production delivering stacks to the Jensen Jenway conveyor system for automatic transportation to the dispatch area.
All machines are equipped with a new-generation intuitive software that improves user-friendliness, simplifies troubleshooting, and speeds up installation.
Jensen’s Metricon automated conveyor system for garment handling and sortingis now available with the new MetriV loading station and MetriRead Pro RFID tunnel — enhancing speed and accuracy alongside MetriQ and the Fox 1200 folder.
“For those who could not attend, we warmly invite you to get in touch with us,” says Gostony. “The conversations from Orlando have already sparked new momentum, and we look forward to transforming them into effective, sustainable solutions for laundries worldwide.
“The Clean Show 2025 may be behind us, but the journey continues – and we are excited for what the future holds.”
Lavatec promised “a sparkling array of new tunnel wash systems, washer extractors, and dryers with a similar pedigree to machines that customers have been operating since the 1990s” and delivered with an LT60 eight compartment bottom transfer tunnel washer with 132-pound capacity per chamber; an LX- 445 washer extractor with 450-pound capacity; an LP572 LAVAPress single stage extraction press which it says improves workflow by handling 132-pound loads using up to 40-bars of pressure; and three premium and energy efficient gas dryers: the TT745, TT757, and FL633.
On the finishing side, Lavatec showed innovative equipment from Vega Systems. As Jim Shaw, Lavatec’s vice president and national account sales manager explains, the four versatile machines displayed represent a cross-section of cost-efficient systems that are designed to produce a better finished product for customers.
All four machines – the Vega Transfeed 3S1, Vegafold 2S, Vega Multifold Super 2.2 and Vega Multifold 4S – match Lavatec’s solid reputation for high performance, productivity and reliability.
“This equipment gives any size laundry operation the ability to improve the finishing side of their business. Each machine serves a valuable function,” said Jim Shaw, a longtime laundry industry professional who served as the president of Vega Systems USA for nine years before joining Lavatec in 2023.
Podab took the opportunity to highlight its expertise in specâlist dryers, showcasing what it describes as “innovative and highperformance drying cabinets” specifically designed to gently dry textiles, SCBA, and PPE using heat and air circulation, without the need for mechanical action. This method preserves the integrity of the fabrics, minimising wear and tear, says Podab.
Podab’s Scandinavian-inspired drying cabinets have been meticulously engineered for maximum functionality, with a life expectancy of more than 20 years with minimal maintenance, said the company, adding: “These durable and efficient drying solutions offer businesses a reliable and long-term investment, allowing for the optimisation of laundry room operations while maintaining the highest standards of care for delicate textiles and equipment.”
CLMTexfinity joined up with CLM with an impressive 600m2 stand, offering visitors a comprehensive look at its full range of industrial laundry solutions.
CLMTexfinity emphasises that it is capable of delivering complete laundry lines, from soil to clean and folded offering flexibility, automation, and efficiency via its S. range of products, from tunnels through water extraction press to passthrough dryer and on to feeders, folders and ironers. The company also provides several compact washer extractors and also front loading dryers for smaller laundry requirements.
This setup, says the company, highlights the depth and integration of the CLMTexfinity solution portfolio, adding that each machine is designed to communicate and operate seamlessly within a larger system, providing laundries with measurable gains in throughput, labour savings, and consistency.
CLMTexfinity’s team staged live demonstrations and expert guidance on how to build or upgrade complete laundry workflows whether for hospitality, healthcare, or textile rental operations.
ABS, meanwhile, showed off its latest innovations designed to make laundry operations smarter, faster, and more connected, says Robert Tye, ABS marketing director. He urged visitors to explore solutions such as Mobile Apps, ABSSolute Infinity, Laundry Analytics, Interfacing & Integration, DataDock, Meridian, UHF RFID and other technologies shaping the future .
The ABS team shared insights and provided guidance on how the latest solutions can improve efficiency and streamline workflows.
Looking ahead
The next Clean Show will take place 15- 18 July 2027 in Las Vegas. Making the announcement TRSA said it looks forward to continuing its leadership in education, innovation and industry advancement.
