As we gear up to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd, it’s a great time for care home managers to think about how they can make their laundry rooms greener. Earth Day is all about taking care of our planet, and there’s a lot we can do right in our own facilities to help out.
Making the laundry process more eco-friendly is a big step toward being kinder to the environment. It means using less water and energy, choosing safer cleaning products, and teaching everyone in the care home how to be more sustainable. Let’s dive into some simple yet effective ways care home managers can make their laundry operations more environmentally friendly, showing our planet some love not just on Earth Day, but every day.
Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Laundry Appliances: Invest in high-efficiency washers and dryers. These appliances use less water and electricity, which not only reduces the environmental footprint but also lowers utility bills over time. The Schulthess Proline W range is known as “The Game Changer” because of its superior energy efficiency and water conservation features. Able to process an additional 500 loads of laundry per year, click here to increase sustainability overnight with the revolutionary Proline range.
Use Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents: Switch to biodegradable, phosphate-free laundry detergents that are less harmful to the environment. Our Flow detergents are formulated to meet EC directives and are formulated to be powerful yet gentle.
Optimise Laundry Loads: Ensure that the laundry is done with full loads to maximise efficiency in water and energy use. However, avoid overloading machines as it can decrease cleaning effectiveness and increase water usage due to additional rinse cycles.
Implement a Cold Water Washing Program: Washing clothes in cold water can significantly reduce energy consumption since heating water is energy-intensive. Many modern detergents are formulated for cold water, ensuring clothes still get clean.
Implement Water Recycling Systems: Explore systems that allow for the recycling of water from laundry operations. Some systems can filter and reuse water, greatly reducing water consumption.
Upgrade to Efficient Dryers: The innovative design of the i-Series of dryers from ADC features advanced technology and impressive energy efficiency. Available with large capacity drums, from 16kg to 37kg, and a trans-axial airflow, choosing a dryer from the i-Series can reduce your carbon footprint, contributing to a greener planet.
Regular Maintenance of Laundry Equipment: Ensure that commercial laundry equipment is regularly serviced and maintained. This includes cleaning lint filters, checking for leaks, ensuring that machines are operating efficiently and fully compliant with the latest legislation. Our OneCare package provides brand new equipment, fully serviced for a single monthly payment – what could be simpler?
Educate Staff and Residents: Train staff on sustainable laundry practices and encourage residents’ participation where appropriate. This can include guidelines on when to request laundry services or tips on reducing personal laundry.
Linen Management: Invest in high-quality, durable linens that don’t need to be replaced as often and can withstand frequent washes without losing integrity. This reduces waste and long-term costs.
Monitor and Reduce Chemical Use: Keep track of the chemicals used in the laundry process and explore ways to reduce their use. For instance, using oxygen-based bleaches instead of chlorine bleach can be less harmful to the environment.
Sustainability Reporting: Regularly review and report on the sustainability of the laundry operations. This could involve tracking water and energy use, chemical use, and waste generation. Use this data to set targets for improvement. ServiceMaster from Schulthess is the first truly connected laundry system which provides real-time reporting on performance, equipment health and keeps accurate hygiene records.
The care industry naturally generates large volumes of laundry, but with careful consideration there are a number of steps that can be taken to improve sustainability. Speak to our team of experts today on 03330 053 0192 and secure a more environmentally-friendly future for your care home.
