Pete's Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash a load of only 3kg in a washing machine with specifications of 7-10kg?
Yes - you can always go under the load weight indications provided you use the correct settings for that wash. These figures are typical weights to maximum weight. So you could break the machine if you washed an 11kg load in a 7-10kg machine.
The water in my area sometimes smells of sulphur. Will this damage my laundry?
No - water smelling of sulphur does sometimes leave a feint smell on some fabrics, but there's no harm using it to do laundry. We do always suggest using good quality detergents and softeners, which will most certainly eliminate any residual odours.
What can I do to help prevent costly break downs and prolong the life of my laundry machines?
There is a variety of things you can do to look after your commercial laundry machines.
Firstly, ensure all operating staff are well trained so the machines are used correctly and are not overloaded.
Secondly, make sure that regular maintenance visits and, if possible, preventative checks are carried out. This is important for both commercial washers and dryers.
Ensure your site has good services, particularly a plentiful water supply and adequate drainage. In hard water areas softened water should be used for washing machines to prevent lime scale.
Always use good quality detergents from an experienced supplier. Wherever possible these should be auto-dosed to provide an exact amount of detergent at the correct time in the wash.
How many wash cycles can I expect my commercial washer to do in its lifetime?
A difficult one this and is very dependant on the use and the shift pattern. Machines used by the general public are subject to more abuse than say a machine in a care home used by permanent staff.
Normally we would expect and piece of laundry equipment to be on site between 8-10 years, equating to 25-30K cycles in a lifetime.
My washing machine is too small, can I wash a larger load than the machine states?
No - you must ensure your machines are of a large enough capacity to meet your present and future needs. A good guide is 1lb per person per wash i.e. if you have a 40 bed care home, your total washing capacity should equal 40lb or 20kg. In this case we would recommend 2 x 10kg Primus washing machines.
Can I install commercial washing machines in an upstairs room that has a wooden floor?
Although this installation would be tricky, it's not impossible. A wooden floor limits the amount of weight it can hold so in addition to an initial site survey by Laundryserv, you would be strongly advised to consult the services of a professional Structural Engineer who would be able to advise whether or not the floor could withstand the weight, movement and vibration of the proposed machines. This Engineer would also be able to advise on any work needed to strengthen the floor if needed.
The larger machines in the Laundryserv range are rigid mount washers & dryers that are secured to the ground on concrete bases. As the wooden floor is unlikely to be able to accommodate this requirement, your local Laundryserv Area Manager would be able to advise you on the best free-standing washers and dryers for your needs.
Even if the flooring can withstand the weight & vibration etc, there can often be an issue with getting the machines into the room in the first place. Access can be a problem because stairs and lifts are often narrow and unable to take the weights involved.
We would always recommend a ground floor on-site laundry but should this not be possible, we’ll do everything we can to facilitate a successful installation in any premises.