BASIC LAUNDRY TECHNIQUES

Presented by: MR. HERMAN H. ORILLA

Laundry Consultant

CHEMISTRY OF CLEANING
THE PROCESS OF REMOVING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF SOIL FROM AN ARTICLE IN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY, WITH THE MAXIMUM RETENTION OF ITS ORIGINAL STATE.

FIBERS
ANIMAL VEGETABLE SYNTHETIC

WOOL, SILK

COTTON, FLAX

ANY MAN-MADE FIBER

FABRIC
ANY ONE FIBER OR A COMBINATION OF FIBERS, WOVEN, KNITTED, OR FELTED

Fabric Types / Characteristics

There are three types of basic fabrics. There is cotton, polyester and cotton/polyester blend

COTTON
is a natural fiber is water loving (Hydrophilic) is absorbent will shrink at high temperature will wrinkle is less durable

 POLYSTER
is man-made from ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid is water loving (Hydrophilic) is not absorbent is oil loving (Oleophilic) is durable can be treated to reduce wrinkling

 COTTON / POLYSTER BLENDS

utilize strengths of both fabrics are durable blend ratios polyester to cotton (50/50, 65-35, 80-20) is permanent press wrinkle resistant reduce chance of shrinkage

SOILS
OILS, GREASE, WAX, FATTY ACIDS WHICH ARE MAINLY BODY OIL, TARS, VEGETABLE, MINERAL OR ANIMAL OILS

DISSOLVED OR SOLUBLE IN SOLVENT

SOME SUGARS, STARCHES, GUMS, SYRUPS, FLAVORING AGENTS, AND MATTER GENERALY FOUND IN FOOD AND DRINK

DISSOLVED OR SOLUBLE IN WATER

EARTH, DUST, LINT, CARBONS, SKIN FLAKES, ASHES, COSMETICS, HAIR, PIGMENTS (SOLID COLORING MATTER)

INSOLUBLE OR NOT DISSOLVED IN EITHER WATER OR SOLVENT, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE REMOVED, AS PARTICLES FROM CLOTHING INTO THE SOLVENT

TYPE OF SOILS
WATER SOLUBLE SOILS
- Organic substance (starch, sugar, blood, etc.) - Inorganic substance (salts, etc.)

INSOLUBLE SOILS / INERT SOILS

- Animal and vegetable oils and fats
- Mineral oils and grease - Solid particles (sand, chalk, and dust)

ALKALI SOLUBLE SOILS

- Perspiration, food, grease based soils

ACID SOLUBLE SOILS

- Iron, minerals (hardness), etc.

SOLVENT SOLUBLE SOILS

- Oil and grease

BASIC CLEANING REQUIREMENTS

TIME
Refer to linen contact time with chemical solutions, rinse and flush steps, and total wash formula (including total number of steps required in the wash formula).

BASIC CLEANING REQUIREMENTS

TEMPERATURE
Refers to optimum temperature range for performance in relation to the type of soil, linen, chemical and used and energy saving requirements.

BASIC CLEANING REQUIREMENTS

TEMPERATURE
TYPE TEMPERATURE

OPERATION Suds / Bleaching

Medium / Heavy
Light Soil

140
160 80

160 0F
120 0F 110 0F

Flush / Rinse

The chemical reaction which is required for soil removal is accelerated by higher temperature.

BASIC CLEANING REQUIREMENTS

MECHANICAL ACTION
The dropping or pounding action of the linen within the wash wheel is referred to as mechanical action. Degree of mechanical action is directly related to proper loading of the wash wheel and use of proper water level.

BASIC CLEANING REQUIREMENTS

CHEMICAL ACTION
This is the interaction of soils and fabrics with various types and concentrations of chemicals used in the wash wheel.

BASIC CLEANING REQUIREMENTS

PROCEDURE
This is the proper application of the above four factors and proper linen handling procedures (including sorting, loading procedures, etc.).

BASIC LAUNDRY OPERATION

WASHING CYCLES
FLUSH BREAK MAIN WASH / SUDS CARRY OVER SUDS / INTERMEDIATE RINSE BLEACH RINSE

SOUR / SOFT
EXTRACT

BASIC LAUNDRY OPERATION

FLUSH
- Is in rising prior to the bleach / suds operation - To remove debris and loose soils - To raise wash temperature from low to high - To lower the temperature from high to low

- To lower pH or alkalinity prior to bleaching

BASIC LAUNDRY OPERATION

BREAK
- Is a first supply operation

- The purpose of the break operation is to loosen the soil from the fabric so that it can be suspended and removed. If properly conducted, this operation can remove as much as 60% of the soil present.

BASIC LAUNDRY OPERATION

SUDS
- Is a first supply operation

- Is done between the break and bleach operation.

- Lengthen the time of contact between alkali and detergent at higher temperature - Lower soil content of the washwheel.

BASIC LAUNDRY OPERATION

BLEACH
- pH at bleach operation should be 10.2 10.8

- The function of bleaching is to oxidize the traces of soil or coloring matter that remain after washing. Simply stated, we wash clothes clean, and bleach for stain removal. Bleach is not used to cover up a poor washing operation, but rather it is to enhance a good one.

BASIC LAUNDRY OPERATION

RINSING
- Is the term use after the bleach operation

- Temperature should gradually decline to prevent thermal shock on the fabric.

- Sufficient number of rinsing to remove loosened soil and reduce residual alkalinity prior to souring.

BASIC LAUNDRY OPERATION

SOURING
- Final step in the laundering process to reduce the end pH to 5.5 6.5 on the linen. - Is conducted as the last operation in a wash formula in order to neutralize any bicarbonate alkalinity naturally present in the tap water and minor residual alkalinity present due to the addition of washroom supplies.

BASIC LAUNDRY OPERATION

SOURING
RECOMMENDED SOURING RANGE

pH
Wearing Apparel Flat Work Rough Dry

5.0 6.0

5.5 6.0
5.5 6.5

BASIC LAUNDRY OPERATION

EXTRACTION
- Function as a moisture lowering steps - Time of extraction depends on the type of linen, load and revolution speed of washer / extractor.

pH SCALE

TROUBLESHOOTING
LIST OF COMMON PROBLEMS
POOR SOIL REMOVAL
Poor soil removal refers to items which are simply not coming clean, this could be the result of undissolved solids, odor, or instant soil redeposition opposed to a gradual build up.

 POOR SOIL REMOVAL

CAUSE
Incorrect Formula being used

SOLUTION
Verify and train employees on proper formula use. Verify and train employees on proper product usage. Check to make certain scoops/cups are in good condition and labeled properly. Make certain product usage guide is correct and in place.

Improper product usage

Skipping Formula Operation(s)

Train the employees to follow the formulas in their entirety. Explain the need for the operation(s) being skipped. Ask why then have been skipping them. This may lead to another concern, like production time.

 POOR SOIL REMOVAL

CAUSE
Improper Presorting

SOLUTION
Make sure the proper sorting procedures are being followed and the proper formula(s) is being used.

Improper product usage

Verify and train employees on proper product usage. Check to make certain scoops/cups are in good condition and labeled properly. Make certain product usage guide is correct and in place.
Overloading the wheelReduce load size. Train employees o proper loading.

Overloading the wheelReduce load size. Train employees o proper loading.

 POOR SOIL REMOVAL

CAUSE
Washer controls malfunctioning

SOLUTION
Check the levels, temperature controls and dump valve(s). if necessary, collect or solicit the maintenance department assistance to fix the problems. Make sure the preventive maintenance is being contacted regularly. If a water softener is used, determine if it is functioning properly or if it needs regeneration. If a water softener is not being used, a slight increase in detergent usage may be necessary. Verify, If temperature is not reaching the desired level adjust the temperature controls.

Water hardness higher than standards

Break temperature to low

 GRAYING OR REDEPOSITION
CAUSE
Insufficient Detergent Usage

SOLUTION
Use product amount recommended for the heaviest classification in the wheel. Set water temperatures at recommended levels for that classification. Dropping the temperature too quickly can cause redeposition. Use the recommended number of rinses with the proper water levels and time.

Improper washing and/or rinsing temperatures Inadequate rinsing, or the rinse operation times are too short

 GRAYING OR REDEPOSITION
CAUSE
Improper sorting, mixing fabrics with different soil levels in a single load. Water hardness higher than standard

SOLUTION
Pre-sort items to ensure fabrics wit similar soil levels are included in each load. If a water softener is being used make sure it is working properly or check to see if it needs regenerating. If no softener is used, a slight increase in the detergent usage may be necessary.

Machine Wash Instruction

Bleaching Instructions

Water Temperature Setting

Dryer Instructions

Special Care

Dryer heat Settings

Special Drying Instructions Special Care

Ironing