How to Care for Commercial Laundry Equipment: Maintenance Tips for Commercial Laundry Machines
The success of any laundry business lies on the performance of the commercial laundry equipment you own. Commercial laundry machines need regular maintenance and repair to keep them in top working order. Every time a machine is down your customers can’t use the machine, and you lose money. If you have more than one machine down, then the effect can quickly snowball and it’s easy to see how this can start to affect your bottom line. Customers want to go to a clean, well maintained Laundromat, and by keeping your commercial laundry machines in good running order, you will not only maximize your daily revenue, but you will also build a reputation as “the place to go” in your area and you can avoid losing customers who prefer a well-kept, fully-functioning facility.
While you may have a professional service that comes in and does regular maintenance on your commercial laundry equipment, there are some things you can do to make sure everything is running properly and is safe to use. Here are some basic tips to help you:
Washer Extractors: Check the door lock each day to make sure it is working properly. On the back of the machine check the water inlet valve hose each day. Leave the door open at the end of each day so the machine can dry out and prevent mildew and unpleasant odors from forming.
Tumble Dryers: Have your service rep clean the tumbler each year as part of your regular maintenance regimen. Each day clean the lint from the lint compartment and screen to ensure proper airflow and prevent overheating (this can also help to improve the amount of money you generate in a busy coin operated laundry – if clothes dry faster your dryers can accommodate more loads each day). Check for foreign objects in the cylinder each day to prevent damage to your commercial laundry equipment and clothing. Once a month remove lint and debris from inside the exhaust duct to avoid overheating and ensure proper airflow.
Top Load Washers: Leave the washer’s lid open between loads to allow the inside to dry and prevent musty smells from developing. Each year check the filter screens in the fill hoses and replace or clean them if needed. Check all of the hoses each month for wear, cracks, or blisters and replace them if necessary.
Front Load Washers: Leave the door open when not in use to let the drum dry out and prevent a musty smell from developing. Check the filter screens in the fill hoses each year for damage or debris. Replace them or clean them as needed. Make sure to check the hoses each month and examine them for any signs of damage, blisters, or debris. Replace the hoses on your commercial laundry equipment as needed.
Dryers: Have your service rep thoroughly clean each dryer once a year as part of your regular maintenance package. Before each load clean the lint filter. You may need to wash the lint filters from time to time. Remove the lint filter and screw to vacuum the duct found under it. After the first year of use inspect the exhaust duct for lint build up. Clean it if necessary, and then inspect it each year or every two years after that. Inspect the dampers in the outside hood to make sure they are functioning properly and that nothing has been set against them.
Flatwork Finishers: Check the area between the thermostat holder and the cylinder each day for debris. You should check to see if the thermostat is touching the cylinder each day. After each milestone of 200 hours of operation gently wipe any debris off with clean hands from the scrapers that lead the material from the ironing cylinder to the output tray.
Most of these commercial laundry equipment maintenance tips you can do yourself, but you should have a qualified service rep come to your facility annually to do more intense maintenance on your commercial laundry machines. This will keep everything in working order, and will ensure that your business stays profitable.