In the world of laundry, there are four basic types of businesses, all set up to wash, dry and finish clothing and garments in different ways. In this quick overview, we look at how each business works, as well the equipment they need to run effectively.
Launderettes
Launderettes are shops with a range of coin or contactless laundry equipment, which anyone can use to wash and dry their clothes. As they’re open to the public, launderettes expect users to clean and handle laundry themselves, without any extra help.
You’re most likely to find a launderette on your local high street or in a shopping centre, but you might also find them in housing developments, shared accommodation (like student halls) and holiday parks.
Launderettes tend to use commercial washing machines and tumble dryers, as they handle larger loads, last much longer than domestic machines, and often get the job done faster. To get around space constraints, commercial laundry appliances are often stackable, creating more capacity on the same footprint.
Increasingly, providers are moving away from coin-op technology towards contactless systems, which improve convenience while reducing the need for owners and managers to handle cash.
Dry cleaners
Dry cleaners are shops that have invested in special dry cleaning machines. These use liquid solvents to clean clothes and other garments instead of traditional washing using water and detergents. Garments will often become damp from the solvents during the dry cleaning process, but won’t be as wet as they would be after a cycle in an industrial washing machine.
All items with ‘dry clean only’ on the label, which often includes suits and dresses, should be taken to a dry cleaning shop to prolong their life and quality. When the garment is clean, a dry cleaners will then use specialist equipment alongside a commercial iron to finish it professionally.
Fully staffed fluff and fold laundries
Fully staffed laundry services take care of washing, drying and ironing on behalf of their customers, unlike launderettes where people launder their own clothing and pay a fee for using the machines.
Fully staffed laundries, sometimes called ‘fluff and fold’ or ‘wash and fold’ laundries, can be operated as a back-of-house service in launderettes, in large hotels, or as a stand-alone entity open for public use.
Fully staffed laundries rely on durable commercial washing machines and commercial tumble dryers that offer medium to high capacities. Staff in these settings will also use efficient professional irons that are made to withstand constant use.
Commercial laundries
A commercial laundry is a facility where commercial tumble washing machines and tumble dryers are operated by professional employees, with no public access.
These laundries commonly clean clothing, garments and linen from businesses who don’t have the resources, capacity or space to handle laundry in-house. Commercial laundries charge a contract fee that might cover everything from professional ironing and garment repairs, to collection and delivery.
Commercial laundries use high-capacity industry laundry machines that are capable of running around the clock, and process significant volumes of laundry. They’re often the go-to solution for hotels, restaurants and other businesses where fast turnarounds are vital.
What equipment do all these businesses use?
Whether they’re open to the public or run by dedicated staff, all laundries use durable industrial laundry equipment to provide an efficient, reliable and cost-effective service.
