LAUNDRY
The place in the hotel where washing and finishing of uniforms and linen are carried out.Why laundry management? Linen is Housekeeping Department’s second largest expense and laundry management is essential for the success of a lodging operation. The responsibility of making linen look, smell and feel good, and getting it to the right place at the right time is what good laundry management is.
Considerations while planning a laundry:The decision of whether to include a laundry on the premises should ideally be made during the initial planning stage for the facility. If this is not done, considerable costs may be incurred to change the plumbing and electrical systems later. Hot water, cold water, steam, gas, large sewer drains and water lines are essential plumbing considerations. Location
Easily accessible with rooms and F and B areas.
Should be accessible from the linen rooms that heavy bundles of laundry can be easily transported from one location to another.
Located away from guest areas for vibrations, humidity
Should have an outside wall so that air can be vented easily
Ideally should be located in the basement as machines are very heavy and vibrations can be absorbed.
Easy transportation should be available Size of the propertyThe rule of thumb for hotel laundries is 7 sq.ft per room(not including soil storage).For soiled storage 1 cubic foot for every 3.6 kg(upto a height of 4ft) is usually allotted. Ventilation
Essential to exhaust moisture laden air from dryers.
Laundry rooms also require adequate ventilation through regular doors or windows to take in supply of fresh air. Equipment purchasing depends on:Laundry equipment must be considered in relation to initial costs, life expectancy, maintenance and depreciation. Overhead costs of utilities such as electricity, water and gas needs to be considered. Output of linen Type of linen processed. Initial cost Life expectancy Maintenance Depreciation Amount of output based on occupancy in rooms and covers in F&B areas Out put are generally measured in pounds. The number of pounds should be related to the occupancy levels in guestrooms and number of covers in F & B outlet. Labor The rule of thumb for small institutional laundry is that one person should be able to handle a weight of about 36 kg an hour. PLANNING LAUNDRY BASED ON PROPERTY SIZE, SPACE AND OUTPUT:
PROPERTIES SPACE OUTPUT Small properties – (under 150 rooms) economy service midrange service 400800 sq. ft. 15002000 sq. ft. 400,000 pd./yr. Medium properties 150299 rooms (world class service) Vary between 20003000 sq. ft 65007000 sq. ft. 1.5 million pd./yr. Large properties More than 300 rooms 800018000 sq. ft. 8.5 million pd./yr.
The average load per room (consisting of three bed sheets, three bath towels, two hand towels, one bathmat and two pillow covers) comes up to approximately 5 – 6 kgs. TYPES OF LAUNDRY:a) ON PREMISES/ONSITE/INHOUSE LAUNDRY(OPL) The laundry which is situated in the hotel Laundering activities are carried by staff employed by the hotel b)COMMERCIAL/ OFF SITE/ CONTRACTED LAUNDRY:In these the laundering activities are performed outside the establishment Given on a contract basis to specialists in the field. The contract specifies the laundering costs and other costs. Usually the soiled linen are laundered and delivered back in 2448 hrs. c) LAUNDROMATSA selfservice laundry facility where clothes are washed and dried. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ON PREMISES LAUNDRY: ADVANTAGES:Time taken for laundering is reduced because transportation is eliminated. Linen is readily available especially in the case of emergency. Control over the wash process and the laundry agents used making the wear and tear on linen comparatively much lesser. Pilferage is reduced. The par stock required is reduced. Revenue is earned from guest laundry. Helps to render quality service to the guests. DISADVANTAGES:Initial cost of equipment and its maintenance is fairly high. Related expenses like water tax, energy costs are high. More staff who are technically qualified are required High labor costs
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY:
ADVANTAGES:No heavy investments on capital. Labor costs saved Solution for space constraints Little technical expertise required.
DISADVANTAGES:Control over standards reduced Delays of delivery and collection
Higher par stock to be maintained May result in loss during transportation
THE LAUNDRY CYCLE:
(I)PREWASHING:Collecting soiled linen – GRAs strip linen from rooms and put them directly into the hamperbags(soiled linen bag).Soiled linen should be sent to laundry as soon as possible so that stain does not set in. Items should never be piled on the floor where they can be walked on and soiled or damaged further.In some hotels soiled linen is sent to linen room for sorting, counting and marking and then sent to laundry for washing. Transporting soiled linen to the laundry – Large hotels have linen chutes that runs in a channel to transport soiled linen from floor pantries to laundry. They can also be carried in laundry carts/trolleys/skip(elastic net bags for transporting laundry) Sorting – The on – premises laundry should contain a sorting area large enough to store a day’s worth of laundry. Here soiled linen is sorted. Generally linen is sorted by :Degree of soiling Type of fabric Size Colour Weighing: Linen should be weighed in dry stage before they are put into the washer. This is necessary as each washing machine has specific loading instructions that have to be followed and also to measure the output of laundry. (If Overloaded):There is no or low centrifugal action because the linen articles are too tightly packed in the drum. Resultingly, there is inadequate friction and the deeply imbedded soil is not removed so the wash process is ineffective. Certain synthetics develop creases as a result of overloading that are difficult to get rid of in the subsequent ironing process. Repeated overloading can cause the machine to breakdown. (If Underloaded):In this case, there is centrifugal action but inadequate friction because the linen articles are too far apart.There is wastage in terms of time, labour, laundry agents, water andpower. Loading:For optimum loading, the machine should be loaded up to 80% of it’s capacity.
(II)WASHING:The proper washing program is indicated by following factors:1.Length of cycle: (T) If the cycle is too short, the linen will not be cleaned. If the cycle is too long, there will be unnecessary wear and tear and the clothes may actually become dirtier as a result of redeposition of soil. 2.Temperature of water: (T) If the temperature of water is too high, it is likely to damage the linen. If the temperature is inadequate, the chemicals will not work effectively. 3.Water level : Incorrect ‘dip’(water level) can alter the concentration of the laundry agents rendering them ineffective. In case of a gentle action the water level is usually higher forming a protective envelope to the delicate linen. 4.Type and amount of detergent and when it will be dispensed in the wash cycle:This is also a crucial factor that affects the quality of wash. Deciding which laundry agent should be used is dependent on the nature of the fabric being washed. Too little
detergent will result in an incomplete cleaning process. And too much may remain as a residue after the rinse cycle is complete. It is important that the laundry agent is introduced into the wash cycle at the appropriate time if it is to have the required action. 5.Mechanical action:This refers to the centrifugal action brought about by the movement of the drum that causes friction between the linen articles and is radically affected by overloading or underloading as well as the speed of the drum. In addition to the correct handling of linen during the laundry procedures, correct balance of these four factors (TACT)Temperature, Time, Agitation, Chemical is required for maximum laundering efficiency. WASH CYCLE:It consists of nine steps:a) Flush or Prewash: (1.53mins): Soiled linen is soaked in water. This process dissolves and dilutes watersoluble soils to reduce the soil load. It is done at a low temperature and high water level. b) Break: (410mins, optional): A high alkaline break (heavy soil removal) product is added at medium temperature and low water level. c) Suds: (58mins): Detergent is added to hot water and low water level. Then articles are agitated for removal of dirt. d) Intermediate rinse/Carryover suds: (25mins): This rinse cycle removes soil and alkalinity to help bleach work more effectively. e) Bleach: (58mins, optional): Bleach is added to hot water, to medium water level. Bleach kills bacteria, whitens fabrics and removes stains. It also weakens the fabric and hence enough water should be present. f) Rinse: (1.53mins): Two or more rinses at medium temperature and high water level are used to remove the detergent and bleach. g) Intermediate Extract: (1.52mins, optional): This highspeed spin removes detergent and soil from linen. It should not be used on noiron linen. h) Sour/ Softener/ Starching (35mins): Softeners and sours are added to condition fabrics, at medium temperature and low water level. Sours are added for all types of fabrics in order to get the water pH to 6.57.and starches are added to stiffen cotton fabrics. i) Final Extract: (212mins): a high spin removes most of the moisture from the linen. j)
(III)AFTER WASHING:Rinsing: Once the wash cycle is completed, rinsing becomes essential. Rinsing is washing linen in clean water. It is carried out at least twice and the purpose of this stage is to: 1. Remove residue of laundry agents, which might show as patches on the linen after ironing or irritate the skin. 2. Remove suspended dirt, which remains in the carry over liquor in the load at the end of the wash. 3. Lower the temperature of the wash load by using a cold water rinse or alternatively reducing the temperature of water in consecutive rinses. HydroExtraction –The removal of excess moisture through centrifugal action and is equivalent to wringing clothes in handwashing. The compact mass of hydroextracted clothes is referred to as ‘cheese’.
(IV)FINISHING:This gives linen a crisp, wrinkle free appearance. It may require only drying (for noniron fabrics) or may include ironing.it can be done in following ways:
TumbleDrying – Items that are dried after hydro extraction are towels, blankets,bed spreads etc. This process makes the linen completely dry by blowing hot air ranging between 40º C to 60ºC onto the articles as they are slowly circulated in the rotating drum.The time taken is approx. 30 mins. depending on whether the article is to be completely or partially dried.. Ironing – Bedsheets, pillowcases, tablecloths, etc, can go directly to flatwork irons in a slightly damp condition. Uniforms are generally pressed in special ironing equipment. Folding – After finishing all items are folded. Folding personnel must also inspect linen, segregating those that are to be reused and rejecting stained, torn or otherwise unsuitable items. This should be done away from the soiled linen area to avoid resoiling. Storing – There should be enough storage room for at least one par. Finished items should be allowed to ‘rest’ on shelves for 24 hours. Transferring linen to use areas –Laundry Trolleys used for transfer of linen should be cleaned at least once daily. Separate carts should be used for soiled and clean linen to avoid accidental soiling.
LAUNDRY MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT:
Onpremises laundry is a major investment in itself and affects the lifespan of another major investment – linen. The choice of machines and equipment could mean the difference between a financially successful and disastrous onpremises laundry. Machines with insufficient capacity may result in damaged linen, unsatisfactory cleaning performance, excessive energy and water costs or increased maintenance costs. Improperly maintained equipment can also lead to higher linen and equipment costs. The machines used in the laundry are: Laundering machines Pressing machines Folding machines Spotting units Dry cleaning machines Carts, trolleys, sacks
I)LAUNDERING EQUIPMENTS:These include washing machines, washer extractors, hydroextractors and tumble dryers.
a)WASHING MACHINES – The washing machine drums are made up of stainless steel. They are sized by their capacity. Capacities vary from 7200 kg. The machine may be top loading (lesser capacity), front loading or side loading (for large loads in industrial laundering). The machine rotates for 15 seconds in one direction, stops and reverses direction for 15 seconds. This prevents the ‘roping’ of linen in the drum. Centrifugal action of the drum causes friction between the clothes thereby suspending dirt. The speed of rotation of the drum depends on the diameter and ranges between 40 to 60 r.p.m.. The temperature of water ranges from 30º C to 95º C. Machines operate on manual switches, dial settings, computerized cards or on computer panels. The detergent feed is known as HOPPERS Modern machinery have sensors that can gauge the length of cycle, level and temperature of water, amount of laundry agent and when it should be added in the wash cycle as well as the type of drum
action, for a specific wash load. Machines with capacity of 100 kg or more generally have a drum that has two or three compartments. These are referred to as “tunnel washers”. Each compartment is being used for a particular wash cycle. As soon as the first cycle is over on the first load, it automatically moves on to the second chamber. The laundry attendant can then reload the first chamber.
b)HYDROEXTRACTORS They come in capacity of 7300 kgs. Modern hydroextractors work on the centrifugal action. The drum rotates at high speed (at least ten times the wash speed) and the clothes are pressed against the sides of the drum and water passes out through the perforations and out through the open drain. It removes 5075% of moisture.
c)WASHER EXTRACTORSMachines which carry out washing as well as hydroextraction are called washerextractors. This machine eliminate the need of a separate hydroextractor.
d)TUMBLE DRYER:It is used for no iron linen like towels, blankets etc . Dryers remove moisture from articles by tumbling them in a rotating cylinder through which heated air passes. Air is heated by gas, electricity or steam. To avoid wrinkles and ‘hot spots’ (patches on fabric which remain hot and appears crinkled) and the risk of spontaneous combustion, many dryers have a cooldown cycle at predetermined intervals. The process of tumbledrying creates a good deal of wear and tear on the fabric as particles of lint come off the fabric in the drying process. A lint screen traps the lint particles and must be cleaned regularly
II)PRESSING EQUIPMENTS:For those articles that require a pressed finish there are many pressing/finishing equipment. Some of the frequently used equipments are: Flat bed press/Cotton press Steam press Cuff and collar press Sleeve press Flatwork ironers/Calendaring machines/Rollers Suzie/Puffers/genies Steam cabinets Tunnel dryers Hand Iron
a) FLATBED PRESSIt is heated by electricity or steam. Heated metal plate does the pressing work. Article is placed on a padded bottom on which the plate is lowered. Foot control helps in operation b)STEAM PRESS–Steam is used to press the garment or linen. The linen is sandwiched between two plates. One plate is referred to as “head” which gets heated and the other is known as “buck” through which steam passes.
c) CUFF AND COLLAR PRESS:Consist of firmly padded three spring loaded bucks. A corresponding head of chrome plated steel bears same shape and this applies pressure. The head is uniformly heated by steam which does the pressing of the cuff and collar
d) SLEEVE PRESS:Sleeves are fitted into the buck. The air fills the sleeves and creates a pressure between the heads and removes the wrinkles
e)FLATWORK IRONER/CALENDARING MACHINE:Consists series of rollers connected by conveyor belts and speed can be adjusted. It is used for flat items like sheets, serviettes, aprons, table cloths and are passed through heated rollers for ironing
f)SUZIE/PUFFER/GENIEFor coats and articles that do not crease heavily. Consists of nylon air bag in the form of a dummy. Garment is draped in the dummy and it is inflated with steam to remove crease. Then hot air is blown to remove moisture created by steam and shapes garment properly. g)STEAM CABINETS Is a chamber where lowcrease garments are suspended on hangers and steam or hot air is circulated through the cabinet.
h)TUNNEL DRYER Clothes are hung on conveyor belts that pass through a tunnel. Hot air blowing in the tunnel, renders the articles completely dry by the time they exit. i) HAND IRON They are of two typesa)Electrical and b) Box type using charcoal for heat. (III)FOLDING MACHINES – It does not actually fold the linen, but holds one end of it so that staff can fold it easily (specially used for garments). Some flatwork ironers have a folder inbuilt so that after ironing the large articles like bedsheets and tablecloths are given a two or four fold lengthwise as well as crosswise.
(IV)SPOTTING MACHINE
This is used for spot cleaning of stains. The stained portion of the material is spread out on a padded plate and the stain is treated with chemicals. Then a highpressure steam gun is used to flush out the chemical. Lastly air is blown into the fabric to bring it’s temperature down and to dry the material.
(V)DRYCLEANING MACHINES –
In this machine washing, draining, extraction and drying takes place in the same machine. Washing is done with drycleaning solvents – perchloro ethylene (perk) or aviation petrol. This process is quite expensive and is used only for wool, silk and other delicate materials.
(VI)LINEN CARTS/TROLLEYS/SACKS –
These are used for linen transportation. Most laundries use carts to move linen, and to hold them after sorting. These carts are made of aluminum or steel. Sacks are made of tough cotton. These carts must be clearly marked for soiled linen and clean linen, so that there is no mixup.
LAYOUT OF LAUNDRY: When planning the layout of a laundry, consider the work flow and wherever possible ensure that the plan does not hinder the smooth flow of operations. i)Entrances and exitsShould be large enough to allow free movement. Swing doors are good for cart movement. They should have windows for safety and bumpers or guards to protect their appearance. ii)WallThey should be impervious to moisture and have good sound absorption properties proof and sound proof. iii)Ceiling Should have good sound absorbent properties and should be at least 10ft high. iii)Floors A cement/concrete floor which is easily cleanable. iii)Space between adjacent machines and adequate space between the back of the machine and the wall which is essential to facilitate servicing and repair. At least 2 feet gap between machine and wall
and 18 inches between two machines should be there. vi)Area for accumulating and sorting linen should be located close to the washer extractor; dryers should be adjacent to the washer extractor, to save time and employee effort. vii)Folding area should be located near the area where laundered linen is stored. viii)Drain locations and proper drainage system ix)Separate section to deal with guest laundry/valet service. x)Area must accommodate the total number of staff working at the busiest times (approx.1 staff for 40Kg of laundry) DIAGRAM DONE IN CLASS LAUNDRY AGENTS CHEMICALS:Chemicals ensure an effective wash that leaves linen looking fresh. In general a laundry’s chemical needs depend mainly on the types of linen it washes and the soiling conditions it encounters. The following is a brief description of the various chemicals used – I)WATER :– It is an Universal solvent Two to five gallons of water is used for every pound of dry laundry. Poor wetting properties Should be used with other cleaning agents Hard water is unfit for foaming, leaves scum on fabrics and clogs pipes, machines etc. Hard water causes graying, stiffness etc. II)DETERGENTS:– Detergents are chemicals which when used with water loosens and removes dirt and then holds the dirt in suspension so that soil does not get redeposited on the surface. Properties of a good detergent: Wettinglower the surface tension to help the surface to be wet Emulsifyingbreak and loosen the grease SuspendingPrevent redeposition of soil. CLASSIFICATION OF DETERGENTS:A)SOAPY DETERGENTS/SOAPSThey are formed when natural oil/fat is treated with alkali(Sodium Hydroxide) and the process is known as Saponification. Soaps are effective only in soft water and form scum in hot water. When soaps combine with Ca, Mg in hard water they form SOAP SCUM/SOAP FILM. Examples are: Toilet soaps, Soap powders B)SYNTHETIC DETERGENTS They are non soapy and are effective in hard water. They contain surfactants obtained from petrochemicals, which aid in soil removal and act as anti bacterial agents and fabric softeners. They can be:a)Liquid Synthetic Detergents For lightly soiled fabrics b) Powdered Synthetic Detergents For heavily soiled fabrics c) Enzyme based detergents Enzymes are added for removing organic stains. Chemical composition of detergents : i)Active ingredient:Surfactant These molecules dissolve in water and reduces the surface tension of water allowing the water and surfactant molecule to penetrate the soil and surface.
ii)Builder:Adds bulk to the detergent and increases the efficiency of the detergent. In case of liquid detergents water is used, in case of powder detergents Sodium Sulphate is used. iii)Additives:a)Foaming agentsIncrease or stabilize the foam. eg. Alkalomides, Ethanol amides b)Chelating agents Mainly found in liquid detergents and combines with mineral salts like calcium and magnesium saltswhich makes water hard.eg. EDTA(Ethylene Diamine Tetra acetic acid) and NTA(Nitrilo Triacetic Acid) c)Suspending agents Helps in suspension of soil eg.SCMC(sodium carboxymethyl cellulose). d)Optical Brighteners/Fluorescent Whiteners Helps to reduce the yellowing of fabrics. They absorb ultraviolet light and reflect it back as blue light, making the fabrics look whiter. e)Bleaches Help to remove the stains like Sodium perborate f)Bulking agent Contributes to the volume of detergente..Sodium Sulphate g)Enzymes They are complex proteins that breaks down organic stainse.eg. Protease, Amylase. h)Perfumes :These are added to reduce the unpleasant smell of detergents. i)Dye: Usually blue and green are used to colour the detergents and make the detergents attractive. j)Germicides are also added sometimes to prevent growth of bacteria and fungus. III)BLEACHES – These help in whitening fabrics and removing stains from fabrics. TYPES OF BLEACH:A)OXIDISING BLEACH:These bleaches release oxygen, which combines with the stain to form a colorless compound. These should be in contact with the fabric only till the stain is removed as; longer contact will weaken the fabric. a)Open Air and Sunlight – World’s oldest method of bleaching is of exposing fabrics in sun and open air. Sunlight bleaching can be used for stain removal from bleached cotton and linen fabrics. Additional bleaching takes place when the article is laid on grass or spread over a bush, due to chlorophyll in leaves. b)Sodium hypochlorite bleach(Javelle water) – This bleach is used only on white cottons and linen, not on silk and wool as it dissolves these fabrics. It is the most commonly used bleach as it is readily available and cheap. E.g. – Ala. Robin bleach, etc. c)Hydrogen peroxide bleach – It is very effective bleach and can be used on most of the fabrics, but is very expensive. It can be used in various concentrations, depending on the amount of bleaching required. d)Sodium perborate bleach – This is a combination of borax, caustic soda and hydrogen peroxide. Sodium perborate is used in many ‘oxygen’ washing powder, which when dissolved in water makes an alkaline bleaching solution containing hydrogen peroxide and tenderizes cotton. e)Potassium permanganate bleach – This bleach has a high content of oxygen, which can remove stains like perspiration and mildew. It can be used on animal as well as vegetable fibers. The use of potassium permanganate however produces brown stains in fabrics, due to manganese dioxide, which has to be removed before the treatment is completed. B)REDUCING BLEACHESThey act by removing oxygen from the colouring matter of the stain. a)Sodium hydrosulphite – This is a valuable agent for bleaching all fibers. It is particularly useful for wool and silks that cannot be treated with sodium hypochlorite. It can be used to remove grass, leather/boot polish, mildew, coloured ink, etc. stains.
b)Sodium bisulphate – This is a mild reducing agent that results from partial neutralisation of sulphurous acid by caustic soda. It’s bleaching action is due to the fact that it yields sulphur dioxide which takes oxygen out of the stain. RIGHT WAY TO BLEACH: Do not use bleach directly on fabric Always use right amount of bleach at temperature below 60*C Do not over bleach. Wash off bleach immediately as it weakens the fabric if kept for long IV)ALKALINE AGENTS – a)Washing Soda(Sodium carbonate) Strongest alkali, dissolves proteins, used along with soap, softens water, emulsifies grease, remove veg. stains, remove acid stains but if used excessively makes clothes yellowish and is hard on skin b)Borax (Sodium Tetraborate) Mildly alkaline, soluble in cold water, safe for all fabrics, helps in removing acid stains, prevents browning of starch at high temp, cotton and linen yellowed by age are whitened by boiling in borax solution c)Ammonium hydroxide Strong alkali and yellows silk and wool, bleeds colour, tenders fabric if there Is prolong use.Removes grease and animal stains, neutralises acids, removes smell left by using by Javelle water V)ACID AGENTS:They are useful for neutralizing alkalis and for stain removal. a)Oxalic Acid:It is poisonous in nature, should be kept labelled, removes iron moulds and iron stains.It has strong action and should be neutralized by borax.Should not be used on silk, wool as brown stains are caused b)Salt of lemon:Compound of Potassium Oxalate and Oxalic acid referred as salt of Sorrel.it is also poisonous and should be use with wooden spoon c)Acetic acid:Main constituent of vinegar, also helps in colour fixation and adds to brightness and used for dyeing silk d)Oleic acid:Produces soap when when mixed with alkalis, used for spot removal of machine grease and oil stain,used for cotton and linen Mild acids are used to neutralise any residual alkalinity in fabrics after washing and rinsing. Detergents and bleaches contain alkali and any residual alkali can damage fabrics and cause yellowing and fading. In addition, residual alkalis can cause skin irritation and leave odors. These mild acids are referred to as SOURS. Examples are Acetic Acid, Oxalic Acid. VI)ORGANIC SOLVENTS:
Solvents can be applied to most delicate fabrics either to remove stains or to ‘dryclean’. They do not injure the fibers or the colours. a)Benzene/petrolObtained from distillation of petroleum, is highly flammable,removes grease stains b)Carbon tetrachlorideIt is non flammable but has toxic properties and should be used in well ventilated places,removes paint stains c)AcetoneIt is highly inflammable and helps in removing stains of nail polish, lipstick,paint, shoe polish d)Methylated spiritIt is poisonous and violet in colour and removes silver stains and sealing wax e)ParaffinWhite, waxy solid obtained by distillation of petroleum. Used for removing grease stains f)TurpentineIt is non flammable and volatile, but has a strange odour,removes grease, varnish, paint, ink VII)FABRIC BRIGHTENERS/OPTICAL BRIGHTENERS:Optical bleaches are used for white fabrics. They are dyes that absorb light in the ultraviolet and violet region, and reemit light in the blue region. These additives are often used to enhance the appearance of color of fabric causing a "whitening" effect, making materials look less yellow and by increasing the overall amount of light reflected to the eye They help to make the linen look more white and fresh They are premixed with detergents and soaps Examples are Ranipal, Tinopal etc VIII)FABRIC SOFTENERS – Fabrics become hard due to build up of salts in hard water Softeners make fabric supple, comfortable, fluffier Softeners are added with sours in the final wash cycle. They reduce flatwork ironing, speed up extraction, reduce drying time, and reduce static electricity in the fabric. Too much softener can decrease a fabric’s absorbency and whiteness. IX)FABRIC STIFFENERS/STARCHES – Starches give linen a crisp and fresh appearance It is added in the final step in the washing process. Mostly starches consist of Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen similar to sugar in composition Should penetrate the fabric well but should leave a smooth glossy finish. KINDS OF STARCH – a)Rice Starch – It’s grains are very small and suitable for coldwater starching b)Wheat and maize starch – Their grains are of an intermediate size. They give a strong viscous solution leaving the fabric very stiff. Maize starch is often referred to as cornstarch and is extracted from Indian corn. c)Tapioca – It is got from the roots of Cassava plant.
d)Coloured starch – Some starches are tinted to give shades of cream and blue. These however are not very widely used as colours maybe used to disguise an inferior quality of starch. e)Boiling water starch – This is used for stiffening cotton and linen. The articles are dipped in an updown motion, in the starch till they are thoroughly saturated. After this they are wrung out and dried. Care should be taken not to starch fringes, tassels and crochets. If articles are absolutely dry, they should be dampened evenly before ironing. f)Cold water starch – This is employed when greater stiffness is required, such as stiff collars, cuffs and Gandhi caps. It is applied on dry materials. The starch mixture must be absorbed into the mesh of the fabric and then squeezed out. The surface starch grains are removed with muslin wrung out in cold water. Iron with quick movements. g)Borax – This is especially used when light stiffening is required at a short notice. It is useful for stiffening laces. h)Other stiffening agents – Special finishes are often used on such fabrics as voiles, organdies and silks to restore their crisp, new appearance. Dilute solutions of gelatin, gum Arabic, etc. are used for this purpose. X)ANTICHLORS:– Antichlors are used in afterwash/rinsing to ensure that all the chlorine in the bleach has been removed. Polyester fibers retain chlorine, and for these reasons treated with antichlors. XI)ABSORBENTS:They are suitable for removing grease spots from all fabrics, and for general treatment of lightcoloured fabrics, that are evenly soiled. E.g., common salt, fullers’ earth, powdered magnesia, french chalks and breadcrumbs. XII)MILDEWCIDES: – Mildewcides prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus on linen for up to 30 days. Both these types of microorganisms can cause permanent stains that ruin linen. Moisture makes a good breeding ground for mildew growth. Therefore soiled, damp linen should be washed promptly and not allowed to sit in carts for long periods. Clean linen should be dried and/or ironed as soon as they are removed from washers or extractors. XIII)LAUNDRY BLUESBlue is a complimentary colour to white and the ones used in laundry can be classified into two categories – 1. Insoluble in water, e. g., ultramarine, prussian 2. Soluble in water, e.g., several dyes, methyl violet, methylene blue. a)ULTRAMARINE BLUE – It is generally used for domestic purposes. It is safe to use, as it is not harmful to any fabric. b)PRUSSIAN BLUE – This is also insoluble in water. It is a compound of iron and hence decomposes with alkalis and turns brown due to the formation of iron oxide. Therefore it’s use is undesirable. c)SOLUBLE BLUES (METHYLENE BLUES) – These are actually dyes. Since they produce an even colour and leave no sediment, they are widely employed in largescale in laundries. They are available in powder form or concentrated solution. Purplish blue is the most popular shade, giving a whitish appearance. Yellow articles should not be blued, since they turn greenish. DRY CLEANING Dry cleaning is the method used for cleaning delicate textiles. It uses the principle that most of the dirt is held to the fabric by grease, when grease is removed the dirt is removed along with it. The dry cleaning solvents used are:1. Perchloroethylene(PERK) 2. Trichlorotrifluoroethane ADVANTAGES:
i)No shrinkage is there ii)No color bleeding iii)Stains are easily removed. DISADVANTAGE:i)Expensive than washing. ii) Dry cleaning solvents are harmful to health iii) An unpleasant smell remains in the fabrics after dry cleaning. PROCESS OF DRY CLEANING:i)Marking Mark the garment for identification ii)Sorting Done on basis of color(white and dark),woollen and silk, upholstery etc. iii)Application of absorbents Absorbents like powder, fullers earth are applied to remove grease spots. iv)Pre spottingHeavily soiled articles are treated with solvents. v) Cleaning Load of approx 45 kg is transferred to the machine, solvent is circulated, garments are agitated and solvent loosens the dirt. vi) Extraction Excessive solvent is removed by centrifugal action in a perforated cylinder. vii)DryingAfter extraction of solvent, garments are dried in a perforated drum where temp is around 70*C viii)Filtering and distillation of solvent Solvent being expensive is filtered and recycled. ix)Inspection Dried garments are inspected to check if they are properly cleaned or not. x)Finishing Garments are pressed to give a better look. xi) Packing Buttons are replaced and garment is packed in packets. VALET SERVICE Valet service means the hotel will take care of the guest laundry needs. Laundry service may be a)Normal (Ordinary) Laundry picked up before 10am and returned by evening. b)Urgent (Express) – Laundry is returned within 23 hrs and charged 50% extra. Factors to decide for valet services are:i)Set times for laundry pickup and delivery ii)Determine how laundry will be delivered to the guestrooms. iii)Determine the final hotel liability policy in accordance with state and local laws. iv)Handle lost and damaged items v)Field guest comments, complaints and special requests. vi)The valet staff also requires special training ADVANTAGES OF ONPREMISES VALET SERVICE – Hotels providing onpremises valet services have four main advantages –
It is quicker It promotes goodwill of the guests. Equipment required for valet service allows the onpremises laundry to handle employee uniforms, as well as special linen items. Most important is the revenue generated by the valet service. PROCEDURE OF HANDLING GUEST LAUNDRY:i)Guests fill up the laundry list with details like the date, room no, name of guest, no. of type of articles and service required ii)He puts the soiled laundry and list in laundry bags/ If the hotel provides a Laundry Hanger, the guest may hang this out on the doorknob indicating that there is laundry for collection. iii)The guest calls up valet extension number to have their laundry pickedup from rooms. iv) The valet staff runner collects soiled laundry, matches the article with the list and he brings it to the valet service area of the laundry. v) The valet checks out for tears and damages or any guest belongings left behind on/in the articles vi)Then the valet staff does marking.Marking is done on a marking machine which usually indicates only the room number but may also indicate the initials of the guest. The heatsealed tape used for marking does not come out in the normal wash procedure but can be peeled off if so desired. vii)As per guest instruction then it is sent for washing/dry cleaning/ironing. v)When the laundry processing is finished, it is packed or put on hangers and ticketed with a bill, the runner returns it to the guestroom and gets it signed by the guest. vi) The charges are then posted to the guest room account and bill is send to Front Office. LAUNDERING OF COTTONS:The process of laundering cotton fabrics is dependent on the texture of the fabrics, fastness of colour and the finish appropriate to its use. Sorting is a major stage according to: Fine ,delicate cotton (mulmul, muslin) White and light fast colours Dark, fast colours Nonfast colours The articles need to be weighed, loaded in the machine, add detergents,starch,bleach and set the machine for washing, rinsing and extraction. After this put the articles like towels, uniforms in the dryers and bed linen in the calendaring machine for pressing. Fold the article and store. LAUNDERING OF SILK:Silk should be washed frequently as perspiration damages the fabric. Never soak articles as it weakens the fabric nor should they be subjected to high heat (wash temperature approx. 30º C) The detergent should have a good surfactant and should not depend on mechanical action for cleaning. No harsh chemicals should be used. The final rinse of silk articles should be carried out with a little vinegar in it. (1 tspn /10 litres water) in order to preserve lustre. Silk is too delicate to be hydroextracted. Silk should never be sundried as this damages the fabric and causes yellowing of the fabric. Ironing is on medium heat as silk scorches easily. The article must be evenly dampened and water should never be sprinkled on the fabric as it leaves watermarks. Ensure that the articles are completely dry so that creases do not reappear on the portion which is damp. Ironing is carried out on the reverse in order to preserve lustre and air all silk garments after ironing. Silk is usually drycleaned. LAUNDERING OF WOOL:In the laundering of wool, the articles must be shaken out to remove the dust particles that are held in the loosely constructed weave. Handknitted garments are very
susceptible to felting and stretching. Mark the outline of the article prior to washing and arrange it in its original size and shape after laundering and dry flat. In the laundering of wool, the following should be avoided: application of friction fluctuating and high temperatures use of strong laundry agents wringing tightly and hydroextraction hanging the fabric when wet prolonged soaking as it makes the fabric weak The capacity of the machine, may have to be disregarded due to the bulkiness of the article.The movement of the drum should be gentle and a scrubbing brush should never be used.The wash cycle should be short and water temperature (not more than 35º C). The rinse cycle should be thorough and borax is added to the final rinse water. No hydroextraction is permitted but there is instead a pumping action for the removal of moisture. Usually ironing is not required, but wherever necessary, iron when the article is completely dry, using a low temperature and ironing on the reverse of the article. It is very essential to air to fabric after ironing. LAUNDERING OF SYNTHETICS:These are manufactured so that they shed dirt quickly in the wash. However if they become heavily soiled, (especially collars and cuffs and saree borders) they become difficult to clean, so it is better to wash them after every use. Soaking the garments before laundering is beneficial as it loosens the dirt. Care must be taken when loading the machine as overloading results in creases which may be difficult to remove later. The application of friction should avoid the use of a scrubbing brush and should be restricted to heavily soiled parts only. The wash cycle is short and carried out at a low temperature (30º C) Rinsing should be carried out in water at room temperature. The hydroextraction cycle is also short as synthetic articles have a low absorbency. Iron on low heat but quickly as if there is a prolonged contact it is likely to scorch the fabric. WASHING TEMPERATURES :– Sheets and pillowcases 95 degrees C Towels and bathmats 60 degrees C Table linen 60 degrees C Blankets and bedspreads 30 degrees C Curtains 30 degrees C Kitchen and stewarding uniform 95 degrees C Gardening uniform 60 degrees C Silk, nylon, polyester 30 degrees C Jeans 40 degrees C TShirts 60 degrees C Shirts 40 degrees C Dusters and cleaning cloths 95 degrees C WASH SYMBOLS/CARE LABELS: (SEPARATE CHART GIVEN IN CLASS) Laundry symbols, also called care symbols, are pictograms which represent different methods of washing, drying, drycleaning and ironing. They are written on labels attached to clothing to indicate how a particular item should best be
cleaned. There are different standards for care labels for the different countries/regions of the world. THE WASH SYMBOLS ARE:
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