Bursar’s Review

13 @the_isba Spring 2023 ADVERTORIAL Are you reviewing your laundry but are not sure where to start? James Holmes from WASHCO has some handy tips to help you make a positive impact. Looking for ways to improve your laundry? There are four key areas to consider: people, process, equipment, and the right partner. Across all these areas there are often opportunities to make improvements and ensure the best outcomes for the school. People It sounds like a cliché, but people are your most powerful tool in creating a successful laundry. If I’m reviewing a laundry, I will spend lots of time talking to the staff. They know where any challenges might be and the niggles that impact efficiency. And, of course, their behaviour within the laundry makes all the difference. If they are using the equipment correctly and following the right processes, you can be confident your laundry is safe and clean. Process There are key processes and best practice guidelines that, if followed, will give you confidence in your linens. This has become particularly important since the pandemic where infection control has become paramount. Below is an example of the areas that can make a difference: • always ensure that dirty and clean linen is processed in separate areas of the laundry to minimise cross-contamination; • best practice guidelines for health and social care recommend a hot wash cycle (71°C for at least three minutes or 65°C for at least 10 minutes) to disinfect linens; and • ensure machines aren’t overfilled. When machines are overfilled, they can’t do their job properly, so you can’t be confident your laundry is clean and infection-free. Equipment Commercial washing machines and dryers are designed to cope with high volumes of laundry and give you the confidence that the correct temperatures are being maintained to kill infection. However, there are some things you can do to maximise their performance: • make sure you have the right size machines for your location. Too small and staff will be tempted to overfill. Too large and you’re running costs will be higher than they need to be. It’s also important to consider any increase in capacity that might be needed in the future; • ensure that your machines are serviced regularly, particularly important if they’re gas-fuelled. Regular maintenance means fewer breakdowns and less hassle for your laundry; and • confirm that you’re using commercial machines. They’re designed to last longer, are WRAS approved, can be programmed for thermal disinfection and are more reliable with shorter cycles and better temperature controls. The right partner A successful laundry is key to the smooth running of a school. At WASHCO we have lots of experience of working in partnership with independent schools to support them and react quickly to any challenges. If you’d like a chat or a free review of your laundry, then please get in touch hello@washco.co.uk or 08000 546 546