10 Considerations for Designing Smarter, More Efficient Commercial Laundry Rooms.

There is a lot to take into account when running a commercial laundry facility, whether it is in a care home, housing associations, hospital, university or PBSA. A well-designed and efficiently operated laundry room isn’t just about efficient cleaning; it’s about reducing costs, enhancing sustainability, and ensuring smooth operations.

Here are the key considerations for designing and optimising your commercial laundry area:

 1. Prioritise Energy Efficiency for Long-Term Savings

Energy-efficient appliances are a must for cutting down operational costs whilst supporting sustainability goals. For instance, heat pump dryers, like those from Miele, can reduce energy consumption by up to 75% compared to conventional models. These savings add up quickly in high-usage environments like hospitals or student accommodations, offering both financial and environmental benefits. It is really important to consider the whole life cost, especially with energy prices at unprecedented highs.

2. Plan for Proper Laundry Segregation

In care homes, veterinary practices and hospitals, proper laundry segregation is particularly essential to maintain hygiene and comply with infection control protocols. Invest in labelled containers, dedicated sorting areas, and staff training to ensure soiled and clean linens are handled separately. This minimises cross-contamination risks and keeps your operation compliant with health regulations.

3. Choose the Right Size and Type of Equipment

The demands of your organisation should guide the selection of washers and dryers. Hospitals and hotels may require industrial-sized machines to handle high volumes, while retirement communities or smaller housing facilities might prioritise user-friendly, compact equipment accessible to individuals with mobility challenges. A reliable laundry partner should be able to help you calculate the right machines for your requirements.

 4. Optimise Location and Layout

The location of your laundry room can significantly impact its efficiency.  This is particularly important for managed laundry facilities or where footfall needs to be optimised. It is important to ensure DDA compliance when specifying the laundry machine configuration. Centralised laundry facilities often work best, but larger properties might benefit from multiple strategically placed laundry rooms to reduce transit time.  If you are established a serviced launderette, inside the space you will need to ensure aisles and common areas are spacious enough to accommodate folding activities and to ensure accessibility.

5. Plan Ahead when Installing Services

For new build laundry rooms, ensure that you are installing the plumbing, ducting and electrical supply in the right locations. A responsible supplier will be able to help you with CAD design provision and consultative advice; guiding you through the planning stages as well as the installation and ongoing service support. Simple mistakes at the design stages can be costly and time consuming.

6. Ensure Adequate Ventilation

Laundry rooms can quickly become hot and stuffy due to the constant operation of machines. Proper ventilation is critical not just for comfort but also for safety. Where possible, re-routing hot air from dryers to heat other areas of the property can enhance energy efficiency. However, ensure your system is equipped to handle peak summer temperatures without compromising air quality.

 7. Embrace Smart Technology for Monitoring and Maintenance

Modern laundry equipment often includes smart technology that tracks water, energy, and detergent usage, or can adjust to suit the load requirements. These insights allow you to optimise consumption, reduce waste, and lower costs. Additionally, regular servicing through tailored maintenance plans can extend the life of your equipment, reduce downtime, and minimise costly breakdowns. It is worth investigating whether your machines can send automatic push notifications to enable pre-emptive maintenance action or to expedite engineer response times.

 8. Focus on Sustainability and Compliance

Sustainability targets are no longer optional; especially for organisations in education, healthcare, and housing sectors. Energy-efficient washers, water-saving systems, and responsible waste management are key to reducing your carbon footprint and staying compliant with environmental standards. For universities and PBSAs, these measures can also enhance appeal to eco-conscious students and tenants.

 9. Think Beyond Procurement Costs

A common pitfall is focusing too heavily on upfront procurement costs while neglecting the running costs. Factors like energy consumption, maintenance expenses, and replacement cycles often outweigh initial savings. Durable, high-performance appliances might require a higher initial investment, but they deliver significant cost savings over their lifespan.

10. Choose the Right Laundry Payment Solution

There are many payment options available, but it is critical that you enable a simple one-step contactless payment system and/or a user-friendly app-based solution.  Ensure that your laundry equipment provider considers the needs of the users and offers a simple and efficient process for payments and refunds.

Contact Forbes today to see how we can help you transform your commercial laundry operation.  We can guide you through all of the considerations above, ensuring that your laundry function is seamless, accessible and compliant. Investing in efficient solutions today will pay dividends in efficiency and sustainability tomorrow.