Hannah Forbes
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In the care sector, laundry can be viewed as a background function. But in reality, it plays a frontline role in infection control, resident safety and regulatory compliance.
With CQC inspections placing continued emphasis on hygiene, safety and risk management, care home laundry processes are receiving ever greater scrutiny. And for many providers, that’s where hidden vulnerability can sit.
The Compliance Risk of Domestic Equipment
It’s still not uncommon for care homes to rely on domestic washing machines, particularly where equipment has been replaced gradually or budgets are under pressure. On the surface, these machines may appear sufficient. However, domestic appliances are not designed for regulated healthcare or care home environments.
They may:
- Lack validated thermal disinfection cycles required for infection control compliance
- Operate without WRAS Category 5 Type A air gaps to prevent backflow contamination
- Struggle with sustained, high-volume use in residential care settings
- Invalidate warranties when used commercially
During a CQC inspection, care providers must demonstrate that systems and processes effectively reduce infection risk. Without validated disinfection temperatures or appropriate contamination safeguards, that proof can be difficult to provide.
Infection Control Is Under the Spotlight
Infection prevention and control remains central to care home regulation across the UK. Laundry and kitchen hygiene are integral components of that wider framework.
When preparing for inspection, operators often reassess:
- Whether disinfection temperatures are verifiable
- Whether equipment meets WRAS requirements
- Whether machines are built for commercial demands
- Whether breakdowns could compromise service continuity
These considerations form part of a broader compliance picture, one that extends beyond visible clinical areas into operational infrastructure.
A More Resilient, Inspection-Ready Approach
Commercial laundry systems designed for regulated environments are engineered specifically to meet care sector standards. As a proud National Distributor for Miele, Forbes Professional supplies commercial laundry equipment capable of delivering validated thermal disinfection cycles (71°C for 11 minutes or 65°C for 18 minutes), alongside WRAS-approved contamination protection.
Infection-control programming helps reduce human error, while high-capacity, energy-efficient performance supports the sustained demands of care homes.
Laundry compliance does not stand alone. Commercial dishwashers designed for care environments play an equally important role in meeting hygiene standards within kitchen operations; another area regularly reviewed during inspection.
As one care client shared, Forbes delivered:
“Seamless installation, first-class equipment and measurable efficiency savings.”
Looking Beyond Initial Cost
In care settings, operational resilience is as important as regulatory compliance. Repeated breakdowns, insufficient capacity or emergency repairs can disrupt workflows and place pressure on already stretched teams.
While domestic equipment may appear cost-effective at first, the long-term implications; compliance risk, repair costs and operational disruption often outweigh the initial saving.
Many providers are therefore moving towards supported commercial rental models, where preventative maintenance, repairs and fast-response service are included. This approach provides predictable monthly costs and reduces exposure to unexpected capital expenditure.
Is It Time to Review Your Laundry Compliance?
If you are preparing for a CQC inspection, reviewing infection control procedures, or experiencing ongoing equipment issues, it may be time to assess whether your current setup meets regulatory expectations.
Forbes Professional offers a no-obligation Care Hygiene Compliance Review to help identify:
- Potential compliance gaps
- Infection control risks
- Service and maintenance vulnerabilities
- Opportunities to improve efficiency
Because in any care environment, laundry is a key component of both inspection readiness and resident safety.
Book your Care Hygiene Compliance Review today.
