Commercial laundries manage many priorities at once, including hygiene requirements, textile care, workflow planning, resource use, equipment availability, staff training, and customer expectations. Because every laundry site is different, there is no single process that fits every operation. However, a structured approach can help laundry teams manage daily work more consistently.
For Primus, effective laundry operation is supported by clear processes, suitable equipment, trained teams, and regular maintenance. Equipment plays an important role, but it works best as part of a wider process that includes sorting, program selection, chemical dosing, workflow planning, and maintenance routines.
Selected Primus models include features intended to help manage water and energy use, such as UltraBalance and EVO7, and to support cycle control and access to machine information where connected systems are available. Actual consumption and operational results depend on the model, configuration, program, load type, site conditions, maintenance practices, and operating procedures.
Below are practical best practices that can support a more controlled commercial laundry process.
1. Start with proper sorting
Good laundry results begin before the wash cycle starts. Sorting textiles correctly helps operators select the appropriate wash process for each load and supports consistency throughout the workflow.
Textiles should typically be sorted by fabric type, colour, soil level, and hygiene requirement. In environments such as healthcare, long-term care, hospitality, or food service, sorting procedures may also need to follow internal hygiene protocols or local requirements.
Proper sorting can help reduce the risk of textile damage, colour transfer, and cross-contamination between soiled and clean items. A practical process may include clear collection points, labelled containers, defined handling procedures, and staff training.
2. Standardise wash programs
Consistent processes help laundry teams manage quality from one load to the next. Standardised wash programs define key parameters such as temperature, water level, cycle time, mechanical action, rinsing, and chemical dosing.
Using defined programs can help operators follow approved procedures and reduce unnecessary variation. This is especially important where hygiene control, textile appearance, and repeatable processes are operational priorities.
Commercial laundries should review wash programs based on textile type, soil level, hygiene needs, chemical supplier recommendations, and site procedures. programs should also be reviewed when linen types, water quality, chemicals, equipment, or hygiene requirements change.
Primus equipment offers program and control options, depending on the model, to support different laundry applications and workflow needs.
3. Manage water and energy use
Water and energy are important operating considerations in any commercial laundry. Consumption is influenced by load size, program selection, textile type, soil level, equipment configuration, water temperature, and site conditions.
Laundry teams can support resource management by using appropriate load sizes, selecting the correct program, and following recommended operating procedures. Underloading or overloading machines may affect wash action, rinsing, textile movement, and process consistency.
Not every load requires the same wash intensity, temperature, or cycle length. Matching the program to the textile and soil level can help avoid unnecessary use of water, energy, and chemicals.
Selected Primus models include features intended to help manage water and energy use. Depending on the model and configuration, these may include program controls, water-level management, high-spin extraction, or connected information tools. Actual consumption depends on the model, configuration, program, load, textile type, and site conditions.
4. Use chemicals accurately
Correct chemical dosing supports hygiene processes and textile care. Too little chemical may affect wash results, while excessive dosing can increase waste, affect rinsing, and contribute to textile wear.
Chemical use should be based on textile type, soil level, water quality, wash temperature, hygiene requirements, and chemical supplier recommendations. Laundry teams should avoid unapproved changes to dosing settings without reviewing the impact on the overall wash process.
Automated dosing systems, where used, can help support dosing consistency and reduce manual handling. These systems should still be checked regularly to confirm that dosing levels, connections, containers, and program settings remain correct.
5. Prioritise preventive maintenance
Preventive maintenance is an important part of equipment care. Routine inspections, cleaning, and scheduled servicing can help identify wear, incorrect settings, or maintenance needs before they develop into larger service issues.
A practical maintenance plan may include checks of filters, door seals, drains, belts, dosing connections, ventilation, water inlets, electrical connections, and other components according to the equipment manual and local service guidance.
Dryers also require regular attention. Airflow, lint filters, exhaust ducts, and ventilation should be checked as part of the site’s maintenance routine. Restricted airflow can affect drying processes and may increase service requirements.
Primus supports maintenance knowledge through product documentation, distributor support, technical training, and maintenance videos for selected products and procedures. Maintenance requirements vary by model, usage level, and site conditions.
6. Improve laundry workflow
A well-planned laundry layout supports the movement of textiles, operators, and equipment. Workflow should consider the full process, from soiled collection to washing, drying, finishing, storage, and clean linen distribution.
Clear separation between soiled and clean areas is especially important in facilities with hygiene protocols. This may involve physical barriers, defined routes, separate handling equipment, or clear staff procedures.
Equipment selection, door orientation, loading height, available space, utility access, and service access should all be considered when planning or reviewing a laundry layout. These details can affect daily operation, staff movement, and maintenance access.
Laundry teams should also consider storage space for clean linen, soiled textiles, chemicals, carts, and personal protective equipment where required.
7. Train laundry teams clearly
Even with suitable equipment and defined programs, staff training remains essential. Operators should understand how to sort textiles, select programs, load machines correctly, handle chemicals, follow hygiene procedures, and report maintenance concerns.
Training should be practical and linked to the actual equipment and processes used on site. It may include machine operation, daily checks, basic troubleshooting, cleaning procedures, safety instructions, and escalation steps when technical support is needed.
Written procedures can help support consistency, especially when teams work in shifts or when new employees join the laundry operation. Refresher training may also be useful when laundry requirements change, new equipment is installed, or recurring process issues are identified.
8. Use connectivity where applicable
Connected laundry solutions can help operators and service teams access useful machine information, depending on the equipment and system configuration. This may include cycle data, operating status, usage information, error messages, or maintenance notifications.
Connectivity can support more informed decision-making by making selected operational data easier to review. Connected tools do not replace daily checks, staff training, preventive maintenance, or approved laundry procedures. However, where available, they can provide additional visibility into selected aspects of machine use and operation.
Primus offers connected control options for selected models and applications. Availability and functionality may vary by market, model, and configuration.
9. Review processes regularly
Commercial laundry requirements can change over time. Textile types, customer expectations, hygiene requirements, staffing levels, utility conditions, and equipment use may all evolve. For this reason, laundry processes should be reviewed regularly.
A review may include sorting procedures, wash programs, chemical dosing, maintenance records, workflow layout, staff training, and machine utilisation. The purpose is to identify practical adjustments that can support more consistent day-to-day operation.
Where changes are made, they should be communicated clearly to the team and documented where appropriate.
Supporting a more controlled laundry process
Effective commercial laundry operation depends on daily discipline. Sorting, standardised programs, accurate dosing, resource management, preventive maintenance, workflow planning, staff training, and connected tools all play a role in supporting a more controlled laundry process.
Since 1911, Primus has developed laundry equipment for professional environments. Today, Primus offers laundry solutions designed for commercial use, with attention to usability, resource management, maintenance support, and day-to-day operation.
By combining practical processes with equipment designed for professional laundry applications, businesses can support hygiene management, textile care, and operational continuity.
Actual results vary by model, settings, load type, textile type, maintenance practices, site conditions, and operating procedures.
