How to Extend the Life of Your Commercial Laundry Equipment (& Minimize Down Time!)
Similar to your HVAC equipment, automotive fleet or other capital items, proper maintenance will improve the operation of your laundry equipment while minimizing downtime and potentially extending the life of the machines. Here are steps you can take to improve your laundry operations and improve the ROI on your laundry equipment:
1. Read the manual.
The owner’s manual contains important information about utility requirements, specific cleaning products you should be using, and how often maintenance tasks need to be done. Following the maintenance guidelines will help avoid repairs and extend the life of your commercial laundry equipment. Contact H-M Company if you don’t have the manual. We’ll help you.
2. Regularly clean the exterior your laundry equipment.
Cleaning the outside of keeping the outside of your commercial laundry machines is an easy first step. Clean equipment improves the appearance of your laundry operation which everyone appreciates. Regular cleaning help prevent lint and other debris from getting inside the machines and causing damage.
Also, it’s important that excess detergent and any other chemicals be removed to prevent corrosion. Contact your chemical supplier if chemical products are leaking onto the exterior of the machine. They should ensure the connections are tight to prevent leakage.
3. Clean or replace the water filter inlet screens regularly.
These screens can become blocked by small particles over time, which may prevent proper water flow into the machine. Ensuring that clean screens are in use will result in better laundering results and help avoid maintenance issues (e.g., “too long to fill”).
4. Check inlet and outlet hoses regularly.
These hoses can get sediment buildup and tiny leaks. Inspecting and changing these as needed can help prevent loss of water and help minimize water bills.
5. Check the belts from the motor to the drum on machines.
Look for things like fraying or splitting and replace these belts as needed. The frequency that belts need to be changed vary based on the operations of the machines. Initially, inspect belts monthly. As you become more familiar with how often belts need to be replaced the time between inspections can be adjusted.
6. Check seals around washer doors.
Regularly checking for and removing buildup around the seals on your washers can help make sure your equipment always has a water-tight seal to prevent leaking.
7. Leave washer doors open when possible.
Leaving the washer doors open when they are not in use, can help ensure air circulates to the interior and the machines dry properly. This minimizes the chance of mold issues.
8. Check lint filters after each load.
Clean the lint filters on dryers after each load. This will improve the efficiency of the dryers. You should consistently check the dryers for lint buildup. Removing lint helps prevent potential fires and overheating. Also, regularly check the vents for lint buildup.
Using a professional HVAC firm is recommended for cleaning vents. This is also an important fire prevention practice that will also improve the efficiency of your dryers.
These are steps that can be taken by your in-house team to improve your laundry operations. Contact H-M Company when your machines need repair. Call 800-365-1900.
