What to Consider When Selecting A Washing Machine and Dryer for Your Catering Business

If you own a catering business, nailing that first impression is crucial to your success - your brand image is your business card. Clients are sizing up a catering company based on how professional it looks and the quality it brings to the table. When uniforms are grubby and linens are stained, it doesn't just look bad; it can put clients off returning for more. And, in the worst-case scenario, they might drop a not-so-great review. It's not just about how one person sees your business; it could jeopardize your company's long-term success.

Why Do Commercial Laundry Machines Do a Better Job at Removing Food and Wine Stains?

There is a rationale behind the general observation that commercial laundry machines outperform residential ones in eliminating stubborn stains.

• Higher Water Temperature: Commercial machines often use hotter water than residential machines. Higher temperatures can help to break down and dissolve stubborn stains more effectively.
• Advanced Wash Cycles: These machines typically offer a variety of specialized wash cycles and settings tailored for different types of stains and fabrics. This customization allows for a more targeted approach to removing tough stains.
• Greater Mechanical Action: Commercial washers usually provide stronger mechanical action (the physical movement of the machine) than household models. This vigorous agitation helps to loosen and lift stains from fabric fibers.
• Higher Water and Detergent Usage: They often use more water and have the capacity for higher detergent dosages, which can be more effective in stain removal. The increased water volume helps to dilute and wash away stains, while more detergent can better break down stains.
• Industrial-Strength Chemicals: Commercial laundry facilities may use stronger cleaning agents or specialized stain removers that are more effective but too harsh for home use. These industrial-strength chemicals can target specific stain types, such as food proteins or wine tannins.
• Pre-treatment Capabilities: Many commercial machines and laundry services include options for pre-treating stains before the main wash cycle. Pre-treatment can involve specific chemicals or soaking processes that break down stains before washing begins.

These factors combined make commercial laundry machines particularly adept at tackling tough stains, providing a level of cleanliness and efficiency that might be hard to achieve with standard residential appliances.

Capacity: A Key Advantage of Commercial Laundry Equipment for the Catering Industry

If you run a catering business or your restaurant offers catering services, you know too well that handling large volumes of linens, tablecloths, and napkins is unavoidable. These items are often heavily soiled and require specialized cleaning techniques to remove food stains and other debris.

The capacity of residential and commercial washers can vary widely depending on the brand, model, and intended use.

Residential Washers

The largest residential washers typically have a capacity ranging from 5.0 to 6.0 cubic feet. These high-capacity machines can usually handle the laundry needs of a large family, accommodating items such as king-size comforters and bulky items.

Commercial Washers

On the other hand, commercial washers are designed for much heavier use and can have significantly larger capacities. They are categorized into different sizes:

• Small commercial washers might start at around 20 to 30 pounds of laundry per load.
• Mid-size commercial washers can handle 30 to 40 pounds.
• Large commercial washers can manage up to 100 pounds or more per load.

For comparison, 1 cubic foot of washer space equals 6-7 pounds of laundry. Therefore, a 6.0 cubic feet residential washer can hold about 36-42 pounds of laundry, less than the capacity of even small to mid-size commercial washers.

For example, the Dexter T-900 Industrial / On-Premise Laundry Mega Load Washer has a dry weight capacity of 60 pounds. This is more than adequate for most catering businesses.

In terms of dryers, the Dexter C-Series vended dryers are engineered to show up for work in even the harshest laundry environments. Featuring upgraded controls and high-quality materials, these fast and efficient dryers are designed to help make your catering business more successful.

It's important to note that commercial washers are often rated by weight capacity (pounds or kilograms) rather than cubic feet, reflecting the industrial and heavy-duty nature of their use.

Beyond Capacity: Understanding the Essential Features of Laundry Equipment for Catering Businesses

Laundry for catering businesses has unique requirements compared to other industries. The specific needs of catering operations demand precision and efficiency that standard laundry solutions may not provide. Let's explore some more reasons below:

Complying with Licensing and Health Regulations

Adhering to Licensing and Health Regulations is vital for restaurants, and they must follow stringent hygiene standards. Even employee uniforms must comply. Owners often integrate ozone sanitization to meet these regulations.

Catering businesses can benefit from ArtiClean Ozone equipment, which naturally disinfects linens with 99.999% effectiveness against bacteria and viruses. This system extends linen life, reduces operating costs by 95%, and enhances efficiency.

Satisfying Unique Linen Requirements

Every business is unique, and so are its linen needs. For this reason, catering businesses may require laundry machines that can handle specific types of linens, such as those made from delicate fabrics or those with intricate embroidery.

Reduced Cost and Long-Term Sustainability

Carbon footprint and sustainability are an increasingly important consideration for many culinary industries. Modern commercial laundry equipment often has features that help conserve resources such as water and energy. This reduces operational costs and minimizes the environmental footprint, ensuring the catering business's long-term sustainability.

Don't Overlook the Importance of High-Quality Detergents

While everything mentioned above is necessary, it is also essential to use a suitable detergent for effective cleaning and sanitization of catering laundry, all while preserving fabric quality. Remember, proper linen care for your catering company's linens will make them last longer and save you money.

Here are some of the ways to go about it:

• Choose a detergent safe for food contact surfaces to prevent harmful chemical contamination. Check out this list of the best laundry detergents to use and which to avoid.
• Use a detergent that is appropriate for the type of fabric. Delicate fabrics such as silk and wool require gentle detergents that won't damage the fibers, while sturdier fabrics such as cotton and polyester can handle heavy-duty options.
• Pre-treat stains before laundering. Consider using Borax to break down odor-causing enzymes and stains effectively.

No matter the size of your catering event rental or how delicious the menu offering is, the overall quality of the guest experience ultimately defines the success of your business. Clean, crisp, fresh tablecloths, napkins, aprons, uniforms, etc., play a crucial role in this experience. Access to quality commercial laundry service can make all the difference.

Let's Build Your Laundry Business Together

With over 50 years of expertise, AAdvantage Laundry Systems is your go-to for top-notch commercial laundry equipment tailored to catering businesses and restaurants. We understand that navigating machine capabilities can be overwhelming. Our sales team will work with you to understand your specific needs before making recommendations. Our complimentary onsite visits assess your equipment requirements, enabling us to tailor a strategy for your business success.

Contact us to experience the AAdvantage difference!