Quick Tips For Reducing Operational Costs
2/1/2012
Following are some suggestions for reducing operational costs through a nursing facility’s on-premise laundry program:
- Keep linen inventory levels up to par to help impact linen life. Levels that are too low result in linens being washed too frequently, causing fading and wear and tear at a more rapid pace.a Use energy-saving equipment and features. Create a routine plan to ensure equipment is running at optimum levels, and remember that preventative maintenance is a must.
- Empower employees. Labor accounts for nearly half of laundry operational costs. Employee training does not start and end with the hire. Effective, continual education on following proper procedures is the key to achieving productivity and results that keep guests feeling comfortable in an away-from-home environment.
- Ensure wash conditions are ideal. Help keep rewash rates under 5 percent by making sure wash time and temperature are always set correctly.
- Load linens and fill water properly. Under-filling or over-filling can reduce cleaning efficacy.
- Deploy smart solutions. Linen replacement has been shown to represent as much as 22 percent of laundry operational costs.
- Select the right detergents. Linen life can be extended by using phosphate-free, near-neutral pH laundry detergents that provide fiber strength and longevity.
- Do not send unacceptable pieces of linen to resident rooms. A recent survey, conducted by P&G Professional, revealed that 89 percent of consumer respondents equate soft, bright whites to clean towels and bedding, and 83 percent agreed that “rough dingy whites make them believe towels and bedding are dirty.”
- Do things right the first time. This will help avoid rework and repeated use of products for cleaning the same linen multiple times, which results in faster wear and tear, greater linen replacement needs, and, ultimately, costs.