The integration of automated laundry systems in hotels and commercial laundry establishments marks a significant advancement in the industry. By automating washing, drying, and folding processes, these systems enhance efficiency, consistency, and sustainability, ultimately elevating service quality and customer satisfaction. As technology continues to evolve, the future of laundry automation promises even greater innovations, solidifying its role as a cornerstone of modern linen and uniform care. Hari Krishnan, Founding Member of Asian Housekeeping Association and Vaibhav Dolas, Laundry Manager, Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Mumbai, share their experiences.
In a world where efficiency and excellence are key, automated laundry systems offer a solution that meets the demands of today while paving the way for the innovations of tomorrow, says Hari Krishnan.
Automated laundry systems offer a solution that meets the demands of today- efficiency and excellence while paving the way for innovations of tomorrow.”
Hari Krishnan
In the fast-paced world of hospitality and commercial laundry, efficiency and consistency are paramount. Automated laundry systems are technological marvels incorporating advanced washing, drying and folding machines that are revolutionizing this sector. These systems streamline operations, reduce labour costs, and enhance service quality, significantly impacting hotels and commercial laundry establishments.
Traditionally, laundry tasks have been labour-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to inconsistencies. Manual handling of large volumes of linen and uniforms often led to errors, delays, and increased operational costs. However, the advent of automated laundry systems has revolutionized this sector, offering a seamless, efficient, and cost-effective solution, especially in countries where the cost of manpower is high.
Hotels are integrating RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags into their linens, allowing for precise tracking of each item. This technology helps prevent loss, theft, or damage of laundry items, monitors cleanliness and hygiene, and optimizes distribution and replenishment. Comprehensive software solutions integrate with smart machines, RFID other hotel systems to provide centralized control of laundry operations. These platforms offer data analysis, reporting, and recommendations to improve performance, quality, and profitability.
Automation has extended to folding and sorting processes, with robotic systems efficiently handling these tasks. This frees up human resources for other essential duties while maintaining consistent quality. Modern chemical dosing equipment can be connected to cloud systems, allowing laundry managers and chemical companies to remotely monitor programs being used, chemical consumption and associated costs. Mobile apps enable real-time communication with staff, guests, and vendors about laundry status, availability and issues, improving coordination and responsiveness. AI and ML technologies optimize laundry operations by learning from collected data, automating repetitive tasks, and improving accuracy, speed, and quality.
Hotels are implementing renewable energy solutions for energy-efficient washers and dryers by using eco-friendly detergents and cleaning methods and installing Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP) to use treated water for the first rinse in washing machines, reducing their environmental footprint.
Automated washing machines are at the forefront of this revolution. Smart washing machines and dryers automatically adjust settings like water temperature, detergent dosage, cycle time, and spin speed based on load size, fabric type, and soil level. This optimization helps reduce water and energy consumption while extending the lifespan of linens.
Machines like Huebsch and Xerox are equipped with sensors and smart controls that optimize water and detergent usage, ensuring thorough cleaning while minimizing waste. Advanced models feature load-balancing technology, which adjusts the washing parameters based on the weight and type of fabric, delivering consistent results every time. In hotels, where hygiene and cleanliness are critical, these machines guarantee the highest standards of cleanliness, enhancing guest satisfaction.
Drying is another critical aspect of the laundry process that has been significantly enhanced by automation. Sensors accurately measure the moisture content of the load without additional probes. Auto Stop features automatically lower the temperature when garments are dry, reducing energy consumption by up to 15%.
Some advanced systems promise to run on half the energy of traditional commercial dryers. High-performance dryers can achieve up to 40% lower utility bills and faster drying times, leading to significant cost savings for businesses. Modulating Heat Technology, High-Performance Airflow Systems, and Customizable Programs and Controls are few prominent technologies of automation.
Automated dryers use precise temperature controls and moisture sensors to ensure optimal drying without damaging fabrics. In commercial laundry establishments, where turnaround time is crucial, these dryers expedite the process, allowing for quicker cycles and higher throughput. The result is faster service delivery, essential for businesses that handle large volumes of laundry daily.
Folding is often seen as a mundane yet essential task in laundry operations. Automated folding machines have transformed this laborious task into a swift and precise process. Automatic Fold Selection and Air-Induced Folding involves PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers) control for precise operation and easy adjustments, and air technology for accurate folding of various linen types.
Some models can fold different items simultaneously in separate lanes, perform multiple folds, and neatly stack finished items. There is seamless connection with flatwork ironers for a fully automated finishing system, with touch screen interfaces for easy operation and program selection. These machines can handle bulky items, towels, sheets, duvets and uniforms and sort folded items with ease. The consistency achieved through automation not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of laundered items but also improves operational efficiency. In hotels, neatly folded linens contribute to the overall guest experience, reinforcing the establishment’s commitment to quality and detail.
The advantages of laundry automation extend beyond mere operational efficiency. For hotels and commercial laundries, these systems offer significant cost savings by reducing labour requirements and minimizing errors.
The integration of IoT (Internet of Things), artificial intelligence, and machine learning in modern laundry systems allows for real-time monitoring and maintenance. The predictive maintenance capability ensures that machines operate at peak efficiency, reducing downtime and extending the lifespan of the equipment.
Water Conservation & Productivity
Vaibhav Dolas says the hotel has implemented advanced automation in several key areas of their laundry operations. This includes the use of automated washer-dryer, folding machines and ironing equipment. These machines are equipped with sensors and software that optimize wash cycles, drying times and folding patterns to ensure maximum efficiency and consistency in results.
“Our laundry services are managed in-house. We have chosen this approach to maintain greater control over the quality and turnaround times of our laundry operations. By keeping these services in-house, we can ensure that our high standards are consistently met and that any issues can be promptly addressed.”
The benefits of automating laundry processes is substantial. “One of the most significant advantages has been the reduction in water usage. Our automated machines are designed to use precise amounts of water necessary for each load, which has resulted in considerable water savings. Additionally, automation has led to improved energy efficiency and enhanced overall productivity. The consistency and quality of our laundry services have also seen marked improvements, contributing to a better guest experience. Also, we have automatic chemical dosing pump with us and have adopted advanced systems for low temperature washing for linens. This reduces steam consumption, time & eventually power. Also, exposure to lower temperature increases the life of the linen.”
Utilizing advanced laundry automation systems help maintain greater control over the quality and turnaround times of laundry operations.”
Vaibhav Dolas
Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Mumbai laundry is one of the oldest hotels and is renowned for its quality and standards. “In this year we are going to renovate our laundry layout with the latest laundry equipment.”
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