I have three laundries, and my water bills are extremely high at one of the stores. What’s the problem? What should I do?
I would bet the problem is occurring at one of your older stores. And this problem could be one of two things – the dump valves or the pressure valves.
Dump valves sometimes get lazy and don’t close all the way, or else hair pins or safety pins get stuck so that the valves don’t close all the way. Therefore, when the machines are filling, you get seepage.
The other problem could be the pressure valves. You should check them every two to three years. If they aren’t working properly, you could be over-filling or under-filling some of the cycles. If you have this problem, don’t try to adjust the old pressure valves, just replace them. And, when replacing the pressure valves, be sure to replace the air tube as well.
I’m trying to buy a laundry that’s located in a shopping center, and I would like to know what is considered a reasonable rent per square foot. I don’t want to get stuck with a lot of escalator clauses.
Of course, a “reasonable rent”is relative to the volume and profit of the particular business. I always look at the gross volume and won’t pay more than 25 percent; preferably I like 15 percent to 20 percent of dollar volume for at least the first five years, or until the mortgage is paid off.
When the total rent goes beyond 30 percent, you’re getting into the red zone – and you become vulnerable to changes such as utility increases, labor increases or a new competitor.
Also, don’t get involved with cost of living increases. It’s always a phantom figure. Management companies look for any reason to increase your rent, because they get a percentage of the profit. If possible, deal directly with the owner, not a management company.
Remember that rents never go down, and a bad lease is the biggest drawback when the time comes to sell your store.
I need help getting rid of urine odor. I have a drop-off customer with whom I am very sympathetic, as she is a senior who is also disabled. However, she brings in laundry that has a strong smell of urine.
My staff uses hot water, ammonia, Tide with Febreze and Ultra Downy to wash these garments. The clothes smell nice after being washed, but the problem resurfaces during drying. After the clothes are dry, the odor returns, despite the fact that we use two dryer sheets in each dryer.
Understandably, many of my self-service customers are beginning to complain. What should I do?
Typically, when an odor is present, this means the stains haven’t been completely washed away.
First of all, I would suggest switching to a stronger, industrial-grade laundry detergent. In addition, white vinegar does a good job of eliminating many stains, including urine. A generous amount of baking soda would be a great second option, along with a quality detergent in the wash cycle.
Most machines offer a pre-wash cycle. My advice is to put vinegar or baking soda in the pre-wash with a small amount of detergent, and then follow up in a normal wash.
I run a very clean laundry. My attendants wash and polish my washers daily. However, I’m having a problem cleaning the green and black mold off of the underneath portion of my rubber soap lids. What can I do?
First, buy a small, stiff bristle brush that’s about a half-inch to an inch wide, or else purchase a hard, bristle toothbrush.
Next, mix a solution of four ounces of OxiClean or Clorox with a half-gallon of hot water. Then brush the mold off using the solution. Follow this by using a standard spray bottle with warm water to spray the area clean.
Follow this procedure on a weekly basis, and you will keep the mold from returning.
Is there a way of determining whether a stain is oil-based or water-based before I launder the garment?
The only way you can determine that is by laundering both types of stains year after year. Visually, there is no way to tell the difference. Some water-based stains look like they’re oil-based, and vice versa. This is especially true when it comes to rust stains. Rust stains can have four or five different colors. They can be dark gray. Some are black. Some are yellow. Some are orange. All I can tell you is that experience will teach you.
