There’s a lot of road construction being done in the area around my laundromat, and the workers are bringing in a great deal of drop-off laundry. However, I’m having some problems removing tar from their work garments. Do you have any suggestions?
Tar and concrete are two of the most difficult stains to remove. I would strongly suggest purchasing a product called Laundry TarGo. This product has been developed to be used in conjunction with detergent and bleach. When using TarGo, set the washer for a hot-water cycle. Also, be sure to dry the garments on a low-heat setting.
Occasionally, this product can leave a residual odor on the laundered items. If this occurs, re-wash the garments in a normal wash cycle – using just detergent, bleach and softener.
If you’re chemical supplier doesn’t carry Laundry TarGo, try some other paint/oil/grease remover, and always be sure to follow the instructions on the container.
I’m considering purchasing some used equipment for my self-service laundry business. What should I consider before agreeing to any deal?
First of all, new laundry equipment is probably the way to go in almost every instance. With that said, if you eventually decide to purchase used equipment, I would suggest the following guidelines:
- Get the model and serial numbers of the machines. Then, call the manufacturers of those machines, give them those numbers, and they will be able to tell you the true age of the machines. It’s important to verify how old the equipment truly is.
- Find out where the equipment came from. Was it a busy, high-volume store? After all, some machines in heavily trafficked laundromats often can perform much older than their true age.
- Above all, get a written guarantee that will cover parts and labor for a certain period of time.
Sometimes the dealers are unaware of problems with the equipment they’re selling until after the machines are installed and running. When machines are held in storage for a while, the seals can sometimes shrink, which may result in the main bearings going bad. Also, moisture can affect some of the electronics.
So, it’s always a good idea to get some type of guarantee in writing.
But, again, I would be sure to also consider weighing the costs and benefits of buying new equipment for your laundromat before making your final decision.
