I have a wash-dry-fold customer who is a heavy smoker. In the summer, it seems that the clothes he brings in are at their worst; even the plastic hamper he brings them in reeks of cigarette smoke. I have tried an odor-reducing fabric softener from my laundry supplier, but without much luck. The soaps and softeners I have tried are not able to cut the smell and leave a clean, fresh scent. Plus, he insists that we put his clothes back into his hamper that still smells, even after we clean it. What do you recommend?
There is a number of commercial-grade products on the market that you most likely can purchase from your local laundry supplier. Some are available as softeners, while others are sold as odor-removing agents. And most of these products will do a decent job when it comes to removing smoke odors. In fact, some of them also are used in fire restoration work to remove those tough smoke odors – so I’m sure you’ll be able to find something to help tackle that stale cigarette smoke smell.
After using an odor remover, I would suggest adding a softener sheet during the drying cycle. Then, when folding and packaging the finished garments, be sure to place them in a sealed, plastic bag before returning them to the customer’s smelly, smoky hamper.
My water and sewer costs are outrageously high. In addition to purchasing new, more energy-efficient laundry equipment, what are some other corrective actions I can take to conserve water?
One of the biggest water wasters in a vended laundry can be a malfunctioning dump valve. So, be sure to inspect your dump valve on a regular basis to assure that it’s opening and closing properly.
Also, check your pressure switches – these can sometimes go a little haywire and begin wasting water. When checking these switches, be sure the small tube that’s connected to the switch is clear and clean.
Beyond those two common trouble-shooting procedures, you also might consider adjusting the water levels on some of your washer cycles. Of course, this is something to be very careful with, because some of the cycles require high water levels. If you decide to make adjustments, be sure the changes are made to the correct cycles. For example, your rinses should be at the highest water levels available, while your pre-wash and wash cycles should be at either low levels or mid-level.
Above all, check with your equipment manufacturer on how to properly set your water levels. And, after you set them, be sure to physically inspect each cycle to see how much water is actually being used during each one.
In today’s tight labor market, I’m competing with fast-food restaurants and major retailers for essentially the same labor pool. How can I successfully compete with Walmart and McDonald’s for employees?
One advantage you have over those other employers that you’ve mentioned is the fact that most of the work at a laundromat is typically less strenuous than it would be at those other workplaces – especially at a major, high-volume fast-food chain.
In addition, if you provide a wash-dry-fold service, you have the option of offering a small percentage of that segment of the business to your attendants who handle the laundry processing work. It’s just one easy way in which you can elevate your employees’ income and incentivize them beyond what Walmart and McDonald’s can offer these workers.
