• We might not sell linen but nearly all of our customers buy it. And some of them buy more than they should.
• Survey data from the Association for Linen Mgmt. shows labor as the leading cost in any laundry (about 45-50% of total costs). Linen replacement is the second-leading cost (about 15%) while capital equipment – what we sell – is ranked as third (about 12%).
• In hotels, for instance, linen can be a major capital investment. For many hotels, the cost to add one additional PAR can range from $100 to $600 per room.
• Linen replacement rates are affected by many factors. One of the main causes for shortened linen life is chemical damage. Over-bleaching can make sheets and towels very white but can also degrade fibers, leading to excessive linting and premature failure.
• Over-drying can also shorten linen life. Have you ever picked up a towel in one of your accounts and it felt “crunchy”? Over-drying is usually the culprit. Not only does it damage cotton fibers, but it destroys fabric softeners. One minute of over-drying reduces the effectiveness of fabric softeners by 50%. After two minutes of over-drying, all of the fabric softener has essentially been cooked out by the heat.
• Ask your customers about their linen replacement costs. The equipment that you sell can deliver great advantages in helping your customers lower linen replacement costs. RinSave® washer-extractors and PulseFlow® CBW® tunnel washers can reduce formula wash times, delivering longer linen life. Milnor dryers with autodry and residual moisture control features can also avoid over-drying and extend linen life.
Published Tuesday, April 14, 2020
