The professional world, including restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, industrial settings, guesthouses, and more, presents a variety of laundry requirements. Since 1981, we have offered a wide range of laundry products to achieve clean, disinfected (if necessary), and hypoallergenic laundry for those with sensitivities. Whether you need powder, liquid (with or without dosing systems), or tablets, this comparison guide will help you choose the "best laundry detergent."
Laundry hygiene in the workplace
Learn how to understand the technical aspects of professional laundry detergents by comparing not only the different detergents available but also the criteria to consider when selecting them. Whether you're looking for a solution for brilliant whites, eco-friendly options, or tips for tackling tough stains, you'll discover valuable recommendations to help you make the right choice for your laundromat or business.
Ecolabel laundry detergent and ecological labels: what are the differences?
Voussert is committed to working with its manufacturing partners for a cleaner world. We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously throughout the entire life cycle of our products, from raw materials and production methods to packaging and delivery.
In this context, and in order to avoid self-proclaimed "green" practices, we rely on demanding and recognized certifications.
Therefore, it is important to differentiate between the different labels.
European eco-labels
The main ones are the European Ecolabel (1992), the Nordic Ecolabel (1989) and EcoCert (2006).
In all 3 cases the reference points are similar but not identical.
The main objective of these labels is:
• Ingredients primarily of plant origin
• Highly effective hygiene products in low doses
• Phosphate-free, phthalate-free
• Neither toxic nor harmful to humans and their environment
• Reduced risk of allergies
• 100% recyclable packaging
The European Ecolabel remains a solid benchmark with recognized requirements:
Materials: Reduced lists of raw materials. Biodegradable surfactants. Limitation in the use of non-biodegradable materials. Prohibition of hazardous materials (CMR, EDTA, NTA...).
Production: Avoid contamination with other non-Ecolabel products.
Performance: Evaluation by an accredited external laboratory or through field tests. Performance tested against a market or mandated benchmark. Traceability of raw materials and finished products. ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified.
Packaging: Limit the amount of packaging. Over-packaging is prohibited. Favor concentrated products.
What types of laundry detergent are available for professionals?
In the field of laundry services for institutions, there are several types of detergents, each tailored to specific "targets" in terms of stain type, disinfection, and textile material. Here is an overview of the main options available on the market.
Powder formulation: Manufacturing powdered laundry detergent requires technical resources that few manufacturers possess. Specifically, it requires what is called a "spray-drying tower," which produces a finely atomized powder. Manufacturers such as the Ecolab group, Diversey, and Christeyns possess these production facilities.
Powdered laundry detergent is the most common type used in small and medium-sized establishments such as restaurants, nurseries, schools, and campsites. It is particularly well-suited for white laundry thanks to its bleaching agents. It is used manually, and the dosage must therefore be followed according to a specific protocol. Otherwise, there is a risk of overdosing, which can lead not only to excessive consumption but also to less effective dilution and even detergent residue on clothes.
Indeed, the weakness of powder lies in its poor ability to dissolve quickly , especially at low temperatures. Choosing a high-quality powder reduces this risk, which can lead to blockages in the washing machine's drain pipes due to a phenomenon known as "clogging."
Liquid laundry detergent: Ideal for delicate and colored clothes, liquid detergent dissolves better than powder and leaves no residue. However, it has less cleaning power than powder detergent. This type of detergent is often used in the home because the washing requirements are much lower than those encountered in professional settings (blood, urine, coffee and food stains, etc.) such as restaurants, hospitals, and other institutions.
Liquid is preferred in the use of laundry dosing systems in industrial laundries or in establishments such as retirement homes, nursing homes, clinics, hospitals, etc., where the volume of laundry, if not outsourced, necessitates large machines with a dosing system incorporating various liquids such as detergent, fabric softener, strengthening agent, disinfectant, bleaching agent, etc.
Laundry capsules or tablets: These provide an automatic dose of detergent and fabric softener. They are placed directly in the drum with the laundry. While convenient, they are generally more expensive than other types of detergents. Nevertheless, they are perfectly suited to small businesses, simplifying inventory management, laundry procedures, and guaranteed results.
Specialized additives: Voussert offers a diverse range including detergents for black and dark fabrics, delicates, or with antibacterial properties. These products are formulated to meet specific needs, such as color preservation or the elimination of bacteria without the use of bleach.
Liquid for laundry dosing system: Large units such as retirement homes, nursing homes, clinics, hospitals, etc. are moving towards large-volume professional machines associated with dosing units that will integrate detergent, bleaching, disinfection, and softening liquids, which will be injected as the wash cycles progress.
Choose your professional laundry detergent that is suitable for your clothes
When selecting a laundry detergent for professional use, several parameters must be taken into account to ensure effectiveness while respecting the environment and textiles.
Effective on tough stains
Powdered laundry detergent is known for its ability to tackle tough, organic stains thanks to its natural bleaching and anti-limescale agents. It is particularly effective at maintaining the brightness of fabrics and produces little foam, thus reducing the amount of water needed for rinsing.
Rapid dissolution and removal of grease
Liquid laundry detergents, without bleaching agents, are formulated with additives, perfumes, preservatives, and colorants. They possess high wetting and emulsifying properties.
They dissolve quickly and facilitate the removal of grease during rinsing.
Professional laundry additives
It is advisable to use additives that enhance the detergent's action. These additives eliminate the need for additional detergent, thus optimizing washing efficiency without excessive product consumption. Additives include stain removers, wetting agents, bleaching agents, and more.
Use and dosage of laundry detergent in professional use
Using the correct amount of laundry detergent is the basic rule for effective laundry cleaning, saving money, and protecting the environment. It's important to always read the product instructions for recommended dosages and adjust the dosage according to the load size, water hardness, and how dirty the laundry is.
The effectiveness of laundry detergents can be affected by the hardness of the water used during washing.
Here's how to measure and adjust according to water hardness:
Fresh water: less than 75 mg/L of calcium carbonate.
Medium hard water: between 75 and 150 mg/L.
Hard water: between 150 and 300 mg/L.
Very hard water: more than 300 mg/L.
Impact of overdose
Overdosing on laundry detergent can lead to residue buildup, skin irritation, and environmental damage. Using the correct amount helps avoid these problems, as overdosing doesn't guarantee better laundry results and can leave residue on clothes and in the washing machine.
This is why drafting a protocol based on the programs will help to regulate detergent use. While equipping your facility with an automatic liquid-based dispenser will solve the problem, using powder detergent will absolutely require precisely targeting the doses to the load being processed.
Adjusting the dosage according to the machine load
Of course, you need to adjust the detergent dosage according to the washing machine load. The necessary information can often be found in the machine's technical specifications. This ensures not only effective cleaning but also more economical and environmentally friendly detergent use.
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