Systems and Tools That Work: Large Care Homes Laundry Processes

Managing laundry in a large care home can be overwhelming, but with the right systems in place, it doesn’t have to be. 

Ensuring your residents’ comfort and maintaining an organised process are critical. By implementing a streamlined care home laundry system, you can enhance the well-being of your residents while making laundry management smoother and more efficient for your team.

Why is an organised laundry system important for large care homes?

• Resident care: Your residents deserve the best care, which extends to how their clothing is managed. In large care homes, where the volume of laundry care can be substantial, it’s essential to have an efficient system in place. When clothing gets lost or mixed up, it can upset residents and families. This is especially crucial for dementia patients, as unfamiliar clothes can confuse and distress them.
• Care home laundry regulations: The Department of Health’s HTM 01-04 guidelines provide detailed guidelines on laundering linens in care settings, and failure to comply can result in a Care Quality Commission inspection. Key requirements include:

1. Thermal or chemical disinfection must be achieved in every wash cycle.
2. Segregation of soiled/infected linens is required to prevent cross-contamination.
3. Proper handling and storage of clean and soiled laundry.
4. Industrial-grade washing machines must meet high-temperature standards.

• Efficiency: An organised system helps your team work efficiently, reducing stress, saving time, and ensuring smooth laundry operations.

What are the most common laundry challenges in care homes?

The laundry process in nursing homes often creates the following challenges:

• Lost or mixed-up clothing: This can occur due to the high volume of clothes handled daily within the commercial laundry process. Labelling systems, like Fixxon, help mitigate this problem by making clothing easily identifiable.
• Handling soiled laundry: Proper laundry guidelines for managing soiled and contaminated laundry, such as separating infected linens, are essential to prevent cross-contamination. 
• Industrial and High-Heat Laundry: Washing at high temperatures is essential to ensure cleanliness and hygiene. Particularly in the handling of infected waste or soiled linen. Large care homes often use industrial-grade washing machines to handle the intense demands of care home laundry.

What are the best practices for care home laundry management?

Use labelling systems

Labelling residents’ clothes, especially with Fixxon’s durable and discreet labels, helps prevent mix-ups and loss. 

Fixxon’s discreet buttons are laser-etched with a person’s name or room number and come in six colours for easy ward colour-coding or personal preference, ensuring no garments are lost during the process of doing laundry.

What is the process of using a laundry labelling system?

To implement a laundry labelling system like Fixxon’s, your care home only needs to follow a simple process: 

1. Find the right label for your resident: Each label is engraved with the resident’s name, ensuring easy identification.
2. Apply the label: Using Fixxon’s handheld tool, attach the label to clothing securely.
3. Enjoy Stress-Free Laundry: These labels are designed to withstand industrial washes and remain firmly attached. Once applied, the labels prevent clothing from being lost or mixed up, simplifying your laundry process and giving residents peace of mind.

This simple process ensures efficient laundry management with minimal hassle.

Have guidelines for handling contaminated laundry

To prevent cross-contamination in care homes, it’s essential to follow strict protocols for sorting and segregating contaminated laundry:

1. Use the Right Bag: Place soiled or contaminated linen into the appropriate colour-coded laundry bags.
2. Wear Protective Gear: Staff should wear plastic aprons and suitable gloves while handling laundry.
3. Check for Sharp Objects: Carefully inspect linen for sharp items before washing.
4. Hand Hygiene: Always decontaminate hands after handling or sorting contaminated laundry to prevent infection spread.

Implement an efficient laundry management system 

While many care home workers and managers are familiar with laundry management basics, consider focusing on optimisation:

• Use data-driven scheduling: Track laundry usage patterns to schedule loads during off-peak hours, ensuring machinery is used efficiently.
• Ensure staff training on equipment maintenance: Regularly upskilling staff on handling industrial equipment and the industrial laundry process can prevent breakdowns and extend care home laundry equipment life.
• Implement sustainability initiatives: Implement eco-friendly practices, such as lower-temperature washes where appropriate, to reduce energy consumption.

These practical steps enhance both efficiency and quality of care.

How to manage laundry in large care homes

Large care home groups require well-maintained laundry care procedures, industrial-grade equipment, and trained staff. 

Fixxon’s clothing labelling system offers a quick and reliable solution to common laundry management system challenges. With the ability to withstand industrial washes and reduce garment loss, it’s an essential tool for any care home looking to improve its laundry process.

Interested in learning more about Fixxon’s labelling system? 

Arrange a meeting with us or explore our care home labels today.