If you run a commercial laundry, a hotel, a nursing home, or even a laundromat, then you know the importance of laundry chemicals in your daily operations. These aren’t your everyday, grocery store detergents—these are potent, commercial-grade substances that need the utmost respect and proper handling. In today’s blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into how to store your commercial laundry chemicals in the safest and most efficient way possible.
Spill-Proof Container
The very first step to take when thinking about how to store your commercial laundry chemicals is ensuring they are housed in a spill-proof container. Why? If a spill occurs, you want the container to catch the chemicals so that they don’t make their way down the drain or into any other unwanted locations. So, instead of being the first stop for any spillage, the container becomes your first line of defense. This is an essential part of proper chemical storage that’s often overlooked.
Indoor Storage
You might think storing your laundry chemicals outside would be a good idea to keep them away from your main operation. However, it’s crucial to keep these substances indoors to avoid wide fluctuations in temperature.
Extreme changes in temperature can lead to crystallization of chemicals or other potential problems. Storing your commercial laundry chemicals indoors will provide a more stable temperature, which ensures their effectiveness and longevity.
Handling Caustic Substances
Remember that many commercial laundry chemicals are potent and can be harmful if not handled correctly. For any caustic substances, you want to ensure you’re equipped with the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including gloves and other protective gear.
Moreover, ensure that the lids on your chemical containers are secure to avoid accidental spills that could lead to skin burns or other injuries. These are real chemicals—they need to be treated with respect and proper care.
‘Empty’ Containers
A common issue we see is a lax attitude towards nearly empty containers. It might seem like a minor detail, but it’s here that accidents often occur. These containers can still hold residue, and if mishandled, they can lead to spills or exposure to potent chemicals. So, remember to treat ’empty’ containers with the same caution as you would a full one.
Laundromat-Specific Considerations
While larger operations might use five-gallon jugs of laundry chemicals, laundromats often opt for single-serving options. These are more manageable and can be easily stored on shelves. Again, each one should be treated with the same level of caution and respect as their larger counterparts.
A Space for Everything
When we’re designing a commercial laundry space, whether a hotel, nursing home, or a laundromat, we always ensure there’s a dedicated area for supplies. This area should have ample space for new and clean linens, cleaning supplies like mops and stainless steel cleaners, as well as a place to wash out and refill mop buckets.
In laundromat design, little things matter—like having enough space behind the dryers for easy service access or cleaning. These considerations can make the operation smoother and safer, reflecting the wisdom gained from designing hundreds of such spaces.
The Takeaway
Storing your commercial laundry chemicals correctly is a crucial element of maintaining a safe, efficient laundry operation. This involves understanding the nature of these potent substances, treating them with respect, and providing a suitable environment for their storage.
Got questions? Need help? Feel free to contact us. We’ve walked the path many times before and can provide guidance based on our wealth of experience. Remember, as the saying goes, “Experience is what you get right after you need it” — let’s get ahead of the curve together!
