Aspects to consider when designing a self-service laundry

2015.06.03

The self-service laundry business is currently on the rise in Spain thanks to new social habits. Lack of time and a mobile population are factors contributing to the perfect setting for the growth of this type of laundrette. Students, immigrants or people living alone have become frequent users of this type of service, as it offers them access to a place where they can wash and dry their clothes quickly, easily and, most importantly, cheaply.

In this context, Fagor Industrial, specialist manufacturers for the Hotel and Catering, and Laundry Sectors, offers some tips to consider when designing and setting up a self-service laundrette:

Find a good location: the choice of premises for the self-service laundry is important, both in terms of the zone in which it is to be established and its size. Shopping centres, apartment blocks, university zones, hotels, and tourist areas are ideal spaces for this type of service. As regards the size, measurements of 40 – 50 m2 should be considered. It is essential that this space contains an area for washing and drying, as well as an area for folding clothes.
Choose the right machinery: the machines which are essential to a small self-service laundrette are washing machines and dryers. For example, for a premises measuring 40m2, ideally there should be four hot water washer extractor, (one 11 kg machine and three 14 kg machines), one gas-operated dryer for loads of 11 kg and one double gas-operated dryer stack, with two 16 kg load dryers. This machinery is supplemented by a pay centre, a product vending machine, a work top for folding clothes, a set of chairs and a small table and plastic baskets for carrying damp clothes.
Facilitating mobility and lighting: the existing space should be sufficient to permit free unhindered movement, without being too large, as this would be a waste of space that could be used for machinery. The work flow and carrying of clothes from one machine to another should be organised in the most logical and comfortable way possible. It is a good idea to place the largest washer extractors in the area closest to the door, so that the customer does not have to cross the entire premises dragging a large volume of clothes. Lighting is essential for generating visibility and creating a suitable attractive environment for the public. Large windows to the exterior will serve to enhance this.
Vending machines: Some users bring washing products and softeners from home, but the majority expect to find them in an automatic vending machine that should be installed in the laundrette. If the self-service machines are equipped with coin slots, a machine for changing notes and coins will be required.
Prepare a technical room and storeroom: an area is required as a supplementary space where it is possible to carry out other technical and mechanical functions including:
- Access parts and zones related to the electrical connections, water and gas connections, machine extraction fans, and access to the interior of the machines for their repair and maintenance.
- Contain water and gas meters, water accumulator tank and electrical connection box.
- Access the vending machines and the pay centre.
- Store products for cleaning the premises.
- Access automatic detergent dispensers and dispenser pumps.
Align machinery: the machines usually come in different sizes and heights and therefore the correct installation measurements should be considered. It is a good idea to mount smaller machines on a baseboard to bring them up to the height of the larger machines. As dryers are easy to use, it is only necessary to make sure that the loading doors and the control panel are accessible, so that alignment of the front panels on the wall is much easier to achieve.
Include graphic information: it is important that users who are not so accustomed to using a self-service laundrette are quickly and easily able to understand the steps for washing or drying their clothes. Therefore, the steps to be followed should be explained using a highly graphic format on a large instruction panel mounted on the walls above the machines.
Include complementary security elements: it is a good idea to install a security camera to guarantee the optimum condition of the installation. A security alarm and fire extinguishers, etc. should also be installed in the establishment.
Set up an auxiliary waiting area with chairs: the premises should have a counter or tables for folding clothes or large items. It is also important for the laundrette to have plastic baskets, in which users can collect their damp washing and carry it to the dryers. In addition, customers who wish to remain at the laundrette while their clothes are being washed or dried should have a waiting area equipped with chairs and a small table. Magazines or other material for passing the time could be left on the table.

An example is shown below of a design for a premises of 40m2, with a lineal layout of machinery.

The machines to be installed to equip premises of this nature are as follows:

In the public zone:

One hot water operated washer extractor, with 11 kg load capacity, model LA-10 MA AC by Fagor.
Three hot water operated washer extractors, with 14 kg load capacity, model LA-13 MA AC by Fagor.
One gas dryer with 11 kg load capacity, model SR/G-10 MP A G by Fagor.
One double dryer stack, gas operated, with two dryers with a 16 kg load capacity, model SR-2-16 MP A G by Fagor.
A Fagor pay centre, with interface plates for controlling a total of seven machines, with wall frame and card dispenser.
One product vending machine (detergents, softeners…).
One work counter for folding clothes (can be obtained with MC-147 type tables by Edenox).
A set of chairs and a small table, for customers' use while they are waiting.
Plastic baskets for carrying damp clothes.

In the interior technical area:

A water accumulator tank, gas-operated, with a capacity of 250 litres/hour.
Connection boxes, switches, meters and shut-off valves for water, electricity and gas.
Extraction system and pipes for removing smoke and steam from the accumulator and gas dryers.
One cabinet for cleaning products, type AL1P-66 by Edenox.
One sink-waste disposal unit, type FV-66 by Edenox.
One wash basin with built-in soap dispenser, type LP-44 D by Edenox.