As an Alberta business owner you are always searching for ways to save money and the answer for your commercial laundry may lie in the water. If you could save money, reduce energy costs and increase the efficiency of your commercial laundry, we have the solution to reducing your costs.
If you are fortunate to live in any area of the province with naturally soft water, consider yourself lucky! Otherwise the rest of the province has water that is at least moderately hard and is at the root of the problem. Installing a water softening system improves the effectiveness of your wash line by reducing the amount of detergent needed and lower water temperatures mean reduced energy costs. In fact a study conducted by Scientific Services S/D Inc found stain removal remained the same using half the detergent and water temperatures could be reduced from 100 degrees F to 60 F. While the study used homestyle washers the results achieved should translate to commercial laundries as well. Some exceptions to note are food and beverage laundering and healthcare laundries to name a few.
What is Hard Water
The difference between hard water and soft water is the former is caused by calcium and magnesium leaching into the water. As water passes over aquifers that a largely rock formations composed of dolomite, gypsum, calcite and lime leaches into hard water, the end result is water containing ions. Water hardness varies and is measured in grains per gallon or grains for short.
How Hard Water Effects The Wash Process
Soap is less effective in hard water as a result of a chain reaction that takes place between the calcium or magnesium ions present in hard water and the detergent. Salts ( calcium chloride or magnesium chloride ) are created from this reaction. Simply put you end up with solids that don’t dissolve well in the water. Ths soap scum accumulates anywhere the wash solution touches, inside the washer itself, on glass doors, in drains and the fabrics themselves. This turns whites to a dingy yellow-gray, darker colours fade and softer materials become brittle and scratchy.
Study Results
In the study mentioned above Scientific Services S/D Inc tested varying levels of hardness, amounts of detergent and water temperatures. They concluded that softer water had a more measurable impact than increasing water temperatures or more detergent. Best of all using softer water resulted in a higher degree of whiteness using less detergent and lower water temperatures.
Investing in a water softening system will eliminate any issues caused by hard water and by using less detergent and energy helps the environment all while saving you money.
Contact us today for all of your commercial laundry equipment servicing in Edmonton.
