Keeping laundry hygienic in care homes is more than just a daily task—it’s a vital part of infection control, resident dignity, and regulatory compliance. This guide covers everything you need to know about care home laundry chemicals, from choosing the right detergents to ensuring safe and effective use.
Why Care Home Laundry Chemicals Matter
Laundry in care settings deals with high volumes of linens, uniforms, and personal items that may be contaminated with bodily fluids, bacteria, or viruses. Using the correct chemicals ensures:
- Effective disinfection
- Protection against cross-contamination
- Compliance with infection control protocols (e.g. HTM 01-04)
- Fabric integrity and comfort for residents
1. Types of Laundry Chemicals Every Care Home Should Use
a. Biological Detergents
These contain enzymes that break down protein-based stains like blood and food. Ideal for everyday laundry, biological detergents help reduce rewash rates and maintain cleanliness.
b. Non-Biological Detergents
Suitable for sensitive skin or when enzymes may damage delicate fabrics. These are useful for resident clothing or allergy-prone skin.
c. Destainers (Oxygen-Based or Chlorine-Based)
Used to remove stubborn stains and provide microbial control. Oxygen-based destainers are gentler on fabrics, while chlorine-based are stronger but may reduce fabric lifespan.
d. Fabric Softeners
Improves the feel of towels, bed linens, and clothing. Choose softeners that are compatible with commercial laundry equipment and do not reduce absorbency (important for towels and continence wear).
e. Laundry Disinfectants / Sanitisers
Critical in care settings. Ensure the product meets EN standards (e.g., EN 14476 for virucidal activity) and is effective at low wash temperatures.
Our Ocean Diamond and Professional range of products is specially formulated to be extremely effective and compliant in care settings.
Ocean Laundry Chemicals provide a lower cost per wash.
2. How to Choose the Right Laundry Chemicals for Your Care Home
- Assess Fabric Types: Linens, uniforms, microfibre cloths, continence pads—each has different chemical needs.
- Check Compatibility: Some machines require low-suds or specific pH chemicals.
- Review Infection Control Guidelines: Products should align with HTM 01-04 and COSHH regulations.
- Consider Water Conditions: Hard water can reduce chemical effectiveness—you may need built-in water softeners.
- Supplier Support: Choose providers who offer site surveys and help with dosage calibration.
Need help? Get tips or book a free Laundry Site Survey here.
3. Optimising Chemical Use with Auto-Dosing Systems
Auto-dosing laundry systems ensure precise, consistent chemical delivery—critical for:
- Reducing chemical waste
- Ensuring proper disinfection
- Minimising staff error
- Extending machine and linen lifespan
Ask suppliers to install and maintain auto-dosing systems, and provide training for staff on usage and troubleshooting.
4. Compliance and Safety Considerations
- COSHH Compliance: Ensure all chemicals are labelled, stored, and used according to regulations.
- Staff Training: All laundry handlers should understand chemical hazards, PPE requirements, and safe operating procedures.
- Record Keeping: Maintain logs of chemical usage, deliveries, and dosing equipment checks.
5. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
- Using domestic-grade products in commercial machines
- Over- or under-dosing detergents manually
- Skipping disinfection cycles to save time or energy
- Not validating chemical efficacy against relevant pathogens
Enhance Laundry Safety and Performance with the Right Chemicals
Choosing the right care home laundry chemicals can protect residents, improve operational efficiency, and support infection prevention goals. A reliable chemical provider will not only supply products but also offer training, auto-dosing systems, and compliance support.
Need Help Choosing Chemicals?
Able Healthcare provides site surveys, auto-dosing installation, and a full range of professional-grade laundry chemicals tailored for care settings. Contact us today to get expert guidance and a personalised solution for your home.
