Keeping laundry hygienic in care homes is more than a daily routine. It’s frontline infection control, a regulatory requirement, and a way to protect residents’ dignity. The right care home laundry chemicals ensure that clothing, bedding, and linens are both clean and safe for use.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
-
Why chemicals matter in care homes.
-
The standard set-up: detergent + conditioner.
-
The extra boosters: destainers and emulsifiers.
-
How to choose between Ocean Professional and Ocean Diamond.
-
The role of auto-dosing.
-
Cost-per-wash considerations.
-
Compliance, pitfalls, and FAQs.
Why Care Home Laundry Chemicals Matter
Care homes process large volumes of laundry every day — uniforms, linens, towels, and residents’ personal items. These may be soiled with food, body fluids, creams, or bacteria. Without the right chemicals, you risk cross-contamination, outbreaks, and failed CQC audits.
The correct chemical system ensures:
-
Reliable stain and soil removal.
-
Infection-control compliance (e.g. HTM 01-04).
-
Longer linen life and resident comfort.
-
Lower rewash rates and cost control.
👉 For more detail, see our guide on care home laundry compliance.
The Standard Laundry Set-Up: Detergent + Conditioner
Every care home laundry system starts with two essentials: detergent and fabric conditioner (softener).
Detergents
Detergent is the workhorse that lifts stains and removes soils. Care homes typically choose between:
-
Bio detergents (contain enzymes) → best for protein and food stains such as blood, milk, or gravy.
-
Non-bio detergents (enzyme-free) → gentler on sensitive skin, suitable for residents’ clothing.
Examples:
-
Ocean P5 Professional Laundry Detergent — budget-friendly and reliable.
-
Ocean D1 Diamond Enzymatic Laundry Detergent — premium enzymatic cleaning power.
-
Ocean D3 Diamond Non-Bio Laundry Detergent — premium non-bio for sensitive skin and delicate items.
Conditioners / Softeners
Conditioners improve softness, reduce static, and extend linen life. In a care home, this supports both resident comfort and dignity.
-
Ocean P6 Professional Laundry Softener — economical, everyday softening.
-
Ocean D2 Diamond Encap Laundry Softener — premium softness and fabric care.
Adding Boosters: Destainers and Emulsifiers
While detergent + softener is the standard system, some situations call for extra chemicals.
Destainers (for stubborn stains & low-temp results)
Destainers are specialist additives designed to remove set-in stains such as tea, coffee, blood, or creams. They also boost disinfection when washing at lower temperatures.
-
Ocean D4 Diamond Low-Temp Laundry Destainer — highly effective at lifting stains without damaging fibres.
Emulsifiers (for oily and fatty soils)
Emulsifiers target oils, creams, and fats — soils that detergents alone may struggle to break down. In care homes, this is common from skincare products, continence creams, or kitchen oils.
-
Ocean D7 Diamond Emulsifier — premium formula for oily/fatty soils.
For a plain-English explainer, see our article: What is a laundry emulsifier?.
Choosing Between Ocean Professional and Ocean Diamond
Able supplies two core ranges:
-
Ocean Professional — cost-effective, dependable, and suitable for most daily care-home laundry.
-
Ocean Diamond — premium, concentrated, and ideal for high-soil or infection-sensitive settings.
👉 Unsure which to choose? Our team can advise based on soil levels, resident needs, and budget.
Auto-Dosing Systems: Why Accuracy Matters
Even the best chemicals won’t perform if dosed incorrectly. Manual dosing risks:
-
Overdosing (fabric damage, wasted product).
-
Underdosing (stains left behind, infection risks).
Auto-dosing systems deliver precise amounts every wash, reducing costs and ensuring compliance.
👉 Learn more on our laundry chemicals and auto-dosing page.
Cost Considerations for Care Homes
With tight budgets, care homes must look beyond unit price and focus on cost-per-wash.
-
Ocean Professional: lowest upfront cost, best for everyday standard loads.
-
Ocean Diamond: higher purchase price, but fewer rewashes and longer fabric life thanks to concentrated formulas.
See our guide on laundry cost per wash.
Best Practices for Using Laundry Chemicals
-
Train all laundry staff in COSHH and PPE.
-
Store chemicals securely and label clearly.
-
Service auto-dosing systems regularly.
-
Follow standardised care home laundry procedures.
-
Maintain logs of usage and servicing.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
-
Using domestic products in commercial machines.
-
Over- or under-dosing without auto-dosing.
-
Skipping sanitising cycles to save time.
-
Not addressing oily soils with emulsifier.
-
Ignoring stain build-up without destainer.
These mistakes often lead to failed audits, damaged fabrics, or costly rewashes.
FAQs About Care Home Laundry Chemicals
Q: What laundry detergent do care homes use?
Most use professional bio/non-bio detergents, often from ranges like Ocean Professional or Ocean Diamond.
Q: What are the rules for laundry in care homes?
NHS HTM 01-04 requires segregation of soiled items, validated chemical processes, and staff training.
Q: What chemicals are used in laundry?
The standard set-up is detergent + softener, with optional destainer and emulsifier.
Q: What’s the best choice for sensitive skin?
Non-bio detergents such as Ocean D3 Diamond Non-Bio are the safest option.
Q: Are eco-friendly laundry chemicals available?
Yes — but in care homes they must still meet infection-control standards.
Final Thoughts
The right care home laundry chemicals keep residents safe, staff efficient, and inspections stress-free. Start with detergent and softener, then add destainer and emulsifier where needed. Choosing between Professional and Diamond depends on your budget, soil levels, and compliance needs.
👉 Ready to review your laundry setup? Book a meeting below for a free consultation and bespoke solutions.
