5 Care Home Laundry Mistakes That Are Costing You Thousands

Running a care home laundry might seem like a straightforward task, but small inefficiencies can quickly drain your budget. While detergent is often blamed for rising laundry bills, it usually makes up only around five percent of total costs. The real expense lies in labour, energy, and textile replacement — all of which skyrocket when systems aren’t managed efficiently.

By identifying and correcting the most common care home laundry mistakes, homes can save thousands every year while improving hygiene standards and staff productivity.

Mistake 1: Rewashing and Overloading Machines

One of the biggest cost drains in any care home laundry is rewashing. Whether it’s stains not removed on the first cycle or overloaded drums preventing proper cleaning, every unnecessary wash wastes energy, water, and staff time.

Overloading also increases wear and tear on machines and textiles, leading to more frequent linen replacement. In an environment where laundry runs daily, even a 10% rewash rate can add thousands in hidden costs annually.

Fix:
Train staff to load machines correctly, separating heavy items like towels from lighter fabrics. Implement clear procedures to check stain removal after the first wash rather than automatically rewashing. For guidance on best practice processes, see Care Home Laundry Procedures.

Mistake 2: Manual Dosing Instead of Auto Dosing

Manual detergent dosing might appear simple, but in practice, it’s one of the most expensive inefficiencies in care home laundry operations. Over-dosing wastes chemicals and damages fabrics, while under-dosing leads to poor hygiene and more rewashing.

An auto-dosing system eliminates guesswork. By automatically adjusting chemical flow to the weight and soil level of each load, it ensures consistent cleaning and optimal chemical use every time. Homes using auto dosing typically see immediate savings on detergent and energy, as fewer rewashes are required.

Fix:
Consider upgrading to an automatic system like the Ocean Auto Dosing system. It delivers precise chemical levels, reducing waste and prolonging textile life — saving both time and money.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Laundry Room Layout and Zoning

Cross-contamination remains one of the most serious hygiene risks in care home laundry environments. When dirty and clean linen areas overlap, bacteria and pathogens can spread easily — even through airborne particles or contaminated surfaces.

Many care homes still operate with a single multi-use space, which makes maintaining infection control difficult. A poor layout can also lead to staff inefficiency, as time is lost moving between unorganised zones or re-sorting items.

Fix:
Establish a clear separation between “dirty” and “clean” zones. Use signage and colour-coded baskets to reinforce the distinction. If you’re unsure whether your current setup meets modern hygiene expectations, review Able’s full guide on care home laundry best practice.

Mistake 4: Neglecting Staff Training and Machine Maintenance

Even the best detergents and dosing systems can’t compensate for untrained staff or poorly maintained machines. Incorrect temperature settings, inconsistent loading, or using the wrong cycle all reduce wash performance. Meanwhile, blocked filters, worn seals, or unbalanced drums increase energy consumption and risk breakdowns.

Every downtime incident adds unplanned labour costs, while poor washing technique leads to faster fabric degradation and more replacements.

Fix:
Schedule annual training for all laundry staff on segregation, cycle selection, and hygiene management. Ensure regular servicing of washers and dryers to maintain efficiency and compliance. Preventive maintenance is far cheaper than reactive repair — and helps your care home laundry run smoothly year-round.

For additional infection control guidance, the NHS provides an excellent overview of decontamination of linen for health and social care.

Mistake 5: Overlooking Energy Efficiency

With energy prices fluctuating, laundry operations have become a major contributor to care home running costs. High-temperature washes, long drying cycles, and inefficient machines all consume excessive electricity.

However, many loads don’t require boiling temperatures to achieve full disinfection — especially when using professional-grade detergents and emulsifiers designed for lower-temperature performance.

Fix:
Switch to energy-efficient cycles and modern formulations that clean effectively at 40°C. Use auto dosing to control chemical concentration, which enhances performance even at reduced heat levels. Monitor usage to identify trends and opportunities for further savings.

Investing in these changes doesn’t just reduce costs — it also lowers your home’s environmental footprint and supports sustainable care delivery.

The Real Cost of Poor Laundry Management

When labour, energy, and textile replacement make up more than 80% of the total care home laundry budget, small inefficiencies quickly add up. Rewash cycles, manual dosing, or inadequate training can each add hundreds of pounds per month. Combined, they can cost several thousand pounds every year.

By implementing auto dosing, regular staff training, and a structured laundry layout, care homes can transform laundry from a constant expense into a controlled, measurable process.

Improved hygiene, reduced waste, and longer-lasting textiles are the natural results — alongside the peace of mind that your laundry is compliant, efficient, and cost-effective.

Uncertain about the efficiency of your laundry system or procedures? Book a free laundry site survey today!

5 Care Home Laundry Mistakes FAQ’s