The Complete Laundry Guide

Doing laundry isn’t just about throwing clothes into a machine — whether at home, in a care facility, or in a commercial laundry, following the right processes ensures better results, longer-lasting fabrics, and greater efficiency. This guide covers the essentials: from wash programs and fabric classification to troubleshooting common laundry problems.

The WATCH Principle: 5 Key Variables in Cleaning
Choosing the Right Wash Program
Sorting & Classifying Laundry
Fabric & Fibre Types
Colour Sorting
Soil Level Classification
Troubleshooting Common Laundry Issues
Final Thoughts

The WATCH Principle: 5 Key Variables in Cleaning

At the core of effective laundry is the WATCH principle. These five variables work together to determine wash quality:

WATER – The universal carrier that transports both chemicals and soil.
ACTION – The mechanical movement that loosens soil and circulates fresh cleaning solution.
TIME – The duration needed for chemicals to penetrate and act on soils.
CHEMICAL – The right product and correct dilution are essential for best results.
HEAT – Every 10°C increase doubles chemical efficiency. The right temperature boosts results depending on soil type and fabric.

If one element is reduced, the others must increase to maintain performance.

Choosing the Right Wash Program

Modern machines offer a range of programs designed for specific fabrics and soil levels. Using the correct program helps protect garments, improves results, and prevents cross-contamination.

Common programs include:

Delicates – Gentle action for personals and fragile fabrics.
Cottons/Mixed – Everyday items such as t-shirts and general clothing.
Heavy-Duty – For heavily soiled items.
Wool/Delicates (cold water below 30°C) – For animal fibres like wool. Avoid chlorine bleach.

Using the wrong program can damage fabrics, reduce cleaning quality, or spread contaminants.

Sorting & Classifying Laundry

Sorting isn’t just about separating lights and darks. Proper classification helps:

Prevent fabric damage
Ensure high-quality results
Reduce cross-contamination
Improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness

Fabric & Fibre Types

Cotton

Strong and durable (strength increases when wet)
Sensitive to acids and bleach misuse
Handles high heat and alkalis well
Highly absorbent — needs longer extraction times

Polyester

Sensitive to strong alkalis and chlorine bleach
Resistant to acids
Attracts oils — requires special detergents
Should be separated from cotton/polycotton to prevent greying

Wool

Animal fibre, weakens when wet
Damaged by alkalis and chlorine bleach
Best with neutral detergents, low temps, and gentle action

Linen

Made from flax, tolerates high heat and strong detergents
Generally safe with normal washing

Silk

Delicate animal fibre, avoid alkalis and chlorine
Use low-temp oxygen bleach if needed
Wash at 35°C with gentle action and neutral detergent

Rayon

Weakens with strong acids and alkalis
Avoid chlorine bleach
Highly flammable

Nylon

Resistant to alkalis and most organic acids
Degraded by strong mineral acids

Colour Sorting

Wash whites, darks, and colours, separately
Never mix white and coloured polycottons — whites may absorb dye
Blue polycotton garments can fade when exposed to bleach and sours

Soil Level Classifcation

Soil Level	Examples
Light	Curtains, personals, wool jumpers, hotel/motel bedlinen
Medium	Uniforms, towels, face washers, healthcare bedlinen
Heavy	Table linen, theatre linen, drawsheets, workwear
Foul	Incontinent bedding, theatre linen with blood
Infectious	Blood-soiled linen (use dissolvable bags to avoid operator contact)

Troubleshooting Common Laundry Issues

Poor Overall Wash

Check valves, dispenser, and product volumes
Review wash formula
Avoid overloading

Yellowing/Browning Whites

May indicate iron in water, excess chlorine, or alkali carry-over
Run a chlorine-only wash for new towelling
Add extra rinses or adjust sour dose

Greying or Dull Whites

Insufficient rinsing or low water levels
Incorrect alkali/detergent dosing
Possible mineral contamination

Excessive Linting/Fabric Damage

Underloaded washers, too much bleach, or long wash formulas
Poor cotton quality may also contribute

Odours

Caused by poor soil removal or fragrance breakdown at high temperatures

Stain Removal Issues

Check bleach type, dosage, and temperature

Poor Ironing Results

Excess souring (low pH)
Damp textiles
Insufficient fabric conditioner
Ironer may require servicing

Final Thoughts

Laundry success depends on understanding your fabrics, choosing the right program, sorting correctly, and balancing the WATCH variables. By following these steps, you’ll extend the life of your linens and garments while achieving a professional finish every time.

Need advice on the right chemicals or equipment for your laundry? Contact Hanleys or explore our range of laundry solutions today.