Preventive Maintenance Tips for Commercial Washers and Dryers
Whether you manage a laundromat business or an on-premise laundry facility, proper preventive maintenance is imperative to keep your commercial washers, dryers, and finishing equipment functioning optimally. While individual manufacturers may recommend specific maintenance processes for their equipment, there are a few general preventive maintenance procedures that apply to most commercial laundry equipment. Always review the owner’s manual carefully before performing any equipment maintenance or repairs, then protect your investment and prevent costly equipment downtime with these tips for commercial laundry preventive maintenance:
Daily Maintenance Activities
Visually Inspect Equipment. Always start the day by visually inspecting each machine, keeping an eye out for lint, loose hoses, and buildup inside the drum or water inlet filter. By catching these issues early, you can prevent a costly—or even dangerous—problem, such as a fire or water leak.
Wipe Down Exteriors. At the end of the day (or shift), wipe down the exterior of each machine using a clean microfiber cloth to remove any fingerprints, grime, or other debris. Not only does this keep the equipment looking new, but it also provides another opportunity to look over the equipment for potential issues.
Open Doors and Lids. Before closing your facility for the day or whenever a machine is not in use, leave all doors and lids open to encourage airflow, which will help prevent bacteria and unpleasant odors.
Keep the Surrounding Area Clear and Clean. Keep the space around your laundry equipment clean and clear of dirt, debris, garbage, or other items that can damage the machines, disguise leaks, or pose a fire hazard.
Weekly Equipment Upkeep
Clean Vents, Ducts, and Pipes. Even if your customers or employees clean the dryer vents regularly, lint and debris can still build up in the exhaust vents and ducts. Regularly clean all hoses, tubes, pipes, and ducts that carry air away from the equipment in order to keep dryers functioning as intended and to help prevent fire hazards.
Wipe Down Gaskets. Gaskets on washing machine doors help ensure a water-tight seal. Clean the gaskets regularly on all front-load, top-load, and stack washers to remove buildup and help prevent leaks.
Monthly/Quarterly Preventive Maintenance
Check or Replace Belts. Schedule time at least once each quarter to check all belts for tears and cracks. By proactively ordering spare belts and keeping them on hand, you can replace them at the first sign of deterioration to avoid equipment failure.
Clean or Replace Water Inlet Filters. Water filter inlet screens prevent foreign objects from entering washers, which helps protect the equipment. However, clogged screens can inhibit water flow to the machines, while cracked screens may not provide adequate filtration, hindering proper function and increasing utility costs. Regularly clean and/or replace the filters for optimal equipment operation.
Annual Tasks
Clean Inside Washer and Dryer Drums. Soap, dirt, and bacteria can build up inside washer and dryer drums, causing an unpleasant odor. Clean the drums quarterly or annually. Refer to the equipment manual for specific cleaning recommendations.
When to Call A Professional
While you can—and should—perform most regular preventive maintenance yourself, some issues should only be handled by a professional. For any issues regarding control panels, electrical elements, large components, or any other issues that you’re unsure about, please do not hesitate to reach out to a professional commercial laundry repair provider, like Worldwide Laundry. A service call can save you significant time, money, and headaches by preventing issues from escalating into equipment failure and unexpected downtime.
Ready to Schedule Preventive Maintenance?
Contact us to talk to a Commercial Laundry Specialist and schedule your preventive maintenance visit today.