It’s important to consider a variety of factors when in the market for a commercial washer. Not only must the washer effectively clean towels, oftentimes it must do so in a harsh, moist environment where time is of the essence. The washer you choose requires operation for years to come, without corrosion and breakdowns; the ability to automatically process towel loads with little oversight; superior productivity from a small footprint; and high-speed extract for removing more moisture from towels so they are immediately usable.
Durability in a Corrosive Environment
Washers are often located within the car wash area itself, so it’s important they won’t rust or corrode. Choose a stainless steel machine with a soft-mount design over a hard-mount machine that bolts to a reinforced concrete foundation. Why? Soft-mount washers are much less costly to install and don’t require reinforced concrete foundations thanks to a sophisticated suspension system. Another important factor when a washer is located in or near the car wash bay is a water-resistant touchscreen control.
No Babysitting
Nothing is more frustrating than a washer that needs constant monitoring. Choose a machine with flexible programming and automatic chemical injection to allow your chemical provider to develop the fastest, most effective wash for car wash towels. Operators simply load, enter a program number and press start. Moreover, the GS Series Washers are the only washers on the market with 360° Corner Status Lights. The light illuminates in different colors to indicate load status. Immediately, with a quick glance, you know when a load is done. This eliminates back-and-forth load monitoring in car wash bays.
Smaller Capacity But Greater Output
Traditional car wash washers are big-capacity and occupy a large footprint, yet don’t offer much in terms of productivity. So, when you’re shopping for a new washer, be sure you compare the output of the machines. It might surprise you that some small capacity, small footprint washers are less expensive, use less water and offer greater throughput. The 23- and 30-pound capacity GS Series Washer touts a small footprint, yet greater productivity than most other traditional car wash washers.
High-Speed Extract
High-speed extract is the final consideration when comparing washers. This is because high-speed washers remove more moisture from towels during extract. This is important in a car wash environment because it can eliminate the need to partially dry towels. GS Series Washers reach sustained extract speeds of 450 G-force — higher than most other washers on the market. This ensures towels come out of the washer immediately ready for use, with no need for drying.
As with any investment, it’s important to do your research. If you’re interested in finding out more about a new washer for your car wash, contact your local Continental Laundry Solutions distributor.
About the Author
Wes Kraemer, national accounts manager at Continental Laundry Solutions, works closely with car wash customers throughout North America to develop efficient, productive and reliable on-premise laundries. Please contact him with any questions at wkraemer@gnalaundry.com or call 866-950-2449.