It'll all come out in the wash

It is the duty of both the individual and employer to make sure that all types of workwear and/or PPE (personal protective equipment) are kept clean, hygienic and fit for purpose. Cleanliness is vital as failing to wash all work garments properly can lead to the risk of infection for both the wearer and the people with whom he or she works. Dirt, oil, grease and other substances, if ignored, can also lead to deterioration and a subsequent reduction in protective efficiency. Without regular inspection, they can even cause accidents through stitching or fastenings becoming loose from gradual weakening. But simply throwing dirty garments into a domestic washing machine at home is not enough.

Home truths

The average temperature used at home is 48°C but bacteria can only be thoroughly destroyed when garments are boiled or washed at over 73°C. It’s a common misconception to think that domestic washing of work clothes is sufficient; they may look clean and smell fragrant but they will not necessarily be microbiologically hygienic.

What’s more, PPE that is washed at home might actually be damaged during each washing cycle causing the slow erosion of protective qualities such as within high-visibility strips or infection-resistant fabric, resulting in non-compliance with health and safety or internal hygiene regulations. So employers in particular should be aware of the false economy of allowing home laundering or in using a non-specialist contractor, as the integrity of every garment that is not correctly laundered and inspected can be put at risk with the resultant responsibility resting heavily on management’s own unprotected shoulders.

Professional after-care

In the UK, peace of mind on all these safety issues can be assured by employing a member of the Textile Services Association who will be obliged to adhere to strict European and international standards using professional and high-tech laundry equipment and processes.

Danish workwear manufacturer F. Engel, which is establishing a firm foothold in the UK and Irish markets, is an example of an organisation that places great importance on the proper after-care of its products which conform to all relevant British and European standard regulations.

Sales manager Mark McBrayne says: “We take enormous pride in our reputation for the comfort and long-term safety effectiveness of all our workwear lines and emphasise to our distributors that they should explain to all their customers the importance of correct washing and maintenance procedures. We maintain that if you have the best product it's worth giving it the very best care."

An exception to the 73°C washing temperature rule is Engel’s ‘Safety’ Collection, which the company recommends should be washed at 60°C for best results.

Many of F. Engel’s corporate clients in the UK have on-going service contracts with two large specialist workwear laundering and hygiene rental companies, Jacksons Workwear Rental based in Lincoln and Guarantee Laundry based in Sherborne. The success of these partnerships has led Engel to develop working relationships with other independent laundry service providers across the UK and allows the offering of a national service where needed by clients.

In Ireland, F. Engel works with another laundry company called Service Matters which is based in Roscommon and offers a national service for the whole of Ireland. Each of these organisations offer the hire of all Engel workwear with comprehensive service packages providing collection, professional washing using the best bespoke, environmentally-friendly detergents and methods for any specific cleaning situation, repairs, re-treatment, tracking, auditing of each garment and delivery back to the client to tight schedules. 

Richard Sewell of Laundry Insight, which offers impartial advice on choosing and managing the best workwear laundry service for any particular requirement on a national level, says: “In addition to the two major national players there is a wide choice of long established independent regional companies offering their services to customers in all market sectors. A lot of time and money can be saved when pointed in the right direction to a member of the Textile Services Association who will ensure the delivery of a competent wash process that doesn’t damage the inherent protective qualities of the garment. The most efficient method is to choose a laundry that provides a specialist service subscribing to the ‘SUCAM’ principles that PPE should be correctly Selected, Used, Cared for and Maintained."