In aged care, laundry operations are more than just background support – they are essential to resident comfort, infection control and care quality. Whether you’re building a new facility or upgrading an existing one, a well-designed on-premise laundry (OPL) can offer long-term cost savings, improved hygiene outcomes and greater operational control.
At Richard Jay, we help aged care operators across Australia design and install on-premise laundry solutions that are compliant, efficient and deliver reliable outcomes for residents. Here’s what to consider when planning your aged-care OPL.
Hygiene and compliance come first
Infection control is non-negotiable in aged care. A well-designed OPL must support hygienic workflows and meet the standards outlined in AS/NZS 4146:2000.
Key elements include:
- Clearly separated clean and soiled zones
- Dedicated handwashing and PPE stations
- Equipment with validated disinfection cycles
- Optional barrier washer technology to prevent cross-contamination.
Designing with hygiene in mind ensures that your laundry supports resident safety and stands up come audit time.
Sizing your equipment for current and future needs
In an aged-care environment, your laundry needs to handle a consistent, high-volume workload. Equipment should be selected based on:
- The number of beds or residents
- Daily linen and personal laundry volumes
- Staff resourcing and shifts
- Peak usage periods.
It’s wise to consider not just current demand, but projected future growth. Oversized or undersized machines can lead to inefficiencies, increased costs and strain on staff.
Designing for operational flow and staff efficiency
Layout directly impacts workflow. Efficient laundry design reduces double-handling and allows staff to move safely and easily between tasks. A good layout will feature:
- A clear separation between dirty and clean areas
- Logical positioning of washers, dryers and sorting tables
- Easy access for deliveries and waste removal
- Space for trolleys, shelving and linen handling.
Incorporating ergonomic considerations into your design can also reduce injury risk and improve staff productivity.
Energy, water and labour efficiency
The right equipment can dramatically reduce ongoing utility costs. Look for machines that offer:
- Water-saving features
- High G-force extraction to reduce drying time
- Low-energy drying cycles
- Smart technology for load optimisation.
Richard Jay offers a range of commercial-grade washers and dryers designed for aged care, including the Electrolux Professional Line 6000 series, which supports both performance and sustainability.
Reliable servicing and long-term support
Downtime in a laundry operation can quickly lead to operational disruption. Ensure your laundry design includes:
- Sufficient space and access for service technicians
- Easily accessible machine filters and parts
- A preventative maintenance plan.
Richard Jay offers national coverage and tailored support plans to keep your equipment running efficiently—with service partners across all states and territories.
Trusted support from planning to operation
At Richard Jay, we understand the demands of aged care. From initial design and layout consultation to equipment selection, installation and servicing – we help aged care providers create safe, efficient and scalable on-premise laundry operations.
Planning a fitout or upgrade? Our experienced team is here to help you create a laundry solution that delivers confidence, compliance and long-term value.
