SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF.—The industry’s first extensive, independently conducted study to determine the ability of cold-water ozone laundering to extend the useful life of linens—a major expenditure among hospitality, healthcare and numerous other institutions—reveals a resounding advantage versus traditional hot-water methods.
California-based ClearWater Tech LLC recently released the results of a six-month study conducted by North Carolina State University’s Physical Testing Laboratory—College of Textiles. Dr. Jan Ballard, extension specialist and supervisor of the Physical Testing Laboratory, directed study procedures.
Testing utilized EcoTex ozone technology and its application format in comparisons with traditional laundering of pillowcases and terry towels. EcoLab supplied chemicals and collaborated on the chemical formulas for wash programs used in the study.
Significant Differences in Every Area
Materials were tested for pilling resistance and tearing strength using ASTM methodologies, plus textile whiteness using AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists) Test Method 110. Samples were compared with a control using each laundering method for pillowcases as well as towels, over 50 wash cycles.
Results with EcoTex ozone in nearly all cold wash waters exceeded those with traditional hot water methods in every test category, with a composite average advantage of more than 10 percent. Comparative scores and study details are spelled out in “Cold Facts,” a summary report that can be obtained by contacting ClearWater Tech at www.ecotexlaundry.com or (805) 549-9724. A more extensive white paper also is available.
“Consistent differences revealed by these tests,” says ClearWater Tech’s president and founder Cameron Tapp, “can translate into significant linen replenishment savings for users who utilize cold-water EcoTex ozone systems.”
Results Confirm CEO’s Experience
Linen Life Study results come as no surprise to veterans such as Juan Marcano, president and CEO of Riteway Linen Services in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Riteway serves a variety of customers, including high-end hotels and resorts. Acknowledging that many factors contribute to linen life, Marcano’s experience points to linen replacement at an annual rate of 20 to 30 percent with traditional OPL (On-Premise Laundry) operations.
“That’s a lot of money for a 100-room hotel working with three pars (sets of linen),” Tapp says. “Our EcoTex ozone process can reduce that replacement by about half, to 12 to 15 percent a year, which is a huge difference. It’s an even bigger savings for a 300-room resort (another Riteway client) that will purchase $8,000 to $10,000 in terrycloth linens per month.”
“Our initiative in commissioning this long-overdue study has provided important evidence of still another bottom-line advantage of EcoTex Advanced Laundry Oxidation systems,” Tapp says. “Along with its tremendous energy and utility savings plus disinfection benefits, preserving customer linen investments offers huge payback. Many of us have known this for a long time. Now we have scientifically documented data to prove it.”
Go to ClearWater Tech.
