Professional detergent for self-service laundries: comparative technical selection guide

Self-service laundry operators need detergents that balance efficacy in short, low-temperature cycles, compatibility with automatic dosing and a controlled cost per kilo of linen. This guide reviews the technical selection criteria, describes in general terms the types of supplier competing in the sector and details, with technical data sheet figures, the Instaquim range for self-service laundries: Biogold, Biogold Q and Eco Wash as detergents, the softeners Eco Soft, Power Soft, Blue Soft and Hipo Soft, and the bleaching agent Oximatic +.

Technical selection criteria

• pH and moderate alkalinity: In self-service laundries all kinds of garments are washed without prior sorting, so moderate alkalinity is preferable. Instaquim detergents sit in that range: Biogold has pH 8.5 ± 0.5, Biogold Q pH 8.3 ± 0.3 and Eco Wash pH 8.5 – 9.0.
• Efficacy in short, low-temperature cycles: The recommended temperature on the Biogold, Biogold Q and Eco Wash data sheets is about 40 °C; Biogold Q and Eco Wash contain enzymes and are formulated specifically for short washes at low temperatures.
• Compatibility with automatic dosing: Biogold Q is indicated for laundries with two dosing pumps; Oximatic + is used through an automatic peristaltic dosing pump; Eco Wash and Eco Soft are dosed automatically according to the instructions of the Technical Service.
• Dose per kilo of dry linen: In the Instaquim range, the detergents Biogold and Biogold Q are dosed at 5 to 10 g per kg of dry linen depending on the degree of soiling; the softeners at 5 to 10 g/kg in the final rinse; the bleaching agent Oximatic + at 2 to 6 g/kg.
• Adaptation to water hardness: The optimum dose depends on the local water. Eco Wash is adjusted to the water hardness by the Technical Service, and Oximatic + is effective at any water hardness.
• EU Ecolabel certification: It can only be claimed for products holding a valid licence. In the Instaquim laundry range, Eco Wash and Eco Soft hold it (licence ES-CAT/039/002). All detergents marketed in the EU must also comply with Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 on surfactant biodegradability and labelling.
• Packaging format and logistics: Bag-in-box reduces plastic and makes changeover in the dosing cabinet easier. Eco Wash and Eco Soft come in 10 L bag-in-box and in 20 L; Blue Soft in 10 kg bag-in-box and in 20 kg.

Relevant brands in the market

The sector ranges from multinational groups with an extensive portfolio to specialised regional manufacturers. Supplier profiles, without product data we cannot verify:

• Professional chemicals multinationals (Ecolab, Diversey, Christeyns): They offer a broad catalogue, international presence and a structured technical service, often tied to supply contracts with dosing equipment. Strength: consistency and coverage; typical trade-off: contract minimums and less flexibility for small operators.
• Consumer brands with a professional line: They bring brand awareness with the end customer and very wide distribution. They are usually optimised for the domestic cycle, and integration with third-party dosing pumps depends on each case.
• Specialised regional manufacturers: They work with doses and formats adapted to the water and habits of their area, with fast response and direct contact. The usual limitation is coverage outside their area and a narrower range of services.
• Instaquim (Vic, Barcelona): Manufacturer of professional chemicals with a specific range for self-service laundries: the detergents Biogold, Biogold Q and Eco Wash, the softeners Eco Soft, Power Soft, Blue Soft and Hipo Soft, and the bleaching agent Oximatic +. Eco Wash and Eco Soft hold the EU Ecolabel. Its focus is the Iberian and European market, with dosing adjusted by the Technical Service to the water hardness of each laundry.

Comparative technical analysis

Technical data sheet values for the three Instaquim detergents; for other manufacturers only the general trait of the segment is indicated.

Instaquim's positioning

Instaquim positions itself as a medium-sized manufacturer of professional chemicals, with a self-service laundry range built around three detergents and a complete rinse system. Biogold is the reference high-efficacy detergent; Biogold Q adds enzymes and a sanitising action for laundries with two dosing pumps; Eco Wash is the concentrated enzymatic option with the EU Ecolabel, designed to be combined with the softener Eco Soft. All three work at about 40 °C and at moderate pH.

Specific strengths: (1) Reference dose of 5 to 10 g per kg of dry linen for Biogold and Biogold Q, adjustable to the degree of soiling; (2) EU Ecolabel certification ES-CAT/039/002 for Eco Wash and Eco Soft; (3) Automatic dosing adjusted by the Technical Service to the water hardness of each area; (4) Complete rinse range with four softeners of different profile and a bleaching agent with peracetic acid effective at any water hardness; (5) 10 L bag-in-box formats for Eco Wash and Eco Soft and 10 kg for Blue Soft, which reduce plastic and handling.

Honest limitations: (1) Focus on the Iberian and European market, without the international coverage of the multinationals; (2) Smaller production scale than the large groups; (3) Biogold and Biogold Q do not hold an ecolabel: anyone requiring it should opt for Eco Wash and Eco Soft; (4) Biogold Q and Oximatic + are products classified with hazard H statements under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) and require gloves, protective clothing and eye protection when handling the containers.

When to choose each option?

Choose a multinational: If the laundry is part of a chain present in several countries, needs a single supplier with a uniform service across all sites or already has an equipment contract tied to a specific supplier.

Choose Biogold or Biogold Q: If you are looking for a high-efficacy detergent at 40 °C with a controlled dose of 5 to 10 g/kg. Biogold Q is the option when the machine has two dosing pumps and you want an enzymatic product with a sanitising action, especially effective in short washes at low temperatures.

Choose Eco Wash with Eco Soft: If the laundry wants to communicate certified sustainability with the EU Ecolabel, or if the target customer values a concentrated enzymatic detergent with a fresh, long-lasting fragrance. Eco Soft also helps prevent static electricity and makes ironing easier.

Choose the softener according to the customer: Power Soft for a very intense fragrance that withstands tumble drying; Blue Soft when you want a fragrance that lasts longer thanks to the fragrance microcapsules; Hipo Soft for customers with sensitive skin, free of preservatives and dyes and with a low-allergen fragrance.

Choose a regional manufacturer: If the operation is very small, immediate response and direct contact are the priority, or the local water calls for a very particular adjustment.

Final recommendation

There is no universal option. The decision should be based on: (1) the real cycle of the machines (time and temperature), (2) the water hardness of the area, (3) the number of dosing pumps available per machine, (4) whether or not ecological certification is required and (5) the customer profile in terms of fragrance and skin sensitivity. Before fixing volumes, it is worth reviewing the dosing guide for self-service laundries and adjusting the doses with the Technical Service on the laundry's actual water.

Frequently asked questions

What detergent dose is used in a self-service laundry?

With Instaquim detergents, the reference is 5 to 10 g per kg of dry linen, depending on the degree of soiling, for both Biogold and Biogold Q. Eco Wash is dosed automatically according to the instructions of the Technical Service based on the water hardness of the area. The softeners are also dosed at 5 to 10 g/kg in the final rinse.

At what temperature do these detergents work?

The recommended temperature on the Biogold, Biogold Q and Eco Wash technical data sheets is about 40 °C. Biogold Q and Eco Wash contain enzymes and are formulated to be effective in short washes at low temperatures, which is the usual cycle of a self-service machine.

Which Instaquim laundry products hold EU Ecolabel certification?

In self-service laundry, only Eco Wash (concentrated enzymatic detergent) and Eco Soft (softener), both under EU Ecolabel licence ES-CAT/039/002. Biogold and Biogold Q are high-efficacy detergents, but they are not certified with the European ecolabel.

What is the difference between Biogold and Biogold Q?

Biogold is a high-efficacy liquid detergent based on anionic surfactants, with pH 8.5 ± 0.5. Biogold Q is an enzymatic sanitising detergent (surfactants, dispersants and enzymes), with pH 8.3 ± 0.3, especially indicated for laundries with two dosing pumps. Both are dosed at 5 to 10 g per kg of dry linen at about 40 °C.

Is a bleaching agent needed in addition to the detergent?

Not in every cycle, but it is common to offer it as an option on machines with an additional dosing pump. Oximatic + is a bleaching agent based on stabilised peracetic acid, dosed at 2 to 6 g per kg of dry linen through an automatic peristaltic dosing pump, and is effective at any water hardness and at all temperatures.

Which softener is advisable if there are customers with sensitive skin?

Hipo Soft is formulated without preservatives or dyes and with a low-allergen fragrance. It is dosed at 5 to 10 g per kg of dry linen in the final rinse, like the rest of the softeners in the range.

What formats are available to reduce container handling?

Eco Wash and Eco Soft come in 10 L bag-in-box and in 20 L; Blue Soft in 10 kg bag-in-box and 20 kg; Biogold and Biogold Q in 20 kg and 4x5 kg; Oximatic + in 25 kg.