Industrial Calender and Dryer
In industrial laundries, the calender dries and irons flatwork between heated rollers, and the dryer removes moisture from garments with hot air.
After washing, the laundry comes out holding water, which is reduced by pressing or spinning. Flatwork, such as sheets, table linen or covers, then goes through the calender: one or more cylinders heated by steam, gas or electricity over which the piece advances, pressed by belts or rollers, so that the remaining moisture evaporates and the fabric comes out smooth. Terry items, such as towels, and shaped garments usually go to tumble dryers, in which a drum tumbles the laundry in a stream of hot air. In the textile and paper industries, the roller machines that smooth or compact fabric and paper during manufacture are also called calenders.
Performance depends above all on the moisture content of the incoming laundry: the better the extraction, the less energy and time the calender and the dryer need. The condition of the fabric after washing also matters: residual alkalinity or chlorine can yellow the laundry when heat is applied. The rollers and belts need periodic cleaning so that they do not build up residues that transfer to the laundry.
Instaquim products for the final rinse that, according to their technical data sheets, make ironing easier:
- Suaumatic (pH 1.5 ± 0.5; 5–10 g per kg of dry laundry): neutralising softener and anti-chlorine reducing agent for automatic dosing; removes residual alkalinity and residual chlorine, restores the fabric's own pH, makes drying and ironing easier and prevents yellowing caused by chlorine residues.
- Suau (pH 2.5 ± 0.5; 5–10 g per kg of dry laundry): softener that prevents static electricity and makes ironing easier.