Optimum chemical dosing protocol for self-service laundries

This protocol describes how to adjust the chemical dosing of a self-service laundry: calibration of the peristaltic dosing pump, detergent and softener doses according to each product's technical data sheet, short cycle at about 40 °C, optional disinfection and bleaching, and maintenance of the dosing unit and the washing machine. All doses, temperatures and times come from the technical data sheets of Biogold, Biogold Q, Eco Wash, Eco Soft, Sanitex, Oximatic + and Machine Clean.

Materials required

• Detergent for the main wash: Biogold, Biogold Q (sanitising enzymatic, for laundries with two dosing pumps) or Eco Wash (concentrated enzymatic, EU Ecolabel)
• Softener for the final rinse: Power Soft, Power Soft +, Blue Soft, Blue Soft +, Pink Soft, Hipo Soft (low in allergens) or Eco Soft (EU Ecolabel, with Eco Wash)
• Optional: Sanitex (quaternary ammonium disinfectant) and Oximatic + (peracetic acid bleach)
• Machine Clean for the empty-drum maintenance wash of the washing machine
• Graduated measuring cylinder, stopwatch, water hardness test kit and thermometer
• Spare peristaltic tubes and suction filters
• Technical data sheets and safety data sheets of the products

Step-by-step procedure

1. Water hardness analysis: Measure the hardness of the feed water with the test kit and record the value and date. The Technical Service uses this figure to set the dose of Eco Wash, which according to its data sheet is dosed automatically according to the hardness of the local water. For Biogold and Biogold Q hardness does not change the range on the data sheet (5-10 g per kg of dry laundry): it only guides towards the upper or lower end. Oximatic + is effective at any water hardness.
2. Calibrating the peristaltic dosing pump: With the machine stopped, direct the delivery tube of each pump into the measuring cylinder, run the pump manually for a timed period (for example, 60 seconds) and note the volume. Repeat until two readings match; that flow rate (mL/min) is used to calculate the pumping time for each dose. Repeat on each line (detergent, softener, disinfectant, bleach).
3. Calculating the detergent dose: The data sheets express the dose in grams per kg of dry laundry: Biogold and Biogold Q, 5 to 10 g per kg of dry laundry, depending on the degree of soiling; Eco Wash, whatever the Technical Service sets according to the hardness from step 1. Multiply by the machine's kg of dry laundry, convert to volume using the density on the safety data sheet and calculate the pumping time with the flow rate from step 2. Do not exceed the upper limit on the data sheet.
4. Preparing the softener line: Pump and tank separate from the detergent: the softeners in the range are acidic (pH around 2.5-3) and Biogold, Biogold Q and Eco Wash are alkaline, so they never share a tube. Load the softener undiluted; no data sheet specifies prior dilution. Flush the line with water and check the peristaltic tube. Dose of Power Soft, Power Soft +, Blue Soft, Blue Soft +, Pink Soft and Hipo Soft: 5 to 10 g per kg of dry laundry in the final rinse; Eco Soft is dosed automatically as instructed by the Technical Service.
5. Setting up the short low-temperature cycle: Main wash at about 40 °C, the temperature recommended on the Biogold, Biogold Q and Eco Wash data sheets. Biogold Q and Eco Wash are formulated to be effective in short, low-temperature washes. Detergent signal at the start of the main wash; softener signal only in the final rinse. If disinfection is required, Sanitex at 4 g/kg in the penultimate rinse with a minimum of 5 minutes; if bleaching is required, Oximatic + at 2 to 6 g/kg via peristaltic dosing pump.
6. Empty-drum test run and fine adjustment: Run a cycle without laundry. Check the bath temperature with the thermometer and, with the tubes directed into the measuring cylinder, that each signal pumps the volume from step 3. Correct the signal time if there is any deviation and repeat. Then wash a real load, assess cleaning, softness and fragrance, and document the validated values.
7. Preventive maintenance of the dosing unit and washing machine: Weekly, inspect tubes and fittings (leaks, crystallisation) and flush with water. Monthly, recalibrate and replace the suction filters. Replace the peristaltic tube as instructed by the dosing unit manufacturer. For the washing machine, a periodic wash with Machine Clean at about 40 g/kg with the machine empty, at about 60 °C for about 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly: it removes scale and the sources of bad odours.
8. Recording and traceability: Note the calibration date, hardness, flow rate of each pump, programmed doses and times, result of the empty-drum test, batch of each container and every Machine Clean wash. Compare actual and theoretical consumption quarterly (dose × cycles × kg): higher indicates leaks or loss of calibration; lower, air in the line or a worn tube.

Verification and control

(1) Check weekly that the volume pumped per signal matches the calibration. (2) Measure hardness at least once a month and report changes to the Technical Service to readjust Eco Wash. (3) Check that the main wash reaches the recommended 40 °C. (4) Check that the softener tank contains undiluted product with no residue of other products. (5) Confirm after each Machine Clean wash that odours and scale on the door seal and dispenser drawer have disappeared. (6) Cross-check monthly consumption against the log.

Safety and PPE

• Biogold and Sanitex carry H314 (causes severe skin burns and eye damage) and Biogold Q H318 (causes serious eye damage); all three carry P280 (wear protective gloves, protective clothing and eye protection): handle them with chemical-resistant gloves, goggles and an apron.
• Oximatic + and Machine Clean contain hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid and peracetic acid; their data sheets carry H332 (harmful if inhaled) and H335 (may cause respiratory irritation): load with sufficient ventilation or respiratory protection, away from heat and ignition sources, and store them at temperatures not exceeding 50 °C.
• Eco Wash carries H318 (causes serious eye damage): eye protection when loading the tank.
• Power Soft, Power Soft + and Pink Soft carry H319 (serious eye irritation); Power Soft and Power Soft + also carry H317 (may cause an allergic skin reaction): avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing.
• Never mix chemicals; one product per pump. Non-slip footwear and "chemical products" signage on the dosing unit cabinet.

Recommended Instaquim products

Detergents for short cycles: Biogold, high-performance liquid detergent (pH 8.5 ±0.5), 5 to 10 g per kg of dry laundry, depending on the degree of soiling, with a recommended temperature of about 40 °C. Biogold Q, sanitising enzymatic (pH 8.3 ±0.3), especially indicated for laundries with two dosing pumps and effective in short, low-temperature washes, with the same dose and temperature. Eco Wash, concentrated enzymatic (pH 8.5-9.0) certified with EU Ecolabel ES-CAT/039/002, dosed automatically as set by the Technical Service according to water hardness, about 40 °C, in 10 L bag-in-box and 20 L.

Softeners for the final rinse: the whole range is dosed at 5 to 10 g per kg of dry laundry. Power Soft +, with a high content of fragrance microcapsules; Blue Soft and Blue Soft +, with fragrance microcapsules so that the laundry keeps its scent for longer; Pink Soft, with an intense floral fragrance; Hipo Soft contains no preservatives or dyes and uses a low-allergen perfume. Eco Soft, certified with EU Ecolabel ES-CAT/039/002, is developed to be combined with Eco Wash, helps prevent static electricity and is dosed automatically as instructed by the Technical Service.

Hygiene and maintenance: Sanitex, a neutral, non-oxidising quaternary ammonium disinfectant (didecyldimethylammonium chloride), at 4 g/kg in the penultimate rinse for a minimum of 5 minutes. Oximatic +, a bleach based on stabilised peracetic acid, at 2 to 6 g/kg via peristaltic dosing pump, effective at any water hardness and at all temperatures. Machine Clean, washing machine descaler, at about 40 g/kg with the machine empty, at about 60 °C for about 30 minutes.

Applicable regulations: Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 on detergents, Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 CLP (classification, labelling and H and P statements), Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 REACH and, for the Sanitex laundry disinfectant, Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 on biocidal products. Eco Wash and Eco Soft hold EU Ecolabel licence ES-CAT/039/002; no other product in this guide is Ecolabel.

Frequently asked questions

How much Biogold detergent should be dosed per kilo of laundry?

The Biogold and Biogold Q data sheets specify 5 to 10 g per kg of dry laundry, depending on the degree of soiling, with a recommended temperature of about 40 °C. The lower end is for everyday laundry and the upper end for heavily soiled loads.

Which self-service laundry detergent is EU Ecolabel certified?

Eco Wash (enzymatic detergent) and Eco Soft (softener) hold EU Ecolabel certification ES-CAT/039/002. Biogold, Biogold Q and the other softeners in the range are not Ecolabel products.

At which stage of the cycle is the softener dosed?

In the final rinse. Power Soft, Power Soft +, Blue Soft, Blue Soft +, Pink Soft and Hipo Soft are dosed at 5 to 10 g per kg of dry laundry; Eco Soft is dosed automatically as instructed by the Technical Service.

Can I use a laundry disinfectant in a self-service laundry?

Yes. Sanitex, based on quaternary ammonium, is dosed at 4 g per kg of dry laundry in the penultimate rinse with a minimum of 5 minutes. It is neutral and non-oxidising, safe for fabrics. Laundry disinfectants fall within the scope of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 on biocidal products.

How do I remove bad odours and scale from the washing machine?

With Machine Clean: a wash with the machine empty at about 40 g/kg, at about 60 °C for about 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Its periodic use removes scale and the sources of bad odours.

Does water hardness change the detergent dose?

For Eco Wash it does: it is dosed automatically as set by the Technical Service according to the hardness of the local water. For Biogold and Biogold Q the data sheet sets the dose by degree of soiling (5-10 g/kg); hardness only guides the choice within that range.