In the daily operation of the laundry plants, the residual hair on linen after washing are the common problem that troubles many practitioners and an issue that hotels easily make complaints about. These seemingly small hairs not only affect the cleanliness and beauty of the linen, but also harm the user experience and enterprises’ reputations.
Actually, the residual hair issue is not unsolvable. The key is to abandon the single approach of removing hair and lint solely through the washing process and establish a comprehensive solution that includes source interception, washing optimization, and equipment cleaning. Starting from reducing hair entering the washing process, then thoroughly separating the hair from the linen through scientific washing operations, and finally doing a good job in equipment cleaning to avoid secondary pollution, these three steps are closely linked so that the problem of hair residue on the linen can be largely solved. This article will analyze these three steps, provide practical and replicable operation methods for laundry factories to help improve the quality of linen washing.
Pre-Washing
A large part of the hair on the linen comes from the hotel’s customers. If most of the hair can be intercepted through meticulous operation before washing, the pressure of hair removal in the subsequent washing process can be greatly reduced. This is also the most effortless and efficient step to solve the problem of hair residue. The core principle is early cleaning, categorization, and elimination of potential hazards. Its aim is to minimize hair adhesion on the linen entering the laundry equipment as much as possible.
● Sorting Collection and Refined Pre-treatment
The first step after the linen enters the laundry plant is sorting. People should carefully check the linen and remove the hair in time. When staff collect the linen, they should shake bed sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases, towels… Using simple physical force to shake off the floating hair, dust, and other impurities on the linen surface can remove about 60% of the visible hair on the surface.
Linen with a large amount of hair residue (pillowcases and towels in hotel rooms) needs separate deep pretreatment is required.
Repeatedly rolling the surface of the linen with a bristle roller or gently sweeping the linen with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a soft-bristled brush head can quickly remove stubborn adhering hair.
● Scientifically classified washing
Linen of different materials easily has fiber shedding during friction. The fibers that have fallen off tangle with hair and increase the probability of hair residue. As a result, the classification of linen before washing is very important. Staff should strictly classify the linen according to its material, store and wash different types of linen, such as cotton and linen, chemical fibers, and blends, separately to prevent fiber shedding and mixing caused by washing different types of linen on the same machine. It protects the quality of the linen and reduces the possibility of hair and fiber entanglement. In addition, the linen should be checked comprehensively. The focus is on hidden areas such as pockets, corners, and wrinkles. Hair and loose threads hidden in these locations should be removed in time to remove the risk of hair residue from the source.
While-Washing
After the source interception before washing, most of the hair on the linen has been removed, and the remaining hair is mostly stubborn hair attached inside the linen fibers. This needs a washing process upgrade, scientific parameters, water flow, and auxiliary products to separate the hair from the fibers and expel it with the water flow. This ensures a complete separation of the hair from the linen and prevents secondary adhesion.
CLM tunnel washers have a standard washing process, and the washing programs should be set by professional software engineers to ensure that the washing process is standard and reasonable. During rinsing, the counter-current rinsing technology makes sure that the water in the front chambers cannot enter the rear chambers. Every recycling water tank is equipped with a lint filtration system to completely filter the hair, lint, and other impurities and avoid secondary contamination to linen.
If industrial washing machines are used, the loading volume should be strictly controlled to ensure that the loading volume does not exceed the rated loading capacity of the washing machine. This leaves enough space for the linen to tumble during the washing process. Water flow can fully drive the movement of the linen, and the detached hair can be smoothly discharged from the equipment along with the water flow. If the linen is over-loaded, the water circulation will not be smooth, and the hair cannot be discharged in time. Hair will be attached to the linen again, and the residue issue will be more serious.
● Auxiliary products
On the basis of optimizing the washing parameters, the rational use of washing auxiliary products can further improve the separation effect of hair and linen. According to the actual needs of different laundry factories, dedicated chemical auxiliary products or physical auxiliary tools can be selected.
- Chemical auxiliary products
A small amount of lint and hair remover can be added during washing according to the instructions. The special formula reduces adhesion between hair and linen fibers, so loose hair separates from linen easily and is flushed away with water. It will not damage fabrics or affect the soft feel of cleaned linens.
- Physical auxiliary tools
If there is no special hair remover, the physical method of 1 to 2 silicone hair removal balls into the washer can be chosen. During the washing process, the balls roll and rub against the linen. They catch loose hair and prevent it from floating and reattaching. After washing, the balls can be cleaned and reused. This method is economical and practical. Silicone hair removal balls are only suitable for industrial washing machines, not for tunnel washers.
Post-Washing
After finishing the washing process, the hair on the linen has been basically removed. But the filter screens, sealing rings, rollers, and other parts inside the laundry equipment easily accumulate hair and dirt. If not cleaned in time, these remaining hairs will contaminate the linen again during the next wash and cause the problem of hair residue to recur.
Therefore, the cleaning of the equipment after washing is as important as the second treatment of the linen. This can completely remove the second pollution of hair.
● Complete cleaning of laundry equipment
Staff should regularly clean the washing machines comprehensively. Citric acid or a professional washing machine cleaner can be used. In addition, staff should carefully check the corners of the inner drum because these are areas where hair easily accumulates.
Drying machines can also be easily left with hair and fiber, which also requires regular cleaning. The lint filter of the dryer will retain a large amount of hair that falls off the linen. People should clean the lint collector of the dryer every 2 to 3 drying operations. In addition, regular cleaning of the internal air ducts and drums of the dryer prevents hair accumulation inside and ensures no secondary hair pollution during the drying process. It keeps the linen clean throughout the entire process, from washing to drying.
Conclusion
To put it into a nutshell, the solution to the problem of hair residue on linen in laundry plants does not rely on the operation of a single link, but needs the establishment of a complete quality control process. Some laundry plants even set the position for a quality check to further check the residual condition of hair, stains, and so on. This is the last checkpoint before delivery.
Q&A
Q1: Why do linens turn gray after being washed for a while?
A1: First, you should check if softened water is used for washing. For towel items, excessive fabric softener may cause residue buildup. Inadequate rinsing after bleaching can also cause graying.
Q2: Why do hotel room staff have a stinging or burning feeling on their hands after making beds?
A2: It is likely caused by residual alkaline chemicals or chlorine bleach. Laundries can use pH test strips or indicator solutions for testing. (4.0 and 7.5 through rinsing and neutralization)
Q3: What should I do if linens have unexplained yellow spots?
A3: First, you should check where the spots appear.
Pillowcases: water rust, body oil, or food spills?
Sheets and duvet covers: coagulated protein or body oil?
You can try rust remover, emulsifier, and chlorine bleach in order. The rinse after each chemical should be thorough. If yellow spots keep appearing in the same fixed area, you should check the machine for issues.
Post time: Mar-06-2026