LAUNDRY WORK in its modern commercial aspect re quires an elaborate mechanical plant very different from the crude appliances which were the first outgrowth of domestic processes of treading, pounding or rubbing. Its success owes much also to chemistry which has evolved suitable soaps, bleaches and solvents.
The washing-machine consists of a horizontal outer drum in which revolves an inner cylindrical cage. All gar ments of each owner are marked for identification and are placed in this cage which is divided into compartments of various sizes, thereby offering a means for sorting the clothes into like kinds. Within each compartment of the washer cage, wash bags or "nets" are frequently used to hold similar fabrics. These "nets" prevent the pulling and tearing of delicate pieces, and make marking less necessary. The machine is equipped with hot and cold water, and with high-pressure steam—the latter serving as a heating as well as a sterilizing medium. Large inflow and outlet pipes allow a rapid filling and emptying of the water. By easily regulated steam cocks, the correct temperature for the various processes is almost instantly obtainable. The direction of rotation of the cage is re versed automatically every few revolutions, displacing dirt by forcing soap and water through the fabric. The operations of soaking, washing, bleaching (when needed), sterilizing, rinsing, blueing and even starching are done in this machine.
(formerly accomplished by boiling at 212° which tends to weaken the fabric) is effected by keeping the garments at about i6o°-18o° for a time sufficient to secure the desired re sult. Stains insoluble in soap and water require special chemical cleaning by expert "spotters," or by dry cleaning (q.v.) where naphtha replaces water as the solvent cleanser. In place of twist ing by hand or pressing between hard rubber revolving wringers, drying is effected industrially by an extractor which consists of a metal basket revolving in a closed drum. The basket revolves at
a speed of i,000 to 1,400 revolutions per minute, the water being expelled centrifugally. The drying is completed in heated boxes ventilated by means of electric fans and flues or in a heated re volving cage, or "tumbler," into which hot air is forced.
All "flat work" like sheets are "extracted," "tum bled" and ironed directly on a flat work ironer which irons single thicknesses. Starched clothes after hand or machine starching are dried, then sprinkled for hand ironing or to be finished on body presses.
These power ironers do about three-quarters of the work in the laundries using gas, electricity or high power steam. Experienced operators and the splendidly perfected machines produce excel lently finished garments as the right pressure adjustment brings hot polished steel rolls in direct contact with the padded cloth rolls as if using a flat iron and an ironing board. Each flat work machine is rated by its yardage production of finished material working wringer fashion.
A body press depends upon heat and pressure without feeding material as it dries and glazes.
A body press is shaped for ironing its special garment in the laundry. One worker may operate three presses by allowing a rotation of garments.
"Rough Dry" service, or "Float Iron" service, represent various finishes at lower costs, all less than hand work.
The "float iron" has special springs which permit of irregular thicknesses of material, without strain, such as belts, gathers and buttons.
The volume of business done by laundries in the United States was approximately
for 1935. The esti mate for 1938 volume was $420,000,000.
Ray Balderston, Laundering (Igi8) ; G. John son, Textile Fabrics; Grace G. Denney, Fabrics and How to Know Them; Pauline Beery, Chemistry Applied to Home and Community; The Starchroom Laundry Journal; Laundry Age; National Laundry Journal; Laundrymen's Guide. (L. R. B.)