Looking for any advice on a washer and dryer for a hair salon

[trevorsarazin]

My fiancee is building out a new salon and I've been helping with the build out process. Unfortunately we've hit a bit of a roadblock in choosing a washer and dryer as I know very little about them (and turns out she knows even less). She is looking for a washer and dryer that can be stacked on top of each other and therefore front loading, and obviously something fairly heavy duty. There are 7 stations in the salon so they will be going through a lot of towels. Also, the exhaust is a fairly long line, so want to make sure whichever we choose has a powerful air output. Does anyone have any advice or insight on what to look for that might work in this application?

Thanks in advance for any help or insight you might be able to offer!

 

[panthera]

I have done a lot of work for a few salons (and dog grooming

Centers. Being interested in washers and dryers, I notice what they have. As I also do routine work for them twice a year, I have noted something interesting:

None of them keep the same washer very long. Dryers seem to last about four/five years. Nearly all have products from the Whirlpool company (Maytag, Whirlpool/etc.)

None have Speed Queen.

The dog grooming establishments are the same with two exceptions. No front loaders and two of which that are family run have Ge FilterFlo washers and gas dryers. Both keep a stock of parts for the washers. Their owners say what everyone here knows - nothing else removes pet hair anywhere near as well.

 

So, there's your answer in practice - Whirlpool corporation front loaders (never seen them stacked in practice, but I know many are stackable), gas dryers where possible and the expectation that they'll fail and be replaced very very quickly.

 

Makes sense.

Now, if you're curious how the salons get their products clean and meet our state's guidelines, that's a question I'm sure many of us here would be happy to answer. I'll stop here for now, though.

 

[combo52]

Speed Queen Front Load Stack

Is the only machine to consider for your usage situation, this is what nearly every hair salon, dog groomer, veterinarian hospital etc has in the Washington DC area, the only way I would go with regular WP type appliances is if you are able to have at least two washers and dryers because of breakdowns.

Also I would never stack regular washers and dryers because you cannot repair the washer without first getting two men to remove the dryer from the washer.

Differently get a gas dryer if possible as they are more tolerant of long vent runs.

John L.

 

[vacerator]

Hi Trevor,

Congrat's on the salon! It's a very dynamic business. My spouse and former had one back in the late 80's. It was difficult with a meddling mother in law who was an investor. Now we go to the 3 gal's salon who worked at theirs. They only have space for a stack unit. The first was a Fridgidaire which lasted a few years. The second, and current is a Whirlpool older direct drive unit with a gas dryer. I think they may still be made. If not, they are the newer type drive system, which isn't bad either.
John L. is very knowledgable with good advice.

 

[ea56]

Trevor

for what its worth, I was a licensed Cosmetologist until just a few years ago and actively worked in the profession from 1970 thru 1985. When I first started in the business we always had a linen service for the towels, mainly because the State Board of Cosmetology had very stringent rules about the sanitation of towels.

Then in 1980 I went to work for a salon that had a Maytag washer and dryer in the back, and we washed our towels. The machines were always overloaded, because everyone waited until the last minute to do the towels, so they were never as clean as the linen service towels. And the towels were constantly having to be replaced due to holes from using so much LCB to sanitize them.

I have no idea how much a linen service charges now for towel service, or if you can even get towel service in your town. But if I were going to own a salon I would seriously consider just biting the bullet and having a linen service. I think if you run the numbers for the cost of the towels to begin with, the cost for replacement of the towels, the cost of the washer and dryer initially and the future repairs and replacement, the cost of the extra utilities and detergent and bleach, not to mention the strain it puts on the water heater and running out of hot water when you have a full salon, in the end its probably not much more costly to have a linen service, if not less expensive. And it sure frees up your time to make more money providing paid services, instead of either you or your employees make’n with the laundry.

The linen service towels were always immaculately clean and sanitized, and not worn out. They gave a better impression to the customers too.

But thats just my opinion. And I love to do laundry, but not under those conditions.

Eddie

 

[retro-man]

I own a salon and have a Maytag Centennial top loader with a GE gas dryer. They can turn a load of towels a lot faster than a front loader. I have 6 cutting stations along with 6 color stations. This is the 2nd washer to 1 dryer. The first was a matched GE that went with the dryer. Had no problems with the washer except the port for the bleach was rusting out and looked terrible. Gave it to a friend of mine and he is still using it. Hair removal is pretty good with the Maytag and what that doesn't get the dryer does. When I constructed the salon I did not want stackables, the employees use the tops of both machines to fold towels on. I have a sign on the wall in back of the machines stating no plastic bags or clips in machines and do not over load the machines. Load till top holes in tub and no more.
I also like a full tub of water that a top loader uses to completely saturate all towels sheets etc, especially towels that have a lot of hair color and perm solution on.

Jon