ISO 15797
Industrial washing
Protective clothing ISO 15797 Industrial washing
In order for workwear to be compatible with industrial maintenance, it must pass the ISO 15797 standard tests.
PPE must comply with the “PRO” washing symbols (see above) which means professional industrial laundry.
- The most frequent process is 75/160: 75°C in washing, 155°C in drying
- The blackened numbered box indicates the type of washing
- Most frequently used wash (especially for PPE): program 8
- Empty box = the tunnel cannot be used
Detail of picto 15797 Industrial washing
The stages of industrial washing
Step 1: Sorting
This step is crucial to differentiate:
- White and colors
- PPE and non-PPI
- Work clothes and flat linen (sheets, tablecloths, …)
In order to send the garments to the right maintenance process.
Step 2: Washing
- Washing tunnels: accommodate approximately 50kg of laundry per module
- Washing is done with detergent and chemical products adapted to these materials
- The press at the exit of the washing tunnel: crushes the clothes in order to wring them out (pressure of 6 bars for clothes to 24 for flat linen)
Note: today more and more washes are done at 60°C to respect the fibers and save energy
Step 3: Hanging
Clothes are transported to the staff who place each garment on a hanger
Step 4: Drying
In the drying tunnel:
- For 7 minutes, the hangers scroll by
- Temperature: between 120 and 160°C (actual temperature on the garment: 143°C)
