Air vacuums are one of the most important pieces of equipment that a dry cleaner could have under their roof. Although they are technically standalone appliances, air vacs are integrated with other machines to deliver that pressed-to-perfection look customers expect.
They accomplish this by pulling steam through the garment, which eliminates wrinkles and ensures a smooth finish. And while they may not be directly involved in cleaning and removing stains from clothes and fabrics, they’re still an essential end-of-line accessory. In fact, many dry cleaning companies rely on this equipment to provide their customers with a satisfactory end result.
Let’s take a closer look at air vacuums and the many benefits they offer to dry cleaning establishments.
1. How Air Vacuums Work
First invented in the mid-1950s, air vacuums completely transformed the dry cleaning industry. Today, they continue to do so thanks to constant innovation and improvements. Air vacuums work in conjunction with other equipment, like steamers, to press garments and remove any wrinkles that occurred before or during the cleaning process.
As the steam is produced, the air vacuum will create suction to pull it through the clothing item. This flattens it and creates a smooth, wrinkle-free end product. The steam that has been vacuumed through the garment will then be vented outside of the facility or condensed into water and stored for later use.
This essential piece of equipment offers several key benefits for dry cleaners, including:
Durability and Reliability
Dry cleaners need two things out of their equipment. First, they need it to work effectively. Without a functional system, there is no way to provide customers with the quality of service they expect. Beyond this, dry cleaners need their machines to last – and maintain their quality for as long as possible. After all, time is money. If you’re working with equipment that isn’t up to par, you’ll be wasting time carrying out the process.
The same is true of machines that have a short lifespan. Any malfunction or breakdown that requires repair from a professional means that you’ll be waiting hours, days, or even weeks for the issue to be resolved.
And if you don’t have something you can use as a substitute, you could be turning away a significant amount of profits until your equipment is back up and running. Customers that would otherwise come to your dry cleaning business will be forced to go elsewhere, and they may not come back at all.
Luckily, when you integrate an air vacuum into your dry cleaning process, you can greatly minimize these risks. This is because they are extremely durable and long-lasting. Industry-leading air vacs are designed to work effectively and efficiently for many years. Therefore, you can worry more about running your business and less about the quality and reliability of your machines.
Lower Energy Bills and Fewer Repairs
The goal of any business is to bring in more revenue than what it puts forward in expenditures. And when it comes to expenses, all facilities need to budget for supplies, equipment costs, employee salaries, utility bills, and other miscellaneous items. Any way a company can cut costs is only going to help its bottom line and increase its profitability.
Luckily, air vacuums aid in this process by reducing energy consumption and relieving the strain on other components of the dry cleaning system. For example, when you use an air vac in tandem with a steamer, the latter doesn’t have to work as hard to send steam through the garment. Ultimately, this can reduce your energy costs and even preserve the quality of your dry cleaning equipment.
Air vacuums are especially beneficial when paired with larger machines, like boilers. This equipment is vital to the cleaning process and is quite expensive to purchase, install, repair, and operate. By taking the stress off of the boiler and reducing wear and tear, you can ensure that it remains in working order for a longer period of time.
Versatility
Last but not least, one of the main benefits of air vacuums is that they are incredibly versatile and can be used for a variety of applications. They also come in three different styles – vertical, overhead, and dual. Each type is available in several sizes that can be tailored to fit your facility. This versatility allows dry cleaners to purchase an air vacuum that works well with their space, without having to rearrange their equipment to make room for it. For example, if floor space is limited, a vertical or overhead air vacuum is an effective solution.
Air vacuums can also work with up to 25 different steam presses. This means that, as dry cleaners grow and expand their businesses, their air vac can grow right along with them. You won’t have to worry about handling an influx of orders as your customer base grows, your equipment will still be able to accommodate for the increase.
Finally, air vacuums are available in a variety of colors. This means that you can choose a product that reflects your company’s branding or coordinates with your current design scheme. This may seem like a minor advantage, but it can help you create a unique brand image and maintain the look of your facility.
2. Enhance Your Dry Cleaning Operations with an Air Vacuum
The main goal of a dry cleaner is to wash the customer's clothing and garments properly. However, many businesses make the mistake of only focusing on the cleaning operations – and not the finishing touches. In many cases, the final presentation of the garment is just as important (if not more so) as the actual cleaning process. Even a thoroughly sanitized clothing item can look dirty if it’s wrinkly and disheveled.
With a high-quality air vacuum cleaner, you can ensure that your customers receive a pristine product and are satisfied with their service. From durability to versatility and lower energy bills, air vacuums are a big part of any dry cleaning facility’s complete package.
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