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Dry Cleaning

Dirty air means a dirty environment, and that defeats the purpose of taking clothing, linens and other garments to a dry cleaner. You want to provide your customers with optimal service, and that means using clean compressed air to run equipment, clean clothing and keep things operating smoothly.

Chemical cleaning applications are the future of the dry cleaning industry, and that’s why we’ve created this guide to look at the benefits and must-haves in today’s air compressors for dry cleaning. We’ll help you pick the right model to deliver precise amounts of compressed air on demand, for cleaning all types of garments in multiple types of applications.

For a dry cleaning press, you’ll want to look for an air pressure range of 70 to 90 and an average free air consumption (CFM) of 3. Read on for more considerations and a little help understanding what those elements mean for the best air compressors for dry cleaning businesses like yours.

For a dry cleaning press, you’ll want
to look for an air pressure range of
70 to 90 and an average free air
consumption (CFM) of 3.

Standard Air Requirements for Dry Cleaners

Every dry cleaner runs a unique operation of chemical processes, storage, on-site or off-site treatment and other business practices. Based on these concerns and others like the size and volume of business, each dry cleaner will need a specific air compressor setup designed and installed just for them.

That said, there are elements of each air compressor for dry cleaning systems that should be consistent. Here are some of the most important and most requested features we at Fluidcomp Compressor have seen of those in the dry cleaning business.

  • Class 0 air quality
  • Compact, space-saving design
  • Easy to operate and maintain
  • Energy efficiency is a must
  • Low operating and maintenance costs
  • Quiet operation throughout
  • Supports environmentally friendly fluids and materials
  • Variable speed control options
  • Very reliable air quality and compressed air production
Energy efficiency is one of the top requirements for dry cleaners because utility bills alone can account for as much as 25% of a dry cleaner’s total operating costs.

Two Types of Air Compressors for Dry Cleaners

There are two types of air compressors for dry cleaning that deliver the precision you require: rotary screw and reciprocating. Each can meet the demands of chemical applications in order to ensure your operations properly clean and prepare clothing and linens, so that customers are satisfied and continue to come back to your business.

Rotary Screw Air Compressors for Dry Cleaning

Rotary screw air compressors are a time-tested and proven model that deliver high levels of reliability and efficiency. Those suited for dry cleaning applications use two meshing helical screws to perform the compression.

Rotary screw compressors are often recommended because they’re among the easiest to maintain and operate, even as they move into larger outputs. Fluidcomp Compressor specializes in highly efficient models that use the latest in modern technology. For dry cleaners, we often recommend the QGS Series because they offer flexible installation options and operate extremely quietly, while offering a range of 5 to 100 HP.

Reciprocating Air Compressors for Dry Cleaning

High-pressure applications in dry cleaning required for uses such as solvent recovery and plant maintenance may be best served through a reciprocating air compressor. These models will use a crankshaft-driven piston or pistons to deliver air at high pressure and maintain their status as the workhorse of your operations.

Reciprocating compressors can scale up significantly for your operations thanks to the development of single-stage and two-stage models. Fluidcomp can help you maximize overall productivity and efficiency by selecting the right unit designed for light applications like your dry cleaning business.

Challenges for Air Compressors in Dry Cleaning

Laundry and dry cleaning systems need to use the cleanest air possible because dirty air destroys service quality. This means your air compressor system should discharge to an air receiver and then flow through at least two filters and a dryer. All of these elements work together to remove debris and water from the air you use. Sometimes it can be difficult to line everything up properly based on size, location and usage constraints.

It may be worth turning to a smart partner like Fluidcomp Compressors to discuss air compressors for dry cleaners if you have an existing system that faces challenges. Maintaining pressures throughout your operations can be a concern when you apply it to washers, assisting with clothes folding and much more.

Here are just a few of the challenges faced by dry cleaners large and small:

  • Ambient inlet air conditions
  • Compressed air treatment such as drying and filtering
  • Generated heat from nearby machinery
  • Inconsistent maintenance due to placements that aren’t easily accessed
  • Noise that can disrupt employees and machinery
  • Piping design and bends that produce excess condensation
  • Space and placement concerns in facilities with a variety of hanging equipment
  • System leaks — every ¼-inch leak can cost $10,000 per year