Commercial laundries do more than ship textiles from production to customer: they manage collection, washing, clean storage and repeat delivery. A packaging system must protect clean items from dust and moisture, prevent mixing with used linen and make returnable carriers traceable.
Physically separate clean and used flows
Use different carrier, bag or label systems for collection, washing, clean storage and delivery. Colour coding alone is not enough; operating procedures should define what each mark means.
Separate bed linen, towels, workwear and specially processed items by customer, department or route. Counts on the outer carton or bag should match the contents, and clean goods should not be exposed in a mixed return load.
Protect clean textiles through storage and dispatch
Load textiles dry and folded into a suitable carrier or outer pack. A pallet cover can help where dust, rain or vehicle contamination is a concern; do not hold damp textiles in an airtight outer layer.
For cartons, match the box strength to the content weight and close it with suitable packaging tape. Direct tape application to washable returnable plastic carriers may leave residue; consider a label pocket or an approved removable identification method.
Count returnable carriers and close the delivery loop
Assign each carrier or trolley a unique unit or route label. The GS1 Logistic Label Guideline provides a reference for identifying logistic units and placing readable labels; validate compatibility with your own, customer and carrier systems.
At delivery, record carrier quantity, clean/used flow markings, outer-pack condition and shortages. Track loss rates for reusable carriers and disposable packaging consumption over time; substantiate any environmental or cost-saving claim with actual comparisons.
Sources and further reading
- GS1, Logistic Label Guideline
- ISTA, Getting Started with Design & Testing
- UPS, How to Pack a Box or Pallet for Shipping
Accessed 2 November 2026. Follow current product, carrier and destination requirements for the actual shipment.
Review the packaging for your operation
Share the product dimensions, packaging configuration and route so suitable Biz2miz options can be reviewed.
Frequently asked questions
Can pallet stretch film be used for clean laundry?
It may help unitise a pallet; keep the textiles dry and maintain suitable cover and ventilation conditions.
Can one carrier move clean and used laundry?
A returnable carrier should not re-enter the clean flow until the laundry’s segregation and cleaning procedure is completed.
Should carton tape be applied directly to plastic laundry carts?
If adhesive residue is possible during washing, use a suitable label pocket or approved identification method.