UI Laundry not only washes sheets and towels but launders specially treated mops and rugs for campus custodians and buildings and offers a rental and cleaning service for the 27,000 uniforms worn by UI staff. It's a long way from the time when washday meant pounding clothes on a rock by the riverside. Each washer holds up to 450 lbs., or four bags, of laundry. Light-colored bags at rear hold clean laundry, ready for ironing and folding. The UI Laundry handles more than ten million pieces, or 6 million pounds of laundry each year.
Uniforms emerge from the garment tunnel finisher.
A bar code identifiying the wearer and place of employment is attached to each item. Before washing, uniforms are scanned, sorted, and checked for wear, rips, and missing buttons. Repairs are made in the mending room.