Guide · Laundry and clothes washing · October 15, 2026

Laundry Supplies and Chemicals

Hotel, hospital, dormitory and commercial laundries wash hundreds of kilos of textiles every day; at this volume the right products directly affect both wash quality and cost. In this list we have sorted the detergents and chemicals used in laundries by wash step.

What are laundry supplies?

Main wash: laundry detergent

Separate powder machine detergents for whites and colours are in 20 kg packs in the powder detergents category; liquid laundry detergents are in the fabric softener & laundry products category, and their pack options are on the product pages. Set the amount according to soiling and water hardness, using the dose on the label.

Pre-treatment: stain and blood stain remover

For food, grease and cosmetic stains, stain remover; for blood and protein stains, pre-treatment with cold water and blood stain remover: how to remove blood stains.

Whitening: bleach

Bleach on white cottons whose care label allows bleaching, as directed on the product label; not used on coloured textiles. Details: how to use bleach.

Final rinse: fabric softener

For softness and a fresh scent on bed linen and garments, fabric softener; use little on towels, as it can reduce absorbency.

Machine and area cleaning

For machine exteriors and counters, surface cleaner; for stainless surfaces, stainless steel polish; for odours from floors and drains, how to get rid of drain smell.

The difference between laundry detergent and fabric softener

Laundry detergent: lifts dirt and stains out of the textile in the main wash; the detergent does the cleaning.
Fabric softener: used in the final rinse; it softens and scents the fabric and reduces static, but it does not clean.
Neither replaces the other, and they go in separate compartments of the machine; for using fabric softener see: how to use fabric softener.

Tips for laundries

Sort textiles by type, colour and degree of soiling; for washing steps see how to wash laundry.
On machines with automatic dosing, the amount is set by the machine manufacturer or service company.
Store chemicals in their labelled packaging, in a ventilated area and apart from each other: how to store cleaning products.
Do not mix bleach with acidic products: can cleaning products be mixed.
In hospital laundries, follow the institution's infection control procedure.
For laundry rooms and common areas in student dormitories: how to clean a dormitory.
For greasy workwear and overalls: how to wash work clothes.
For the care of iron and press soleplates: how to clean an iron soleplate.
For ironing board covers: how to clean an ironing board.
For patient pyjamas and nightgowns: how to wash pyjamas.
Hospital cleaning supplies list: corridor, patient room, kitchen and laundry
For where and how to buy detergent wholesale: where to buy wholesale detergent.

Quotes for laundries

You can source powder and liquid detergent, bleach, fabric softener and stain remover from a single supplier in 20–30 kg canisters. For bulk buying, request a quote on our wholesale cleaning products page.

Our products in this guide

Our products: START Floor Scrubber Surface Cleaner 5, 20 and 30 kg; TETİK Surface Cleaner 1, 5, 20 and 30 kg; TETİK Thick Bleach 800 g, 5, 20 and 30 kg; TETİK Soft Fabric Softener 1, 5 and 30 kg; TETİK Machine Washing Powder for Whites 20 kg; TETİK Blood Stain Remover Powder 10 kg; TETİK Stainless Steel Polish 500 ml and 5 kg.

Prepared by: Tetikoğlu Kimya — cleaning chemicals manufacturer since 1997. When using products, always follow the instructions and warnings on the pack.

Frequently asked questions

Should a laundry use powder or liquid detergent?

Powder detergents are common especially for whites and heavy soiling; liquid detergents dissolve quickly and are practical in automatic dosing systems. Choose by machine type and textile, and take the amount from the label.

Is fabric softener used on towels in a laundry?

Use it sparingly; fabric softener can reduce towel absorbency. On bed linen and garments it gives softness and a fresh scent.

Can fabric softener be used instead of detergent?

No. Fabric softener does not remove dirt; it only softens and scents the fabric in the final rinse. Laundry detergent must always be used in the main wash.