Towel Station

[soapy]

I had a request to post a picture of a typical free drying towel station. This is one I had made 12 years ago and is holding up well. All you really need is a container to hold dry towels and one to hold wet used towels. I also have some that are stacked on top of each other.

 

[vinh]

I had a request to post a picture of a typical free drying towel station. This is one I had made 12 years ago and is holding up well. All you really need is a container to hold dry towels and one to hold wet used towels. I also have some that are stacked on top of each other.

Is the bin made of stainless steel? was the bins custom made and how much does it cost?? thanks ahead

 

[soapy]

It is stainless steel. Custom made and cost about $650 12 years ago. Probably double that now. All you really need is 2 bins, One for dry and one for wet towels. A couple of plastic coolers with lids will also work.

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

Thanks for the pics. I used a cart from Sams with some white terry towels for interior/exterior drying, and red for wheels. Not too impressed with the terry towels from Sams, and with the hugely positive response I've had from customers, am considering upgrading the drying towels from either ERC or Doctor Joe.

Thanks again

 

[pgrzes]

Sams white terry towels are terrible for anything but rags for us. I like their micro fibers though!! I sell lots of them. $2

 

[soapy]

From 20 years of experience doing this I can tell you the following facts, the better quality of towel you use the more towels that will get stolen. Sams cotton towels need to be washed in HOt water to removing the sizing before they absorb anything.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

What is "sizing"? I never heard the term used in this manner before, and have read it twice here today.

 

[Randy]

What is "sizing"? I never heard the term used in this manner before, and have read it twice here today.

Here's your chance to read all about it https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sizing

 

[soapy]

Sizing for cotton is used mostly as a lubricate during manufacturing process. In the mills it cuts down the friction so that the fabric does not catch fire during manufacture but it must be washed off with hot water to get the towel to absorb water.

 

[mjwalsh]

It seems like one trade off would be possibly less revenue from the spot free rinse option & the newer better blow dry option. Just a thought. I can see some customers really liking it though.

When a regular tells us that they forgot their large terry towels at home & they are sincere we do try to accommodate which keeps the volume of towels given out less. I know one of our self service competitors had a drop off laundry counter with their car wash & they used to keep the customer's keys until they brought the free towel back ... I am not sure if they still do that or not though.

mike

 

[Waxman]

We just started keeping the dry towels in a large beer cooler. it sits on top of a rubbermaid cart and the dirty/wet towels go in a plastic bin on bottom shelf of cart.

The cooler is great; keeps towels cleaner and drier (mist from bays gets on towels, etc).

Bonus; cooler was free; my employee got it at a tag sale he helps out with.

 

[Waxman]

as far as cost goes, my opinion is that the added expense of towels etc is far outweighed by customer loyalty / retention. i learned long ago with the detail shop that it was much less expensive to keep existing customers (repeat business ./ retention) than it is to get new customers.