FAQ's

What is BluOx?  BluOx is our term for high levels of ozone a.k.a. blue oxygen.  BluOx applies 5 to 10 times the level of ozone than any other equipment available to the laundry industry. We are able to do this through our exclusive patent pending process that includes modifying washing machines to accommodate these higher levels.

 

Can I buy BluOx for my existing washers?  No. In order to accommodate BluOx's high levels of ozone, special modifications must be made to the washers. These modifications are best made to new washers and are not well suited for modification in the field after installation.

 

What is the difference between BluOx and other ozone companies?  Other ozone companies are limited in the amount of ozone they can supply without creating ozone off-gas in the laundry room. BluOx's patent pending washer modifications allow BluOx to apply 5 to 10 times the level of ozone as our competitors.

These high levels of ozone allow BluOx to wash without adding any alkali or chlorine chemicals to the wash cycle. 

 

What are the benefits to my laundry operations?  BluOx, like any well designed ozone laundry system, will reduce or even eliminate the use of hot water in your laundry.  BluOx also eliminates the use of alkali and chlorine which are the primary toxic chemicals used in laundry. This in turn reduces the amount of rinsing required and shortens wash cycles.

 

How will our guests benefit from this technology?  Guest linen lasts longer, is fluffier and fresher smelling.  BluOx eliminates that residual laundry chemical smell often noticeable in towels.  Customers will also appreciate the efforts laundry operators have taken with BluOx to make the laundry as eco-friendly as possible.

 

Can I order BluOx when I order my washer?  BluOx works with B&C, Jense, Milnor and Unimac washers.  If your local B&C, Jensen, Milnor or Unimac dealer is an authorized BluOx representative, you can order your washer with the BluOx upgrade as a package from your local dealer. Otherwise, you can contact BluOx and we will find the easiest and best supported avenue to match your needs.

 

Will ozone hurt my linen?  Only gas phase ozone in high concentrations has been shown to damage linen.  BluOx uses dissolved ozone which actually extends linen life when compared to washing in hot water and chlorine bleach.

 

What are the maintenance requirements?  The only preventative maintenance requirement is to periodically clean the air filters on the BluOx equipment.  We will be monitoring your equipment via our remote diagnostics IT and will notify you if the equipment is not performing to spec.  We will even let you know if maintenance has fallen behind on the air filters.  If a problem is diagnosed and is not readily fixable over the phone, we will send you a replacement component and ask that you return the component needing repair.

 

Do I need bleach?  No.  BluOx's exclusive design that safely applies 5 to 10 times the level of other ozone laundry systems eliminates the need for bleach.

 

What chemicals do I need?  All you need for light soil sheets and towels is a neutral or near neutral detergent (e.g. Ecolab's Detergent OZ).  You will need a reclaim formula that uses hot water and traditional chemistry in order to rewash heavy stains like lipstick, shoe polish, etc.  Heavy soiled healthcare linen may need some alkali (builder).  Food & Beverage or any item with grease or oil stains will need some hot water and some traditional laundry chemistry.

 

How long does the equipment last?  With proper maintenance, the BluOx equipment will outlast the life of your washer(s).  The components of BluOx can and should be replaced or rebuilt every 2 to 3 years.  We recommend the extended remote diagnostic and service contract that includes the cost to repair, maintain or replace the BluOx ozone and monitoring equipment.

 

Can ozone really reduce drying times?  We have done studies over the years that have confirmed less water retention using cold ozone cycles compared with traditional hot water laundry cycles.  This equates to a 5 to 20% reduction in drying times, depending on water temperature, linen type and other variables.  Of course, replacing old washers with low extract speeds with new high speed extract machines will greatly reduce dry times and if you couple that with ozone, the reduction in drying times is quite significant.

 

How does ozone reduce drying times?  We have had heard a lot of guesses on this one over the years, but the best explanation we have heard is that ozone changes what is know as the Brownian effect of water.  In effect, by saturating the water with ozone gas, the ozonated water begins to react at least in part as a gas instead of 100% liquid.

 

How big do I need to be to justify ozone?  You need enough laundry to keep at least a 35 to 40 pound washer averaging 10+ loads per day to achieve a reasonable payback.  Of course, we have customers doing thousands and even tens of thousands of pounds per day which only makes the payback nicer.

 

Is it safe?   Like many things in your laundry (alkali, acid, bleach, dryer burners, etc.) appropriate care and respect should be given.  We make sure we are applying dissolved ozone which is much safer than gas phase ozone and we have taken appropriate measures to contain ozone off-gas.  Ozone, especially at unsafe levels, has a distinct smell that is readily recognizable.  Exposure to even high levels of ozone over short periods of time is generally safe.

 

Will it change the way my laundry is run?  Not really.  From the operator's standpoint, the formulas for BluOx are preset in the washer so it is just a matter of keying in the right wash cycle.  Less chemicals means less buckets to change.  One of the key factors is to keep an eye on drying times.  Since ozone often reduces drying times significantly, you need to be careful not to over dry the goods.  Probably most important is to make sure you have an effective reclaim process.  Certain grease and oil based stains will not come out in cold water so they need to be rewashed with hot reclaim formulas.  If you don't have a good reclaim process, the same stains will get washed repeatedly and generate a large pile of stained goods in as little as a few weeks.  BluOx can help you and your chemical rep make sure a good reclaim process is in place.

 

How much will it cost me to add BluOx?  BluOx upgrades, not counting washer costs, start at around $11,000 and go to $50,000 for conventional washers and $60,000 to $100,000 for CBW tunnels. 

 

What is the payback period?  Paybacks are typically 4 to 8 months.

 

Is there special training for my staff? Is it easy to use?  As noted above, BluOx wash cycles are preprogrammed into your new BluOx modified washer so it's just a matter of keying in the right wash cycle.

 

What happens if BluOx goes down?  Your BluOx modified washer comes with all the traditional hot water cycles and hot water wash capabilities so you won't lose any processing time.  We will send you a replacement BluOx component which is readily swapped out for the component needing repair.  The repairable component is simply sent back to us.

 

Can I get LEED points for this technology?  Some of our customers have earned LEED points for energy savings, water savings and reduction of toxic chemicals.

 

Are there any grants or state assisted funding in helping me to use this product?  Many states and/or utility companies have credits or rebates for which BluOx would qualify.  Many states also offer special financing terms for which BluOx qualifies.

 

Do you offer financing?  BluOx does not offer any in-house financing.  BluOx can potentially be financed with Unimac financing which allows for up to 20% in non-washer equipment.  We have a number of companies that we refer customers to for financing or leasing of equipment.

 

Do I pay this with my washer purchase or is it separate?  If you purchase a BluOx modified washer from an authorized BluOx dealer, you order the BluOx combined package as one from the dealer.  If not, you will typically order the washer as BluOx Ready from the washing machine vendor and the BluOx ozone component from BluOx.

 

Who do I call for service? Washing machine manufacturer?  Washer related service calls are placed to the washing machine dealer.  BluOx related service is typically handled via extended remote diagnostics and service contract direct with BluOx, though you also have the option of requesting a site service call from your authorized BluOx rep.

 

How much will I save?  90 to 100% of your hot water; 50% of your water/sewer, 50% of your chemicals, and about 1/3 of your production time.

 

I put in a PO for a washer last month, I just found out about BluOx can I still get it? Maybe.  Contact us with details and we'll see.

 

Our ambient water temp is high, will BluOx work in my property?  Ozone can be used effectively in temperatures up to 100F.

 

Our ambient water temp is cold, will BluOx work in my property?  Ozone can be used effectively in temperatures as low as 35F.

 

How much space does it take?  The reduced wash cycle times typically allows customers to take up less floor space since less washing capacity is needed.  There are (3) BluOx components which are about 20"H x 16"W x 9"D each and are all wall mountable.

 

Will it get out all stains?  Depends.  Ozone is a superior oxidant which means it will do an excellent job on most all organic stains.  Grease and oil based stains need to reach their melting point (typically around 120F) in order to be removed.

 

How long does it take to install?  The washers come BluOx ready and preprogrammed.  Install is just a matter of hanging 3 boxes on the wall and making the connections.  A couple of hours typically covers the install.

 

How can I be sure I am disinfecting if I no longer use bleach and hot water?  Please refer to Sanitization for a discussion on disinfecting.

 

Are there special electrical requirements?  The washers use standard utility connections.  BluOx components need (3) three 110 volt plugs with a combined 20 amp circuit protection.

 

What do I need for the remote diagnostics?  We prefer to have an internet access in the laundry area to hardwire into, but we can use cell-phone data transmission, if needed.