Life in practice without a washing machine,

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Angel — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:42:49 GMT

Your boss must have a reason for not wanting a machine - I'm sure that isn't just because he's tight!

Maybe the practice is on a water meter.

Perhaps you could include within the proposal the cost of using an external company such as Sunlight or Initial to do the laundry for you....on the other hand there is a possibility that these companies may refuse.

I know that if I were a little ole lady knitting blankets, I would be most upset that the practice I was donating to were merely chucking them away! The time, effort and cost is phenomenal not to mention the love that goes into these things. Disposable PHA!

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Kathryn Welsh — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:22:39 GMT

OMG don't know how you cope without one! My current battle is for a tumble dryer - not a problem getting things dry in summer but now we've hit winter its a nightmare!!! Good luck - you might even find someone on here looking to off load a machine!

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Claire Coulthard RVN — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:57:00 GMT

mmm... fondly remember the times a washer at a previous practice through it's dummy out of the cot and packed up thru overuse and the we were taking stinky bags of pee -soaked bedding home in the boots of our cars...lovely!

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

supamog — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:09:09 GMT

well on any other day i would have thought i had read it wrong but my other half has just started work at another surgery and they too dont have a washer! imagine life without one! apparantly the "staff" take stuff home to wash. I personally dont think this is a good idea as will it not transfer bacteria etc about and possibly contaminate their own homes? and on the point of getting a second-hand washer, if its used in a business it needs to be PAT tested and of course there is a charge for that. We once took one from home and had to hide it next door when we were inspected and also for repair cos it was a domestic one! lol it really wasnt worth the bother! Good luck in your endeavour!

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Vicky RVN — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:07:43 GMT

We simply could not cope without a washing machine!!! Ours broke and was out of action for a few days whilst it was being repaired...nightmare!!! We get through so much bedding it just would not be practical to throw it all away, such a waste!

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Sal the 1st — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:51:20 GMT

[quote user="Caro Laithwaite"]

Response in waiting room would probably be with the fees you lot charge you could buy everyone one.. yadda yadda ... can just see that one coming

[/quote]

nope was planning on the response coming from the boss when clients start giving them earache - if asking nicely fails be sneaky

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Mrs Dot Dot — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:41:25 GMT

I can't believe you haven't got a washing machine! Can't you print off these replies and show it to him...... ?

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Caro Laithwaite VN — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:22:12 GMT

Response in waiting room would probably be with the fees you lot charge you could buy everyone one.. yadda yadda ... can just see that one coming

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Steph Phillips — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:07:26 GMT

[quote user="christinam"]

Also count in the cost of waste disposal. Clinical waste company's usually charge either by amount of bags or by weight, plus collection fee. Apart from cutting down on amount of waste, you may save on number of collections.

[/quote]

Exactly! - I bet towels, bedding etc weight quite a lot!

Freecycle is a good idea, or you could have a little collection tin going on your reception?? get clients to help raise funds, - or just give it to your boss streight making him see how impracticle it is not having one! maybe get him to wash a few ..

Ours used to break down every 5 - 7mths or so, and our boss refused to buy an industrial one - the cost of repairs over 2yrs mounted up far more than it would have cost for a new washing machine... After moaning, We got a new one now

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Sal the 1st — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:44:02 GMT

as previously mentioned disposing of soiled bedding is expensive which is an explanation I have used with good effect in the past. I have been in this situation - have washed blankets /vetbed etc in my bath (lived above the practice and was not prepared to put them through my washing machine because a tight wad boss wouldnt buy his own washer) drapes were scrubbed by hand with a brush - which easily damages the drape so it doesnt last as long. We didnt use disposable drapes - and I know quite a few vets who still wont use them even if available because they dont sit right. factor in the cost of disposable drapes into your ops if you are going to use them - over all they do work out more expensive than laundering .

the other way to tackle this is to put an advert in the waiting room to say you are looking for a cheap or free washing machine for the practice as you dont have one - bet that will get you a response quite quickly !

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

albatross — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:13:21 GMT

don't forget to factor in cost of the washing run, and powder, and water if on a meter.

But also you need to ensure there's a space for the water outlet and if not then it needs a plumber to get that in place - our low income clinic had to do that as we don't have any kitchen or wasroom area (it's actually in the waiting room!) and it's over a year old, but very nicely washes the floor for us during the cycle ......

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

christinam — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:13:04 GMT

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

LoveCat — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:11:57 GMT

Blimey! You are a saint! Our washing machine broke down once for a couple of days and we nearly went mad!!

Good luck convincing your boss - you definately deserve one! xxx

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Saskia Quinn — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:03:24 GMT

Definitely work out costs and pro's of getting a machine. Get everyone to back you up!

Explain what Caro said about handwashing drapes not necessarily getting rid of all bacteria etc. Work out the cost of using disposable drapes v's cloth ones, puppy/cage liners v's bedding (i.e. use of machine!!)

Good luck

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Royalsuper_fairy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:56:05 GMT

Thanks, will sit and work out costs over the next day or so and write a draft proposal and see how that goes. Also we need to work out where in the practice we could put it as we are limited for space.

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

loobylou — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:43:19 GMT

Why dont you add up the cost of buying kennel liners over a year, Im sure you would be able to pick up a second hand washer for less than the cost.

We bought an industrial washing machine, it was expensive but we have had it for years and its only broken once! Its virtually indestructable!
Previous to that we were going through washing machines at a rate of one every 8 mths or so.

p.s I realise I have now jinxed myself and our machine will prob explode

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Royalsuper_fairy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:39:01 GMT

I am going to try and type up a proper proposal. I hate the fact that we don't have on.

We are very lucky and don't run out of bedding very often as have little old ladies knitting us blankets and lots of clients regulary bring in sheets, towels etc.

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Caro Laithwaite VN — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:30:55 GMT

Cost of liners must outweight propper bedding also it wont provide heat esp for recovering or ill patients means they won't be getting proper care.

Hand washing the drapes wont get a proper clean.

got to be some more excuses!!!

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Royalsuper_fairy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:28:04 GMT

We use any beeding that has been donated by clients, if no bedding then cage liners/puppy pads.

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Maisy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:01:04 GMT

No washing machine?!?! How can a practice survive without one?? Definitely try somewhere like Freecycle to see if you can get one that way as its really not practical to not have one, I don't know how you've gone three years without! Handwashing drapes will take ages, and you will save more by being able to keep and reuse bedding. Do you use blankets/vetbed or just towels?

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Haley Thomas — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:00:07 GMT

I would def put a plea on freecycle. Or maybe you could an advert on the practice notice board? One of your clients might be getting a new one to match their colour scheme?

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Royalsuper_fairy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:54:42 GMT

It's been hard not to get one, I just need to think of a good arguement for him to agree to me arranging to get one.

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Jo Mackenzie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:53:03 GMT

No washing machine?!?!?! We couln't cope! All I can suggest if he really really won't let you get one is start using disposable drapes? Or maybe you could get a cheap one from somewhere like ebay. The free ad papers are usually quite good for bargains too. Good luck!

Re: Life in practice without a washing machine,

Katie Tallett RVN MBVNA — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:52:47 GMT

um !!!!!

surely it costs a fortune to throw bedding away?? !!

i'm amazed you've lasted 3 years without stealing his credit card and buying one!!