The Textiles Services Association (TSA) is partnering with the Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW) bringing together two bodies representing commercial laundry and textile rental businesses. The partnership aims to provide end-to-end support across the apparel manufacturers, distributors, and laundry industries.

Both the PCIAW and TSA agree upon reusable isolation gowns being the way forward and that the economic and environmental cases are both strong. The TSA advises that reusable isolation gowns can be laundered up to 75 times. The DHSC admits the cost difference between single-use and reusable is ‘modest’ but as the reusable isolation gowns last up to 74 more times longer because they can be cleaned and reused, the preferred choice should be clear.

While the TSA lobbies the UK Government to make the case for reusable isolation gowns, the products need to be manufactured to a high standard using the optimal materials and the correct stitching if the isolation gowns are going to withstand the expected 75 wash lifespan.

Yvette Ashby, CEO, PCIAW believes the joint network of trusted members can be called upon to offer their experience in manufacturing reusable isolation gowns with the full understanding of the commercial laundry operations to maximise the lifespan of the products and to the cost-effectiveness for health services in the UK and across the world.