For a high-street dry cleaner with one ironing press, a trouser topper and a spotting table, a 5.5 kW screw compressor such as the S 55 (0.6 m³/min at 8 bar) is enough in most cases. With two pressing stations, or to have the air receiver, dryer and filtration on a single frame, the K 75 (1.1 m³/min) gives more headroom. The central finishing plant of a dry cleaning chain moves up to the K 110 (1.7 m³/min).
The uses of air in the trade are set out on our page compressor for dry cleaners. Here, we go through the choice of model in detail.
Which machines count in the calculation?
Make a list of what is connected to the air network, and only that:
- the pneumatic ironing presses (collar and cuff press, utility press, trouser press);
- the form finishers and toppers, for their clamps and tensioners;
- the guns on the spotting tables;
- the pneumatic valves on the dry cleaning machines and steam generators, where there are any;
- the blow guns and small tools in the alterations room.
The steam generator and the blower of the form finisher do not use compressed air for steam or hot air: they have their own circuits. Only the cylinders, clamps and valves count.
The step-by-step calculation
Step 1, the manual. For each machine, note down the air consumption in l/min and the working pressure. If the manual gives litres per cycle, multiply by the number of cycles per minute.
Step 2, how the machine is used. A press that runs non-stop at busy times is counted at 100%. A spotting gun or a topper, used intermittently, is counted at 50%: the air receiver supplies the peaks.
Step 3, what runs at the same time. Only count the stations that are in use at the same moment. Two presses and only one person pressing means one press at a time.
Step 4, the margins. Add a 25% safety margin, then 20% for one more machine, just like our configurator.
Three typical cases
The consumption figures below are in the range of those found in manuals and are indicative only.
Case 1, high-street dry cleaner. One utility press at 200 l/min, one topper at 80 l/min (counted as 40), one spotting gun at 120 l/min (counted as 60), and the valves on the dry cleaning machine at 50 l/min.
- Total: 200 + 40 + 60 + 50 = 350 l/min.
- With 25%: 437.5 l/min. With 20%: 525 l/min.
Case 2, dry cleaner with a shirt service. Two presses (collar and cuff, utility) at 200 l/min each, one shirt form finisher counted at 40 l/min, one topper counted at 40 l/min, one spotting gun counted at 60 l/min, and the valves at 50 l/min.
- Total: 400 + 40 + 40 + 60 + 50 = 590 l/min.
- With 25%: 737.5 l/min. With 20%: 885 l/min.
Case 3, central plant for a chain. Three presses (600 l/min), two toppers (80 l/min), two spotting guns (120 l/min), and the valves on two machines (100 l/min).
- Total: 900 l/min.
- With 25%: 1,125 l/min. With 20%: 1,350 l/min.
| Case | Need with margins | Recommended model | Flow at 8 bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-street dry cleaner | 525 l/min | S 55 + air receiver, dryer, filters | 600 l/min |
| Dry cleaner with shirt service | 885 l/min | K 75, 4-in-1 | 1,100 l/min |
| Central plant | 1,350 l/min | K 110, 4-in-1 | 1,700 l/min |
In case 1, the S 55 leaves little in reserve. If you are planning a second press within the next two years, go straight for the K 75.
What pressure should you set?
Presses and toppers generally work at around 5 to 6 bar, and the spotting gun often lower, through its own regulator. Set the compressor at 8 bar: the dryer, the filters and the pipework each lose a little pressure, and this leaves 6 bar at the station. Going higher does nothing for the machines and increases leaks. Our article how to calculate compressor pressure explains the reasoning.
Screw or piston for a dry cleaner's?
A piston compressor suits short, intermittent use. A dry cleaner's, on the other hand, draws air from morning to evening, in waves. Three reasons tip the balance towards a screw compressor:
- Noise. A piston compressor compresses in pulses and can be heard every time it starts. A canopied screw compressor runs more smoothly and more quietly: 65 to 68 dB(A) for the S 55, 66 ± 2 dB(A) for the K 75.
- Running time. A screw compressor is built to run for long periods, a piston compressor for short cycles.
- Variable speed. Our S and K series adjust the motor speed to demand: between two customers, the compressor slows down instead of running off-load.
Our article piston or screw compressor covers the comparison in detail.
4-in-1 or standalone compressor?
The S 55 is a standalone compressor: you need to add an air receiver, a dryer and a fine filter, and connect them. That is a good solution if you already have an air receiver and a dryer in good condition, or if space is short in one place but not in another.
The K 75 and K 110 bring together the compressor, air receiver, refrigerated dryer and filtration on a single frame. One machine to set down, connect and maintain, which matters in a shop where nobody is a technician. Our article 4-in-1 or standalone compressor compares the two options.
Common mistakes
- Counting every machine at 100%. The compressor ends up oversized and idles along all day.
- Forgetting leaks. A dry cleaner's network has a lot of hoses and fittings around the presses. Check it every year.
- Forgetting the power supply. Our compressors run on 380 V three-phase: check your installation with your electrician before ordering.
To confirm your choice, enter your machines in the configurator, then send your manuals with a quote request.
For your trade: Compressor for dry cleaners and dry cleaning shops.