Soft contents cleaning is a visual, user-driven production flow. This method gives teams total clarity on:
What needs to be cleaned (and by which cleaning method)
Where each load is stored
How many loads exist per method
Which garments are rush or priority
Which items are restored vs. replacement
A complete, billable soft-contents inventory
This approach dramatically reduces the need for tech/scanning during production—while keeping tracking accurate from start to finish.
Requirements & Recommended Setup
1. Perform Inventory at the Warehouse (Not On-Site)
At the job site:
Write insured name + room name/number on a tag.
Affix the tag to the garment bag/box.
Fill the bag and move on—no item-level work here.
At the warehouse:
Empty bags one room at a time.
Sort garments based on the cleaning method you intend to use.
Segment further by load size so you know exactly how many loads you must process per cleaning method.
This creates a clean, trackable workflow for all clothing from every room.
2. Set Up Box Resource Types by Cleaning Method
Configure Box Resources to match how garments will be billed:
Bill By Item → Regular Box
For cleaning methods where each garment is billed individually:
Clean & Press (dry clean)
Clean & Box (wet wash)
Hand Clean
Inventory using QuickShot (one garment per photo).
Bill By Weight → Regular Box
For load-based cleaning processes such as:
Wash & Fold – Colors
Wash & Fold – Whites
Use a Regular Box Resource
Instructions:
Inventory each load as a single line item in that Regular Box Resource.
Use a consistent description (e.g., “Wash & Fold – By Weight”).
Enter the weight using Add Size.
No individual garment barcodes are required — only the box/load barcode is needed for tracking.
3. Sort by Process → Then by Load Size
Sort clothing into:
Wash & Fold loads
Dry Clean loads
Wet Wash loads
Hand Clean loads
Esporta loads
Then break down each method by machine capacity/load size.
Each load becomes its own “unit of production,” assigned a barcode on:
A rolling laundry basket, or
A garment bag, or
A box
This barcode travels with the load for the entire process.
The Inventory Process
(No individual item barcodes required — only the box/load barcode is needed for this method.)
Inventory one line item per load into your Wash & Fold box resource.
First photo: weight scale (if possible).
Additional photos: general contents only—no need to document every piece.
Enter weight as the measurement.
Use a standardized description (e.g., Wash & Fold – By Weight).
Use QuickShot.
Rules:
One garment per photo.
No need for brand/model pictures.
These items will be returned, so simplicity wins.
Processing & Status Workflow
Mark Loads as Restored
After cleaning, drying, folding, or pressing:
Open the iCat Inventory App.
Use Contents Production View.
Scan the barcode for the load.
Select Restored from the action menu.
This updates all garments in that load.
If an item fails cleaning:
Mark that garment as Replacement.
Transfer it out of the load.
Re-inventory it using Restoration Non-Salvage workflow.
Print a Pack-Back Label
After marking restored:
Scan the load barcode.
Use Print Pack-Back Box Label.
The label includes:
Room to return to
Who restored it
Who packaged it
Job name
Recommended: Use a Brother WiFi label printer for fast mobile printing.
Move to Storage
When ready:
Scan the pack-back barcode
Transfer to your defined storage rack/location
(This must be set up beforehand.)
Summary
This method:
Eliminates garment-level scanning
Speeds up production dramatically
Reduces human error
Creates a clean, billable soft-contents inventory
Ensures garments are always findable, trackable, and returnable
Once comfortable, you can tweak the workflow to match your facility’s equipment, staffing, and billing style.
Additional Recommendations
If a Wash & Fold load fills multiple boxes, print extra Pack-Back Labels and mark “1 of 3, 2 of 3…” manually.
Keep loads separate unless using a machine with divided compartments (e.g., Esporta).
Jobs may mix within a facility, but loads must not mix—loads are your unit of control.