Textile scientists at Regenex are celebrating some of their best-ever specialist cleaning success rates on a consignment of 11.5 tonnes of hospitality linen from Downtons Dry Cleaning, Laundry and Linen Hire.

The high-end customer tried the patented stain removal process on heavily stained bedding, towels and tableware that would otherwise have been condemned and sent to rag.

Business owner Mark Downton was delighted to welcome back 83% of his linen, after it was revived to its original snowy white and spotless condition.

The eco-friendly company based in Launceston, south-west Devon, services premium hotels, holiday cottages, wedding venues and B&Bs.

Staff sent two deliveries to Regenex for the gentle multi-bath cleaning process devised using textile chemistry principles, resulting in the successful processing of 9.5 tonnes of linen – with the rest sold on for a new purpose as premium rag.

Mark Downton said: “Sustainability and circularity is very important to us as a business and the supply chains we work with. Standards are high. We hate waste and work hard to avoid it, but our customers cannot tolerate any kind of staining on their linens.

“Heavy marks on otherwise good linen are a real problem. We heard about Regenex so we thought we’d give them a try. We were amazed with what the team there achieved and delighted that we got our high-quality linen back into circulation for many more hires and washes to come.”

Downton and Regenex are both past winners at the Laundry and Drycleaning Awards, which celebrate progress and innovation in the sector.

Paul Hamilton, technical director at Regenex, was impressed with Downton’s careful attitude to preparing its stained items for processing.

He said: “We can’t do anything with linen that is ripped or torn, but this consignment was sorted well before shipping.

“It was carefully packed into two full container loads for maximum efficiency in transportation. It’s attention to detail like this that maximises the carbon and money saving potential for working with us.

“We were very pleased with the successful returns we achieved. We are advancing our processes all the time using our scientific knowledge and expertise, and 83% was one of our best results yet.”

Downton saved £33,250 on the cost of buying replacement linen and 285 tonnes of carbon compared with the environmental toll of newly manufactured items.