The aim of all businesses is to make a profit, and one contributing factor in achieving this is to decrease costs. So it would make sense to use domestic washing machines which are cheaper to buy than commercial ones, right? WRONG!

Purchasing industrial washing machines for your business will actually save you money in the long run, but there are also a number of other compelling reasons why commercial machines should be used in the business environment.

Durability

Domestic machines are built for typical home use and they are typically tested to support approximately 5000 cycles across their lifetime. They come in a variety of aesthetic designs and colours and have domestic features such as child locks.

Commercial machines, on the other hand, are designed to accommodate heavy usage. They often work continually for hours at a time and in some cases constantly. They are typically tested to run over 30,000 cycles – that’s 8 cycles per day for 7 days a week for 10 years. Their motors are more powerful, and moving internal parts are much more robust than domestic machines. Even the exteriors are more rust resistant.

A domestic machine used for the heavy workload of commercial laundering will break down more quickly and more often. Efficiency will be lost while the machine is out of operation for repairs, and the cost of replacement parts will spiral upwards. A smaller motor will break down more often as it strains with the workload. Commercial machines need far fewer repairs and replacements, thus saving you money in the long term.

Capacity

Even the largest domestic machines have a limited capacity compared to commercial ones. Commercial machines are designed to be used in places such as hospitals, hotels, laundromats, aged care facilities, restaurants, etc. so they are made specifically to handle a very high volume.

Domestic machines are just not built to handle such large loads. They are not large enough, nor are they tough enough. They are far more likely to break down as a result of the frequent use and volume of items being laundered.

Cycle Times

Commercial machines can be much more efficient than domestic machines. Time is a precious commodity for busy businesses so the faster laundry can be cleaned the better. The cycle times on domestic models take considerably longer. A commercial appliance has the capability of washing and drying far more efficiently.

Thermal Disinfection

In order to render viruses and bacteria as dead or inert, bacteria and viruses need to be exposed to a specific temperature for a set amount of time. Commercial machines are designed specifically to meet the time and temperature requirements to achieve Thermal Disinfection. This is essential when laundering for industries such as hospitals, aged care facilities and hotels.

Soiled linen that is thermally disinfected is to be washed so the temperature of the load is either at a minimum of 65°C for not less than 10 minutes, or is at a minimum of 71°C for not less than 3 minutes.

Many domestic machines typically do not heat more than 60°C, and even if they do, there is no way to guarantee that the machine will maintain the required temperature for the minimum amount of time required.

Warranty

Domestic machines usually come with a 1 year warranty, with options to purchase extended warranties. However, it is important to be aware that typically this warranty only covers “home use” and becomes void if the machine is used in commercial business environment.

Cost

When searching for new equipment, domestic machines may appear more cost effective up front. However, because commercial machines are built for durability, capacity and efficiency, they will break down less often than a domestic machine. Business goes on and laundry still needs to be washed while a machine is being repaired, which means you may have to outsource laundering while a machine is offline. This will cost you in both money and efficiency.

Any repair also carries the cost of labour and replacement parts. Commercial machines not only break down less, but they are usually also easier to repair because they are designed for easy access for the technician. Domestic machines are not. A faster repair equates to less cost and less time with an inoperative machine.

When choosing a machine for your business, it is important to consider the total cost both in time and money over the lifetime of the machine.

The features of durability, capacity, efficiency, warranty and disinfection makes a commercial machine the only viable choice for your business.