If your business relies on clean laundry every day, choosing the right washing machine to meet the demand is essential. The one you choose can have a big impact on energy consumption, efficiency and costs. For some businesses, a domestic washing machine may be ideal to manage their laundry needs.
However, larger businesses, such as care homes and hotels with high laundry demands, may require a commercial washing machine and possibly more than one to keep up with the workload. In this article, we take a closer look at the key differences between commercial and domestic washing machines to help you understand which is best suited to your business.
Commercial vs Domestic: The key differences
Commercial and domestic washing machines may look the same on the surface. Both have drums, a selection of cycles and settings you recognise, but the difference lies in how they are built and the demands they’re designed to meet.
Domestic washing machines are designed for households and should not really be used in commercial environments or housing schemes with multiple occupancy. These settings are typically regulated around water and energy performance. Domestic washing machines are really designed for use in households once a day, as opposed to multiple cycles. At a minimum, businesses should be looking at semi or light commercial machines, as they better suit smaller operations where laundry isn’t a constant task. This could include B&Bs with a few rooms or a salon with occasional towel loads.
Commercial washing machines, on the other hand, are designed for businesses with high laundry demands. They’re stronger, faster, have bigger capacities and are built to keep running all day without fail. Some commercial washing machines also come with automatic dosing systems to ensure the exact amount of detergent is used every time to reduce costs and ensure hygienic cleaning with every load.
What to consider when choosing a washing machine for your business
Choosing between domestic and commercial comes down to your laundry volume, frequency and speed demands. Understanding your daily needs can help you find the machine that meets all your requirements. Here are some things to consider when selecting a washing machine for your business.
Capacity and workload
Domestic machines usually range from 7kg to 12kg, which is fine for households or small businesses with light laundry. For larger operations, this can be a drawback, as commercial machines often start at 12kg and can go much higher, allowing you to process more in fewer cycles.
Durability and reliability
Domestic machines aren’t designed for constant daily use and can wear out quickly if used excessively. That said, high-end domestic models can handle light commercial use. Commercial machines, however, are built with stronger drums and motors to withstand long days of back-to-back cycles.
Speed and efficiency
Turnaround time is key in most businesses. Domestic machines prioritise energy savings and run slower cycles, which is fine for smaller loads. Commercial machines run faster, with higher spin speeds, ensuring sheets, towels, or uniforms are ready when you need them.
Looking for commercial washing machines?
If your business is looking for commercial washing machines, browse our selection here at PDS. Running from 6kg to 35kg, our machines cater for businesses of all sizes. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
