If you are looking for industrial washing machines for your commercial laundry, you may be wondering how big they are and which size is best suited to your needs. Whether you run a laundry in a hotel, care home, hospital or any other commercial setting, choosing the right size machine is essential.
If you choose one that’s too small, you may struggle to keep up with demand. However, if you choose an industrial washing machine that’s too large, it can occupy excessive space or consume excessive energy, resulting in higher costs to operate.
Understanding industrial washing machine capacity
The size of an industrial washing machine is usually measured in kilograms of laundry it can handle in one cycle. This is known as the drum capacity and is the same way that domestic machines are measured.
While a domestic machine might manage 7 to 10kg at a push, industrial models start with larger capacities and can scale up quickly. Light commercial washing machines typically range from 5 to 8kg, while medium machines can handle 20 to 40kg per wash.
These capacity ranges are typically sufficient for most laundries. However, for bigger laundry environments, heavy-duty models and large-scale industrial washers start from 50kg and reach capacities of 180kg for high-volume facilities.
Matching machine size to your needs
The right machine size depends on more than the floor plan. You should also think about:
- Laundry volume: How much do you need to wash each day or week? A hotel changing hundreds of sheets daily has very different needs from a small gym or spa.
- Frequency: Would you rather run fewer large loads or more frequent smaller ones?
- Utilities: Bigger machines use more water and energy. Check your water pressure, drainage and power supply before committing.
- Future growth: If your business is expanding, consider choosing a slightly larger capacity than you currently need.
Why choosing the right size industrial washing machine matters
Choosing the right industrial washing machine can help ensure your laundry runs efficiently.
A machine that matches your laundry volume will:
- Reduce the number of cycles you run each day
- Extend the life of linens by avoiding overloading
- Lower utility costs through optimised use of water and power
- Free up staff time by streamlining the washing process
On the other hand, choosing the wrong size can mean wasted energy, longer shifts and unnecessary wear on both fabrics and machinery.
Need industrial washing machines?
If you are looking for industrial washing machines for your commercial laundry, PDS can help. We supply and service of wide range of washing machines in a variety of sizes from many of the biggest brands.
Whether you need auto-dosing machines, project design and management or breakdown cover and aftercare, get in touch to see how we can help.
