Is used or refurbished commercial laundry equipment worth it?

Not in our view, no.

While we appreciate that there may be a perceived cost-saving advantage to buying second-hand laundry equipment for your business, this is unlikely to yield long-term benefits. Why? Well, for several reasons, including…

Energy efficiency
Older, second-hand laundry equipment is likely to be much less energy efficient than new, particularly when you factor in technological advancements. New commercial washing machines, for instance, will use less water, electricity and even detergent than older models, so you’re already offsetting potential cost savings in these areas alone.

Consider, too, that modern, efficient machines also contribute to reduced emissions, which may help towards your organisation’s long-term ESG targets.

Superior performance
Of course, choosing a new versus old commercial washing machine or dryer isn’t simply a cost-saving exercise; you could see a dramatic improvement in performance and efficacy too, expediting cycle times and making your laundry room more efficient.

Newer models typically clean more effectively and offer better spin speeds, shorter programmes, quieter operation and more advanced settings suited to different fabrics.

For example, in the case of JLA SMART commercial washing machines, they include next-generation drum design and suspension for 400 G-Force during spinning, which leads to greater water extraction and reduced drying times. This type of state-of-the-art performance is typically not found with older equipment models.

Reliability
Consider this: any refurbished washing machine or dryer you’re thinking of purchasing for your business may have been used heavily in a comparable commercial laundry environment. Even with regular servicing and maintenance, used appliances will have been subjected to years of wear and tear, so faults and breakdowns are more likely.

By opting for new commercial laundry equipment, you get the peace of mind that the motors, pumps, bearings, and electronics in your new appliance are brand-new and ready for years of consistent use. This ultimately helps you save time, money and resources, along with the disruption associated with downtime on repairs and maintenance compared to older equipment.

Better access to parts
For older washing machines, tumble dryers and ironing equipment, sourcing parts may be difficult and expensive, particularly if the machine models are no longer in production.

That’s not the case with new laundry equipment. With on-tap access to OEM parts, software updates, and technical support, it’s significantly easier (and potentially cheaper) to ensure that your appliances continue working at their best.

More intuitive features
As the technology behind commercial laundry equipment has evolved, so too have the features, programmes, and settings that are designed to make life simpler for laundry operatives. This also brings the added benefit of potential time, money and resource savings in your commercial laundry.

For example, modern machines, such as SMART washing machines, may include auto-balance features. This helps to safeguard against damage caused by spinning out of balance, with dynamic suspensions and built-in load sensors to ensure consistent and safe day-to-day operation.

Hygiene and cleanliness
Choose a refurbished washing machine versus a new model, and you’ve no real guarantee of how clean your new appliance is. This puts you on the back foot straight away from a hygiene perspective, with the risk of limescale build-up, mould, bad odours and bacteria compromising the performance and cleanliness of your laundry.

Not only are new appliances fresh and clean right out of the box, but they’re also (model permitting) equipped with innovative technologies designed to combat some of the issues alluded to in the previous paragraph. For example, appliances equipped with JLA’s OTEX Ozone Laundry Disinfection technology are proven to remove harmful micro-organisms in every wash, so you can be sure of peak hygiene and cleanliness cycle after cycle.