Commercial & industrial washing machines

Commercial washing machines are built to deliver long-lasting performance and efficiency in high-volume laundries, including care homes, health clubs, hotels, and pay-per-use launderettes. They typically have a higher capacity than domestic appliances and are capable of thousands more wash cycles – ideal for long-term commercial use.

Another thing which sets commercial-grade washers apart is that they must satisfy WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) regulations, particularly in health and social care environments where cleanliness is of the essence. Standard domestic machines simply can’t match commercial units on cleaning power and performance.

Lastly, commercial washers are designed to be easy to repair and service, guaranteeing minimal laundry downtime. This is aided by JLA’s nationwide network of engineers, on hand to fix and repair faults on your machine without delay.

Yes, absolutely. JLA commercial washing machines are assembled from high-spec, durable materials, so they’re capable of lasting up to 12 years based on continuous, max-capacity use. These machines are good for over 30,000 wash cycles, six times more than the average domestic model, which has a standard output of just 5,000.

With a wide variety of commercial washing machines on the market, the model you choose will need to meet the needs of your laundry and its particular requirements. For instance, a commercial machine for a small health club may not be appropriate for a care home, medical facility or hotel.

As such, you should consider the following when deciding on the commercial washing machine that’s right for you:

• Size and capacity of machine: Commercial machines vary from 7kg to 200kg, so choose the model that best aligns with your laundry volume.
• Thermal disinfection or OTEX requirement: Where a laundry deals with infected and contaminated linens, a thermal disinfection or OTEX solution may be required to maintain peak hygiene levels.
• Purpose and application: Commercial washing machines are designed with a range of applications in mind, be it coin-operated units for launderettes or barrier washing machines for hospitals and health facilities. Assess your needs to ensure that the machine you choose meets these specific requirements.

Commercial and industrial washing machines are often used interchangeably, but subtle differences exist between the two which could impact the version that’s right for you.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how professional washing machines differ depending on whether they’re built for commercial or industrial use:

• Size and capacity: Generally speaking, commercial machines are smaller than industrial units, with a reduced capacity of under 100kg. By contrast, professional industrial washing machines are built for large loads of up to 220kg.
• Ease of use: Commercial washing machines are relatively similar to their domestic counterparts, meaning they’re easy to use and deliver recognisable functionality. Industrial machines, on the other hand, are developed for specialist use by trained operators, although they’re not difficult to use by any means.
• Frequency of use: While professional commercial washing machines are robust and powerful enough for frequent daily use, industrial-grade machines can be run on a near-continuous, round-the-clock basis. That makes them an excellent choice for high-capacity laundries, including care homes and hospitals.

Learn more about the differences between commercial and industrial washing machines in our expert guide.

The cost of commercial and industrial washing machines varies significantly depending on the model, size, capacity, and list of onboard features.

Don’t let that put you off, though, because thanks to JLA Total Care, you can get the professional washer you need with no upfront cost. All our commercial and industrial washing machines are included in Total Care, giving you peace of mind that you can get the appliance you need when you need it.