How to choose an industrial washing machine?

The basis of any laundry is industrial washing machines, which should perform their functions as best as possible, work as long as possible and cost as little as possible. This begs the logical question: how to choose such machines, because the market offers a huge number of options and it is completely unclear what to give preference to. We will try to understand this issue.

Features of washing machines for business

Some are trying to compare household and industrial washing machines. Like, modern household machines at maximum load are close to industrial ones (10, 12, or even 15 kg), but they cost much less. So why pay more? In fact, professional equipment has a number of fundamental differences, let's consider them.

1. Laundry washing machines are assembled from more reliable and expensive units and accessories. Thanks to this, such machines last much longer than domestic ones.
2. Features of the design and assembly provide such a technique not only long-term operation, but also the ability to withstand significant loads. For comparison: a high-quality household washing machine withstands 4 hours of continuous work per day, industrial - 8-10 hours.
3. The control units of laundry machines are equipped with efficient microprocessors, which allows them to memorize a large number of specific washing programs and user settings.
4. Despite the fact that some household automatic washing machines have a load of 10 kg or more, they are still far from some professional laundry machines that can wash 30, 35 or more kg of laundry at a time.
5. Industrial washing machines have intelligent powder receivers, high-quality automatic laundry weighing systems, and even on-board computers that can memorize and process a fairly large amount of information, which is good for business.
6. Industrial washing machines have far more connectivity options. For example, simultaneous connection to hot and cold water supply, steam supply device, waste water treatment plant, etc.

Note! An industrial washing machine with all its kind inspires confidence - a robust housing and fasteners, reliable, virtually no wearing buttons on the control panel and multi-layer hoses and nozzles that are difficult even to cut with a knife.

Despite the fact that industrial washing machines with a load of 30, 35 kg experience heavy loads, they are able to last 5-7 years without service. And if such a machine is properly looked after and periodically performed a routine inspection, then its service life can well be extended to 30-35 years. It is for such a period that the electric motors of such machines are designed.

After-sales service of industrial washing machines is also up to par. After all, every hour of downtime of such equipment costs the entrepreneur money, so only those companies that carry out high-quality repairs in the shortest possible time remained on the market. The manufacturer of laundry machines also offers extended warranty periods for its equipment.

Varieties of washing machines for business

There are a lot of varieties of industrial washing machines, so it is more convenient to consider it in the framework of classification. Experts identify several classification grounds that allow you to cover and explain the features of most industrial washing units, let's consider them.

• Depending on the design of the drum, there are barrier and barrier-free machines.
• Depending on the particular installation, there are sprung and static machines.
• Depending on the number of steps for linen care, washing machines, washing and squeezing, washing and drying machines are distinguished.
• Depending on the possible intensity of the drum, there are machines with a high speed of rotation of the drum and low speed.
• Depending on the control features, there are automatic machines with control units and computer-controlled automatic machines.
• Depending on the method of heating water, there are heating elements, steam and mixed-connection machines.

So, barrier and barrier-free industrial washing machines with a load of 10, 30, 35 and more kg, how do they differ from each other? The loading of the drum in this case plays a secondary role, the capacity can be different from 10 to 240 kg, the main design. Barrier drums have special sections that allow washing clothes separately. This makes it possible to wash different types of laundry at the same time, including various types of soiling.

Barrier-free machines are similar in design to household machines, since their drum is an undivided integral tank. Suspension machines differ from static ones in that spring centrifugal force compensators are integrated in them, which means that they can be installed anywhere, on any surface without restrictions. Static machines do not have springs, therefore, when the drum rotates, they vibrate more strongly, which requires them to be installed on a special coating that dampens strong vibration.

Different models of industrial machines have different functionality, some are intended only for washing, and then they have to be pulled out and sent to a centrifuge for spinning, and then to the dryer for drying. Others can wash and spin, but cannot dry, while others can do everything: wash, squeeze, and dry.

Note! Washer-dryers are convenient for their versatility, but they cannot be called economical. Most of these machines require connection to industrial electrical communications.

Typically, industrial machines with a load of 150, 200 or more kg have slowly rotating drums, up to about 500 rpm. Such machines can only wash clothes, while spinning and drying are carried out by other equipment, although there are exceptions. On the contrary, industrial machines with a drum loading of 10, 30, 35 and 50 kg are much more versatile and capable of washing, squeezing and drying clothes in a fully automatic mode.

Modern models of industrial washing machines are equipped with not only control units familiar to us, but also full-featured on-board computers. This allows you to program the units as needed by the entrepreneur for a more efficient business. Also, industrial machines can heat water using a heating element - heating elements, using steam or in various ways. Machines with the possibility of combined heating of water are much more profitable than everyone else.

Manufacturers Overview

Start with manufacturers rating. We note right away that the approaches to compiling ratings for different specialists are different, so it’s rather difficult to come to a common opinion in this regard. Nevertheless, we managed to form a composite rating that reflects a more or less real picture.

1. Three companies producing industrial washing machines: Electrolux, Mile and Akira Industrial, immediately took first place in our rating. They produce the highest quality equipment in the world, and also provide a very long warranty service (24 months).
2. The second place is rightfully occupied by LG. The quality of their machines is slightly inferior to the technology from Mile and Electrolux, but their technology is much more technological, which opens up new opportunities for business.
3. The third place is occupied by domestic brands Vyazma and Prokhim. These companies produce high-quality and inexpensive industrial washing machines.In addition to an attractive price, this technique is characterized by high efficiency and the ability to connect to various communications.
4. Fourth place we gave the Spanish manufacturer Fagor. Industrial washing machines of this company are compact, ergonomic, equipped with computers, but their price is often frightening away businessmen, but in vain.
5. Fifth place belongs to the Italian manufacturer Kandy. Their equipment does not differ in any “supernatural” characteristics, but they provide very high-quality after-sales service for their equipment and are characterized by a very flexible pricing policy.

Note! Italian equipment breaks down quite often, apparently, which is why manufacturers are trying to compensate for this drawback with inexpensive components and quality after-sales service.

Model Review: which machine is better?

We dealt with the manufacturers, now our task is to review the best models of professional washing machines. We use the same approach as in the case of manufacturers and select some of the best models, according to most experts.

Miele PW6321. One of the best professional computer-controlled washing machines in the world with a huge work resource. Maximum drum loading 30 kg, 1000 rpm, electric heating. This is, without exaggeration, the best German technology, its functionality and reliability are amazing. The price is amazing. The average cost of this model in the CIS market is 30,000 cu

LG WD-1069BD3S. This professional washing machine was rightly classified by the experts as the best. This is an ideal example for small businesses - laundromats. Such a machine has a real drum load of up to 10 kg, has great reliability and intuitive controls, which are not much different from the control of household washing machines. The price is also quite attractive - an average of $ 1,400

Vyazma VO6001. Great professional car for a large laundry or hotel. This machine is actually capable of washing clothes on an industrial scale, because its drum has a real load of up to 60 kg. The reliability and performance of the machine is unprecedented, add here cheap spare parts and competent after-sales service, and you will get the best equipment for a serious business. The average price is 20,000 cu

Fagor LR-11ME. Almost perfect machine, which is useful to any small laundry. The maximum drum load of this model is only 10 kg, but there is an extremely reliable inverter motor with an enormous working resource. Some experts jokingly call these engines “unkillable” and this is not far from the truth. The machine is equipped with a powerful programmable microprocessor, and its drum is able to rotate at a speed of 820 rpm. Price - 4000 cu

Note! In our review, the average retail price for one unit of equipment is indicated, with wholesale purchase for a business, the price can differ significantly.

What to look for when choosing a similar machine?

Now it's time to identify the priority criteria for choosing an industrial washing machine. What should I pay attention to in the end to get the best equipment for my business?

• The nature of the business. Features of the future professional typewriter will depend on the field of activity for which it is acquired. For example, if a machine is needed for a large laundry, then perhaps you should pay attention to universal models with a drum loading of at least 30-35 kg. If this is a hairdresser, then perhaps you should stop on a model with a load of up to 10 kg, which will connect to a household electrical outlet.
• The amount of linen, load. Estimate the estimated load on the unit. After all, machines with a large working resource and a load of at least 30-35 kg will cost much more. Why overpay for more powerful equipment if it is not needed?
• What kind of linen will have to be washed. When choosing a washing machine, you should think about what things will have to be washed in it and what typical pollution they will have. For example, hospital pastel linen is better to wash in barrier machines, they provide much better disinfection. Most models with a drum loading of at least 35 kg.
• Connectivity to communications. For small businesses, this is a very important factor, because it is not always possible to lay the necessary communications in rented premises. Therefore, it is necessary to select models of equipment that is not too demanding in the sense of its installation and commissioning.
• Reliability, price. These selection criteria can be considered decisive for any businessman. After all, their depreciation expenses will directly depend on them. You need to try to choose a technique so that it is an almost perfect balance of price and quality. We have already given examples of such a technique.

To summarize, we note that industrial and household washing machines cannot be distinguished from each other in terms of maximum drum load. An industrial machine can have a load of 7, 10, 20, 30, 35 and more kg, while it surpasses a household washing machine in many other ways. Choosing a professional car is not easy, you need to evaluate many factors, study the ratings of models and manufacturers, correlate this information with the business plan, and only then make the final decision.