The Case For And Against Front-Loading Washing Machines

If you're in the market for new washers for your laundromat, then you've likely had some requests for front-loading washing machines. While these washers can be more efficient and are able to handle a larger load, they are also more expensive. Before you have any new equipment delivered to your laundromat, it's important to weigh the benefits and the challenges of this type of machine.

Benefits of front-loading washing machines

1. Efficiency. Front-loading washers use less water and can save you a significant amount of money on your monthly water bill, depending on how many machines you switch from top-loaders. From a customer point of view, these washers have a larger capacity and can hold more, saving them time and potentially money.

2. Stackable. Front-loading washers can be stacked, giving your laundromat more washers per square foot than you could fit with top-loading machines. Depending on how busy your location is, this could positively impact your bottom line.

3. Less drying time. Front-loading washers have a more efficient spin cycle, thus removing more water from the clothes during the total washing process. This translates to less time for clothes to be in the dryer. Potentially, this could mean that your business will need fewer dryers to handle the same number of washing machines.

Why you might want to pass on front-loading washing machines

1. Equipment expense. Front-loading washers are quite a bit more expensive than the traditional top-loading machines.

2. Longer wash times. Front-loading washers also usually take longer to finish their cycles than a top-loading machine, since front-loaders use less water. Depending on the model, front-loading models can take up to 15 minutes longer per load. That not only means more time at the laundromat for your customers, but less revenue per hour for you during peak times when all machines are full.

Front-loading washing machines aren't necessarily the right choice for every laundromat. However, although they are more expensive and take longer to complete their cycle, they will help your business save on its water bill, allow you to increase the number of washing machines in your location by stacking machines, and potentially reduce the number of dryers you need to handle the volume from the washers. It pays to carefully weigh these advantages and challenges as they relate to your business before jumping in and ordering a huge number of new front-loading washers, such as from Metropolitan Laundry Machinery Sales Inc.


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