At a Glance:
- The 3 Best Commercial Washing Machine Brands
- 3 Easy Ways to Buy in Bulk
- 4 Tips on Buying Commercial Washer Machines
- Commercial Washer FAQs
- Why Trust East Coast Appliance?
Opening a laundromat can cost business owners $55,000 or more, depending on what is needed. Between commercial grade washers and dryers, coin machines, tables, baskets, and more, you may decide bulk appliance deals are the way to go. Before diving into East Coast Appliance's catalog, take a look at our tips for buying commercial washing machines here.
Shop Commercial Laundry Equipment at East Coast Appliance
Shop Commercial Laundry Equipment at East Coast Appliance
Commercial Laundry3 of the Best Commercial Washing Machine Brands
If you are deciding to open a new laundromat or need to install new commercial machines into an apartment complex, these top washing machine brands will serve you well.
Whirlpool Commercial Washing Machines
Whirlpool is dedicated to innovative features and sustainable avenues to get the job done. When opening a laundry mat, saving on water costs is essential. Here are a few reasons why Whirlpool commercial washing machines made our top three best laundry machine brands list.
Whirlpool Commercial Laundry Machines
- Whirlpool washing machines have innovative features such as high-tech sensors that detect load sizes and automatically adjust the water levels to match.
- Whirlpool commercial washers surpass the government’s energy efficiency standards by 20, making them one of the most environmentally conscious appliances on the market.
- To streamline servicing a commercial Whirlpool washer, the brand has designed them to feature a fast-access steel base that can easily be opened to the motor.
GE Commercial Washing Machines
GE commercial washing machines provide their users with features that you might find in your own washing machine. Here are a few other reasons to invest in GE commercial laundry washers and dryers for your business.
GE Commercial Laundry Machines
- For laundromats or multiple complex owners, you can easily log into GE’s SmartHQ Management Portal to check on any servicing issues.
- GE commercial laundry machines are provided with WiFi connectivity for customers to scan a QR code to start their washing services.
- Microban antimicrobial protection is infused in each of GE’s commercial machines so that routine cleaning is easier.
Maytag Commercial Washing Machines
Maytag commercial washing machines are designed with high-performance features such as flexible water levels, temperatures, and spin speed settings. Here are a few other reasons why Maytag commercial laundry machines are one of the best for your business.
- Maytag works with its customers to create proactive replacement plans for commercial businesses such as laundromats and apartment complexes.
- Numerous flexible controls for users to individually program their wash cycle.
- Maytag commercial laundry washing and drying machines are backed by a robust 10-year warranty plan.
3 Easy Ways to Buy in Bulk
For many commercial businesses, you never want to buy your appliances individually; so, consider purchasing appliances in bulk. At East Coast Appliances, we offer a service called Builder Direct to complete delivery and installation. To help the process go smoothly, here are our three easy tips on buying appliances in bulk.
1. Scratch and Dent Appliances
Scratch and dent appliances are typically offered at a 15 percent reduction. They also only feature cosmetic flaws, which means their internal workings are perfectly fine. Many of the dents that you’ll find on scratch and dent appliances result from manufacturing errors or shipping mishaps.
2. Rebates and Promotions on Appliances
To buy commercial appliances on a budget, look into different promotions and rebates. A rebate functions similarly to a coupon by deducting a certain amount of the total price from your transaction. Promotions are typically featured throughout different times of the year, like holidays.
3. Different Financing Options for Your Appliances
For those first couple of months that your new laundromat is open, it might be hard to pay every bill on time. Financing options make the struggle easier by stretching payments over a fixed amount of time.
Depending on the size of your commercial laundry store, you may be looking at buying 12 front load washers. Just the washing machines alone can quickly add up to $30,000. You will also need commercial dryers (probably the same number), soap dispensers, chairs, and various other equipment. All that to say, opening a laundromat or stocking an apartment complex is not a cheap task.
At East Coast Appliances, we offer BrandSource financing. BrandSource provides our customers with a comprehensive plan and card to easily make your payments over a fixed amount of time with no yearly fees.
4 Things to Consider Before Buying Commercial Washers and Dryers
When investing money in your new business, take time to consider these four things before you buy your commercial washing and drying machines.
1. Front Load vs Top Load Washers
No matter the type of business you are planning to open, deciding between front or top load washers is a must.
Benefits of Top Load Washing Machines: This washing machine model is a classic, and many people will be familiar with how to use them. They do use more power and water, so you might find your bills being a little costlier than average.
Benefits of Front Load Washing Machines: Front loaders are more energy-efficient, and while you may not be marketing your laundromat as sustainable, the benefits of saving power will increase over time. They may require expert services for minor issues, though.
2. Gas vs Electric Dryers
Another major decision to make when opening a business is which type of dryer will suit your company best.
Gas Dryers: These models of dryers require a power source and a gas supply, which may be costly to install. Gas dryers are considered more energy-efficient, although the upfront cost will be heftier.
Electric Dryers: Electric dryers are easier to install and don’t need a specialist to install them. They are cheaper for the initial buy but will cost more since they use more energy.
3. Washing Machine Capacity
You don’t want your customers coming into your laundromat to find your machines can’t handle their loads. If they find this is the case, they may go down the block to your competitor. But the good thing is doing laundry is a necessity, and most likely, your customers rely on your business.
So, knowing which washing machine capacity is ideal for your clientele is a good step to take. There are three main sizes for commercial laundry machines, take a look below.
Standard Size: The standard washing machine size is between 3.1 and 4.0 cubic feet of capacity, which loads roughly 12 to 16 pounds of clothes.
Large Size: A large washing machine has anywhere from 4.2 to 4.5 cubic feet of capacity and can fit 20 pounds of clothing inside its drum.
Mega Size: There is also a mega washing machine size that features more than 4.6 cubic feet of capacity and can hold well over 25 pounds of clothing.
As a business owner, you may want to give your customers a few different capacity options. This will save money since customers won’t be using energy and water for a five-pound load of laundry but inefficiently using a mega-sized machine.
4. Card or Coin Operated Machines
We all have memories of riding to the laundromat with our pockets full of quarters. The most conventional type of laundromat uses coin laundry machines and has multiple ATMs in the store. But this might not be the best option for your customers now.
Almost everyone has a card on them these days. Instead of making your customers find spare change or collect dollars to exchange in your store, having card operated machines may be more convenient. On top of being easier to use, they’re also a more secure choice. You can easily track your business cash flow without counting pounds of coins.
Card readers can cost a pretty penny to install, so consider this drawback when deciding. You can also choose to set up QR codes for customers to easily scan with their phones to start their washing cycle.
Deciding upfront which model of washing machine your business should have, the energy type you want to pay for, and how large your machines are, are great things to map out before opening your business. To supply your business with multiple commercial washing machines and dryers, look into buying appliances in bulk.
Make sure you’re taking the demographic of where your business is into account when installing coin machines or card readers. Lastly, check out East Coast Appliances services to see how we can help you build your business successfully.
Commercial Washer FAQs
How much does a commercial wash machine cost?
Commercial-grade washing machines can cost anywhere from $1000 to $2000. Similarly, commercial dryers can also cost over $1000.
What's the difference between a commercial washer and regular?
Commercial washing machines are designed to handle much higher volumes of laundry. They have been specifically engineered to deal with the demands frequent daily usage inflicts upon a machine. To achieve this, they use heavy-duty parts that you wouldn’t find on typical residential laundry equipment.
Why Trust East Coast?
Locally owned and operated since 1988, East Coast Appliance is the largest independent appliance dealer in Virginia. We sell it ALL — from new name-brand appliances to scratch-and-dent appliances to our very own refurbished appliances. Aside from our huge selection of every major brand and everyday low prices, what sets us apart from our competitors is that we service what we sell and that we are locally owned and operated with factory-trained associates. And if you’re a local, great news: East Coast Appliance is committed to providing the absolute lowest prices on the same available brand and model — simply bring in the ad of the local retail competitor while the lower price is in effect and you'll receive your price match.
Shop Commercial Washing Machines at East Coast
There is a reason we are dubbed “The Discount King” — for unbeatable deals, shop bulk appliance deals online at East Coast Appliance. Our friendly associates are always happy to help you find the best commercial washer and dryer for you, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our showrooms to see why we are the best appliance store in Virginia. Visit us today!
Learn More: Buying Kitchen Appliances in Bulk: Builder Direct