You’d expect an organisation supplying commercial laundry machines to counsel businesses against obtaining domestic appliances instead, wouldn’t you?

And, guess what? We’re not going to surprise you.

But our advice is not just due to self-interest. There are at least seven valid reasons why choosing initially-cheaper domestic appliances usually makes no sense for businesses:


Appliances in businesses usually have to work much harder than those in homes, where the requirement is typically for only four or five wash loads a week. So, commercial machines are more robust in all respects, including their construction and infrastructure. If you go domestic, you may well, therefore, end up seeing any saving in capital outlay eroded or even exceeded by the cost of regularly-needed repairs and spares.    


The need for those repairs and spares can also mean frequent visits from commercial laundry operations’ number one enemy…the dreaded downtime. And who, in their right mind, would want the frustration, worry and other gifts that this unwelcome guest brings?   


The top-quality Miele commercial machines we provide are built to last around 30,000 hours – equal to operating eight hours a day for a decade – while domestic appliances are typically designed to need replacing after five years. Lifespan is, therefore, another reason why choosing a domestic machine can easily work out much more expensive over time.


Businesses usually need to wash a wider range of items than homes, so commercial machines tend to have more functions and settings, such as wash options and cycle alternatives. These features include many unknown on domestic appliances, delivering benefits such as enhanced economy and speed.

Infection Control

In many locations, including care homes and veterinary surgeries, infection control is vital. Washing machines at these sites must, therefore, be able to reach high temperatures and hold them for prescribed periods, so germs are killed. Commercial appliances can do this, whereas domestic machines simply can’t.     


Standard warranties for domestic machines last just two years, cover the issues that tend to arise in homes and apply only where appliances are used in residences. Faults with these machines tend to differ from problems afflicting those in commercial settings, where issues such as broken doors, knobs or switches and blockages due to inadequate maintenance are much more common. If you use a domestic machine at a commercial site, you could therefore easily find yourself without warranty cover if something goes wrong. In contrast, our own Comfort Care package provides long-term complete protection for commercial machines, including parts, labour and call-outs, 24:7.


All commercial laundry machines connected directly to water supplies must comply with relevant regulations or bylaws. This ensures, among other things, that they don’t push wastewater back into general supplies, risking contamination. The most notable of these measures in England and Wales is the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and the regulator can impose heavy fines for non-compliance with them. Although this isn’t a legal requirement, the easiest and most reliable way for manufacturers to demonstrate compliance is by obtaining approval for their appliances from the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS), an accreditation body, whose members include all the UK’s water suppliers. Most commercial laundry machines are therefore WRAS-approved, while domestic appliances usually aren’t.

For more insight on energy efficiency ratings or for impartial advice on the most effective way to go about improving your laundry carbon footprint, contact us on or 0800 652 5692.